“Nequicquam, Veneris præsidio ferox,
Pectes cæsariem, grataque feminis
Imbelli cithara carmina divides: . . .
. . . tamen, heu! sorus adulteros
Crines pulvere collines.”
Footnote 148: (return) _I. e._ thou wouldst have been stoned to death.
Thus he spoke, but Hector on the other hand rejoiced greatly, having
heard his speech; and having advanced into the centre, holding his
spear by the middle, he restrained the phalanxes of the Trojans, and
they all sat down. Against him the waving-haired Achæans were directing
their bows, and taking aim, were going to hurl with shafts and with
stones. But Agamemnon, he, 149 the king of men, exclaimed aloud:
Footnote 149: (return) Mark the force of the pronoun.
“Withhold, Argives! cast not, ye sons of the Aenæans; for helm-nodding
Hector stands as if intending to propose something.”
Thus he spoke; but they abstained from battle, and instantly became
silent. But Hector between both [armies] spoke thus:
“Hear from me, ye Trojans, and well-greaved Greeks, the proposal of
Alexander, on whose account this strife has arisen. He advises that the
other Trojans and all the Greeks should lay down their beauteous arms
upon the bounteous earth; but that he and Mars-beloved Menelaus alone
should fight in the midst for Helen and all the treasures; and
whichever shall conquer, and shall be superior, having received all the
treasures without reserve, and the woman, let him conduct them home:
but let the rest of us strike a friendship and faithful league.”
Thus he said, and all became mute in silence. But amidst them Menelaus,
valiant in the din of war, thus spoke:
“Now hear me also; for anguish has invaded my soul most: but I purpose
that the Greeks and Trojans should now be separated, since ye have
suffered many evils on account of my quarrel and the beginning of [this
strife through] Alexander. And to whichever of us death and fate has
been ordained, let him die; but do the rest of you be very speedily
separated. And bring lambs—one white, the other black—to the Earth and
to the Sun; and we will bring another to Jove. Moreover ye shall bring
the might of Priam, that he may strike the league himself, for his sons
are overbearing and faithless; lest any one, by transgression, violate
the covenant of Jove. For the minds of younger men are ever
fluctuating; but for those among whom a senior is present, he looks at
the same time both backward and forward, in order that the best results
may accrue to both parties.”
Thus he spoke. But both Greeks and Trojans rejoiced, hoping to have
respite from grievous war. And they accordingly reined back their
horses to the ranks [of the foot], but dismounted themselves, and put
off their arms, and laid them down on the ground near each other; and
around [each pile of arms] there was a little space.
But Hector despatched two heralds to the city with speed, to bring the
lambs, and to call Priam. While, on the other hand, king Agamemnon sent
Talthybius to go to the hollow ships, and ordered him to bring a lamb.
And he did not disobey noble Agamemnon.
And meantime came Iris a messenger to white-armed Helen, likening
herself to her husband’s sister, the wife of Antenor’s son, most
excelling in beauty of the daughters of Priam, Laodice, whom the son of
Antenor, king Helicaon, possessed. But she found her in her palace, and
she was weaving an ample web, a double [mantle], 150 resplendent, and
on it was working many labours both of the horse-taming Trojans and the
brazen-mailed Greeks, which on her account they suffered at the hands
of Mars. Standing near, the swift-footed Iris accosted her thus:
“Come hither, dear lady, 151 that thou mayest view the wondrous deeds
of the horse-taming Trojans, and of the brazen-mailed Greeks, who
formerly against each other waged tearful war in the plain, eager for
destructive battle. Now, however, they sit in silence (and the war has
ceased), leaning on their shields, and near them their long spears are
fixed. But Alexander and Mars-beloved Menelaus are about to fight for
thy sake with their long spears, and thou shalt be called the dear wife
of him who conquers.”
Thus having spoken, the goddess infused a tender desire into her mind
both of her former husband, and of her city, and her parents. And
instantly veiling herself in white linen robes, 152 she rushed from her
chamber, shedding a tender tear: not alone, for two domestics
accompanied her, Œthra, daughter of Pittheus, and large-eyed Clymene.
Then they quickly came to where the Scæan gates were. But Priam and
Panthous, and Thymœtes, Lampus, Clytius, Hicetaon, an offshoot of Mars,
Ucalegon, and Antenor, both prudent, elders of the people, sat at the
Scæan gates, long since desisting from war, through old age: but good
orators, like unto the Cicadæ, 153 which, in the woods, sitting on a
tree, send forth a delicate voice; such leaders of the Trojans at that
time were sitting on the tower. But when they saw Helen coming to the
tower, in low tone they addressed to each other winged words:
Footnote 150: (return) By χλαιναν is understood a mantle which could
be worn doubled. Others suppose it means cloth of double tissue.
Footnote 151: (return) An affectionate use of the word νύμϕα, which
properly means a bride or young wife.
Footnote 152: (return) The plural is used to denote a long, flowing
robe.
Footnote 153: (return) some the cicada or τεττιξ, this is to be
considered to be the balm-cricket.
“It is not a subject for indignation, that Trojans and well-greaved
Greeks endure hardships for a long time on account of such a woman. In
countenance she is wondrous like unto the immortal goddess, but even
so, although being such, let her return in the ships, nor be left a
destruction to us and to our children hereafter.”
Thus they spoke. But Priam called Helen,—“Coming hither before us, dear
daughter, sit by me, that thou mayest see thy former husband, thy
kindred, and thy friends—(thou art not at all in fault towards me; the
gods, in truth, are in fault towards me, who have sent against me the
lamentable war of the Greeks)—that thou mayest name for me this mighty
man, who is this gallant and tall Grecian hero. Certainly there are
others taller in height; but so graceful a man have I never yet beheld
with my eyes, nor so venerable; for he is like unto a kingly man.”
But him Helen, one of the divine women, answered in [these] words:
“Revered art thou and feared by me, dear father-in-law; would that an
evil death had pleased me, when I followed thy son hither, having left
my marriage-bed, my brothers, my darling 154 daughter, and the
congenial company of my equals. But these things were not done:
therefore I pine away with weeping. But this will I tell thee, which
thou seekest of me and inquirest. This is wide-ruling Agamemnon, son of
Atreus, in both characters, 155 a good king and a brave warrior. He was
the brother-in-law, moreover, of shameless me, if ever indeed he was.”
156
Footnote 154: (return) See Buttm. Lexil. s. v. and Arnold.
Footnote 155: (return) Observe the force of the neuter.
Footnote 156: (return) “_Si unquam fuit, quod nunc non est ampleus_.
i.e. _si recte dici potest fuisse, quod ita sui factum est dissimile,
ut fuisse unquam vix credas_.”—Herm. on Vig. p. 946, quoted by Anthon.
Thus she spoke. But him the old man admired, and said “O blessed son of
Atreus, happy-born, fortunate, truly indeed were many Achæan youths
made subject to thee. Before now I entered vine-bearing Phrygia, where
I beheld many Phrygians, heroes on fleet horses, the forces of Otreus
and godlike Mygdon, who encamped there near the banks of the Sangarius.
For I also, being an ally, was numbered with them on that day, when the
man-opposing Amazons came. But not even these were so numerous as the
black-eyed Greeks.”
But next perceiving 157 Ulysses, the old man asked her: “Come, tell me
of this one also, dear daughter, who he is? he is less indeed in height
158 than Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, but is broader to behold in
shoulders and breast. His arms lie up on the fertile earth, but he
himself, like a ram, goes round the ranks of the men. I for my part
compare him to a thick-fleeced ram, which wanders through a great flock
of snowy sheep.”
Footnote 157: (return) This whole passage may be compared with the
similar enumeration and description of the seven Argive chieftains in
Eurip. Phœn. 119, sqq.
Footnote 158: (return) Not “a head less” in height; for line 169 would
then mean that Agamemnon was a head less than others, and consequently
Ulysses would be two heads under the ordinary size. Anthon has adopted
this common mistake, although Wolf had pointed it out.
But him Helen, sprung from Jove, answered: “Now, this one again is the
son of Laertes, much-scheming Ulysses, who was bred in the country of
Ithaca, rugged though it be, skilled in all kinds of stratagems and
prudent counsels.”
Her then the sage Antenor addressed in reply: “O lady, assuredly hast
thou spoken this word very truly: for already in former times divine
Ulysses came hither also, on an embassy concerning thee, with
Mars-beloved Menelaus. I received them as guests, and entertained them
in my palace, and became acquainted with the genius of both, and their
prudent counsels; but when they were mingled with the assembled
Trojans, Menelaus indeed overtopped him, as they stood by his broad
shoulders; but when both were sitting, Ulysses was more majestic. 159
But when they began to weave words and counsels for all, Menelaus, on
his part, would harangue very fluently; a few [words] indeed, but very
sweetly, since he was not loquacious, nor a random talker, though he
was younger in age. But when much-counselling Ulysses arose, he stood
and looked down, fixing his eyes on the earth, but he neither moved his
sceptre backwards nor forwards, but held it unmoved like an unskilful
man: you would say indeed that he was a very irritable man, as well as
devoid of reason. But when he did send forth the mighty voice from his
breast, and words like unto wintry flakes of snow, no longer then would
another mortal contend with Ulysses. And beholding, we then marvelled
not so much at the aspect of Ulysses, [as at his words].”
Footnote 159: (return) Observe the Attic construction, where the
genitive would have been expected. So Od. M. 73. Il. ii 317. Compared
by Lesbonax, περὶ σχημ. p. 183, sq. ed. Valck. See, also, my note on
Æsch. Prom, p. 8, ed. Bohn; intpp. on Theocrit. i. 48.
Then in the third place, having beheld Ajax, the old man asked: “Who is
that other Achæan hero, valiant and great, out-topping the Argives by
his head and broad shoulders?”
But him long-robed Helen answered, divine of women: “This indeed is
mighty Ajax, the bulwark of the Achæans: on the other side, amongst the
Cretans, stands Idomeneus like unto a god: but around him the leaders
of the Cretans are collected. Often did Mars-beloved Menelaus entertain
him in our palace, when he would come from Crete. But now I behold all
the other rolling-eyed Greeks, whom I could easily recognize, and
pronounce their names; but two leaders of the people I cannot see:
horse-taming Castor, and Pollux skilled in boxing, twin brothers, whom
the same mother brought forth with me. Either they have not followed
from pleasant Lacedæmon, or they indeed have followed hither in the
sea-traversing ships, but now are reluctant to enter the fight of the
heroes, fearing the disgrace, and the many reproaches which are mine.”
Thus she spoke; but them the life-bestowing earth already possessed:
there in Lacedæmon, in their dear native land. 160
Footnote 160: (return) They had fallen in combat with Lynceus and
Idas, whilst besieging Sparta.—Hygin. Poet. Ast. ii. 22. According,
however, to other mythologists, they shared immortality in turns. See
Od. xi. 302. Virg. Æu. vi. 121; with Servius, and Apollodor. iii. ll.
2.
But heralds through the city were bearing the firm pledges of the gods,
two lambs and joyous wine, the fruit of the earth, in a goat-skin
flagon. But the herald Idæus also brought a splendid goblet, and golden
cups; and standing by him, incited the old man in these words:
“Arise, son of Laomedon; the chiefs of the horse-breaking Trojans, and
of the brazen-mailed Greeks, call thee to descend into the plain, that
thou mayest ratify a faithful league. For Alexander and Mars-beloved
Menelaus are about to fight with long spears for the woman. But let the
woman and the effects attend the conqueror; but let the rest of us,
having struck a friendship and faithful league, inhabit fruitful Troy,
and they shall return to horse-feeding Argos, and to Achaia, famed for
fair dames.”
Thus he said, but the old man shuddered, and ordered his attendants to
yoke his horses; and they briskly obeyed. Priam then mounted his
chariot, and drew back the reins: and beside him Antenor mounted the
beautiful chariot. So they guided their fleet steeds through the Scæan
gates, towards the plain.
But when they had now come between the Trojans and the Greeks,
descending from their steeds to the fruitful earth, they advanced into
the midst of the Trojans and Greeks. Then Agamemnon, king of heroes,
immediately arose, and much-counselling Ulysses arose. But the
illustrious heralds collected together the faithful pledges of the
gods, and mixed wine in a bowl, and poured water upon the hands of the
kings. And the son of Atreus, drawing with his hands his dagger, which
was always suspended at the huge sheath of his sword, cut off hairs
from the heads of the lambs: and then the heralds distributed them to
the chiefs of the Trojans and the Greeks. Amongst them the son of
Atreus prayed earnestly, having stretched forth his hands:
“O father Jove, ruling from Ida, most glorious, most mighty,—and thou,
O sun, who beholdest all things, and nearest all things—and ye rivers,
and thou earth, and ye below who punish men deceased, whosoever swears
with perjury, be ye witnesses and preserve the faithful league. If, on
the one hand, Alexander should slay Menelaus, let him thenceforth
retain Helen and all her possessions; but let us return in our
sea-traversing ships. But if, on the contrary, yellow-haired Menelaus
slay Alexander, let the Trojans then restore Helen and all her
treasures, and pay a fine to the Argives such as is just, and which may
be [recorded] amongst posterity. But if Priam and the sons of Priam
will not pay me the fine, on Alexander falling, then will I afterwards
fight on account of the fine, remaining here till I find an end of the
war.”
He spoke, and cut the throats of the lambs with the cruel steel, and he
laid them on the earth panting, wanting life; for the brass had taken
away their [vital] strength. Then having drawn wine from the goblet,
they poured it into the cups, and prayed to the immortal gods. But thus
some one of the Greeks and Trojans said:
“Ο Jove, most glorious, most mighty, and ye other immortal gods,
whoever first shall offend against the leagues, so let the brain of
themselves and of their children stream upon the ground like this wine,
and let their wives be mingled with other men.”
Thus they said, nor yet did the son of Saturn ratify [their vows]. Then
Priam, the son of Dardanus, addressed them:
“Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye well-greaved Greeks: I, indeed, return
again to wind-swept Ilion, since I can by no means endure to behold
with these eyes my dear son fighting with Mars-beloved Menelaus. Jove,
certainly, knows this, and the other immortal gods, to which of them
the event of death is destined.”
He spoke, and the godlike man placed the lambs in the chariot, and
ascended himself, and drew back the reins; and beside him Antenor
mounted the very beautiful chariot. They on their part returning went
back towards Ilion.
But Hector on the other hand, the son of Priam, and divine Ulysses,
first measured the ground; then taking the lots, they shook them in the
brazen helmet, [to decide] which should hurl the brazen spear first.
But the people meantime supplicated, and stretched forth their hands to
the gods; and thus some one of the Greeks and Trojans said:
“O father Jove, ruling from Ida, most glorious, most mighty, whichever
has caused these evil works to both sides, grant that he, being slain,
may enter the house of Pluto, but that to us, on the other hand, there
may be friendship and a faithful league.”
Thus then they spoke, and now mighty helm-quivering Hector shook the
lots, looking backward; and quickly the lot of Paris leaped forth. They
then sat down in their ranks, where the fleet steeds of each stood, and
their varied arms lay. But divine Alexander, the husband of fair-haired
Helen, put on his beauteous armour around his shoulders. In the first
place, around his legs he placed his beautiful greaves fitted with
silver clasps; then again he put on his breast the corslet of his
brother Lycaon, for it fitted him; but around his shoulders he slung
his brazen, silver-studded sword and then his huge and solid shield.
But on his valiant head he placed a well-wrought helmet, crested with
horse-hair, and the crest nodded dreadfully from above; and he grasped
his doughty spear, which fitted to his hands. In this same manner the
martial Menelaus put on his arms.
But they, when they were armed from each side of the throng, advanced
to the middle between the Trojans and Greeks, looking dreadfully; and
amazement seized the beholders, both the horse-breaking Trojans and the
well-greaved Greeks. They then stood near in the measured-out space,
brandishing their spears, incensed against each other. Alexander first
hurled his long-shadowed spear, and smote the shield of the son of
Atreus, equal on all sides, nor did the brass break, for the point
was bent upon the strong shield: but next Menelaus, son of Atreus,
commenced the attack with his brazen spear, praying to father Jove:
“O king Jove, grant [me] to avenge myself [on him] who first injured
me, and subdue impious Alexander under my hands, that every one, even
of future men, may shudder to offer injury to a guest who may have
afforded [him] an hospitable reception.”
He spoke; and brandishing, he hurled his long-shadowed spear, and smote
the shield of the son of Priam, equal on all sides; and through the
glittering shield went the impetuous spear, and was stuck firmly into
the deftly-wrought corslet: and the spear pierced right through his
soft tunic beside the flank: but he bent sideways, and evaded black
death. Next the son of Atreus having drawn his silver-studded sword,
raising it, struck the cone 161 of his helmet, but it fell from his
hand shivered round about into three or four pieces. And the son of
Atreus groaned aloud, looking towards the wide heaven:
Footnote 161: (return) Buttmann, Lexil. p. 521, makes φαλος to be the
same as κωνος, a metal ridge in which the plume was fixed.
“Ο father Jove, none other of the gods is more baleful than thou.
Certainly I hoped to be revenged upon Alexander for his wickedness: but
now my sword has been broken in my hands, and my spear has been hurled
from my hand in vain, nor have I smote him.”
He spoke; and rushing on, he seized him by the horse-hair tufted
helmet, and turning, began to drag him to the well-greaved Greeks: but
the richly-embroidered band under his tender throat was choking him,
which was drawn under his chin as the strap of his helmet. And now he
had dragged him away, and obtained infinite glory, had not Venus, the
daughter of Jove, quickly perceived it, who broke for him 162 the
thong, [made] from the hide of an ox slaughtered by violence: and
thereupon the empty helmet followed with his strong hand. It, then, the
hero whirling round, cast to the well-greaved Greeks, and his dear
companions took it up. And he [Menelaus] again rushed on, desiring to
slay him with his brazen spear: but him [Paris] Venus very easily, as
being a goddess, rescued, and covered him in a thick mist; then placed
him down in his fragrant chamber, exhaling perfumes.
Footnote 162: (return) _I.e._ Menelaus.—to his confusion.
But she herself, on the other hand, went to call Helen, and she found
her on the lofty tower, and many Trojan dames around her. Then with her
hand catching her by the fragrant mantle, she shook her: and likening
herself to an ancient dame, a spinner of wool, who used to comb fair
wool for her when dwelling at Lacedæmon, and she loved her much: to her
having likened herself, divine Venus accosted [Helen]:
“Come hither, Alexander calls thee to return home. He himself is in his
chamber and turned bed, shining both in beauty and attire; nor wouldst
thou say that he had returned after having fought with a hero, but that
he was going to the dance, or that just ceasing from the dance, he sat
down.”
Thus she said, and agitated the heart in her breast: and when she
beheld the all-beauteous neck of the goddess, and her lovely bosom, and
her flashing eyes, she was awe-struck, and spoke a word, and said:
“Strange one! why dost thou desire to deceive me in these things? Wilt
thou lead me anywhere farther on to one of the well-inhabited cities,
either of Phrygia or pleasant Mæonia, if there be any of
articulately-speaking men dear to thee there? Is it because Menelaus,
having now conquered noble Alexander, wishes to bring hated me home,
that therefore with artful purpose thou now standest near me? Going,
sit with him thyself, and renounce the path of the gods. And mayest
thou no more return on thy feet to Olympus: but always grieve beside
him, and watch him, until he either make thee his consort, or he indeed
[make thee] his handmaid. But there I will not go to adorn his couch,
for it would be reprehensible: all the Trojan ladies henceforth will
reproach me. But I shall have woes without measure in my soul.”
But her, divine Venus, incensed, thus addressed: “Wretch, provoke me
not, lest in my wrath I abandon thee, and detest thee as much as
heretofore I have wonderfully loved thee, and lest I scatter
destructive hate in the midst of the Trojans and Greeks, and thou
perish by an evil fate.”
Thus she spoke: but Helen, sprung from Jove, dreaded, and she went
covered with a white transparent robe, in silence; and escaped the
notice of all the Trojan dames, for the goddess led the way.
But when they reached the very beautiful palace of Alexander, then the
maids, on their part, turned themselves speedily to their tasks; but
she, divine of women, ascended into her lofty-roofed chamber: and then
laughter-loving Venus, carrying, placed a seat for her opposite
Alexander: there Helen, daughter of the ægis-bearing Jove, sat,
averting her eyes, and reproached her husband with these words:
“Thou hast come from the war: would that thou hadst perished there,
slain by that brave hero, who was my former husband. Certainly, thou
didst formerly boast, that thou wast superior to Mars-beloved Menelaus,
in might, in hands, and at the spear. But go now, challenge
Mars-beloved Menelaus to fight once more against thee! But I advise
thee to refrain, nor unadvisedly wage war and fight against fair-haired
Menelaus, lest perchance thou mayest be subdued beneath his spear.”
But her Paris answering addressed in words: “Woman! assail me not in
soul with reproachful taunts; for now indeed has Menelaus conquered by
Minerva’s aid; but I in turn will vanquish him, for gods are with us
also. But come, let us delight in dalliance, reclining together, for
never before did love so fondly enwrap my soul, not even when formerly,
having borne thee away from pleasant Lacedæmon, I sailed in the
sea-traversing ships, and was united with thee in love and in the couch
in the island Cranaë; so now am I enamoured of thee, and sweet desire
possesses me.”
He spoke, and led the way, ascending the couch; but his wife followed
with him: they therefore rested upon their perforated couch.
Meanwhile the son of Atreus was wandering through the crowd like to a
savage beast, if anywhere he could perceive godlike Alexander. But none
of the Trojans or their illustrious allies could then point out
Alexander to Mars-beloved Menelaus; for neither through friendship
would they have concealed him, if any one did see him; for he was
hateful to them all, like sable death. But amongst them spoke
Agamemnon, king of heroes:
“Hear me, ye Trojans, Greeks, and allies: the victory indeed appears
[to belong to] Mars-beloved Menelaus. Do ye therefore restore Argive
Helen and her treasures with her, and pay the fine which is fitting,
and which shall be remembered by future men.”
Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and the other Greeks approved.