ARGUMENT.

The gods having left the field, victory now inclines to the side of the

Greeks, and Helenus counsels Hector to order a public supplication to

Minerva in the citadel. While Hector is gone to the city for that

purpose, Diomedes and Glaucus recognize the friendship which had

formerly existed between their fathers, and exchange armour in token of

amity. Hecuba and the Trojan matrons present a robe to Minerva, and

offer up prayers for their country. Hector reproves Paris, and brings

him back to the field, having first taken an affecting farewell of his

wife and child.

And now the dreadful battle of the Trojans and the Greeks was

abandoned. Often here and there the battle raged through the plain,

[the combatants] directing against each other their brass-tipped

spears, between the rivers of Simois and Xanthus.

First Telamonian Ajax, the bulwark of the Greeks, broke through the

phalanx of the Trojans, and gave light 234 to his companions, smiting

the good and mighty hero Acamas, son of Eyssorus, who was the bravest

amongst the Thracians. First he struck him on the ridge of the

horse-haired helmet; and the brazen spear fixed itself in his forehead,

and passed on within the bone; but darkness veiled his eyes.

Footnote 234: (return) _I. e._ the light of hope. Cf. Virg. Æn. ii,

281: “O _lux_ Dardaniæ, _spes_ ô fidissima Teucrûm.” Quintus Calab.

iii. 561. Έπεὶ σύ μοι ὶερoν ᾗμαρ, καὶ ϕάος ὴελίοιο πέλες.

But Diomede, brave in the din of war, slew Axylus, the son of Teuthras,

who dwelt in well-built Arisba, rich in wealth, and he was beloved by

men, for dwelling in a house near the public way, he was wont to afford

entertainment to all. But none of them [his guests] coming up before

him, warded off sad death; but [Diomede] deprived both of life, himself

and his attendant Calesius, who then was the charioteer of his steeds,

and both these entered the earth.

And Euryalus slew Dresus and Opheltius; and afterwards went against

Æsepus and Pedasus, whom formerly the Naiad nymph Abarbarea brought

forth to blameless Bucolion. Bucolion was the son of illustrious

Laomedon, eldest by birth, but him his mother brought forth secretly.

While [Bucolion] was a shepherd, he was mingled in love and nuptials

with her amongst the sheep; but she becoming pregnant, brought forth

twin sons. And truly the son of Mecisteus 235 relaxed their strength

and their illustrious limbs, and tore the armour from their shoulders.

And next warlike Polypœtes slew Astyalus. Ulysses killed Percosian

Pidytes with his brazen spear; and Agamemnon, king of men, slew Elatus.

He dwelt at lofty Pedasus, on the banks of fair-flowing Satniois. The

hero Leïtus slew Phylacus flying; and Eurypylus killed and spoiled

Melanthius.

Footnote 235: (return) Euryalus.

In the next place Menelaus, valiant in the din of war, took Adrastus

alive; for his two steeds, flying bewildered over the plain, coming in

violent contact with a branch of tamarisk, and having broken the curved

chariot at the extremity of the pole, themselves flew towards the city,

whither others also fled terrified. But he was rolled from his chariot

near the wheel, prone in the dust on his mouth: but near him stood

Menelaus, the son of Atreus, holding his long-shadowed spear. Adrastus

then embracing his knees supplicated him:

“Take me alive, O son of Atreus, and receive a worthy ransom; in my

wealthy father’s [house] 236 lie abundant stores, brass and gold, and

well-wrought steel; out of which my sire will bestow on thee countless

ransom-gifts, if he shall hear that I am alive at the ships of the

Greeks.”

Thus he spoke; and persuaded his mind in his breast, and already he was

on the point of consigning him to the care of his attendant to conduct

him to the ships of the Greeks: but Agamemnon running up, met him, and

shouting in a chiding tone, spoke:

“O soft one, O Menelaus, why art thou thus so much concerned for these

men? In sooth very kind offices were done to thee in thy family by the

Trojans. 237 Of whom let none escape utter destruction, and our hands;

not even him whom the mother carries, being an infant in her womb, let

not even him escape; but let all the inhabitants of Ilium perish

totally, without burial-rites, and obscure.”

Footnote 236: (return) Supply οϊκῳ or δόμω.

Footnote 237: (return) Ironically spoken.

Thus having said, the hero changed his brother’s mind, having advised

right things: but he, with his hand, thrust back the hero Adrastus from

him; and him king Agamemnon smote in the belly, and he was cast supine.

But the son of Atreus planting his heel upon his breast, drew out the

ashen spear.

Then Nestor exhorted the Greeks, exclaiming aloud: “O friends, Grecian

heroes, servants of Mars, let no one now, desirous of spoil, linger

behind, that he may return bringing abundance to the ships; but let us

slay the men, and afterwards at your leisure, shall ye spoil the dead

bodies through the plain.”

Thus having said, he aroused the might and courage of each. And then

truly had the Trojans retreated into Ilium, under the influence of the

Mars-beloved Greeks, conquered through their own cowardice, had not

Helenus, son of Priam, by far the best of augurs, standing near, spoken

these words to Æneas and to Hector:

“Æneas and Hector, since upon you chiefly of the Trojans and Lydians

the labour devolves, because ye are the bravest for every purpose, both

to fight and to take counsel, stand here, and stay the forces before

the gates, running in all directions, before that, on the contrary,

flying they fall into the arms of their wives, and become a triumph to

the enemies. But after ye have exhorted all the phalanxes, we remaining

here will fight against the Greeks, though much pressed, for necessity

urges us. But Hector, do thou go to the city, and then speak to thy

mother and mine; and let her, collecting together the matrons of

distinction 238 into the temple of azure-eyed Minerva, on the lofty

citadel, [and] having opened the doors of the sacred house with the

key, let her place on the knees of fair-haired Minerva the robe which

seems to her the most beautiful, and the largest in her palace, and

which is much the most dear to her. And let her promise to sacrifice to

that goddess in her temple twelve yearling heifers, as yet ungoaded, if

she will take compassion on the city and on the wives and infant

children of the Trojans: if indeed she will avert from sacred Ilium the

son of Tydeus, that ferocious warrior, the dire contriver of flight:

whom I declare to be the bravest of the Greeks; nor have we ever to

such a degree dreaded Achilles, chiefest of men, whom they say is from

a goddess: but this man rages excessively, nor can any equal him in

might.”

Footnote 238: (return) Hesych. Γεραιάς ἐντίμους γυναὶκας, τὰς γέρας τι

ἐχούσας.

Thus he said, but Hector was by no means disobedient to his brother;

and instantly from his chariot he leaped to the ground with his arms,

and brandishing his sharp spears, he went in all directions through the

army, inciting them to fight: and he stirred up dreadful battle. But

they rallied round, and stood opposite the Greeks. But the Greeks

retreated, and desisted from slaughter; for they thought that some of

the immortals, from the starry heaven, had descended to aid the

Trojans, in such a way did they rally. But Hector exhorted the Trojans,

exclaiming aloud:

“Courageous Trojans and far-summoned 239 allies, be men, my friends,

and recall to mind your daring valour, whilst I go to Ilium, and tell

to the aged counsellors, and to our wives, to pray to the gods, and to

vow them hecatombs.”

Footnote 239: (return) Or τηλεκλειτοί, far-famed. See Anthon on v.

491.

Thus having spoken, crest-tossing Hector departed; but about him the

black hide, the border which surrounded his bossy shield, kept striking

his ankles and his neck.

But Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, and the son of Tydeus met in the midst

of both armies, eager to fight. But when now they were near, going

against each other, Diomede, brave in the din of war, first addressed

him:

“Who of mortal men art thou, O most brave? For never yet have I beheld

thee in the glorious fight: but now indeed thou hast far surpassed all

in thy confidence, since thou hast awaited my long-shadowed spear.

Certainly they are sons of the hapless who meet my strength. But, if

one of the immortals, thou art come from heaven, I would not fight with

the celestial gods. For valiant Lycurgus, the son of Dryas, did not

live long, who contended with the heavenly gods; he who once pursued

the nurses of raving Bacchus through sacred Nyssa; but they all at once

cast their sacred implements 240 on the ground, smitten by man-slaying

Lycurgus with an ox-goad; but Bacchus, too, terrified, sunk under the

wave of the sea, and Thetis received him affrighted in her bosom; for

dreadful trembling had seized him, on account of the threat of the man.

With him the peaceful-living gods were afterwards enraged, and the son

of Saturn rendered him blind, nor did he live much longer, for he

became an object of aversion to all the immortal gods. Wherefore I

should not wish to fight with the blessed gods. But if thou art any one

of mortals, who eat the fruit of the earth, come hither, that thou

mayest speedily reach the goal of death.”

Footnote 240: (return) Not merely the thyrsi. See Anthon.

Him then the renowned son of Hippolochus addressed in turn:

“Magnanimous son of Tydeus, why dost thou inquire of my race? As is the

race of leaves, even such is the race of men. 241 Some leaves the wind

sheds upon the ground, but the fructifying wood produces others, and

these grow up in the season of spring. Such is the generation of men;

one produces, another ceases [to do so]. But if thou wouldst learn even

these things, that thou mayest well know my lineage (for many know it),

there is a city, Ephyra, in a nook of horse-pasturing Argos; there

dwelt Sisyphus, who was the most cunning of mortals, Sisyphus, son of

Æolus; and he begat a son, Glaucus. But Glaucus begat blameless

Bellerophon; to whom the gods gave beauty and agreeable manliness. But

against him Prœtus devised evils in his soul: who accordingly banished

him from the state (since he was far the best of the Greeks; for Jove

had subjected them to his sceptre). With him the wife of Prœtus, noble

Antea, 242 passionately longed to be united in secret love; but by no

means could she persuade just-minded, wise-reflecting Bellerophon. She,

therefore, telling a falsehood, thus addressed king Prœtus: ‘Mayest

thou be dead, O Prœtus! or do thou slay Bellerophon, who desired to be

united in love with me against my will.’ Thus she said: but rage

possessed the king at what he heard. He was unwilling, indeed, to slay

him, for he scrupled this in his mind; but he sent him into Lycia, and

gave to him fatal characters, writing many things of deadly purport on

a sealed tablet; and ordered him to show it to his father-in-law, to

the end that he might perish. He therefore went into Lycia, under the

blameless escort of the gods; but when now he had arrived at Lycia and

at the river Xanthus, the king of wide Lycia honoured him with a

willing mind. Nine days did he entertain him hospitably, and sacrificed

nine oxen; but when the tenth rosy-fingered morn appeared, then indeed

he interrogated him, and desired to see the token, 243 whatever it was,

that he brought from his son-in-law Prœtus. But after he had received

the fatal token of his son-in-law, first he commanded him to slay the

invincible Chimæra; but she was of divine race, not of men, in front a

lion, behind a dragon, in the middle a goat, 244 breathing forth the

dreadful might of gleaming fire. And her indeed he slew, relying on the

signs of the gods. Next he fought with the illustrious Solymi: and he

said that he entered on this as the fiercest fight among men. Thirdly,

he slew the man-opposing Amazons. But for him returning the king wove

another wily plot. Selecting the bravest men from wide Lycia, he placed

an ambuscade; but they never returned home again, for blameless

Bellerophon slew them all. But when [Iobates] knew that he was the

offspring of a god, he detained him there, and gave him his daughter:

245 he also gave him half of all his regal honour. The Lycians also

separated for him an enclosure of land, excelling all others, pleasant,

vine-bearing, and arable, that he might cultivate it. But this woman

brought forth three children to warlike Bellerophon, Isandrus,

Hippolochus, and Laodamia. Provident Jove, indeed, had clandestine

intercourse with Laodamia, and she brought forth godlike, brazen-helmed

Sarpedon. But when now even he [Bellerophon] was become odious to all

the gods, he, on his part, wandered alone 246 through the Aleïan plain,

247 pining in his soul, and shunning the path of men. But Mars,

insatiable of war, slew his son Isandrus, fighting against the

illustrious Solymi. And golden-reined Diana, being enraged, slew his

daughter. But Hippolochus begat me, and from him I say that I am born;

me he sent to Troy, and gave me very many commands, always to fight

bravely, and to be superior to others; and not to disgrace the race of

my fathers, who were by far the bravest in Ephyra, and ample Lycia.

From this race and blood do I boast to be.”

Footnote 241: (return) On this popular Homeric proverb, see Duport,

Gnom. Hom. p. 31, sq.

Footnote 242: (return) She is more frequently called Sthenobœa, or

Sthenebœa, as by Apollodor. ii. 3,1; Serv. on Æn. v. 118. Fulgentius,

iii. præf., agrees with Homer, giving a ridiculously philosophical

explanation of the whole story.

Footnote 243: (return) Although Apollodorus, l. c. says, ἔδωκεν

έπιστολὰς αὐτῷ πρὸς Ίοζάτην κομίσειν, and Hygin. Fab. lvii. “Scripsit

tabellas, et mittit eum ad Iobaten regem,” there is no reason to

believe that letters, properly so called, were yet invented. See

Knight, Prolegg. p. lxxiv. lxxxii.; Wood, on the original genius of

Homer, p. 249, sqq.; Müller, Lit. of Greece, iv. 5 (Bulwer, Athens, i.

8, boldly advocates the contrary opinion); and Anthon’s note. Compare

the similar story of Phædra and Hippolytus.

Footnote 244: (return) For the different descriptions of the Chimæra,

the mythological student may compare Muncker on Hygin. Fab. lvii. p.

104.

Footnote 245: (return) Philonoë, the sister of Antea.

Footnote 246: (return) This “melancholy madness” of Bellerophon has

been well illustrated by Duport, p. 31. Burton, Anatomy, p. 259,

observes, “They delight in floods and waters, desert places, to walk

alone in orchards, gardens, private walks, back lanes, averse from

company, as Diogenes in his tub, or Timon Misanthropus; they abhor all

companions at last, even their nearest acquaintances and most familiar

friends; confining themselves therefore to their private houses or

chambers, they will diet themselves, feed and live alone.” Hence

melancholy was called the “morbus Bellerophonteus.” See Bourdelot on

Heliodor. p. 25.

Footnote 247: (return) Properly, “the Plain of Wandering.” It lay

between the rivers Pyramus and Pinarus, in Cilicia. Cf. Dionys. Perieg.

872. Κεῖθι δὲ καὶ πεδίον τὸ Ἀλήϊον, οὗ κατὰ νῶτα Ἀνθρώπων ἀπάνευθεν

ἀλώμενος ίνδιάασκε.

Thus he said: and Diomede, valiant in the din of war, rejoiced. His

spear indeed he fixed in the all-nurturing earth, and next addressed

the shepherd of the people in courteous words:

“Certainly thou art my father’s ancient guest; for in his halls noble

Œneus once entertained blameless Bellerophon, having detained him for

twenty days; and they bestowed valuable gifts of hospitality on each

other. Œneus on his part gave a belt shining with purple; and

Bellerophon in turn a golden double cup; and this I left in my halls

when I was coming hither. But Tydeus I remember not, for he left me

whilst I was yet young, when the people of the Greeks perished at

Thebes. Wherefore I am a guest friend to thee in the midst of Argos,

and thou art the same to me in Lycia, whenever I shall visit their

state. But let us also in the crowd avoid even each other’s spears. For

there are many Trojans and illustrious allies for me to slay,

whomsoever the deity shall present, and I shall overtake with my feet.

And there are many Greeks in turn for thee to slay, whomsoever thou

canst. But let us exchange arms with each other, that even these may

know that we profess to be friends by our ancestors.”

Thus then having spoken, leaping down from their steeds, they took each

other’s hand, and plighted faith. Then Saturnian Jove took away

prudence from Glaucus, who exchanged armour with Diomede, the son of

Tydeus, [giving] golden [arms] for brazen; the value of a hundred

beeves 248 for the value of nine.

But when Hector arrived at the Scæan gates and the beech-tree, around

him ran the Trojan wives and daughters inquiring for their sons, their

brothers, their friends, and husbands. But he then ordered all in order

to supplicate the gods, for evils were impending over many.

But when now he had arrived at the very beautiful dwelling of Priam,

built with well-polished porticoes; but in it were fifty chambers 249

of polished marble, built near one another, where lay the sons of Priam

with their lawful wives; and opposite, on the other side, within the

hall, were the twelve roofed chambers of his daughters, of polished

marble, built near to one another, where the sons-in-law of Priam slept

with their chaste wives. There his fond mother met him, as she was

going to Laodice, the most excellent in form of her daughters: and she

hung upon his hand, and addressed him, and spoke:

Footnote 248: (return) See Gellius, ii. 23. It must be remembered that

in the ancient times, when there was no money, cattle formed the

standard of barter.

Footnote 249: (return) Cf. Virg. Æn. ii. 503; Eur. Hec. 421.

“My son, why hast thou come, having left the bold fight? Certainly the

abominable sons of the Greeks harass thee much, fighting around thy

city: thy mind hath urged thee to come hither, to uplift thy hands to

Jove from the lofty citadel. But wait till I bring thee genial wine,

that first thou mayest make a libation to Jove, and to the other

immortal gods, and then thou shalt refresh thyself, if thou wilt drink.

For to a wearied man wine greatly increases strength; since thou art

wearied aiding thy kinsmen.”

But her mighty crest-tossing Hector then answered: “Bring me not genial

wine, venerable mother, lest thou enervate me, and I forget my might

and valour. But I dread to pour out dark-red wine to Jove with unwashed

hands: nor is it by any means lawful for me, defiled with blood and

gore, to offer vows to the cloud-compelling son of Saturn. But go thou

to the temple of Minerva the pillager, with victims, having assembled

the matrons of distinction. And the robe which is the most beautiful

and the largest in the palace, and by far the most esteemed by thyself,

that place on the knees of the fair-haired goddess, and vow that thou

wilt sacrifice to her, in her temple, twelve heifers, yearlings,

ungoaded, if she will take compassion on the city, and the wives and

infant children of the Trojans; if she will avert from sacred Ilium the

son of Tydeus, that fierce warrior, the valiant author of terror. Do

thou, on thy part, go to the temple of the pillager Minerva; but I will

go after Paris, that I may call him, if he is willing to hear me

speaking. Would that the earth might there open for him, for him hath

Olympian Jove reared as a great bane to the Trojans, to magnanimous

Priam, and to his sons. Could I but behold him descending to Hades, I

might say that my soul had forgotten its joyless woe.”

Thus he spoke: but she, going to her palace, gave orders to her maids:

and they assembled through the city the matrons of distinction. But she

descended into her fragrant chamber, where were her

variously-embroidered robes, the works of Sidonian females, which

godlike Alexander himself had brought from Sidon, sailing over the

broad ocean, in that voyage in which he carried off Helen, sprung from

a noble sire. Hecuba, taking one of these which was most beauteous with

various hues, and largest, brought it as a gift to Minerva; and it

glittered like a star, and lay the undermost of all. But she hastened

to set out, and many venerable matrons hurried along with her.

But when they arrived at the temple of Minerva, in the lofty citadel,

fair-cheeked Theano, the daughter of Cisseus, wife of horse-breaking

Antenor, opened to them the gates; for the Trojans had made her

priestess of Minerva. They all, with a loud wailing, upraised their

hands to Minerva. But fair-cheeked Theano having received the garment,

placed it on the knees of fair-haired Minerva, and making vows, thus

prayed to the daughter of mighty Jove:

“Venerable Minerva, guardian of the city, divine one of goddesses,

break now the spear of Diomede, and grant that he may fall prostrate

before the Scæan gates, that we may forthwith sacrifice to thee in thy

temple twelve yearling untamed heifers, if thou wilt pity the city, and

the wives of the Trojans, and their infant children.”

So she spake in prayer, but Pallas Minerva refused. Thus they, on their

part, offered vows to the daughter of mighty Jove.

But Hector had gone to the beautiful halls of Alexander, which he

himself had built with the aid of men, who then were the most skilful

artificers in fruitful Troy: who made for him a chamber, a

dwelling-room, and hall, in the lofty citadel, near the palaces of

Priam and Hector. There Jove-beloved Hector entered, and in his hand he

held a spear of eleven cubits; the brazen point of the spear shone in

front, and a golden ring encircled it. But him he found in his chamber

preparing his very beauteous armour, his shield and corslet, and

fitting his curved bow. Argive Helen sat amongst her female servants,

and assigned their tasks to her maids of renowned work. But Hector,

seeing, reproached him with foul words:

“Infatuate; not befittingly hast thou conceived this rage in thy mind:

the people are perishing, fighting around the city and the lofty wall:

and on thy account the battle and war are blazing around the city.

Truly thou wouldst thyself reprove another, if ever thou sawest any

person remiss in the hateful battle. But arise, lest perchance the city

should quickly blaze with hostile fire.”

But him godlike Alexander then addressed: “Hector, since thou hast with

reason reproved me, and not without reason, therefore will I tell thee;

but do thou attend and hear me. I was sitting in my chamber, neither so

much from anger nor indignation against the Trojans, but [because] I

wished to give way to grief. But now my wife, advising me with soothing

words, hath urged me to the battle, and to myself also it seems to be

better: for victory alternates to men. But come now, wait, let me put

on my martial arms; or go on, and I will follow, and I think that I

shall overtake thee.”

Thus he said, but crest-tossing Hector did not answer him. But Helen

addressed him [Hector] with soothing words: “Brother-in-law of me,

shameless authoress of mischief-devising, fearful wretch, would that,

on the day when first my mother brought me forth, a destructive tempest

of wind had seized and borne me to a mountain, or into the waves of the

much-resounding ocean, where the billow would have swept me away before

these doings had occurred. But since the gods have thus decreed these

evils, I ought at least to have been the wife of a braver man, who

understood both the indignation and the many reproaches of men. But

this man’s sentiments are neither constant now, nor will they be

hereafter; wherefore I think he will reap the fruits [of them]. But

come now, enter, and sit on this seat, brother-in-law, since toils have

greatly encompassed thy mind, on account of shameless me, and of the

guilt of Alexander; on whom Jove hath imposed an unhappy lot, that,

even in time to come, we should be a subject of song to future men.”

But her mighty crest-tossing Hector then answered: “Do not bid me sit,

Helen, though courteous, for thou wilt not persuade me. For now is my

mind urged on, that I may aid the Trojans, who have great regret for me

absent. But do thou arouse him [Paris], and let him hasten, that he may

overtake me being within the city. For I will go home, that I may see

my domestics, my beloved wife, and my infant son. For I know not

whether I shall ever again return to them, or whether the gods will now

subdue me under the hands of the Greeks.”

Thus having said, crest-tossing Hector departed; and immediately he

then arrived at his well-situated palace, nor did he find white-armed

Andromache in the halls; but she stood lamenting and weeping on the

tower, with her son and her well-robed maid. But Hector, when he found

not his blameless wife within, went and stood at the threshold, and

said to the female servants:

“I pray you, maids, tell me truly whither went white-armed Andromache

from the palace? Has she gone anywhere [to the dwellings] of her

husband’s sisters, or [to those] of any of her well-robed

brother-in-laws’ wives, or to the temple of Minerva, where the other

fair-haired Trojan matrons are appeasing the dreadful goddess?”

Him then the active housewife in turn addressed: “Hector, since thou

biddest me to tell the truth, she has not gone to any of her husband’s

sisters, nor to any of her well-robed brother-in-laws’ wives, nor to

the temple of Minerva, where the other fair-haired Trojan matrons are

appeasing the dreadful goddess. But she went to the lofty tower of

Ilium, when she heard that the Trojans were worn out, and that the

valour of the Greeks was great. She is now on her way, hastening to the

wall, like unto one frenzied, and the nurse, along with her, bears the

child.”

Thus spoke the housewife, but Hector hastened away from the palace,

back the same way through the well-built streets. When he had arrived

at the Scæan gates, after passing through the great city (for by this

way he was about to pass out into the plain), there met him his

richly-dowered spouse running, Andromache, daughter of magnanimous

Eetion: Eetion, who dwelt in woody Hypoplacus, in Hypoplacian Thebes,

reigning over Cilician men. His daughter then was possessed by

brazen-helmed Hector. She then met him; and with her came a maid,

carrying in her bosom the tender child, an infant quite, the only son

of Hector, like unto a beauteous star. Him Hector had named

Scamandrius, but others Astyanax; for Hector alone protected Ilium. He

indeed, gazing in silence upon his son, smiled. But Andromache stood

near to him, weeping, and she hung upon his hand, and addressed him,

and spoke:

“Strange man! this thy valour will destroy thee; nor dost thou pity thy

infant child and unhappy me, who very soon will be bereft of thee, for

presently the Greeks will slay thee, all attacking thee at once. For me

much better it were to sink into the earth, when bereft of thee; for

there will no longer be any other comfort for me when thou shalt draw

on thy destruction; but sorrows only. Nor have I father or venerable

mother. For divine Achilles slew my father, and laid waste the

well-inhabited city of the Cilicians, lofty-gated Thebes. He slew

Eetion, but spoiled him not, he scrupled in his mind [to do] that; but

he burned him together with his well-wrought arms, and heaped a tomb

over him, and around [him] the mountain nymphs, daughters of

ægis-bearing Jove, planted elms. Moreover, the seven brothers besides,

whom I had at home, all these indeed departed to Hades in one day. For

divine, swift-footed Achilles slew them all, amidst their crooked

hoofed oxen and their snowy sheep. And my mother, who ruled in woody

Hypoplacus, after that he had led her hither with other treasures, he

sent back at liberty, having received countless ransom-gifts. But her

the shaft-rejoicing Diana slew in my father’s hall. But, Ο Hector, to

me thou art both father and venerable mother and brother; thou art also

my blooming consort. But come now, pity me, and abide here in the

tower, nor make thy child an orphan and thy wife a widow. And place a

company at the wild fig-tree, where the city is chiefly easy of ascent,

and the wall can be scaled. For going to this very quarter, the bravest

[of the Greeks] have thrice assaulted, the two Ajaces, and most

renowned Idomeneus, and the sons of Atreus, and the brave son of

Tydeus. Certainly some person well skilled in prophecy mentioned it to

them, or their own mind impels and orders them.”

But her then in turn the mighty crest-tossing Hector addressed:

“Assuredly to me also are all these things a subject of anxiety, dear

wife, but I am exceedingly ashamed of the Trojans and the long-robed

Trojan dames, if I, like a dastard, [keeping] aloof, should avoid the

battle: nor does my mind incline me thus, for I have learned to be

always brave, and to fight in the foremost among the Trojans, seeking

to gain both my father’s great glory and mine own. For well I know this

in my mind and soul; a day will arrive when sacred Ilium shall perish,

and Priam, and the people of Priam skilled in the ashen spear. But to

me the grief that is to come will not be so great on account of the

Trojans, neither for Hecuba herself, nor for king Priam, nor for my

brothers, who, many and excellent, are destined to fall in the dust

beneath hostile men, as for thee, when some one of the brazen-mailed

Greeks shall lead thee away weeping, having deprived thee of the day of

freedom. And, perchance, being in Argos, thou mayest weave the web at

the command of some other dame, and bear water from the fountain of

Messeïs, or Hyperia, very unwillingly; and hard necessity will oppress

thee; whilst some one, hereafter beholding thee pouring forth tears,

will say, ‘This was the wife of Hector, who was the bravest in battle

of the horse-breaking Trojans, when they fought round Ilium.’ Thus will

some one hereafter say; but fresh anguish will be thine, from the want

of such a husband, to avert the day of servitude. But may the heaped

earth cover me dead, before I hear of this lamentation and abduction.”

Thus having said, illustrious Hector stretched out [his arms] for his

son; but the child, screaming, shrunk back to the bosom of the

well-zoned nurse, affrighted at the aspect of his dear sire, fearing

the brass and the horse-haired crest, seeing it nodding dreadfully from

the top of the helmet: gently his loving father smiled, and his revered

mother. Instantly illustrious Hector took the helmet from his head, and

laid it all-glittering on the ground; and having kissed his beloved

child, and fondled him in his hands, thus spoke, praying to Jove and to

the other gods:

“Jove, and ye other gods, grant that this my son also may become, even

as I am, distinguished amongst the Trojans, so powerful in might, and

bravely to rule over Ilium. And may some one hereafter say [concerning

him], returning from the fight, ‘He indeed is much braver than his

sire.’ And let him bear away the bloody spoils, having slain the foe,

and let his mother rejoice in her soul.”

Thus having said, he placed the boy in the hands of his beloved spouse;

but she smiling tearfully received him in her fragrant bosom. Her

husband regarding her, pitied her, and soothed her with his hand, and

addressed her, and said:

“Beloved, be not at all too sad in thine heart on my account. For no

man shall send me prematurely to the shades. But I think there is no

one of men who has escaped fate, neither the coward nor the brave man,

after he has once been born. But do thou, going home, take care of thy

own works, thy web and distaff, and command thy maids to perform their

task; but war shall be a care to all the men who are born in Ilium, and

particularly to me.”

Thus having spoken, illustrious Hector took up the horse-haired helmet,

and his beloved wife departed home, looking back from time to time, and

shedding copious tears. Then immediately she reached the very

commodious palace of man-slaying Hector, and within she found many

maids, and in all of them she excited grief. They, indeed, bewailed in

his own palace Hector still alive, for they thought that he would never

return back again from battle, escaping the might and the hands of the

Greeks.

Nor did Paris delay in his lofty halls; but he, after he had put on his

famous arms, variegated with brass, then hastened through the city,

relying on his swift feet. And as 250 when a stabled courser, fed with

barley at the stall, having broken his cord, runs prancing over the

plain, elate with joy, being accustomed to bathe in some fair-flowing

river. He bears aloft his head, and his mane is tossed about on his

shoulders: but he, relying on his beauty, 251 his knees easily bear him

to the accustomed pastures 252 of the mares. Thus Paris, the son of

Priam, shining in arms like the sun, exulting descended down from the

citadel of Pergamus, but his swift feet bore him, and immediately after

he found his noble brother Hector, when he was now about to depart from

the place where he was conversing with his spouse.

Footnote 250: (return) Cf. Ennius apud Macrob. iv. 3:

“Et tunc sicut equus, qui de præsepibus actus,

Vincla sueis magneis animeis abrumpit, et inde

Fert sese campi per cærula, lætaque prata,

Celso pectore, sæpe jubam quassat simul altam;

Spiritus ex anima calida spumas agit albas.”

Footnote 251: (return) Observe the anacoluthon.

Footnote 252: (return) An instance of hendiadys.

Him godlike Alexander first addressed: “Honoured brother, assuredly now

I am altogether detaining thee, although hastening, nor have I come in

due time as thou didst order.”

Him then crest-tossing Hector answering addressed: “Strange man! not

any man indeed, who is just, could dispraise thy deeds of war, for thou

art brave. But willingly art thou remiss, and dost not wish [to fight];

and my heart is saddened in my breast, when I hear dishonourable things

of thee from the Trojans, who have much toil on thy account. But let us

away, these things we shall arrange hereafter, if ever Jove shall grant

us to place a free goblet in our halls to the heavenly everlasting

gods, when we shall have repulsed the well-greaved Greeks from Troy.”