The exploits of Diomedes, who, irritated by a wound from Pandarus,
fights with unremitted fury, and even wounds Venus and Mars, who were
aiding the Trojans.
Then, moreover, Pallas Minerva gave strength and daring to Diomede, the
son of Tydeus, that he might become conspicuous amongst all the
Argives, and might bear off for himself excellent renown. And she
kindled from his helmet and his shield an unwearied fire, like unto the
summer 194 star, which shines 195 very brightly, having been bathed in
the ocean. Such a fire she kindled from his head and shoulders, and she
urged him into the midst, where the greatest numbers were in commotion.
Footnote 194: (return) _I. e._ the dog star, Sirius, whose rising
marked the beginning of the ὀπώρα, or season extending from the middle
of July to the middle of September. It is said to be most brilliant at
its time of rising. Cf. Apoll. iii. 956: Ὅς δή τοι καλὸς μὲν ἀρίζηλός
τ’ ἐσιδέσθαί Ἀντέλλει.
Footnote 195: (return) This use of the subjunctive mood is called the
σχῆμα Ἰϑύκειον by Lesbonax, p. 179, ed. Valck.
Now there was amongst the Trojans one Dares, rich, blameless, the
priest of Vulcan; and he had two sons, Phegeus and Idæus, well skilled
in all kinds of battle: these twain, apart [from their companions],
rushed to meet [Diomede]; they on their part, from their two-horse
chariot, but he, from the ground, made the attack on foot. When these,
therefore, advancing against each other, were now near, Phegeus first
hurled forth his long-shadowed spear, and the point of the spear went
over the left shoulder of the son of Tydeus, nor did it strike him. But
the son of Tydeus next rushed on with his brazen javelin; nor did the
weapon fly in vain from his hand, but struck his [Phegeus’s] breast
between the paps, and forced him from his chariot. Then Idæus leaped
down, having left the very beautiful chariot, nor ventured to protect
his slain brother. [In vain,] for not even he would have escaped gloomy
fate, but Vulcan snatched him away, and saved him, having enveloped him
in darkness, that the old man might not be altogether sad. But the son
of magnanimous Tydeus having taken the horses, gave them to his
companions to lead to the hollow ships. When the magnanimous Trojans
beheld the sons of Dares, the one 196 flying, the other slain at the
chariot, the hearts of all were discomfited. But azure-eyed Minerva,
seizing him by the hand, thus addressed impetuous Mars: “Mars, Mars,
man-slayer, gore-stained, stormer of walls, should we not suffer the
Trojans and the Greeks to fight, to which side soever father Jove may
give glory; but let us retire, and avoid the wrath of Jove?”
Thus having said, she led impetuous Mars from the battle, and
afterwards seated him on grassy 197 Scamander. Then the Greeks turned
the Trojans to flight, and each of the leaders slew his man. First
Agamemnon, king of men, hurled from his chariot huge Hodius, chief of
the Halizonians. For in the back of him first turned [in flight],
between his shoulders he fixed the spear, and drove it through his
breast; and falling, he made a crash, and his arms resounded upon him.
But next Idomeneus killed Phæstus, the son of Mæonian Borus, who had
come from fertile Tarne. Him, just as he was mounting his chariot, 198
spear-famed Idomeneus, with his long lance, wounded in the right
shoulder: he fell from his chariot, and hateful darkness seized him.
Then the attendants of Idomeneus despoiled him of his arms.
Footnote 196: (return) observe the construction by apposition, soph.
ant. 21: τὼ κασιγνήτω, τὸν μὲν προτίσας, τὸν δ’ ἀτιμάσας ἔχει.—561: τὼ
παῖδε φημὶ τώδε τὴν μὲν ἀρτίως ἄνουν πεϕάνθαι, τὴν δ’ ἀϕ’ οὗ τὰ πρῶτ’
ἔϕυ.
Footnote 197: (return) see buttm. lexil. p. 324, sqq.
Footnote 198: (return) I shall generally adopt this translation of
ϊπποι, with anthon.
Menelaus, the son of Atreus, slew with his sharp 199 spear Scamandrius,
son of Strophius, clever in the chase, an excellent huntsman; for Diana
herself taught him to shoot all kinds of beasts, which the wood in the
mountains nurtures. But then at least arrow-rejoicing Diana availed him
not, nor his skill in distant shooting, in which he had been formerly
instructed. But spear-renowned Menelaus, son of Atreus, wounded him,
flying before him, with a spear in the back, between the shoulders, and
drove [the spear] through his breast. Prone he fell, and his arms
resounded upon him.
Meriones slew Phereclus, son of the artist Harmon, who knew how to form
with his hands all ingenious things (for Pallas Minerva loved him
exceedingly): who also for Alexander had built the equal ships, source
of woes, which were a bane to all the Trojans and to himself, since he
did not understand the oracles of the gods. 200 Meriones, indeed, when
following he overtook him, struck him in the right hip; but the point
went right through beneath the bone, near the bladder; and on his knees
he fell lamenting, and death overshadowed him.
Footnote 199: (return) Apoll. Lex. Hom. p. 604, ed. Villois: ὀξυόεντι.
Ὸ μὲν Ἀπίων, όξεῖ ἔγχει, ὀξυόεντι δὲ, ὀξυΐνῳ. With Anthon, I prefer
Apion’s interpretation. Others explain it “beechen,” or “thorn-wood.”
Cf. Alberti on Hesych. p. 766.
Footnote 200: (return) A doubtful line, but probably referring to an
oracle by which the Trojans were recommended to avoid maritime affairs.
Cf. Procl. Chrestom. p. 472, ed. Gaisf.
But Meges next slew Pedæus, son of Antenor, who, indeed, was a spurious
son, yet noble Theano brought him up with care, equally with her own
dear children, gratifying her husband. Him the spear-famed son of
Phyleus, on his part, coming near, smote on the back of the head with
his sharp spear; the steel cut through his teeth under his tongue. In
the dust he fell, and caught the cold steel in his teeth.
But Eurypylus, son of Evæmon, slew noble Hypsenor, son of magnanimous
Dolopion, who was priest of Scamander, and was honoured as a god by the
people; him, as he was flying before him, Eurypylus, then, the
illustrious son of Evæmon, struck in the shoulder in his flight,
rushing on with his sword, and cut off his heavy hand: then the gory
hand fell in the field; but blood-red death and stern fate seized his
eyes.
Thus they on their part laboured in the violent fight. But you would
not have known the son of Tydeus, to which side he belonged, whether he
was mixed with the Trojans or with the Greeks. For he rushed through
the plain, like unto a river swollen by mountain-streams, which flowing
rapidly throws down bridges: and this, neither the fortified dams can
restrain, nor the fences of the richly-blooming fields check, as it
comes suddenly, when the rain-storm of Jove bears down heavily: many
hopeful works of vigorous youths are wont to fall by it. Thus by the
son of Tydeus were the close phalanxes of the Trojans thrown into
confusion; nor did they withstand him, although being numerous.
When, therefore, Pandarus, the illustrious son of Lycaon, saw him
rushing through the field, discomfiting the phalanxes before him, he
drew his crooked bow, and smote him rushing on, striking him upon the
right shoulder [on] the cavity of the corslet: the bitter shaft flew on
and broke through to the other side; and the corslet was stained with
blood. Whereupon the illustrious son of Lycaon exclaimed aloud:
“Rush on, ye magnanimous Trojans, spurrers of steeds, for the bravest
of the Greeks is wounded; nor do I think that he will long endure the
violent arrow, if king Apollo, the son of Jove, really urged me
proceeding from Lycia.”
Thus he spoke, vaunting; but him [Diomede] the swift arrow did not
subdue: but having retreated, he stood before his horses and chariot,
and thus accosted Sthenelus, son of Capaneus:
“Haste, dear son of Capaneus, descend from thy chariot, that thou
mayest draw from my shoulder the bitter shaft.”
Thus he spoke, and Sthenelus leaped from his chariot to the ground,
and, standing by him, drew the swift, deeply-piercing arrow forth from
his shoulder, and the blood spurted out through the twisted mail. Then
Diomede, brave in battle, prayed:
“Hear me, O daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, unwearied, if ever
favouring thou stoodest by me and my sire in the hostile fight, now in
turn befriend me, O Minerva. And grant me to slay this man, and that he
may approach within the aim of my spear, who being beforehand has
struck me, and boasts, and says that I shall not long behold the
brilliant light of the sun.”
Thus he spoke, praying, and Pallas Minerva heard him, and made light
his limbs, his feet, and his hands above, and standing near him, spoke
winged words:
“With confidence, now, O Diomede, fight against the Trojans; for into
thy soul have I sent that intrepid ancestral might, such as the
shield-brandishing knight Tydeus was wont to possess: and moreover I
have taken away the darkness from thine eyes, which before was upon
them, that thou mayest discern a god and also a man. Wherefore now, if
any divinity come hither, making trial of thee, do thou by no means
fight against any other immortal gods; but if Venus, daughter of Jove,
should come into battle, wound her at all events with the sharp brass.”
Thus on her part having spoken, azure-eyed Minerva departed: but the
son of Tydeus, returning again, was mixed with the van; and ardent as
he before was in spirit to fight against the Trojans, then, indeed,
thrice as much courage possessed him. Like as a lion, whom the shepherd
in the country, by his fleecy sheep, has grazed indeed, while
overleaping the court-yard, but has not killed; he [the shepherd] has
merely roused his ardour; but afterwards he ventures no farther aid,
but on the contrary retires within the fold, while the sheep, deserted,
fly in consternation. These, indeed, are huddled in masses one upon
another, but he [the lion] leaps joyfully from the lofty fold. 201 So
was brave Diomede joyfully mixed with the Trojans.
Then he slew Astynoüs, and Hypenor the shepherd of the people: having
smote the one above the pap with the brazen lance, but the other he
smote with his huge sword on the collar-bone at the shoulder, and
separated the shoulder from the neck and back. These, indeed, he left,
but rushed on Abas and Polyïdus, the sons of Eurydamas, the aged
interpreter of dreams; to whom going to the war, the old man did not
interpret their dreams; but brave Diomede spoiled them when slain. Then
he went against Xanthus and Thoon, the sons of Phænops, both dearly
cherished; 202 but he was worn by sad old age, and did not beget
another son to leave over his possessions. These, then, Diomede slew,
and took their life from both, but to their father left grief and
mournful cares, since he did not receive them returning alive from
battle; but his next of kin 203 divided the inheritance amongst them.
Footnote 201: (return) A very doubtful line.
Footnote 202: (return) Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 511.
Footnote 203: (return) Schol.: Χηρωσταὶ, οὶ τὸν χῆρον οῖκον
διανεμόμενοι κληρονόμοι. Apoll. Lex. p. 854: Οὶ μακρόθεν προσήκοντες
κατὰ γένος, καὶ χῆρα ὄντα τῶν σύνεγγυς τὰ χρήματα κληρονομοῦντες.
Then he seized Echemon and Chromius, two sons of Dardanian Priam, being
in one chariot. As when a lion, leaping amidst the herd, has broken the
neck of a heifer or of an ox pasturing in a thicket; so did the son of
Tydeus forcibly dislodge them both from the chariot against their
wills, and then spoiled them of their arms. But the steeds he gave to
his companions, to drive to the ships.
But him Æneas beheld devastating the ranks of men, and he hastened to
go both through the battle and the din of spears, seeking godlike
Pandarus, if anywhere he might find him. He found the blameless and
valiant son of Lycaon, and stood before him, and spoke [this] word to
him:
“O Pandarus, where are thy bow and thy winged shafts, and thy renown,
with which no man here at least contends with thee, nor does any person
in Lycia boast to be braver than thou? But come, having raised thy
hands to Jove, aim an arrow against this man, (whoever he be, who is
thus prevailing, and who has already wrought many ills against the
Trojans, since he has relaxed the knees of many and of brave), unless
he be some god, wrathful against the Trojans, angry on account of
sacrifices [not offered]: and unless the severe wrath of a deity be
upon us.”
Him the illustrious son of Lycaon answered in turn: “Æneas, counsellor
of the brazen-mailed Trojans, I assimilate him in all respects to the
warlike son of Tydeus, recognizing him by his shield and oblong helmet,
and looking on his steeds: but I do not know certainly whether he be a
god. But if this man, whom I speak of, be the warlike son of Tydeus, he
does not perform these frantic deeds without divine aid, but some one
of the immortals stands near, wrapped round as to his shoulders 204 in
a cloud, who has turned into another course the swift shaft just about
to hit him. For but just now I aimed an arrow at him, and struck him on
the right shoulder, entirely through the cavity of his corslet; and I
thought I should hurl him down to Pluto; yet did I not altogether
subdue him; some god, of a truth, is wrathful. And steeds and chariots
are not present, which I might ascend: but somewhere in the palaces of
Lycaon [are] eleven chariots, beautiful, newly-built, lately made:
coverings are spread around them: and beside each of them stand steeds
yoked in pairs, eating white barley and wheat. Of a truth the aged
warrior Lycaon gave me, on setting out, very many commands in his
well-built palaces: he ordered me, having ascended my steeds and my
chariot, to command the Trojans in the fierce conflicts; but I heeded
him not (and truly it would have been much better), sparing my steeds,
lest they, accustomed to feed largely, should want food, to my cost, 205
the men being shut up [in the city]. Thus I left them; but I have come
on foot to Troy, relying on my bow and arrows, but these were not
destined to profit me. For lately I aimed [a shaft] at two chiefs, at
the son of Tydeus and the son of Atreus; and having struck, I drew
blood manifestly from both; but I roused them the more. Therefore, with
evil fate I took down my curved bow from the peg, on that day when I
led the Trojans to pleasant Ilium, doing a favour to divine Hector. But
if I shall return, and shall with these eyes behold my country, and my
wife, and my lofty-roofed great palace, immediately may some hostile
man cut off my head, if I do not put this bow into the shining fire,
having broken it with my hands; for it attends on me to no purpose.”
Footnote 204: (return) Cf. Hor. Od. i. 2, 31: “Nube candentes humeros
amictus.”
Footnote 205: (return) Observe the force of μοι.
Him then Æneas, the leader of the Trojans, addressed in turn: “Speak
not so: but it will not be otherwise, before that we twain, with horses
and chariot, going against this man, make trial of him with arms. But
come, ascend my chariot; that thou mayest see of what kind are the
steeds of Tros, skilful in the plain to pursue rapidly here and there,
and to retreat; they also shall bring us safe again to the city, if
Jove will a second time afford glory to Diomede, the son of Tydeus. But
come, take the whip now, and the shining reins, and I will descend from
the chariot, that I may fight; or do thou await this man, and the
steeds shall be my care.”
Him then the illustrious son of Lycaon answered in turn: “Æneas, do
thou thyself hold the reins and thy own steeds: the better will they
bear along the curved chariot under their accustomed charioteer, if we
shall fly back from the son of Tydeus; lest they, taking fright, should
become restive, and be unwilling to bear us away from the war, missing
thy voice, and the son of magnanimous Tydeus, rushing on us, should
slay ourselves, and drive away thy solid-hoofed steeds. But do thou
thyself drive the chariot and thy own steeds, but with my sharp spear
will I receive him advancing.”
Thus having said, ascending the variegated chariot, they directed the
swift steeds impetuously against the son of Tydeus. But Sthenelus, the
illustrious son of Capaneus, perceived them, and immediately to the son
of Tydeus he spoke winged words:
“Diomede, son of Tydeus, most dear to my soul, I perceive two valiant
men eager to fight against thee, possessing immense might; one, indeed,
well-skilled in the bow, 206 Pandarus, and moreover he boasts to be the
son of Lycaon, and Æneas, [who] boasts to be born the son of
magnanimous Anchises; but Venus is his mother. But come, let us now
retire, having ascended our horses, nor thus, I pray thee, run
furiously through the van, lest thou shouldst lose thy dear life.”
But him sternly regarding, brave Diomede thus addressed: “Talk not to
me of retreat, 207 since I think thou wilt not persuade me. It becomes
not my nature to fight in a skulking manner, nor to tremble; as yet my
strength is unimpaired. I am averse to mount the chariot, but even as I
am will I advance to meet them: spear-brandishing Minerva does not
suffer me to tremble. Never shall the swift horses bear these twain
both back again from us, supposing even one of them shall escape. But
another thing I tell thee, and do thou lay it up in thy soul, if most
prudent Minerva should grant me the glory to kill both, then do thou
detain here these swift steeds, stretching forth the reins from the
rim, and, mindful, rush upon the horses of Æneas, and drive them from
the Trojans to the well-greaved Greeks. For they are of that breed
which far-seeing Jove gave as a price to Tros for his son Ganymede;
wherefore they are the best of steeds, as many as are under the east
and the sun. From this breed Anchises, king of men, stole them, having
supplied mares without the knowledge of Laomedon: of the breed of these
six were foaled in his courts. Reserving four himself, he nourished
them at the manger, and two, skilled in rousing terror, he gave to
Æneas. If we can take these, we shall have borne away excellent glory.”
Footnote 206: (return) This bold change of construction, where one
would have expected τὸν μὲν, τὸν, δὲ, has been noticed by Lesbonax, p.
186.
Footnote 207: (return) But Anthon, I think, with more spirit, renders
this, “Speak not at all fearward.”
Thus they were speaking such things to each other; but the others soon
drew near, urging onward their swift steeds. The illustrious son of
Lycaon first accosted Diomede:
“Stout-hearted, warlike-minded, son of illustrious Tydeus, certainly my
swift shaft, my bitter arrow has not slain thee. Now again will I try
with my spear, whether I can hit my mark.” 208
He said, and brandishing [it], he sent forth his long-shadowed spear,
and struck the shield of Tydides: but the brazen spear flying straight
through, approached the corslet. Then the son of Lycaon shouted loudly
over him:
“Thou art wounded in the flank, through and through, nor do I think
thou wilt endure it much longer: but to me hast thou given great
glory.”
But him the valiant son of Tydeus, undisturbed, addressed: “Thou hast
erred, nor hast thou reached thine aim; 209 but I certainly think thou
wilt not cease, till one of you at least, having fallen, shall satiate
Mars, the warrior of the bull’s-hide shield, with his blood.”
Footnote 208: (return) This is the best manner of expressing the full
meaning of τύχωμι.
Footnote 209: (return) _I. e._ given a mortal wound.
Thus having spoken, he hurled forth [his lance], and Minerva directed
the weapon to his nose, near the eye; and it passed quite through his
white teeth: and then unwearied, the brass cut the root of his tongue,
and the point came out at the bottom of his chin. From his chariot he
fell, and his variegated, shining 210 arms resounded upon him; but his
swift-footed steeds started aside through fright, and there were his
soul and strength dissolved. Æneas then bounded down with his shield
and long spear, fearing lest the Greeks by any means should take the
body away from him. He walked round it, therefore, like a lion,
confiding in his strength: and before him he stretched out his lance,
and his shield equal on all sides, shouting dreadfully, eager to slay
him, whoever might come against him. But the son of Tydeus seized in
his grasp a hand-stone, a huge affair, such as no two men could carry,
such at least as mortals are now; but he even alone easily wielded it.
With it he struck Æneas on the hip, where the thigh is turned in the
hip;—they call it the socket;—the socket he smote violently, and broke
besides both tendons, and the rugged stone tore off the skin. But the
hero having fallen on his knees, remained so, and supported himself
with his strong hand upon the ground, and dark night veiled his eyes.
Footnote 210: (return) But Buttm. Lexil. p. 65 prefers “agile,” _i.
e._ easily-wielded.
And there, of a truth, Æneas, the king of men, had perished, unless
Venus, the daughter of Jove, had quickly perceived him, his mother, who
brought him forth to Anchises as he fed his oxen; 211 but around her
own dear son she spread her white arms, and before him she extended the
folds of her shining robe, as a fence against arrows, lest any of the
swift-horsed Greeks having cast the steel into his breast, should take
away his life. She, indeed, stealthily bore off her beloved son from
the battle. Nor was the son of Capaneus forgetful of those commands
which warlike Diomede gave him: but he detained his own solid-hoofed
steeds apart from the tumult, having stretched forth the reins from the
rim; and rushing forward, drove from the Trojans to the well-greaved
Greeks the beautiful-maned steeds of Æneas, and gave them to Deipylus,
his beloved companion (whom he honoured above all his coevals, because
he possessed in his mind sentiments congenial with himself), to drive
them to the hollow ships: but the hero himself, having ascended his
chariot, took the splendid reins; and instantly drove his solid-hoofed
steeds after the son of Tydeus with ardour; but Diomede pursued Venus
with the cruel steel, 212 knowing that she was an unwarlike goddess,
nor [one] of those goddesses who administer the war of men, neither
Minerva, nor city-destroying Bellona. But when he had now overtaken
her, having pursued her through a great crowd, then the son of
magnanimous Tydeus, having stretched forward, wounded the feeble
[goddess] in the extremity of the hand, bounding on with the sharp
brass. Instantly the spear pierced through the skin, through her
ambrosial robe (which the Graces themselves had wrought), at the
extremity [of the hand] above the palm. Immortal blood flowed from the
goddess, ichor, such, to wit, as flows from the blessed gods. For they
eat not bread, nor drink dark wine; therefore are they bloodless, and
are called immortal. But she screaming aloud, cast her son from her:
and him Phoebus Apollo rescued in his hands in a sable cloud, lest any
of the swift-horsed Greeks, casting the steel into his breast, should
take away his life. But warlike Diomede shouted loudly after her:
Footnote 211: (return) Cf. Theocrit. i. 105: Ού λέγεται τὰν Κύπριν ὸ
βουκόλος, ἕρπε ποτ’ Ἰδὰν, Ἔρπε ποτ’ Ἀγχίσαν. See Hymn, in Vener. 54,
sqq.; and Grote, Hist. of Greece, vol. i. p. 73.
Footnote 212: (return) It is well known that these battles and
woundings of the gods gave so much scandal to Plato, that he wished to
cast Homer out of his republic, much to the indignation of Heraclides
Ponticus, Alleg. Hom. p. 511. The fathers of the early church made no
small use of Plato’s opinion on this head. Cf. Euseb. P. E. ii. 10;
Tertull. Apol. § xiv.; Augustin, C. D. ii. 14; Minucius Felix, 22; who
all make use of his testimony as an argument against Paganism. See
Coleridge, Classic Poets, p. 64.
“Withdraw, O daughter of Jove, from war and battle. Is it not
sufficient that thou dost practise deception upon feeble women? But if
thou wilt go to the war, I certainly think thou wilt hereafter dread
battle, even though thou but hearest of it elsewhere.”
Thus he spoke: but she departed, distracted [with pain], for she was
grievously exhausted. But swift-footed Iris having taken her, led her
outside the crowd, oppressed with griefs; but she began to turn livid
as to her beauteous skin. Then she found impetuous Mars sitting at the
left of the battle; and his spear and swift horses had been enveloped
in darkness. But she, falling on her knees, with many entreaties
besought from her dear brother his golden-frontleted steeds:
“Dear brother, render me a service, and give me thy steeds, that I may
go to Olympus, where is the seat of the immortals. I am grievously
oppressed with a wound which a mortal man, the son of Tydeus, inflicted
on me, who now would fight even with father Jove.”
Thus she spoke: but Mars gave her the golden-frontleted steeds. But she
mounted the chariot, grieving in her heart; and Iris mounted beside
her, and took the reins in her hands, and scourged them to go on, and
they flew not unwillingly. And immediately then they reached the seat
of the gods, the lofty Olympus. There nimble, swift-footed Iris stayed
the steeds, having loosed them from the chariot, and set before them
ambrosial fodder. But the goddess Venus fell at the knees of her mother
Dione; and she embraced her daughter in her arms, and soothed her with
her hand, and addressed her, and said:
“Which of the heavenly gods, beloved daughter, has wantonly done such
things to thee, as if thou hadst openly wrought some evil?”
But her laughter-loving Venus answered: “The son of Tydeus, haughty
Diomede, has wounded me, because I was withdrawing from battle my
beloved son Æneas, who is by far most dear to me of all. For it is no
longer the destructive contest of Trojans and of Greeks; but now the
Greeks fight even with the immortals.”
But her Dione, divine one of goddesses, answered: “Endure, my daughter,
and bear up, although grieved; for many of us, possessing Olympian
habitations, have in times past endured pains at the hand of men, 213
imposing heavy griefs on one another. Mars, in the first place, endured
it, when Otus and valiant Ephialtes, the sons of Aloëus, bound him in a
strong chain. He was chained in a brazen prison for thirteen months:
and perhaps Mars, insatiate of war, had perished there, had not his
stepmother, all-fair Eëribæa, told it to Mercury; but he stole Mars
away, already exhausted, for the cruel chain subdued him. Juno also
suffered, when the brave son of Amphitryon smote her in the right
breast with a three-pronged shaft. Then most irremediable pain seized
her. Amongst these Pluto also endured a swift shaft, when the same
hero, the son of ægis-bearing Jove, afflicted him with pains at Pylos
amongst the dead, having wounded him. But he went to the palace of
Jove, and the lofty Olympus, grieving in his heart, and transfixed with
pains; for the shaft had pierced into his huge shoulder, and tortured
his soul. But Pæon healed him, sprinkling pain-assuaging remedies, for
he was not at all mortal. Audacious, regardless one! who felt no
compunction in doing lawless deeds,—who with his bow violated the gods
that dwell in Olympus. But against thee azure-eyed goddess Minerva has
excited this man. Infatuate! nor does the son of Tydeus know this in
his mind, that he is by no means long-lived who fights with the
immortals, nor ever at his knees will sons lisp a father’s name, as he
returns from war and dreadful battle. Therefore, let the son of Tydeus
now, though he be very brave, have a care, lest a better than thou
fight with him: lest at a future time Ægialëa, the very prudent
daughter of Adrastus, the noble spouse of horse-taming Diomede,
grieving, should rouse her servants from sleep, longing for the husband
of her youth, the bravest of the Greeks.”
Footnote 213: (return) Speaking of these humiliations of the gods,
Grote, Hist. t. i. p. 78, well observes: “The god who serves is for a
time degraded; but the supreme god who commands the servitude is in the
like proportion exalted, whilst the idea of some sort of order and
government among these super-human beings was never lost sight of.”
She spoke, and with her palms wiped off the ichor from her hand: the
hand was healed, and the severe pains mitigated. But then Minerva and
Juno looking on, provoked Saturnian Jove with heart-cutting words; but
amidst them azure-eyed goddess Minerva thus began speaking:
“Father Jove, wilt thou indeed be angry with me on account of what I
shall say? Surely it must be that Venus, inspiring some one of the
Grecian women with a desire of accompanying the Trojans, whom now she
exceedingly loves, while caressing one of those fair-robed Grecian
women, has torn her delicate hand against a golden buckle.”
Thus she spoke: but the father of men and gods smiled, and having
called, he thus accosted golden Venus:
“Not to thee, daughter mine, are intrusted warlike works; but do thou
confine thyself to the desirable offices of marriage, and all these
things shall be a care to swift Mars and to Minerva.”
Thus they, indeed, were speaking such things to each other. But
Diomede, doughty in the din of battle, rushed upon Æneas, conscious
that Apollo himself held over him his hands. But he revered not the
mighty god, for he always longed to slay Æneas, and despoil him of his
glorious armour. Thrice then, immediately, he rushed on, eager to slay
him, and thrice Apollo repelled his shield with violence; but when at
length the fourth time he rushed on, like a god, the far-darting Apollo
menacing terribly, addressed him: “Consider, O son of Tydeus, and
retire, nor wish to think things equal with the gods; for the race of
the immortal gods and of men walking on the earth is in nowise
similar.”
Thus he spoke: but the son of Tydeus retired a little, biding the wrath
of far-darting Apollo. But Apollo placed Æneas apart from the crowd, in
sacred Pergamus, where his temple was. 214 Latona and shaft-rejoicing
Diana healed him in the mighty shrine, and adorned him with glory. But
silver-bowed Apollo formed a phantom like unto Æneas himself and such
in arms. Around the phantom the Trojans and the noble Greeks smote on
each others’ breasts the well-battered ox-hide shields, and the light
bucklers. Then at length Phœbus Apollo addressed impetuous Mars:
Footnote 214: (return) “On the Trojan citadel of Pergamus itself was a
temple of Apollo, Diana and Latona; and hence Homer represents these
three deities protecting the falling city.”—Μüller, Dorians, vol. i. p.
248.
“Mars! Mars! man-slaughterer, gore-tainted, wall-batterer! wouldst not
thou now, meeting this man, the son of Venus, withdraw him from the
battle, who would even now cope with father Jove? First, indeed, in
close combat, he wounded Venus in the hand, at the wrist; but then he
assailed me, like unto a god.”
Thus having spoken, he sat down on lofty Pergamus; but destructive Mars
aroused the ranks of the Trojans, going through them, assimilating
himself to Acamus, the swift leader of the Thracians, and thus he
harangued the Jove-nourished sons of Priam:
“Ye sons of Priam, Jove-nourished king, how long will ye suffer the
people to be slain by the Greeks? Is it until they fight around the
well-made gates? A hero lies prostate, whom we honoured equally with
noble Hector, the son of magnanimous Anchises. But come, let us rescue
from the assault our excellent companion.”
Thus having spoken, he excited the might and courage of heart. Then
Sarpedon much rebuked noble Hector:
Hector, where now has that strength gone, which thou didst formerly
possess? Thou saidst, I ween, that thou, with thy kindred and thy
brothers, couldst defend the city without the forces and allies. Now I
can neither see nor perceive any of these; but they crouch down, like
dogs but a lion: we, on the contrary, who are here mere allies, bear
the brunt of the fight. Even I, being thine ally, have come from a very
great distance; for far off is Lycia, at lying Xanthus, where I left my
beloved wife and my infant son, and many possessions, which he who is
poor covets: but I, nevertheless, exhort the Lycians, and ready myself
to fight with that hero; and yet there is here to me such store as the
Greeks can carry or let. But thou standest still, and dost not exhort
even the forces to stand and to defend their wives. Beware perchance,
as though ensnared in the meshes of an alluring net, thou become a prey
and a spoil to hostile for quickly will they destroy thy well-inhabited
city. As it behoves thee, both night and day, to interest thyself in
these matters, beseeching the chiefs of thy far-summoned force to
persevere with ardour, and forego their violent strife.
Thus spoke Sarpedon, but his speech gnawed the heart of Hector, and
immediately he leaped from his chariot with his armour to the ground,
and brandishing his sharp spear, went in all directions through the
army, exhorting the battle; and he stirred up a grievous conflict. The
Trojans rallied and stood against the Greeks; but the Greeks stood in
close array, withstood them, nor fled.
And as the wind scatters the chaff about the threshing-floors, when men
are winnowing [it], and yellow Ceres is separating both the grain and
the chaff, the winds rush along; and the chaff-heaps 215 grow white
beneath; thus then the Greeks became white with the chaff from above,
which indeed through them, as they again mingled in the combat, the
feet of the steeds struck up [the ground] to the brazen heaven; for the
charioteers turning back. But they directed the strength of theirs
straight forward; and fierce Mars spread a vapour over the battle,
aiding the Trojans, going about everywhere, echoing the commands of
golden-sworded Phœbus Apollo and ordered him to excite the courage of
the Trojans, whenever he should see Pallas Minerva departing; for she
was an ally of the Greeks. But he sent forth Æneas from his very rich
shrine and infused strength into the breast of the shepherd of the
people.
Footnote 215: (return) But cf. Schol. οἱ τόποι εἰς οὓς τὰ ἄχυρα
ἐκπίπτει.
Then Æneas placed himself amidst his companions and they rejoiced when
they saw him approaching alive, unhurt and having excellent strength.
They did not ever, ask any questions; for a different labour did not
pale which the silver-bowed god and man-slaughtering war and Strife
insatiably raging, had excited. But then Greeks, the two Ajaces, and
Ulysses and Diomede, urged on to fight. But they, even by themselves,
feared neither the violent attacks 216 of the Trojans, nor their
shouts: but remained firm, like unto clouds, which the son of Saturn,
during a calm, has placed upon the lofty mountains, at rest, when the
might of Boreas sleeps, 217 and of the other impetuous winds, which,
blowing with shrill blasts, disperse the shadowy clouds. Thus the
Greeks awaited the Trojans, standing firm, nor fled. But the son of
Atreus kept hurrying through the host, exhorting them much:
“O friends, be men, and assume a valiant heart, and feel shame 218
towards each other through the fierce engagements: for more of those
men who dread shame are safe, than are slain; but from fugitives
neither does any glory arise, nor any assistance.”
He spoke, and darted with his spear quickly, and struck Dëicoon, son of
Pergasis, a warrior chief, the companion of magnanimous Æneas, whom the
Trojans honoured equally with the sons of Priam; since he was prompt to
fight amidst the van. Him then king Agamemnon struck in the shield with
his spear, but it [the shield] did not repel the spear, for even
through this it passed onwards, and pierced him through the belt, at
the lower part of the stomach. And he made a crash as he fell, and his
arms rattled over him.
Here then Æneas slew some brave heroes of the Greeks,—Crethon and
Orsilochus, the sons of Diocles: their father, indeed, rich in
sustinence, 219 dwelt in well-built Pheræ; but his origin was from the
river Alpheus, which flows widely through the land of the Pylians.
Alpheus begat Orsilochus, a prince over many men; but Orsilochus begat
magnanimous Diocles; and of Diocles were born two sons, Crethon and
Orsilochus, well skilled in all kinds of battle. These, indeed, in the
bloom of youth, in their sable ships followed with the Argives to Ilium
famed for noble steeds, seeking honour for the sons of Atreus,
Agamemnon and Menelaus: but there the end of death overshadowed them.
Footnote 216: (return) Such seems to be the force of the plural βίας.
Footnote 217: (return) “Ascending, while the north wind
sleeps.”—Milton, P. L. ii. 489.
Footnote 218: (return) I. e. be ashamed to fly or give way. Compare
Plato, Sympos. p. 317, F. G. ed. Læm., where he dwells upon the
advantages of friends fighting together, as rendering men ashamed of
any cowardly action.
Footnote 219: (return) This construction with the genitive is very
common in Latin. Virg. Georg. ii. 468: “dives opum.” Æn. i. 18; Hor.
Ep. ii. 2, 31; Od. iv. 8, 5; Silius, i. 393.
They two, 220 just as two lions have been reared under their dam, amid
the thickets of a deep wood, on a mountain’s heights; they in process
of time seizing oxen and fat sheep, lay waste the stalls of men, till
at length they are themselves killed by the hands of men with the sharp
brass; such these two, subdued by the hands of Æneas, fell like lofty
firs. Then Menelaus, brave in the din of war, pitied them fallen, and
went through the van, equipped in shining brass, brandishing his spear;
for Mars kindled his strength, with the design that he should be
subdued by the hands of Æneas.
But him Antilochus, son of magnanimous Nestor, beheld, and proceeded
through the van, for he feared much for the shepherd of the people,
lest he should suffer anything, and greatly disappoint them of [the
fruits of] their labour. And now they were stretching forth their hands
and sharp spears against each other, eager to fight; but Antilochus
stood very near the shepherd 221 of the people. But Æneas, though a
brisk warrior, remained not, when he beheld the two heroes standing
near each other. When, therefore, they had drawn the dead bodies 222 to
the people of the Greeks, they gave the miserable pair into the hands
of their companions; and they themselves, returning back, fought in the
van.
Footnote 220: (return) The order is, τώγε, οἴω λέοντε δύω. Anthon
refers to Kühner 1. 443, 4, p. 97, Jelf’s Translation.
Footnote 221: (return) See note on ver. 50.
Footnote 222: (return) Of the sons of Diocles.
Then they slew Pylæmenes, equal to Mars, general of the magnanimous
shielded Paphlagonians. Him indeed the son of Atreus, spear-renowned
Menelaus, wounded with a spear as he stood, having smote him on the
collar-bone. But Antilochus on his part smote the charioteer Mydon, his
brave attendant, the son of Atymnias (now he was in the act of turning
his solid-hoofed steeds), having struck him with a hand-stone on the
elbow; immediately the reins, white with ivory, fell from his hands on
the ground in the dust. But Antilochus, rushing on, smote him with his
sword in the temple, and panting he fell from the well-made chariot,
headlong in the dust, on his head and his shoulders. Very long he stood
(for he fell on deep sand), till the two horses, striking him, cast him
to the ground in the dust: but Antilochus lashed them on, and drove
them to the army of the Greeks.
But them Hector discerned through the ranks, and rushed on them,
vociferating, and with him followed the brave phalanxes of the Trojans.
Mars and venerable Bellona led them; she, on the one hand, bearing with
her tumultuous Din, but Mars, on the other, brandished a huge spear in
his hands. At one time, indeed, he paced before Hector, at another
after him.
But him Diomede, brave in fight, seeing, trembled. As when a man,
uncertain of his course, passing over a great plain, has stopped at a
swift-flowing river, running into the sea, beholding it boiling with
foam, and retreats back in haste: so then did the son of Tydeus retire,
and he said to the host:
“O friends, how do we all admire noble Hector, that he is both a
spearman and a daring warrior! But with him one at least of the gods is
ever present, who wards off death; even now Mars in person stands by
him like unto a mortal man. But retreat back, [with your faces] turned
always to the Trojans, nor desire to fight valiantly against the gods.”
Thus then he said: but the Trojans advanced very near them. There
Hector slew two heroes skilled in battle, Menesthes and Anchialus,
being in one chariot. But mighty Telamonian Ajax pitied them falling;
and advancing he stood very near them, and launched with his shining
spear, and smote Amphius, son of Selagus, who, exceedingly rich in
property and crops, dwelt in Pæsus. But fate had led him as an ally to
Priam and his sons. Him Telamonian Ajax smote on the belt, and the
long-shadowed spear was fixed in the pit of his stomach. Falling, he
made a crash, and illustrious Ajax ran up to him, about to spoil [him
of] his armour; but the Trojans poured upon him sharp spears, shining
all around, and his shield received many. But he, pressing on him with
his heel, drew from the body his brazen spear; however, he was not able
to take off from his shoulders any other beautiful armour, for he was
pressed upon with weapons. He also dreaded the stout defence of haughty
Trojans, 223 who, both numerous and doughty, stood around, stretching
forth their spears, and who drove him away from them, although being
mighty, and valiant, and renowned. But he, retiring, was repelled by
force.
Footnote 223: (return) Cf. Lex. Seg. 6, p. 336. Bekk.: ἀγέρωχος,
σεμνὸς, ὑπερόπτης, ϑρασύς. On the different and doubtful etymologies of
this word, see Alberti on Hesych. t. i. p, 44, and Buttm. Lexil. p. 19,
sq.
Thus they, on the one hand, toiled through the violent conflict. But
violent fate urged on Tlepolemus, the brave and great son of Hercules,
against godlike Sarpedon. But when they, the son and grandson of
cloud-collecting Jove, were now rushing against one another, Tlepolemus
first addressed him [Sarpedon]:
“Sarpedon, chief of the Lycians, what necessity is there for thee,
being a man unskilled in war, to tremble here? Falsely do they say that
thou art the offspring of ægis-bearing Jove, since thou art far
inferior to those heroes, who were of Jove, in the time of ancient men.
But what sort do they say that Hercules was, my bold-minded,
lion-hearted father? who formerly coming hither, on account of the
steeds of Laomedon, with six ships only, and with a few men, laid waste
the city of Ilium, and widowed its streets. But thou hast an ignoble
mind, and thy forces are perishing away; nor do I think that thou wilt
be an assistance to the Trojans, having come from Lycia, not even if
thou be exceedingly valiant; but that, slain by me, thou wilt pass
through the gates of Hades.”
But him Sarpedon, leader of the Lycians, in return accosted:
“Tlepolemus, he indeed overturned sacred Ilium, through the folly of
the hero, famous Laomedon, who reproved with harsh language him who had
deserved well, nor did he give back the steeds, on account of which he
came from afar. But I tell thee that here slaughter and gloomy death
will befall thee at my hands; and that, subdued by my spear, thou wilt
give glory to me, and a spirit to steed-famed 224 Pluto.”
Footnote 224: (return) An epithet probably derived from the steeds
(“inferni raptoris equos,” Claudian, de R. P. i. 1) employed in the
abduction of Proserpine.
Thus spoke Sarpedon: but Tlepolemus raised his ashen spear, and from
their hands, at the same moment, flew the long spears. Sarpedon, on his
part, struck the centre of [his adversary’s] neck, and the grievous
weapon passed right through; and gloomy night overspread his eyes. But
Tlepolemus in the meantime had struck Sarpedon in the left thigh with
his long spear; and the spear, rushing with violence, passed through,
grazing the bone: but his father as yet averted death.
His noble companions bore godlike Sarpedon from the battle; but the
long spear, trailed along with him, pained him; but this no one of them
hastening noticed, nor thought of extracting from his thigh the ashen
spear, that he might ascend the chariot; for such anxiety did his
attendants entertain for him. But on the other side the well-greaved
Greeks carried Tlepolemus from the fight; and divine Ulysses,
possessing an enduring heart, perceived them, and his soul was stirred
within him. And then he anxiously pondered in his mind and soul,
whether he should pursue farther the son of loud-thundering Jove, or
should take away the lives of many more Lycians. But it was not fated
for magnanimous Ulysses to slay the brave son of Jove with the sharp
spear. Therefore Minerva turned his thoughts towards the multitude of
the Lycians. Then he slew Cœranus, and Alastor, and Chromius, and
Alcander, and Halius, and Noëmon, and Prytanis. And yet more Lycians
would noble Ulysses have slain, had not mighty crest-tossing Hector
quickly perceived him. He therefore went through the van, armed in
shining brass, bearing terror to the Greeks: then Sarpedon, the son of
Jove, rejoiced at him approaching, and spoke [this] mournful address:
“O son of Priam, I pray thee, suffer me not to lie a prey to the
Greeks, but aid me. Even then 225 let life forsake me in thy city;
since I was not destined to gladden my dear wife and infant son,
returning home to my dear fatherland.”
Footnote 225: (return) I. e. when you have rescued my body from the
foe, I will die content in Troy.—Anthon.
Thus he spoke: but him plume-waving Hector answered nought, but flew
past him, in order that he might repel the Greeks with all haste, and
take away the lives of many. His noble companions meantime placed
godlike Sarpedon under a very beautiful beech of ægis-bearing Jove.
Stout Pelagon then, who was his beloved companion, forced out the ashen
spear from his thigh. Thereupon animation left him, and darkness was
poured over his eyes; but he again revived, for the breeze of Boreas,
breathing upon him around, refreshed in spirit him panting with
difficulty.
But the Greeks, on account of Mars and brazen-helmed Hector, neither
were driven at any time back to their sable ships, nor did they advance
forward to battle; but always kept giving ground, since they had heard
that Mars was with the Trojans.
Then whom first, whom last did Hector, the son of Priam, and brazen
Mars slay? The godlike Teuthras, and moreover the knight Orestes, the
Ætolian spearman Trechus, and Œnomaus, and Helenus of the race of
Œnops, and Oresbius of flexible 226 belt, who dwelt in Hyla, near the
lake Cephissus, very intent on wealth: and near him dwelt other
Bœotians, having a very rich territory.
Footnote 226: (return) Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 66. I. e. “a belt which he
could easily move, and which, from its suppleness and flexibility,
yielded to the pressure of his person.”—Anthon.
When therefore the white-armed goddess Juno perceived these Greeks
perishing in the violent engagement, straightway to Minerva she
addressed winged words:
“Strange! O daughter of ægis-bearing Jove, unwearied one, certainly we
have made a vain promise to Menelaus, that he should return after
having destroyed well-walled Ilium, if we suffer destructive Mars thus
to rage. But come, let us too bethink ourselves of some powerful aid.”
Thus she spoke; nor did the azure-eyed goddess Minerva disobey her.
Juno, on her part, venerable goddess, daughter of mighty Saturn,
quickly moving, harnessed her gold-caparisoned steeds; but Hebe
speedily applied to the chariot, to the iron axletree on both sides,
the curved wheels, golden, with eight spokes. Of these, indeed, the
felloe is of gold, imperishable: but above [are] brazen tires fastened
on them, wonderful to be seen; but the circular naves on both sides are
of silver; and the body 227 was stretched on with gold and silver
thongs (there was a double circular rim); from this projected a silver
pole; at its extremity she bound the golden, beauteous yoke, and to it
attached the beautiful golden poitrels. But Juno, longing for conquest
and battle, led the swift-footed steeds under the yoke.
Footnote 227: (return) δίφρος is properly the seat, but is here put
for the whole chariot.
Minerva, on the other hand, the daughter of ægis-bearing Jove, let flow
down on her father’s floor her dainty robe of variegated hue, which she
herself had wrought and worked with her own hands: then she, having put
on her tunic, equipped herself for the tearful war in the armour of
cloud-compelling Jove, and around her shoulders she then threw the
fringed ægis, dreadful, around which on all sides Terror appears
plumed. Thereon was Strife, thereon Fortitude, and thereon was chilling
Pursuit; 228 on it was the Gorgonian head of the dreadful monster,
dire, horrible, a portent of ægis-bearing Jove. On her head she placed
her four-crested helmet, with a spreading metal ridge, 229 golden,
sufficient for the heavy-armed of a hundred cities. She then stepped
into her shining chariot with her feet; and took her spear, heavy,
huge, and sturdy, with which she, sprung from a dread sire, subdues the
ranks of heroic men, with whomsoever she is wroth. But Juno with the
lash quickly urged on the steeds. The gates of heaven creaked
spontaneously, the gates which the Hours guarded, to whom are intrusted
the mighty heaven and Olympus, as well to open the dense cloud as to
close it. In this way, indeed, through these gates, they drove their
steeds, urged on with the goad: and they found the son of Saturn
sitting apart from the other gods on the highest summit of many-peaked
Olympus. There staying her steeds, the white-armed goddess Juno
interrogated supreme Saturnian Jove, and thus addressed him:
“O father Jove, art thou not indignant at Mars for these bold
deeds,—how numerous and how choice a multitude of Greeks he has
destroyed rashly, nor as became him: a grief indeed to me; but Venus
and silver-bowed Apollo in quiet are delighted, having let slip this
frantic [god], who knows no rights. Father Jove, wilt thou be angry
with me if I drive Mars from the battle, having dreadfully wounded
him?”
Footnote 228: (return) Compare ροίωξις and αλίωξις, similarly
personified, in Hesiod, Scut. Herc. 134, and Virg. Æn. viii. 701:
“—tristesque ex æthere Diræ,
Et scissâ gaudens vadit Discordia pallâ;
Quam cum sanguineo sequitur Bellona flagello.”
Footnote 229: (return) See note on iii. 362.
But her answering, cloud-compelling Jove addressed:
“Come, incite the pillaging Minerva against him, who is very wont to
cause him to approach grievous woes.”
Thus he spoke: nor did the white-armed goddess Juno disobey, but she
lashed on her steeds. They flew, not unwillingly, midway between the
earth and the starry heaven. Now, as much haze 230 as a man sees with
his eyes, sitting upon some lofty point, and looking over the darkling
ocean, so far do the high-sounding steeds of the gods clear at one
bound. But when they now reached Troy, and the two flowing rivers,
where Simois and Scamander unite their streams, there the white-armed
goddess Juno stayed her steeds, having loosed them from the chariot,
and shed a dense mist around them. But to them Simois afforded
ambrosial food to feed on.
But they went on, like unto timid doves in their pace, hastening to
assist the Grecian heroes. But when they had now arrived where the most
numerous 231 and the bravest stood collected in dense array round
horse-breaking Diomede, like raw-devouring lions or wild boars, whose
strength is not feeble, there standing, the white-armed goddess Juno
shouted aloud, having likened herself to great-hearted, brazen-voiced
Stentor, who was accustomed to shout as loud as fifty other men:
Footnote 230: (return) Opposed to the pure air of æther. See Buttm.
Lexil. p. 37, sqq.
Footnote 231: (return) Observe the elegant position of the plural verb
between two singular substantives, according to the Schema Alemanicum.
Compare Od. K, 513, and Il. Y, 138, which have been pointed out by
Lesbonax, p. 179, ed. Valck.
“Shame! ye Greeks! foul subjects of disgrace! admirable in form
[alone]. As long, indeed, as divine Achilles was wont to be engaged in
the war, the Trojans were not in the habit of advancing beyond the
Dardan gates; for they dreaded his mighty spear; but now they fight at
the hollow ships, far away from the city.”
Thus saying, she aroused the strength and courage of each. The
azure-eyed goddess Minerva rushed towards the son of Tydeus; but she
found that prince by his steeds and chariot, cooling the wound which
Pandarus had inflicted on him with a shaft. For perspiration had
afflicted him beneath the broad belt of his well-orbed shield: with
this was he afflicted, and he was fatigued as to his hand; and raising
the belt, he wiped away the black gore. Then the goddess touched the
yoke of the horses, and said:
“Little like himself has Tydeus begotten a son. Tydeus was certainly
small in body, but a warrior. And even when I suffered him not to
fight, nor to rush furiously to battle, when he came far from the
Greeks, an ambassador to Thebes to the numerous Cadmeans, I commanded
him to feast quietly in the palaces; but he, retaining his doughty
spirit, as before, challenged the youths, the Cadmeans, and easily
conquered them in everything; so great an auxiliary was I to him. But
thee, indeed, I stand by and preserve, and I exhort thee freely to
fight against the Trojans. But either weariness, from great toil, has
entered thy limbs, or at least disheartening fear in some manner
possesses thee. Thou art not henceforth to be deemed at least the son
of Tydeus, the gallant son of Æneus.”
But her valiant Diomede answering addressed: “I know thee, O goddess,
daughter of ægis-bearing Jove; therefore will I willingly tell this
word to thee, nor will I conceal it. Neither does any disheartening
fear possess me, nor any sloth: but as yet I am mindful of thy
mandates, which thou didst enjoin. Thou didst not suffer me to fight
with the other happy gods; but if Venus, the daughter of Jove, should
come into the battle, to wound her at least with the sharp steel.
Wherefore now I myself retire, and have ordered all the other Greeks to
be collected here: for I perceive Mars dispensing the battle.”
But him the azure-eyed goddess Minerva then answered: “Diomede, son of
Tydeus, most dear to my soul, neither fear this Mars at all, nor any
other of the immortals; such an auxiliary am I to thee. But come, first
direct thy solid-hoofed steeds against Mars, strike him in close
combat, nor regard impetuous Mars, this frenzied and unnatural pest,
shifter from one to another; who lately haranguing promised me and
Juno, that he would fight against the Trojans, and aid the Greeks; but
now he mixes with the Trojans, and has forgotten these.”
Thus having said, she forced Sthenelus from his horses to the ground,
dragging him back with her hand; but he promptly leaped down. Then the
goddess herself, infuriate, ascended the chariot beside noble Diomede,
and greatly did the beechen axle groan under the weight; for it bore a
dreadful goddess and a very brave hero. Then Pallas Minerva seized the
scourge and the reins. Straightway she drove the solid-hoofed steeds
against Mars first. He, indeed, had just slain huge Periphas, the
illustrious son of Ochesius, by far the bravest of the Ætolians. Him
indeed gore-stained Mars slew; but Minerva put on the helmet of Pluto
that impetuous Mars might not see her.
But when man-slaughtering Mars saw noble Diomede, he suffered huge
Periphas to lie there, where first slaying him he had taken away his
life, but he went straight against horse breaking Diomede. And when
these came near, advancing against each other, Mars first, over the
yoke and the reins of the steeds, stretched himself forward with his
brazen spear, eager to take away his life. It then the azure-eyed
goddess Minerva having caught in her hand, turned from the chariot, so
as to be borne away in vain. But next Diomede, valiant in the din of
war, made the attack with his brazen spear; and Pallas Minerva firmly
fastened it in his lowest flank, where he was girt with his belt. In
that very part striking, she wounded him, and tore his beautiful skin,
and drew out the spear again. Then roared brazen Mars, as loud as nine
or ten thousand men roar in war, joining the strife of battle. And then
fear seized the terrified Greeks and Trojans, so loud bellowed Mars,
insatiate of war.
And as when from the clouds, a gloomy haze appears, a heavy-blowing
wind arising from heat; such did brazen Mars appear to Diomede, son of
Tydeus, going amid the clouds into the broad heaven. Quickly he reached
lofty Olympus, the seat of the gods, and sat near Saturnian Jove,
grieving in his heart, and showed the immortal blood flowing down from
the wound, and complaining, he spoke winged words:
“Father Jove, art thou not incensed beholding these violent deeds?
Ever, of a truth, are we deities suffering most grievous woes from the
machinations of each other, and [whilst] conferring favour upon men. We
all are indignant with thee; 232 for thou hast begotten a mad,
pernicious daughter, to whom evil works are ever a care. For all the
other gods, as many as are in Olympus, obey thee, and unto thee each of
us is subject. But her thou restrainest not by words, nor by any act,
but dost indulge her, since thou thyself didst beget this destructive
daughter. Who now has urged on Diomede, the overbearing son of Tydeus,
to rage against the immortal gods. Venus he first wounded, in close
fight, in the hand at the wrist; and, equal to a god, he afterwards
rushed on myself; but my swift feet withdrew me; [otherwise] I should
certainly for a long time have endured woes there amidst the dreadful
heaps of slain, or living should have been exhausted by the strokes of
the brass.”
Footnote 232: (return) Or, “through thee we are all at variance,”
taking σοί as put for διά σέ with Lesbonax, πεοί σχημ. p. 186;
Hesychius, t. ii. p. 1234, and the Scholiast.
Him sternly regarding, cloud-compelling Jove addressed: “Complain not
to me, inconstant one, sitting by me: for thou art most hateful to me,
of all the gods that possess Olympus: for to thee discord is ever
grateful, and wars and battles: thou hast thy mother Juno’s
insufferable and unbending disposition, which I myself can scarcely
repress with words. Wherefore I think thou sufferest these things by
her instigation. Yet no longer can I endure thy suffering pain, for
thou art my offspring, and to me thy mother brought thee forth. But
hadst thou, destructive as thou art, been born of any other of the
gods, even long since hadst thou been far lower than the sons of
Uranus.”
Thus he spoke, and ordered Pæon to heal him: and Pæon healed him,
spreading [on his wound] pain-assuaging medicines; for he was not by
any means mortal. As when fig-tree juice, 233 on being stirred about,
curdles the white milk, fluid before, and it very rapidly coagulates,
while one is mixing it; thus at that time did he speedily heal
impetuous Mars. Hebe then washed him, and put on him beautiful
garments. Then, exulting in glory, near Saturnian Jove he sat down.
And now again Argive Juno and the powerful assistant Minerva returned
to the palace of mighty Jove, after having stayed man-slaying Mars from
his deeds of slaughter.
Footnote 233: (return) Used as rennet.