Paris not being slain, the combat left it doubtful whether Helen should
be returned or not; but Juno extorts a promise from Jove of the final
destruction of Troy. Minerva then persuades Pandarus to break the truce
by aiming an arrow at Menelaus. The wound is, however, cured by
Machaon. The Trojans proceed to the battle, while Agamemnon exhorts the
chieftains of the Greeks. The fight then commences, Mars and Apollo
encouraging the Trojans, Minerva and the other deities the Greeks.
Now they, the gods, sitting on the golden floor 163 with Jove, were
engaged in consultation, and amidst them venerable Hebe poured out the
nectar: but they pledged 164 one another with golden cups, looking
towards the city of the Trojans. Forthwith the son of Saturn attempted
to irritate Juno, speaking with a covert allusion, with reproachful
words: 165
“Two goddesses, indeed, are auxiliaries to Menelaus, Argive 166 Juno
and Minerva of Alalcomenæ: 167 and yet these, forsooth, sitting apart,
amuse themselves with looking on; but to the other, on the contrary
[Paris], laughter-loving Venus is ever present, 168 and averts fate
from him. Even now has she saved him, thinking that he was about to
die. But the victory, indeed, belongs to Mars-beloved Menelaus: let us
therefore consult how these things shall be, whether we shall again
excite the destructive war, and dreadful battle-din, or promote
friendship between both parties. And if, moreover, this shall perchance
169 be grateful and pleasing to all, the city of king Priam, indeed,
may be inhabited, but let Menelaus lead back again Argive Helen.”
Footnote 163: (return) “On the golden floor of Jove’s abode.”—Cowper.
Footnote 164: (return) Athenæus, i. ll, εδεξιουντο, προπινοντες
εαυτοις, ταις δεξιαις. Cf. xi. 14. Hesych. δειδεκτο, εδεξιουτο, δια
φιλιας ησπαζετο και λογων.
Footnote 165: (return) I am indebted to Arnold for this version.
Footnote 166: (return) So called from her temple at Argos. See Pausan.
ii. 17; Apul. Met. vi. p. 458; Servius on Æn. i. 28.
Footnote 167: (return) She had a temple at Alalcomenæ, in Bœotia. Cf.
Pausan. ix. 33; Steph. Byz. ν. αλαλκομενιον.
Footnote 168: (return) On the affinity of βλωσκειν and μολεΐν, see
Buttm. Lexil. p. 84.
Footnote 169: (return) Read αυ πως for αυτως, with Aristarchus, Wolf,
Spitzner.
Thus he spoke: but Minerva and Juno murmured with closed lips, for they
were sitting near, and were devising evils for the Trojans. Minerva,
indeed, was silent, nor said anything, indignant with her father Jove,
for dreadful rage possessed her. But Juno could not retain her fury in
her breast, but addressed him:
“Most baleful son of Saturn! what a sentence hast thou uttered! How
dost thou wish to render my labour vain, and my sweat fruitless, which
I have sweated through with toil? For the steeds are tired to me
assembling the host, evils to Priam and to his sons. Do so: but all we
the other gods do not approve.”
But her cloud-compelling Jove, in great wrath, answered: “Strange one!
how now do Priam and the sons of Priam work so many wrongs against
thee, that thou desirest implacably to overturn the well-built city of
Ilion? But if thou, entering the gates and the lofty walls, couldst
devour alive 170 Priam and the sons of Priam, and the other Trojans,
then perhaps thou mightst satiate thy fury. Do as thou wilt, lest this
contention be in future a great strife between thee and me. But another
thing I tell thee, and do thou lay it up in thy soul: whenever haply I,
anxiously desiring, shall wish to destroy some city, where men dear to
thee are born, retard not my rage, but suffer me; for I have given thee
this of free will, though with unwilling mind. For of those cities of
earthly men, which are situated under the sun and the starry heaven,
sacred Ilion was most honoured by me in my heart, and Priam and the
people of Priam skilled in the ashen spear. For there my altars never
lacked a due banquet and libation, and savour; for this honour were we
allotted.”
Footnote 170: (return) Literally, “eat raw.” Cf. Xenoph. Anab. iv. 8,
14. Τουτους ην πως δυνωμεθα, και ωμους δει καταφαγειν.—Clarke.
Him then the venerable full-eyed Juno answered: “There are three
cities, indeed, most dear to me: Argos, and Sparta, and wide-wayed
Mycenæ; 171 destroy these whenever they become hateful to thy soul. In
behalf of these I neither stand forth, nor do I grudge them to thee:
for even were I to grudge them, and not suffer thee to destroy them, by
grudging I avail nothing, since thou art much more powerful. And yet it
becomes [thee] to render my labour not fruitless; for I am a goddess,
and thence my race, whence thine; and wily Saturn begat me, very
venerable on two accounts, both by my parentage, and because I have
been called thy spouse. Moreover, thou rulest amongst all the
immortals. But truly let us make these concessions to each other: I, on
my part, to thee, and thou to me; and the other immortal gods will
follow. Do thou without delay bid Minerva go to the dreadful battle-din
of the Trojans and Greeks, and contrive that the Trojans may first
begin to injure the most renowned Greeks, contrary to the leagues.”
Footnote 171: (return) “It certainly seems to me, that, in a reference
so distinct to the three great Peloponnesian cities which the Dorians
invaded and possessed, Homer makes as broad an allusion to the
conquests of the Heraclidæ, not only as would be consistent with the
pride of an Ionic Greek in attesting the triumphs of the national
Dorian foe, but as the nature of a theme cast in a distant period, and
remarkably removed, in its general conduct, from the historical detail
of subsequent events, would warrant to the poet.”—Bulwer, Athens, i. 8.
The correctness of this view, however, depends upon the true date of
Homer’s existence.
Thus she spoke; nor did the father of gods and men disobey. Instantly
he addressed Minerva in winged words:
“Go very quickly to the army, among the Trojans and Greeks, and
contrive that the Trojans may first begin to injure the most renowned
Greeks, contrary to the league.”
Thus having spoken, he urged on Minerva already inclined; she hastening
descended the heights of Olympus; such as the star which the son of
wily Saturn sends, a sign either to mariners, or to a wide host of
nations, and from it many sparks are emitted. Like unto this Pallas
Minerva hastened to the earth, and leaped into the midst [of the army];
and astonishment seized the horse-breaking Trojans and the well-greaved
Greeks, looking on. And thus would one say, looking at some other near
him:
“Doubtless evil war and dreadful battle-din will take place again, or
Jove is establishing friendship between both sides, he who has been
ordained the arbiter of war amongst men.” 172
Footnote 172: (return) Duport, Gnom. Hom. p. 20, compares the words of
Belisarius in Procop. Vandal. i. Μαχονται μεν ανθρωποι, βραζευει δε ο
Θεος οπως ποτε αυτω δοκει, και το του πολεμου δίδωσι κρατος.
Thus then did some one of the Greeks and Trojans say; but she like a
hero entered the host of the Trojans, the brave warrior Laodocus, son
of Antenor, seeking godlike Pandarus, if anywhere she might find him.
She found the blameless and valiant son of Lycaon standing, and around
him the brave ranks of shielded warriors, who had followed him from the
streams of Æsepus; and standing near, she thus to him spoke winged
words:
“Wouldst thou now hearken to me in anything, O warlike son of Lycaon?
Thou wouldst venture then to aim a swift arrow at Menelaus. Doubtless
thou wouldst bear away both thanks and glory from all the Trojans, but
of all, chiefly from the prince Alexander, from whom, indeed, first of
all, thou wouldst receive splendid gifts, if he should see martial
Menelaus, the son of Atreus, subdued by this weapon, ascending the sad
pile. But come, aim an arrow at renowned Menelaus; and vow to
Lycian-born 173 Apollo, the renowned archer, that thou wilt sacrifice a
splendid hecatomb of firstling lambs, having returned home to the city
of sacred Zeleia.”
Footnote 173: (return) This is probably the true interpretation, and
is given by the Scholiast, Hesychius, and others. But Heraclides,
Alleg. § 6, says that Apollo is so called επειδη του κατα την ορθριον
ωραν λυκαυγους εστιν αιτιοι, η οτι λυκαζαντα γεννα, τουτεστι τον
ενιαυτον. Cf. Macrob. Sat. i. 17; Serv. on Æn. iv. 377.
Thus spoke Minerva, and she persuaded his mind for him, unthinking one.
Straightway he uncased his well-polished bow, made from [the horn of] a
wild, bounding goat, which he indeed surprising once on a time in
ambush, as it was coming out of a cavern, struck, aiming at it beneath
the breast; but it fell supine on the rock. Its horns had grown sixteen
palms from its head; and these the horn-polishing artist, having duly
prepared, fitted together, and when he had well smoothed all, added a
golden tip. And having bent the bow, he aptly lowered it, having
inclined it against the ground; but his excellent companions held their
shields before him, lest the martial sons of the Greeks should rise
against him, before warlike Menelaus, the chief of the Greeks, was
wounded. Then he drew off the cover of his quiver, and took out an
arrow, fresh, winged, a cause of gloomy ills. Forthwith he fitted the
bitter arrow to the string, and vowed to Lycian-born Apollo, the
renowned archer, that he would sacrifice a splendid hecatomb of
firstling lambs, having returned home to the city of sacred Zeleia.
Having seized them, he drew together the notch [of the arrow] and the
ox-hide string; the string, indeed, he brought near to his breast, and
the barb to the bow. But after he had bent the great bow into a circle,
the bow twanged, the bowstring rang loudly, and the sharp-pointed shaft
bounded forth, impatient to wing its flight through the host.
Nor did the blessed immortal gods forget thee, O Menelaus; 174 but
chiefly the spoil-hunting daughter of Jove, who, standing before thee,
averted the deadly weapon. She as much repelled it from thy body, as a
mother repels a fly from her infant, when it shall have laid itself
down in sweet sleep. But she herself guided it to that part where the
golden clasps of the girdle bound it, and the double-formed corslet
met. 175 The bitter arrow fell on his well-fitted belt, and through the
deftly-wrought belt was it driven, and it stuck in the variegated
corslet and the brazen-plated belt which he wore, the main defence of
his body, a guard against weapons, which protect him most; through even
this did it pass onwards, and the arrow grazed the surface of the
hero’s skin, and straightway black gore flowed from the wound. And as
when some Mæonian 176 or Carian woman tinges ivory with purple colour,
to be a cheek-trapping for steeds; in her chamber it lies, and many
charioteers desire to bear it, but it lies by as an ornament for the
king, both as a decoration to the steed, and a glory to the rider: so,
Menelaus, were thy well-proportioned thighs, and legs, and fair feet
below, stained with gore.
Footnote 174: (return) It is elegantly observed by Coleridge, p. 160,
that “it is principally owing to our sense of the dramatic probability
of the action of the divinities in the Iliad that the heroes do not
seem dwarfed by their protectors; on the contrary, the manifest
favourite of the gods stands out in a dilated and more awful shape
before our imagination, and seems, by the association, to be lifted up
into the demigod.”
Footnote 175: (return) “Occurrebat sagittæ, obvius erat ei
penetranti.”—Heyne. But it is better to understand, “where the plates
of the cuirass meet and overlay the ζωμα].”—Arnold.
Footnote 176: (return) _I.e._ Lydian.
Then Agamemnon, the king of men, shuddered, as he beheld the black gore
flowing from the wound, and Mars-beloved Menelaus himself shuddered.
But when he saw the string 177 and the barbs still outside, his courage
was once more collected in his breast. But Agamemnon, deeply sighing,
and holding Menelaus with his hand, spoke thus amidst them, and all his
companions kept groaning with him:
Footnote 177: (return) With which the iron head was fastened to the
shaft.
“Ο dear brother, now have I ratified a treaty which will prove thy
death, exposing thee alone to fight with the Trojans for the Greeks;
since the Trojans have thus wounded thee, and trampled on the faithful
league. But by no means shall the league and the blood of the lambs be
in vain, and the pure libations, and the right hands in which we
confided. For even although Olympian Jove has not immediately brought
them to pass, he will however bring them to pass at last; and at a
great price have they paid the penalty, 178 to wit, with their own
heads, and their wives and children. For this I know well in mind and
soul. A day will be, when sacred Ilium shall perish, and Priam, and the
people of ashen-speared Priam; and when Saturnian Jove, lofty-throned,
dwelling in the æther, will himself shake his gloomy ægis over all,
wrathful on account of this treachery. These things, indeed, shall not
be unaccomplished; but to me there will be grief on thy account, O
Menelaus, if thou shalt die and fulfil the fate of life; then, indeed,
branded with shame, shall I return to much longed-for Argos. For
quickly the Greeks will bethink themselves of their fatherland, and we
shall leave Argive Helen a boast to Priam and to the Trojans, and the
earth will rot thy bones lying in Troy, near to an unfinished work. And
thus will some one of the haughty Trojans exclaim, leaping upon the
tomb of glorious Menelaus: ‘Would that Agamemnon thus wreaked his
vengeance against all, as even now he has led hither an army of the
Greeks in vain, and has now returned home into his dear native land,
with empty ships, having left behind him brave Menelaus.’ Thus will
some one hereafter say: then may the wide earth yawn for me.”
Footnote 178: (return) The past tense for the future: implying that
the hour of retribution is so certain, that it may be considered
already arrived.
But him fair-haired Menelaus accosted, cheering him: “Have courage, nor
in anywise frighten the people of the Achæans. The sharp arrow has not
stuck in a vital part, but before [it reached a vital part], the
variegated belt, and the girdle beneath, and the plate which
brass-working men forged, warded it off.”
King Agamemnon answering him replied: “Would that it were so, O beloved
Menelaus; but the physician shall probe the wound, and apply remedies,
which may ease thee of thy acute pains.”
He spoke; and thus accosted Talthybius, the divine herald: “Talthybius,
summon hither with all speed the hero Machaon, son of the blameless
physician Æsculapius, that he may see martial Menelaus, the chief of
the Greeks, whom some skilful archer of the Trojans, or of the Lycians,
has wounded with a shaft; a glory, indeed, to him, but a grief to us.”
He spoke; nor did the herald disobey when he had heard. But he
proceeded to go through the forces of the brazen-mailed Greeks, looking
around for the hero Machaon: him he saw standing, and round him the
brave ranks of the shield-bearing hosts, who followed him from
steed-nourishing Tricca. Standing near, he spoke winged words:
“Come, O son of Æsculapius, Agamemnon, king of men, calls thee, that
thou mayest see martial Menelaus, the son of Atreus, whom some skilful
archer of the Trojans or of the Lycians has wounded with a dart; a
glory indeed to him, but a grief to us.”
Thus he spoke, and incited his soul within his breast. And they
proceeded to go through the host, through the wide army of the Greeks;
but when they had now arrived where fair-haired Menelaus had been
wounded (but around him were collected as many as were bravest, in a
circle, while the godlike hero stood in the midst), instantly thereupon
he extracted the arrow from the well-fitted belt. But while it was
being extracted, the sharp barbs were broken. Then he loosed the
variegated belt, and the girdle beneath, and the plated belt which
brass-workers had forged. But when he perceived the wound, where the
bitter shaft had fallen, having sucked out the blood, he skilfully
sprinkled on it soothing remedies, 179 which, benevolent Chiron had
formerly given to his father.
Footnote 179: (return) Celsus, Pref. “Podalirius et Machaon, bello
Trajano ducem Agamemnonem secuti, non mediocrem opem commilitonibus
suis attulerunt. Quos tamen Homerus non in pestilentia neque in variis
generibus morborum aliquid attulisse auxilii, sed vulneribus tantummodo
ferro et medicamentis mederi solitos esse proposuit. Ex quo apparet,
has partes medicinæ solas ab his esse tentatas, easque esse
vetustissimas.”
Whilst they were thus occupied around warlike Menelaus, meantime the
ranks of the shielded Trojans advanced; and these again put on their
arms, and were mindful of battle. Then would you not see divine
Agamemnon slumbering, nor trembling nor refusing to fight; but
hastening quickly to the glorious fight. He left his steeds, indeed,
and his brass-variegated chariot; and these his servant Eurymedon, son
of Ptolymæus, the son of Piräis, held apart panting. Him he strictly
enjoined to keep them near him, against the time when weariness should
seize his limbs, commanding over many. But he on foot traversed the
ranks of the heroes, and whichever of the swift-horsed Greeks he saw
hastening, them standing beside, he encouraged with words:
“Argives! remit nought of your fierce ardour, for father Jove will not
be an abettor to falsehoods, but certainly vultures will devour the
tender bodies of those very persons, who first offered injury, contrary
to the league; and we, after we shall have taken the city, will carry
off in our ships their dear wives, and their infant children.”
But whomsoever on the other hand he saw declining hateful battle, them
he much rebuked with angry words:
“Argives, ye arrow-fighters, 180 subjects for disgrace, are ye not
ashamed? Why stand ye here astounded, like fawns, which, when they are
wearied, running through the extensive plain, stand, and have no
strength in their hearts? Thus do ye stand amazed, nor fight. Do ye
await the Trojans until they come near, where your fair-prowed galleys
are moored on the shore of the hoary sea, that ye may know whether the
son of Saturn will stretch forth his hand over you.”
Footnote 180: (return) If it be remembered that archery, in comparison
with fighting close-handed, handed, was much despised (cf. Soph. Aj.
1120, sqq.; Eur. Herc. Fur. 160), the term ἰόμωροι (οἱ περὶ τοὺς ἰοὺς
μεμορημένοι, Apoll. Lex. and Hesych.) need not be forced into any of
the out-of-the-way meanings which Anthon and others have assigned to
it.
Thus he, acting as commander, kept going through the ranks of heroes,
and he came to the Cretans, going through the throng of men. But they
were armed around warlike Idomeneus. Idomeneus, on his part,
[commanded] in the van, like a boar in strength; but Meriones urged on
the hindmost phalanxes for him. Seeing these, Agamemnon, the king of
men, rejoiced, and instantly accosted Idomeneus, in bland words:
“O Idomeneus, I honour thee, indeed, above the swift-horsed Greeks, as
well in war, as in any other work, and at the banquet, when the nobles
of the Argives mix in their cups the dark-red honourable 181 wine: for
though the other crested Greeks drink by certain measures, thy cup
always stands full, as [mine] to me, that thou mayest drink when thy
mind desires it. But hasten into war, such as formerly thou didst boast
to be.”
Footnote 181: (return) See my note on Od.
But him Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, in turn answered: “Son of
Atreus, a very congenial ally will I be to thee, as first I promised
and assented. But exhort the other crested Greeks that we may fight
with all haste, since the Trojans have confounded the league: death and
griefs shall be theirs hereafter, since they first offered injury,
contrary to the league.”
Thus he spoke: and the son of Atreus passed on, joyous at heart, and he
came to the Ajaces, going through the troops of the heroes. But they
were armed, and with them followed a cloud of infantry. As when a
goat-herd from a hill-top perceives a cloud traversing the deep,
beneath the north-western blast; and to him, standing at a distance, it
appears while coming over the ocean, darker than pitch, and brings with
it a mighty whirlwind; 182 he both shudders on seeing it, and drives
his flock into a cave. Such, with the Ajaces, moved into hostile battle
the dense dark phalanxes of Jove-nurtured youths, bristling with
shields and spears. And king Agamemnon seeing them, rejoiced, and
accosting them, spoke winged words:
Footnote 182: (return) The _waterspout_, which is often followed by
hurricanes, is meant. See Arnold.
“Ye Ajaces, leaders of the brazen-mailed Argives, ye two, indeed, for
it becomes me not, I in no respect desire to incite; for ye yourselves
mightily instigate the people to fight valiantly. Would that, O father
Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, such courage were in the breasts of all;
soon then would the city of king Priam bend to its fall, taken and
destroyed by our hands.”
Thus having said, he left them there and went to the others; there he
found Nestor, the harmonious orator of the Pylians, marshalling his
associates, and exhorting them to battle, mighty Pelagon, Alastor,
Chromius, and prince Hæmon, and Bias the shepherd of the people. In
front, indeed, he placed the cavalry 183 with their horses and
chariots, but the foot, both numerous and brave, in the rear, to be the
stay of the battle; but the cowards he drove into the middle, that
every man, even unwilling, might fight from necessity. At first,
indeed, he gave orders to the horsemen; these he commanded to rein in
their horses, nor to be confused with the crowd. “And let no person,
relying on his skill in horsemanship, and on his strength, desire
alone, before the rest, to fight with the Trojans, nor let him retreat:
for [if so], ye will be weaker. And whatever man, from his own chariot,
can reach that of another, let him stretch out with his spear; 184 for
so it is much better: for thus the ancients overturned cities and
walls, keeping this purpose and resolution in their breasts.”
Footnote 183: (return) _I. e._ those who fought from chariots.
Footnote 184x: (return) With Arnold and Anthon, I follow Köppen’s
interpretation. The meaning is, whoever, without leaping from his own
chariot, can reach that of another, should commence the attack. This
was less dangerous than dismounting.
Thus the old man, long since well skilled in wars, exhorted them, and
king Agamemnon rejoiced when he saw him; and accosting him, spoke
winged words:
“O old man, would that thy knees could so follow thee, and thy strength
were firm as is the courage in thy breast. But old age, common alike to
all, wearies thee. Would that some other man had thy age, and that thou
wert amongst the more youthful.”
Him then the Gerenian knight Nestor answered: “Son of Atreus, I myself
would much wish to be so, as when I killed Eruthalion. But the gods
never give all things at the same time to men. If I were a young man
then, now in turn old age invades me. Yet even so, I will be with the
horse, and will exhort them with counsel and words: for this is the
office of old men. But let the youths, who are younger than I am, and
confide in their strength, brandish their spears.”
Thus he spoke; and the son of Atreus passed him by, rejoicing at heart.
Next he found the horseman Menestheus, son of Peteus, standing, and
around him the Athenians skilled in the war-shout: but crafty Ulysses
stood near; and round him stood the ranks of the Cephallenians not
feeble; for not yet had the troops of these heard the shout, since
lately the roused phalanxes of the horse-subduing Trojans and of the
Greeks moved along; but they stood waiting till another division of the
Greeks, coming on, should charge the Trojans and begin the battle.
Having seen these, therefore, Agamemnon, the king of men, reproved
them, and, accosting them, spoke winged words:
“O son of Peteus, Jove-nurtured king, and thou, accomplished in evil
wiles, crafty-minded [Ulysses], why trembling do ye refrain from
battle, and wait for others? It became you, indeed, being amongst the
first, to stand and meet the ardent battle. For ye are the first
invited by me to the feast when we Greeks prepare a banquet for the
chiefs. Then it is pleasant to you to eat the roasted meats, and to
quaff cups of sweet wine, as long as ye please. But now would ye in
preference be spectators, though ten divisions of the Greeks should
fight in your presence with the ruthless brass.”
But him sternly regarding, crafty Ulysses answered thus: “Son of
Atreus, what a word has escaped the barrier of thy teeth! How canst
thou say that we are remiss in fighting? Whenever we Greeks stir up
fierce conflict against the horse-taming Trojans, thou shalt see, if
thou desirest, and if these things are a care to thee, the beloved
father of Telemachus mingled with the foremost of the horse-taming
Trojans. But thou sayest these things rashly.”
But him king Agamemnon, when he perceived that he was angry, smiling,
addressed, and he retracted his words:
“Noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, I neither chide thee in
terms above measure, nor exhort thee. For I am aware that thy mind in
thy breast kens friendly counsels: for thou thinkest the same that I
do. But come, we shall settle these disputes at a future time, should
anything evil have now been uttered. But may the gods render all these
things vain.”
Thus having spoken, he left them there, and went to others; he found
magnanimous Diomede, son of Tydeus, standing by his horses and
brass-mounted 185 chariot. Near him stood Sthenelus, son of Capaneus.
And having seen him too, king Agamemnon reproved him, and accosting him
thus, spoke winged words:
“Alas! O son of warlike horse-breaking Tydeus, why dost thou tremble?
Why dost thou explore the intervals of the ranks? 186 It was not with
Tydeus thus customary to tremble, but to fight with the enemy far
before his dear companions. So they have said, who beheld him toiling:
for I never met, nor have I beheld him: but they say that he excelled
all others. For certainly with godlike Polynices he entered Mycenæ
without warlike array, a guest, collecting forces: they 187 were then
preparing an expedition against the sacred walls of Thebes, and
supplicated much that they would give renowned auxiliaries. But they
[the Mycenæans] were willing to give them, and approved of it, as they
urged; but Jove changed [their design], showing unpropitious omens.
But, after they departed, and proceeded on their way, they came to
rushy, grassy Asopus. Then the Achæans sent Tydeus upon an embassy. 188
Accordingly he went, and found many Cadmeans feasting in the palace of
brave Eteocles. Then the knight Tydeus, though being a stranger, feared
not, being alone amongst many Cadmeans: but challenged them to contend
[in games], and easily conquered in all, so mighty a second was Minerva
to him. But the Cadmeans, goaders of steeds, being enraged, leading
fifty youths, laid a crafty ambuscade for him returning: but there were
two leaders, Mæon, son of Hæmon, like unto the immortals, and
Lycophontes, persevering in fight, the son of Autophonus. Tydeus,
however, brought cruel death upon them. He killed them all, but sent
one only to return home: for he dismissed Mæon, obeying the portents of
the gods. Such was Ætolian Tydeus. But he begat a son, inferior to
himself in battle, but superior in council.”
Footnote 185: (return) Properly, “fastened, soldered.”
Footnote 186: (return) Lit. “the bridges of the war.” He was looking
to see where there was a chance of escape by running between the ranks.
Footnote 187: (return) Polynices and Adrastus. The reader will do well
to compare Grote vol. i. p. 371.
Footnote 188: (return) To Thebes.
Thus he spoke; but brave Diomede answered nothing, reverencing the
rebuke of the venerable king.
But him the son of renowned Capaneus answered: “Son of Atreus, lie not,
knowing how to tell truth. We, indeed, boast to be far better than our
fathers. We too have taken the citadel of seven-gated Thebes, leading
fewer troops under the wall sacred to Mars, confiding in the portents
of the gods, and in the aid of Jove: but they perished through their
own infatuation. Wherefore, never place my ancestors in the same rank
with me.”
Him sternly regarding, brave Diomede accosted thus: “My friend 189
Sthenelus, sit in silence, and obey my words; for I blame not
Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people, for thus exhorting the
well-greaved Greeks to fight. Glory shall attend him, if, indeed, the
Greeks shall conquer the Trojans, and take sacred Ilium; but great
grief shall be his, on the other hand, the Greeks being cut off. But
come now, and let us be mindful of impetuous valour.”
Footnote 189: (return) Τέττα is an affectionate phrase applied to an
elder, like _papa_. Compare Alberti on Hesych. v. ἀπφία, t. i. p. 505,
and on ἅττα, p. 606; Helladius, Chrestom. p. 9, ed. Meurs.
He spoke, and from his chariot leaped with his arms upon the earth, and
dreadfully sounded the brass on the breast of the prince, as he moved
rapidly along: then truly would fear have seized even a brave spirit.
As when on the loud-resounding shore a wave of the sea is impelled in
continuous succession beneath the north-west wind which has set it in
motion; at first indeed it raises itself aloft in the deep, but then
dashed against the land, it roars mightily; and being swollen it rises
high around the projecting points, and spits from it the foam of the
sea: thus then the thick phalanxes of the Greeks moved incessantly on
to battle. Each leader commanded his own troops. The rest went in
silence (nor would you have said that so numerous an army followed,
having the power of speech in their breasts), silently reverencing
their leaders. And around them all their arms of various workmanship
shone brightly; clad with which, they proceeded in order. But the
Trojans, as the sheep of a rich man stand countless in the fold, whilst
they are milked of their white milk, continually bleating, having heard
the voice of their lambs—thus was the clamour of the Trojans excited
through the wide army. For there was not the same shout of all, nor the
same voice, but their language was mixed, for the men were called from
many climes. These Mars urged on, but those blue-eyed Minerva, 190 and
Terror, and Rout, and Strife, insatiably raging, the sister and
attendant of homicide Mars, she raises her head, small indeed at first,
but afterwards she has fixed her head in heaven, and stalks along the
earth. Then also she, going through the crowd, increasing the groaning
of the men, cast into the midst upon them contention alike destruction
to all.