Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of
Idomeneus.
Now Zeus, after that he had brought the Trojans and Hector to the
ships, left them to their toil and endless labour there, but otherwhere
again he turned his shining eyes, and looked upon the land of the
Thracian horsebreeders, and the Mysians, fierce fighters hand to hand,
and the proud Hippemolgoi that drink mare’s milk, and the Abioi, the
most righteous of men. To Troy no more at all he turned his shining
eyes, for he deemed in his heart that not one of the Immortals would
draw near, to help either Trojans or Danaans.
But the mighty Earthshaker held no blind watch, who sat and marvelled
on the war and strife, high on the topmost crest of wooded Samothrace,
for thence all Ida was plain to see; and plain to see were the city of
Priam, and the ships of the Achaians. Thither did he go from the sea
and sate him down, and he had pity on the Achaians, that they were
subdued to the Trojans, and strong was his anger against Zeus.
Then forthwith he went down from the rugged hill, faring with swift
steps, and the high hills trembled, and the woodland, beneath the
immortal footsteps of Poseidon as he moved. Three strides he made, and
with the fourth he reached his goal, even Aigae, and there was his
famous palace in the deeps of the mere, his glistering golden mansions
builded, imperishable for ever. Thither went he, and let harness to the
car his bronze-hooved horses, swift of flight, clothed with their
golden manes. He girt his own golden array about his body, and seized
the well-wrought lash of gold, and mounted his chariot, and forth he
drove across the waves. And the sea beasts frolicked beneath him, on
all sides out of the deeps, for well they knew their lord, and with
gladness the sea stood asunder, and swiftly they sped, and the axle of
bronze was not wetted beneath, and the bounding steeds bare him on to
the ships of the Achaians.
Now there is a spacious cave in the depths of the deep mere, between
Tenedos and rugged Imbros; there did Poseidon, the Shaker of the earth,
stay his horses, and loosed them out of the chariot, and cast before
them ambrosial food to graze withal, and golden tethers he bound about
their hooves, tethers neither to be broken nor loosed, that there the
horses might continually await their lord’s return. And he went to the
host of the Achaians.
Now the Trojans like flame or storm-wind were following in close array,
with fierce intent, after Hector, son of Priam. With shouts and cries
they came, and thought to take the ships of the Achaians, and to slay
thereby all the bravest of the host. But Poseidon, that girdleth the
world, the Shaker of the earth, was urging on the Argives, and forth he
came from the deep salt sea, in form and untiring voice like unto
Kalchas. First he spake to the two Aiantes, that themselves were eager
for battle: “Ye Aiantes twain, ye shall save the people of the
Achaians, if ye are mindful of your might, and reckless of chill fear.
For verily I do not otherwhere dread the invincible hands of the
Trojans, that have climbed the great wall in their multitude, nay, the
well-greaved Achaians will hold them all at bay; but hereby verily do I
greatly dread lest some evil befall us, even here where that furious
one is leading like a flame of fire, Hector, who boasts him to be son
of mighty Zeus. Nay, but here may some god put it into the hearts of
you twain, to stand sturdily yourselves, and urge others to do the
like; thereby might ye drive him from the fleet-faring ships, despite
his eagerness, yea, even if the Olympian himself is rousing him to
war.”
Therewith the Shaker of the world, the girdler of the earth, struck the
twain with his staff, and filled them with strong courage, and their
limbs he made light, and their feet, and their hands withal. Then, even
as a swift-winged hawk speeds forth to fly, poised high above a tall
sheer rock, and swoops to chase some other bird across the plain, even
so Poseidon sped from them, the Shaker of the world. And of the twain
Oileus’ son, the swift-footed Aias, was the first to know the god, and
instantly he spake to Aias, son of Telamon: “Aias, since it is one of
the gods who hold Olympus, that in the semblance of a seer commands us
now to fight beside the ships—not Kalchas is he, the prophet and
soothsayer, for easily I knew the tokens of his feet and knees as he
turned away, and the gods are easy to discern—lo, then mine own heart
within my breast is more eagerly set on war and battle, and my feet
beneath and my hands above are lusting for the fight.”
Then Aias, son of Telamon, answered him saying: “Even so, too, my hands
invincible now rage about the spear-shaft, and wrath has risen within
me, and both my feet are swift beneath me; yea, I am keen to meet, even
in single fight, the ceaseless rage of Hector son of Priam.”
So they spake to each other, rejoicing in the delight of battle, which
the god put in their heart. Then the girdler of the earth stirred up
the Achaians that were in the rear and were renewing their strength
beside the swift ships. Their limbs were loosened by their grievous
toil, yea, and their souls filled with sorrow at the sight of the
Trojans, that had climbed over the great wall in their multitude. And
they looked on them, and shed tears beneath their brows, thinking that
never would they escape destruction. But the Shaker of the earth right
easily came among them, and urged on the strong battalions of warriors.
Teukros first he came and summoned, and Leïtos, and the hero Peneleos,
and Thoas, and Deïpyros, and Meriones, and Antilochos, lords of the
war-cry, all these he spurred on with winged words: “Shame on you,
Argives, shame, ye striplings, in your battle had I trusted for the
salvation of our ships. But if you are to withdraw from grievous war,
now indeed the day doth shine that shall see us conquered by the
Trojans. Out on it, for verily a great marvel is this that mine eyes
behold, a terrible thing that methought should never come to pass, the
Trojans advancing against our ships! Of yore they were like fleeting
hinds, that in the wild wood are the prey of jackals, and pards, and
wolves, and wander helpless, strengthless, empty of the joy of battle.
Even so the Trojans of old cared never to wait and face the wrath and
the hands of the Achaians, not for a moment. But now they are fighting
far from the town, by the hollow ships, all through the baseness of our
leader and the remissness of the people, who, being at strife with the
chief, have no heart to defend the swift-faring ships, nay, thereby
they are slain. But if indeed and in truth the hero Agamemnon, the
wide-ruling son of Atreus, is the very cause of all, for that he did
dishonour the swift-footed son of Peleus, not even so may we refrain in
any wise from war. Nay, let us right our fault with speed, for easily
righted are the hearts of the brave. No longer do ye well to refrain
from impetuous might, all ye that are the best men of the host. I
myself would not quarrel with one that, being a weakling, abstained
from war, but with you I am heartily wroth. Ah, friends, soon shall ye
make the mischief more through this remissness,—but let each man
conceive shame in his heart, and indignation, for verily great is the
strife that hath arisen. Lo, the mighty Hector of the loud war-cry is
fighting at the ships, and the gates and the long bar he hath burst in
sunder.”
On this wise did the Earth-enfolder call to and spur on the Achaians.
And straightway they made a stand around the two Aiantes, strong bands
that Ares himself could not enter and make light of, nor Athene that
marshals the host. Yea, they were the chosen best that abode the
Trojans and goodly Hector, and spear on spear made close-set fence, and
shield on serried shield, buckler pressed on buckler, and helm on helm,
and man on man. The horse-hair crests on the bright helmet-ridges
touched each other as they nodded, so close they stood each by other,
and spears brandished in bold hands were interlaced; and their hearts
were steadfast and lusted for battle.
Then the Trojans drave forward in close array, and Hector led them,
pressing straight onwards, like a rolling rock from a cliff, that the
winter-swollen water thrusteth from the crest of a hill, having broken
the foundations of the stubborn rock with its wondrous flood; leaping
aloft it flies, and the wood echoes under it, and unstayed it runs its
course, till it reaches the level plain, and then it rolls no more for
all its eagerness,—even so Hector for a while threatened lightly to win
to the sea through the huts and the ships of the Achaians, slaying as
he came, but when he encountered the serried battalions, he was stayed
when he drew near against them. But they of the other part, the sons of
the Achaians, thrust with their swords and double-pointed spears, and
drave him forth from them, that he gave ground and reeled backward.
Then he cried with a piercing voice, calling on the Trojans: “Trojans,
and Lykians, and close-fighting Dardanians, hold your ground, for the
Achaians will not long ward me off, nay, though they have arrayed
themselves in fashion like a tower. Rather, methinks, they will flee
back before the spear, if verily the chief of gods has set me on, the
loud-thundering lord of Hera.”
Therewith he spurred on the heart and spirit of each man; and
Deïphobos, the son of Priam, strode among them with high thoughts, and
held in front of him the circle of his shield, and lightly he stepped
with his feet, advancing beneath the cover of his shield. Then Meriones
aimed at him with a shining spear, and struck, and missed not, but
smote the circle of the bulls’-hide shield, yet no whit did he pierce
it; nay, well ere that might be, the long spear-shaft snapped in the
socket. Now Deiphobos was holding off from him the bulls’-hide shield,
and his heart feared the lance of wise Meriones, but that hero shrunk
back among the throng of his comrades, greatly in wrath both for the
loss of victory, and of his spear, that he had shivered. So he set
forth to go to the huts and the ships of the Achaians, to bring a long
spear, that he had left in his hut.
Meanwhile the others were fighting on, and there arose an
inextinguishable cry. First Teukros, son of Telamon, slew a man, the
spearman Imbrios, the son of Mentor rich in horses. In Pedaion he
dwelt, before the coming of the sons of the Achaians, and he had for
wife a daughter of Priam, born out of wedlock, Medesikaste; but when
the curved ships of the Danaans came, he returned again to Ilios, and
was pre-eminent among the Trojans, and dwelt with Priam, who honoured
him like his own children. Him the son of Telemon pierced below the ear
with his long lance, and plucked back the spear. Then he fell like an
ash that on the crest of a far-seen hill is smitten with the axe of
bronze, and brings its delicate foliage to the ground; even so he fell,
and round him rang his armour bedight with bronze. Then Teukros rushed
forth, most eager to strip his armour, and Hector cast at him as he
came with his shining spear. But Teukros, steadily regarding him,
avoided by a little the spear of bronze; so Hector struck Amphimachos,
son of Kteatos, son of Aktor, in the breast with the spear, as he was
returning to the battle. With a crash he fell, and his armour rang upon
him.
Then Hector sped forth to tear from the head of great-hearted
Amphimachos the helmet closely fitted to his temples, but Aias aimed at
Hector as he came, with a shining spear, yet in no wise touched his
body, for he was all clad in dread armour of bronze; but he smote the
boss of his shield, and drave him back by main force, and he gave place
from behind the two dead men, and the Achaians drew them out of the
battle. So Stichios and goodly Menestheus, leaders of the Athenians,
conveyed Amphimachos back among the host of the Achaians, but Imbrios
the two Aiantes carried, with hearts full of impetuous might. And as
when two lions have snatched away a goat from sharp-toothed hounds, and
carry it through the deep thicket, holding the body on high above the
ground in their jaws, so the two warrior Aiantes held Imbrios aloft and
spoiled his arms. Then the son of Oileus cut his head from his delicate
neck, in wrath for the sake of Amphimachos, and sent it rolling like a
ball through the throng, and it dropped in the dust before the feet of
Hector.
Then verily was Poseidon wroth at heart, when his son’s son fell in the
terrible fray.* So he set forth to go by the huts and the ships of the
Achaians, to spur on the Danaans, and sorrows he was contriving for the
Trojans. Then Idomeneus, spearman renowned, met him on his way from his
comrade that had but newly returned to him out of the battle, wounded
on the knee with the sharp bronze. Him his comrades carried forth, and
Idomeneus gave charge to the leeches, and so went on to his hut, for he
still was eager to face the war. Then the mighty Shaker of the earth
addressed him, in the voice of Thoas, son of Andraimon, that ruled over
the Aitolians in all Pleuron, and mountainous Kalydon, and was honoured
like a god by the people: “Idomeneus, thou counsellor of the Cretans,
say, whither have thy threats fared, wherewith the sons of the Achaians
threatened the Trojans?”
* Kteatos, father of Amphimachos, was Poseidon’s son.
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him again: “O Thaos,
now is there no man to blame, that I wot of, for we all are skilled in
war. Neither is there any man that spiritless fear holds aloof, nor any
that gives place to cowardice, and shuns the cruel war, nay, but even
thus, methinks, must it have seemed good to almighty Kronion, even that
the Achaians should perish nameless here, far away from Argos. But
Thoas, seeing that of old thou wert staunch, and dost spur on some
other man, wheresoever thou mayst see any give ground, therefore
slacken not now, but call aloud to every warrior.”
Then Poseidon, the Shaker of the earth, answered him again: “Idomeneus,
never may that man go forth out of Troy-land, but here may he be the
sport of dogs, who this day wilfully is slack in battle. Nay, come,
take thy weapons and away: herein we must play the man together, if any
avail there may be, though we are no more than two. Ay, and very
cowards get courage from company, but we twain know well how to battle
even with the brave.”
Therewith the god went back again into the strife of men, but
Idomeneus, so soon as he came to his well-builded hut, did on his fair
armour about his body, and grasped two spears, and set forth like the
lightning that Kronion seizes in his hand and brandishes from radiant
Olympus, showing forth a sign to mortal men, and far seen are the
flames thereof. Even so shone the bronze about the breast of Idomeneus
as he ran, and Meriones, his good squire, met him, while he was still
near his hut,—he was going to bring his spear of bronze,—and mighty
Idomeneus spake to him: “Meriones son of Molos, fleet of foot, dearest
of my company, wherefore hast thou come hither and left the war and
strife? Art thou wounded at all, and vexed by a dart’s point, or dost
thou come with a message for me concerning aught? Verily I myself have
no desire to sit in the huts, but to fight.”
Then wise Meriones answered him again, saying: “[Idomeneus, thou
counsellor of the mail-clad Cretans,] I have come to fetch a spear, if
perchance thou hast one left in the huts, for that which before I
carried I have shivered in casting at the shield of proud Deiphobos.”
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him again: “Spears, if
thou wilt, thou shalt find, one, ay, and twenty, standing in the hut,
against the shining side walls, spears of the Trojans whereof I have
spoiled their slain. Yea, it is not my mood to stand and fight with
foemen from afar, wherefore I have spears, and bossy shields, and
helms, and corslets of splendid sheen.”
Then wise Meriones answered him again: “Yea, and in mine own hut and my
black ship are many spoils of the Trojans, but not ready to my hand.
Nay, for methinks that neither am I forgetful of valour; but stand
forth among the foremost to face the glorious war, whensoever ariseth
the strife of battle. Any other, methinks, of the mail-clad Achaians
should sooner forget my prowess, but thou art he that knoweth it.”
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him again: “I know what
a man of valour thou art, wherefore shouldst thou tell me thereof? Nay,
if now beside the ships all the best of us were being chosen for an
ambush—wherein the valour of men is best discerned; there the coward,
and the brave man most plainly declare themselves: for the colour of
the coward changes often, and his spirit cannot abide firm within him,
but now he kneels on one knee, now on the other, and rests on either
foot, and his heart beats noisily in his breast, as he thinks of doom,
and his teeth chatter loudly. But the colour of the brave man does not
change, nor is he greatly afraid, from the moment that he enters the
ambush of heroes, but his prayer is to mingle instantly in woful war.
Were we being chosen for such an ambush, I say, not even then would any
man reckon lightly of thy courage and thy strength. Nay, and even if
thou wert stricken in battle from afar, or smitten in close fight, the
dart would not strike thee in the hinder part of the neck, nor in the
back, but would encounter thy breast or belly, as thou dost press on,
towards the gathering of the foremost fighters. But come, no more let
us talk thus, like children, loitering here, lest any man be vehemently
wroth, but go thou to the hut, and bring the strong spear.”
Thus he spake, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, quickly bare the
spear of bronze from the hut, and went after Idomeneus, with high
thoughts of battle. And even as Ares, the bane of men, goes forth into
the war, and with him follows his dear son Panic, stark and fearless,
that terrifies even the hardy warrior; and these twain leave Thrace,
and harness them for fight with the Ephyri, or the great-hearted
Phlegyans, yet hearken not to both peoples, but give honour to one
only; like these gods did Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of men, set
forth into the fight, harnessed in gleaming bronze. And Meriones spake
first to Idomeneus saying: “Child of Deukalion, whither art thou eager
to enter into the throng: on the right of all the host, or in the
centre, or on the left? Ay, and no other where, methinks, are the
flowing-haired Achaians so like to fail in fight.”
Then Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, answered him again: “In the
centre of the ships there are others to bear the brunt, the two
Aiantes, and Teukros, the best bowman of the Achaians, ay, and a good
man in close fight; these will give Hector Priam’s son toil enough,
howsoever keen he be for battle; yea, though he be exceeding stalwart.
Hard will he find it, with all his lust for war, to overcome their
strength and their hands invincible, and to fire the ships, unless
Kronion himself send down on the swift ships a burning brand. But not
to a man would he yield, the great Telamonian Aias, to a man that is
mortal and eateth Demeter’s grain, and may be cloven with the sword of
bronze, and with hurling of great stones. Nay, not even to Achilles the
breaker of the ranks of men would he give way, not in close fight; but
for speed of foot none may in any wise strive with Achilles. But guide
us twain, as thou sayest, to the left hand of the host, that speedily
we may learn whether we are to win glory from others, or other men from
us.”
So he spake, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, led the way, till
they came to the host, in that place whither he bade him go.
And when the Trojans saw Idomeneus, strong as flame, and his squire
with him, and their glorious armour, they all shouted and made for him
through the press. Then their mellay began, by the sterns of the ships.
And as the gusts speed on, when shrill winds blow, on a day when dust
lies thickest on the roads, and the winds raise together a great cloud
of dust, even so their battle clashed together, and all were fain of
heart to slay each other in the press with the keen bronze. And the
battle, the bane of men, bristled with the long spears, the piercing
spears they grasped, and the glitter of bronze from gleaming helmets
dazzled the eyes, and the sheen of new-burnished corslets, and shining
shields, as the men thronged all together. Right hardy of heart would
he have been that joyed and sorrowed not at the sight of this labour of
battle.
Thus the two mighty sons of Kronos, with contending will, were
contriving sorrow and anguish for the heroes. Zeus desired victory for
the Trojans and Hector, giving glory to swift-footed Achilles; yet he
did not wish the Achaian host to perish utterly before Ilios, but only
to give renown to Thetis and her strong-hearted son. But Poseidon went
among the Argives and stirred them to war, stealing secretly forth from
the grey salt sea: for he was sore vexed that they were overcome by the
Trojans, and was greatly in wrath against Zeus. Verily both were of the
same lineage and the same place of birth, but Zeus was the elder and
the wiser. Therefore also Poseidon avoided to give open aid, but
secretly ever he spurred them on, throughout the host, in the likeness
of a man. These twain had strained the ends of the cords of strong
strife and equal war, and had stretched them over both Trojans and
Achaians, a knot that none might break nor undo, for the loosening of
the knees of many.
Even then Idomeneus, though his hair was flecked with grey, called on
the Danaans, and leaping among the Trojans, roused their terror. For he
slew Othryoneus of Kabesos, a sojourner there, who but lately had
followed after the rumour of war, and asked in marriage the fairest of
the daughters of Priam, Kassandra, without gifts of wooing, but with
promise of mighty deed, namely that he would drive perforce out of
Troy-land the sons of the Achaians. To him the old man Priam promised
and appointed that he would give her, so he fought trusting in his
promises. And Idomeneus aimed at him with a bright spear, and cast and
smote him as he came proudly striding on, and the corslet of bronze
that he wore availed not, but the lance struck in the midst of his
belly. And he fell with a crash, and Idomeneus boasted over him, and
lifted up his voice, saying: “Othryoneus, verily I praise thee above
all mortal men, if indeed thou shalt accomplish all that thou hast
promised to Priam, son of Dardanos, that promised thee again his own
daughter. Yea, and we likewise would promise as much to thee, and
fulfil it, and would give thee the fairest daughter of the son of
Atreus, and bring her from Argos, and wed her to thee, if only thou
wilt aid us to take the fair-set citadel of Ilios. Nay, follow us that
we may make a covenant of marriage by the seafaring ships, for we are
no hard exacters of gifts of wooing.”
Therewith the hero Idomeneus dragged him by the foot across the fierce
mellay. But Asios came to his aid, on foot before his horses that the
charioteer guided so that still their breath touched the shoulders of
Asios. And the desire of his heart was to cast at Idomeneus, who was
beforehand with him, and smote him with the spear in the throat, below
the chin, and drove the point straight through. And he fell as an oak
falls, or a poplar, or tall pine tree, that craftsmen have felled on
the hills with new whetted axes, to be a ship’s timber, even so he lay
stretched out before the horses and the chariot, groaning, and
clutching the bloody dust. And the charioteer was amazed, and kept not
his wits, as of old, and dared not turn his horses and avoid out of the
hands of foemen; and Antilochos the steadfast in war smote him, and
pierced the middle of his body with a spear. Nothing availed the
corslet of bronze he was wont to wear, but he planted the spear fast in
the midst of his belly. Therewith he fell gasping from the well-wrought
chariot, and Antilochos, the son of great-hearted Nestor, drave the
horses out from the Trojans, among the well-greaved Achaians. Then
Deiphobos, in sorrow for Asios, drew very nigh Idomeneus, and cast at
him with his shining spear. But Idomeneus steadily watching him,
avoided the spear of bronze, being hidden beneath the circle of his
shield, the shield covered about with ox-hide and gleaming bronze, that
he always bore, fitted with two arm-rods: under this he crouched
together, and the spear of bronze flew over. And his shield rang
sharply, as the spear grazed thereon. Yet it flew not vainly from the
heavy hand of Deiphobos, but smote Hypsenor, son of Hippasos, the
shepherd of the hosts, in the liver, beneath the midriff, and instantly
unstrung his knees. And Deiphobos boasted over him terribly, crying
aloud: “Ah, verily, not unavenged lies Asios, nay, methinks, that even
on his road to Hades, strong Warden of the gate, he will rejoice at
heart, since, lo, I have sent him escort for the way!”
So spake he, but grief came on the Argives by reason of his boast, and
stirred above all the soul of the wise-hearted Antilochos, yet, despite
his sorrow, he was not heedless of his dear comrade, but ran and stood
over him, and covered him with his buckler. Then two trusty companions,
Mekisteus, son of Echios, and goodly Alastor, stooped down and lifted
him, and with heavy groaning bare him to the hollow ships.
And Idomeneus relaxed not his mighty force, but ever was striving,
either to cover some one of the Trojans with black night, or himself to
fall in warding off death from the Achaians. There the dear son of
Aisyetes, fosterling of Zeus, even the hero Alkathoos, was slain, who
was son-in-law of Anchises, and had married the eldest of his
daughters, Hippodameia, whom her father and her lady mother dearly
loved in the halls, for she excelled all the maidens of her age in
beauty, and skill, and in wisdom, wherefore the best man in wide Troy
took her to wife. This Alkathoos did Poseidon subdue to Idomeneus,
throwing a spell over his shining eyes, and snaring his glorious limbs;
so that he might neither flee backwards, nor avoid the stroke, but
stood steady as a pillar, or a tree with lofty crown of leaves, when
the hero Idomeneus smote him in the midst of the breast with the spear,
and rent the coat of bronze about him, that aforetime warded death from
his body, but now rang harsh as it was rent by the spear. And he fell
with a crash, and the lance fixed in his heart, that, still beating,
shook the butt-end of the spear. Then at length mighty Ares spent its
fury there; but Idomeneus boasted terribly, and cried aloud:
“Deiphobos, are we to deem it fair acquittal that we have slain three
men for one, since thou boastest thus? Nay, sir, but stand thou up also
thyself against me, that thou mayst know what manner of son of Zeus am
I that have come hither! For Zeus first begat Minos, the warden of
Crete, and Minos got him a son, the noble Deukalion, and Deukalion
begat me, a prince over many men in wide Crete, and now have the ships
brought me hither, a bane to thee and thy father, and all the Trojans.”
Thus he spake, but the thoughts of Deiphobos were divided, whether he
should retreat, and call to his aid some one of the great-hearted
Trojans, or should try the adventure alone. And on this wise to his
mind it seemed the better, to go after Aineias, whom he found standing
the last in the press, for Aineias was ever wroth against goodly Priam,
for that Priam gave him no honour, despite his valour among men. So
Deiphobos stood by him, and spake winged words to him: “Aineias, thou
counsellor of the Trojans, now verily there is great need that thou
shouldst succour thy sister’s husband, if any care for kin doth touch
thee. Nay follow, let us succour Alkathoos, thy sister’s husband, who
of old did cherish thee in his hall, while thou wert but a little one,
and now, lo, spear-famed Idomeneus hath stripped him of his arms!”
So he spake, and roused the spirit in the breast of Aineias, who went
to seek Idomeneus, with high thoughts of war. But fear took not hold
upon Idomeneus, as though he had been some tender boy, but he stood at
bay, like a boar on the hills that trusteth to his strength, and abides
the great assailing throng of men in a lonely place, and he bristles up
his back, and his eyes shine with fire, while he whets his tusks, and
is right eager to keep at bay both men and hounds. Even so stood
spear-famed Idomeneus at bay against Aineias, that came to the rescue,
and gave ground no whit, but called on his comrades, glancing to
Askalaphos, and Aphareus, and Deipyros, and Meriones, and Antilochos,
all masters of the war-cry; them he spurred up to battle, and spake
winged words: “Hither, friends, and rescue me, all alone as I am, and
terribly I dread the onslaught of swift-footed Aineias, that is
assailing me; for he is right strong to destroy men in battle, and he
hath the flower of youth, the greatest avail that may be. Yea, if he
and I were of like age, and in this spirit whereof now we are, speedily
should he or I achieve high victory.”
So he spake, and they all, being of one spirit in their hearts, stood
hard by each other, with buckler laid on shoulder. But Aineias, on the
other side, cried to his comrades, glancing to Deiphobos, and Paris,
and noble Agenor, that with him were leaders of the Trojans; and then
the hosts followed them, as sheep follow their leader to the water from
the pasture, and the shepherd is glad at heart; even so the heart of
Aineias was glad in his breast, when he saw the hosts of the people
following to aid him.
Then they rushed in close fight around Alkathoos with their long
spears, and round their breasts the bronze rang terribly, as they aimed
at each other in the press, while two men of war beyond the rest,
Aineias and Idomeneus, the peers of Ares, were each striving to hew the
flesh of the other with the pitiless bronze. Now Aineias first cast at
Idomeneus, who steadily watching him avoided the spear of bronze, and
the point of Aineias went quivering in the earth, since vainly it had
flown from his stalwart hand. But Idomeneus smote Oinomaos in the midst
of the belly, and brake the plate of his corslet, and the bronze let
forth the bowels through the corslet, and he fell in the dust and
clutched the earth in his palms. And Idomeneus drew forth the
far-shadowing spear from the dead, but could not avail to strip the
rest of the fair armour from his shoulders, for the darts pressed hard
on him. Nay, and his feet no longer served him firmly in a charge, nor
could he rush after his own spear, nor avoid the foe. Wherefore in
close fight he still held off the pitiless day of destiny, but in
retreat his feet no longer bore him swiftly from the battle. And as he
was slowly departing, Deiphobos aimed at him with his shining spear,
for, verily he ever cherished a steadfast hatred against Idomeneus. But
this time, too, he missed him, and smote Askalaphos, the son of
Enyalios, with his dart, and the strong spear passed through his
shoulder, and he fell in the dust, and clutched the earth in his
outstretched hand. But loud-voiced awful Ares was not yet aware at all
that his son had fallen in strong battle, but he was reclining on the
peak of Olympus, beneath the golden clouds, being held there by the
design of Zeus, where also were the other deathless gods, restrained
from the war.
Now the people rushed in close fight around Askalaphos, and Deiphobos
tore from Askalaphos his shining helm, but Meriones, the peer of swift
Ares, leaped forward and smote the arm of Deiphobos with his spear, and
from his hand the vizored casque fell clanging to the ground. And
Meriones sprang forth instantly, like a vulture, and drew the strong
spear from the shoulder of Deiphobos, and fell back among the throng of
his comrades. But the own brother of Deiphobos, Polites, stretched his
hands round his waist, and led him forth from the evil din of war, even
till he came to the swift horses, that waited for him behind the battle
and the fight, with their charioteer, and well-dight chariot. These
bore him heavily groaning to the city, worn with his hurt, and the
blood ran down from his newly wounded arm.
But the rest still were fighting, and the war-cry rose unquenched.
There Aineias rushed on Aphareus, son of Kaletor, and struck his
throat, that chanced to be turned to him, with the keen spear, and his
head dropped down and his shield and helm fell with him, and death that
slays the spirit overwhelmed him. And Antilochos watched Thoon as he
turned the other way, and leaped on him, and wounded him, severing all
the vein that runs up the back till it reaches the neck; this he
severed clean, and Thoon fell on his back in the dust, stretching out
both his hands to his comrades dear. Then Antilochos rushed on, and
stripped the armour from his shoulders, glancing around while the
Trojans gathered from here and there, and smote his wide shining
shield, yet did not avail to graze, behind the shield, the delicate
flesh of Antilochos with the pitiless bronze. For verily Poseidon, the
Shaker of the earth, did guard on every side the son of Nestor, even in
the midst of the javelins. And never did Antilochos get free of the
foe, but turned him about among them, nor ever was his spear at rest,
but always brandished and shaken, and the aim of his heart was to smite
a foeman from afar, or to set on him at close quarters. But as he was
aiming through the crowd, he escaped not the ken of Adamas, son of
Asios, who smote the midst of his shield with the sharp bronze, setting
on nigh at hand; but Poseidon of the dark locks made his shaft of no
avail, grudging him the life of Antilochos. And part of the spear abode
there, like a burned stake, in the shield of Antilochos, and half lay
on the earth, and back retreated Adamas to the ranks of his comrades,
avoiding Fate. But Meriones following after him as he departed, smote
him with a spear between the privy parts and the navel, where a wound
is most baneful to wretched mortals. Even there he fixed the spear in
him and he fell, and writhed about the spear, even as a bull that
herdsmen on the hills drag along perforce when they have bound him with
withes, so he when he was smitten writhed for a moment, not for long,
till the hero Meriones came near, and drew the spear out of his body.
And darkness covered his eyes.
And Helenos in close fight smote Deipyros on the temple, with a great
Thracian sword, and tore away the helm, and the helm, being dislodged,
fell on the ground, and one of the Achaians in the fight picked it up
as it rolled between his feet. But dark night covered the eyes of
Deipyros.
Then grief took hold of the son of Atreus, Menelaos of the loud
war-cry, and he went with a threat against the warrior Helenos, the
prince, shaking his sharp spear, while the other drew the centre-piece
of his bow. And both at once were making ready to let fly, one with his
sharp spear, the other with the arrow from the string. Then the son of
Priam smote Menelaos on the breast with his arrow, on the plate of the
corslet, and off flew the bitter arrow. Even as from a broad shovel in
a great threshing floor, fly the black-skinned beans and pulse, before
the whistling wind, and the stress of the winnower’s shovel, even so
from the corslet of the renowned Menelaos flew glancing far aside the
bitter arrow. But the son of Atreus, Menelaos of the loud war-cry,
smote the hand of Helenos wherein he held the polished bow, and into
the bow, clean through the hand, was driven the spear of bronze. Back
he withdrew to the ranks of his comrades, avoiding Fate, with his hand
hanging down at his side, for the ashen spear dragged after him. And
the great-hearted Agenor drew the spear from his hand, and himself
bound up the hand with a band of twisted sheep’s-wool, a sling that a
squire carried for him, the shepherd of the host.
Then Peisandros made straight for renowned Menelaos, but an evil Fate
was leading him to the end of Death; by thee, Menelaos, to be overcome
in the dread strife of battle. Now when the twain had come nigh in
onset upon each other, the son of Atreus missed, and his spear was
turned aside, but Peisandros smote the shield of renowned Menelaos, yet
availed not to drive the bronze clean through, for the wide shield
caught it, and the spear brake in the socket, yet Peisandros rejoiced
in his heart, and hoped for the victory. But the son of Atreus drew his
silver-studded sword, and leaped upon Peisandros. And Peisandros, under
his shield, clutched his goodly axe of fine bronze, with long and
polished haft of olive-wood, and the twain set upon each other. Then
Peisandros smote the crest of the helmet shaded with horse hair, close
below the very plume, but Menelaos struck the other, as he came
forward, on the brow, above the base of the nose, and the bones
cracked, and the eyes, all bloody, fell at his feet in the dust. Then
he bowed and fell, and Menelaos set his foot on his breast, and
stripped him of his arms, and triumphed, saying: “Even thus then
surely, ye will leave the ships of the Danaans of the swift steeds, ye
Trojans overweening, insatiate of the dread din of war. Yea, and ye
shall not lack all other reproof and shame, wherewith ye made me
ashamed, ye hounds of evil, having no fear in your hearts of the strong
wrath of loud-thundering Zeus, the god of guest and host, who one day
will destroy your steep citadel. O ye that wantonly carried away my
wedded wife and many of my possessions, when ye were entertained by
her, now again ye are fain to throw ruinous fire on the seafaring
ships, and to slay the Achaian heroes. Nay, but ye will yet refrain you
from battle, for as eager as ye be. O father Zeus, verily they say that
thou dost excel in wisdom all others, both gods and men, and all these
things are from thee. How wondrously art thou favouring men of
violence, even the Trojans, whose might is ever iniquitous, nor can
they have their fill of the din of equal war. Of all things there is
satiety, yea, even of love and sleep, and of sweet song, and dance
delectable, whereof a man would sooner have his fill than of war, but
the Trojans are insatiable of battle.”
Thus noble Menelaos spake, and stripped the bloody arms from the body,
and gave them to his comrades, and instantly himself went forth again,
and mingled in the forefront of the battle. Then Harpalion, the son of
king Pylaimenes, leaped out against him, Harpalion that followed his
dear father to Troy, to the war, nor ever came again to his own
country. He then smote the middle of the shield of Atreus’ son with his
spear, in close fight, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean
through, but fell back into the host of his comrades, avoiding Fate,
glancing round every way, lest one should wound his flesh with the
bronze. But Meriones shot at him as he retreated with a bronze-shod
arrow, and smote him in the right buttock, and the arrow went right
through the bladder and came out under the bone. And sitting down, even
there, in the arms of his dear comrades, he breathed away his soul,
lying stretched like a worm on the earth, and out flowed the black
blood, and wetted the ground. And the Paphlagonians great of heart,
tended him busily, and set him in a chariot, and drove him to sacred
Ilios sorrowing, and with them went his father, shedding tears, and
there was no atonement for his dead son.
Now Paris was very wroth at heart by reason of his slaying, for he had
been his host among the many Paphlagonions, wherefore, in wrath for his
sake, he let fly a bronze-shod arrow. Now there was a certain Euchenor,
the son of Polyidos the seer, a rich man and a good, whose dwelling was
in Corinth. And well he knew his own ruinous fate, when he went on
ship-board, for often would the old man, the good Polyidos, tell him,
that he must either perish of a sore disease in his halls, or go with
the ships of the Achaians, and be overcome by the Trojans. Wherefore he
avoided at once the heavy war-fine of the Achaians, and the hateful
disease, that so he might not know any anguish. This man did Paris
smite beneath the jaw and under the ear, and swiftly his spirit
departed from his limbs, and, lo, dread darkness overshadowed him.
So they fought like flaming fire, but Hector, beloved of Zeus, had not
heard nor knew at all that, on the left of the ships, his host was
being subdued by the Argives, and soon would the Achaians have won
renown, so mighty was the Holder and Shaker of the earth that urged on
the Argives; yea, and himself mightily defended them. But Hector kept
where at first he had leaped within the walls and the gate, and broken
the serried ranks of shield-bearing Danaans, even where were the ships
of Aias and Protesilaos, drawn up on the beach of the hoary sea, while
above the wall was builded lowest, and thereby chiefly the heroes and
their horses were raging in battle.
There the Boiotians, and Ionians with trailing tunics, and Lokrians and
Phthians and illustrious Epeians scarcely availed to stay his onslaught
on the ships, nor yet could they drive back from them noble Hector,
like a flame of fire. And there were the picked men of the Athenians;
among them Menestheus son of Peteos was the leader; and there followed
with him Pheidas and Stichios, and brave Bias, while the Epeians were
led by Meges, son of Phyleus, and Amphion and Drakios, and in front of
the Phthians were Medon, and Podarkes resolute in war. Now the one,
Medon, was the bastard son of noble Oileus, and brother of Aias, and he
dwelt in Phylake, far from his own country, for that he had slain a
man, the brother of his stepmother Eriopis, wife of Oileus. But the
other, Podarkes, was the son of Iphiklos son of Phylakos, and they in
their armour, in the van of the great-hearted Phthians, were defending
the ships, and fighting among the Boiotians.
Now never at all did Aias, the swift son of Oileus, depart from the
side of Aias, son of Telamon, nay, not for an instant, but even as in
fallow land two wine-dark oxen with equal heart strain at the shapen
plough, and round the roots of their horns springeth up abundant sweat,
and nought sunders them but the polished yoke, as they labour through
the furrow, till the end of the furrow brings them up, so stood the two
Aiantes close by each other. Now verily did many and noble hosts of his
comrades follow with the son of Telamon, and bore his shield when
labour and sweat came upon his limbs. But the Lokrians followed not
with the high-hearted son of Oileus, for their hearts were not
steadfast in close brunt of battle, seeing that they had no helmets of
bronze, shadowy with horse-hair plumes, nor round shields, nor ashen
spears, but trusting in bows and well-twisted slings of sheep’s wool,
they followed with him to Ilios. Therewith, in the war, they shot thick
and fast, and brake the ranks of the Trojans. So the one party in
front, with their well-dight arms contended with the Trojans, and with
Hector arrayed in bronze, while the others from behind kept shooting
from their ambush, and the Trojans lost all memory of the joy of
battle, for the arrows confounded them.
There then right ruefully from the ships and the huts would the Trojans
have withdrawn to windy Ilios, had not Polydamas come near valiant
Hector and said: “Hector, thou art hard to be persuaded by them that
would counsel thee; for that god has given thee excellence in the works
of war, therefore in council also thou art fain to excel other men in
knowledge. But in nowise wilt thou be able to take everything on
thyself. For to one man has god given for his portion the works of war,
[to another the dance, to another the lute and song,] but in the heart
of yet another hath far-seeing Zeus placed an excellent understanding,
whereof many men get gain, yea he saveth many an one, and himself best
knoweth it. But, lo, I will speak even as it seemeth best to me. Behold
all about thee the circle of war is blazing, but the great-hearted
Trojans, now that they have got down the wall, are some with their arms
standing aloof and some are fighting, few men against a host, being
scattered among the ships. Nay, withdraw thee, and call hither all the
best of the warriors. Thereafter shall we take all counsel carefully,
whether we should fall on the ships of many benches, if indeed god
willeth to give us victory, or after counsel held, should return
unharmed from the ships. For verily I fear lest the Achaians repay
their debt of yesterday, since by the ships there tarrieth a man
insatiate of war, and never, methinks, will he wholly stand aloof from
battle.”
So spake Polydamas, and his safe counsel pleased Hector well, who
[straightaway sprang to earth from the chariot with his arms, and]
spake to him winged words and said: “Polydamas, do thou stay here all
the best of the host, but I will go thither to face the war, and
swiftly will return again, when I have straitly laid on them my
commands.”
So he spake, and set forth, in semblance like a snowy mountain, and
shouting aloud he flew through the Trojans and allies. And they all
sped to Polydamas, the kindly son of Panthoos, when they heard the
voice of Hector. But he went seeking Deiphobos, and the strong prince
Helenos, and Adamas son of Asios, and Asios son of Hyrtakos, among the
warriors in the foremost line, if anywhere he might find them. But them
he found not at all unharmed, nor free of bane, but, lo, some among the
sterns of the ships of the Achaians lay lifeless, slain by the hands of
the Argives, and some were within the wall wounded by thrust or cast.
But one he readily found, on the left of the dolorous battle, goodly
Alexandros, the lord of fair-tressed Helen, heartening his comrades and
speeding them to war. And he drew near to him, and addressed him with
words of shame: “Thou evil Paris, fairest of face, thou that lustest
for women, thou seducer, where, prithee, are Deiphobos, and the strong
prince Helenos, and Adamas son of Asios, and Asios son of Hyrtakos, and
where is Othryoneus? Now hath all high Ilios perished utterly. Now,
too, thou seest, is sheer destruction sure.”
Then godlike Alexandros answered him again saying: “Hector, since thy
mind is to blame one that is blameless, some other day might I rather
withdraw me from the war, since my mother bare not even me wholly a
coward. For from the time that thou didst gather the battle of thy
comrades about the ships, from that hour do we abide here, and war with
the Danaans ceaselessly; and our comrades concerning whom thou
inquirest are slain. Only Deiphobos and the strong prince Helenos have
both withdrawn, both of them being wounded in the hand with long
spears, for Kronion kept death away from them. But now lead on,
wheresoever thy heart and spirit bid thee, and we will follow with thee
eagerly, nor methinks shall we lack for valour, as far as we have
strength; but beyond his strength may no man fight, howsoever eager he
be.”
So spake the hero, and persuaded his brother’s heart, and they went
forth where the war and din were thickest, round Kebriones, and noble
Polydamas, and Phalkes, and Orthaios, and godlike Polyphetes, and
Palmys, and Askanios, and Morys, son of Hippotion, who had come in
their turn, out of deep-soiled Askanie, on the morn before, and now
Zeus urged them to fight. And these set forth like the blast of violent
winds, that rushes earthward beneath the thunder of father Zeus, and
with marvellous din doth mingle with the salt sea, and therein are many
swelling waves of the loud roaring sea, arched over and white with
foam, some vanward, others in the rear; even so the Trojans arrayed in
van and rear and shining with bronze, followed after their leaders. And
Hector son of Priam was leading them, the peer of Ares, the bane of
men. In front he held the circle of his shield, thick with hides, and
plates of beaten bronze, and on his temples swayed his shining helm.
And everywhere he went in advance and made trial of the ranks, if
perchance they would yield to him as he charged under cover of his
shield. But he could not confound the heart within the breast of the
Achaians. And Aias, stalking with long strides, challenged him first:
“Sir, draw nigh, wherefore dost thou vainly try to dismay the Argives?
We are in no wise ignorant of war, but by the cruel scourge of Zeus are
we Achaians vanquished. Surely now thy heart hopes utterly to spoil the
ships, but we too have hands presently to hold our own. Verily your
peopled city will long ere that beneath our hands be taken and sacked.
But for thee, I tell thee that the time is at hand, when thou shalt
pray in thy flight to father Zeus, and the other immortal gods, that
thy fair-maned steeds may be fleeter than falcons: thy steeds that are
to bear thee to the city, as they storm in dust across the plain.”
And even as he spake, a bird flew forth on the right hand, an eagle of
lofty flight, and the host of the Achaians shouted thereat, encouraged
by the omen, but renowned Hector answered: “Aias, thou blundering
boaster, what sayest thou! Would that indeed I were for ever as surely
the son of aegis-bearing Zeus, and that my mother were lady Hera, and
that I were held in such honour as Apollo and Athene, as verily this
day is to bring utter evil on all the Argives! And thou among them
shalt be slain, if thou hast the heart to await my long spear, which
shall rend thy lily skin, and thou shalt glut with thy fat and flesh
the birds and dogs of the Trojans, falling among the ships of the
Achaians.”
So he spake and led the way, and they followed with wondrous din, and
the whole host shouted behind. And the Argives on the other side
answered with a shout, and forgot not their valiance, but abode the
onslaught of the bravest of the Trojans. And the cry of the two hosts
went up through the higher air, to the splendour of Zeus.