Euphorbus, attempting to despoil Patroclus of his armour, is slain by
Menelaus. It falls to the lot of Hector, but he retires on the approach
of Ajax. Being rebuked by Glaucus, he returns, and a fierce contest is
renewed over the body of Patroclus. The chariot of Achilles is bravely
defended by Automedon, but the Greeks at last begin to give way, even
Ajax being seized with consternation. Meriones and Menelaus, however,
succeed in carrying off the body of Patroclus, although the Greeks are
completely routed.
Nor did Patroclus, subdued in fight by the Trojans, escape the notice
of the son of Atreus, Mars-beloved Menelaus; but he advanced through
the foremost warriors, armed in glittering brass. And round him he
walked, like a dam around its calf, having brought forth for the first
time, moaning, not being before conscious of parturition: thus did
yellow-haired Menelaus walk around Patroclus. But before him he
extended his spear, and his shield on all sides equal, anxious to slay
him, whoever indeed should come against him. Nor was the son of
Panthus, of the good ashen spear, neglectful of blameless Patroclus,
fallen; but he stood near him, and addressed warlike Menelaus:
“O Menelaus! son of Atreus, Jove-nurtured one, leader of the people,
retire, and leave the body, and let alone the bloody spoils; for not
any of the illustrious Trojans or allies smote Patroclus with the spear
in the violent conflict before me. Wherefore permit me to bear away the
great glory amongst the Trojans, lest I should strike thee, and take
away thy sweet life.”
But him yellow-haired Menelaus, very indignant, addressed:
“Father Jove, certainly it is not fitting to boast inordinately. Not so
great is the might of a panther, nor a lion, nor of a destructive wild
boar, whose most mighty courage rages in his heart, violently in its
strength, as much as the sons of Panthus, of the good ashen spear,
breathe forth. Nor did the might of horse-breaking Hyperenor enjoy his
youth, when he reproached me, and withstood me; and said that I was the
most reproachful warrior amongst the Greeks; nor did he, I think,
returning upon his feet, gratify his dear wife and respected parents.
Thus certainly will I dissolve thy strength, if thou wilt stand against
me. But I advise thee, retiring, to go back into the crowd; nor do thou
stand against me, before thou suffer any harm: for it is a fool that
perceives a thing when it is done.” 548
Footnote 548: (return) Cf. Hesiod, Opp. 216: αθὼν δέ τε νήπιος ἔγνω.
Plato, Sympos. p. 336, A.: Ἀλλ’ ἀπὸ τῶν ἡμετέρων παθημάτων γνόντα,
εὐλαβηθῆναι, καὶ μὴ, κατὰ τὴν παροιμίαν, ὥσπερ νήπιον, παθόντα γνῶναι.
Æsch. Ag. 177: Τὸν πάθει μάθος θέντα κυρίως ἔχειν—καὶ παρ’ ἄκοντας ἤλθε
σωφρονεῖν. See Proclus on Hesiod, Opp. 89.
Thus he spoke, but persuaded him not; but he answering, spoke:
“Now indeed, O Jove-nurtured Menelaus, shalt thou make atonement for my
brother, whom thou hast slain, and [over whom] thou speakest
boastingly; and thou hast widowed his wife in the recess of her new
bridal chamber, and caused accursed mourning and sorrow to his parents.
Certainly I should be some alleviation of woe to them wretched, if
indeed, bearing back thy head and armour, I should place them in the
hands of Panthus and noble Phrontis. Nor shall the labour of valour or
flight be untried or invincible any longer.”
So saying, he smote [him] upon the shield equal on all sides, nor did
the brass break through, for the point was bent in the stout shield:
and Menelaus, the son of Atreus, next made the attack with his brazen
spear, having prayed to father Jove. He smote him upon the lowest part
of the gullet as he retired, and he himself forcibly impressed [the
spear], relying on his strong hand; and the point went quite through
his soft neck. And falling, he made a crash, and his armour rang upon
him. And his locks, like unto the Graces, were bedewed with blood, and
his curls, which were bound with gold and silver. And as a man rears a
widely-blooming plant of olive, fair budding, in a solitary place,
where water is wont to spring 549 up in abundance, and which the
breezes of every wind agitate, and it buds forth with a white flower;
but a wind, suddenly coming on with a mighty blast, overturns it from
the furrow, and stretches it upon the earth: so the son of Panthus,
Euphorbus, skilled in [the use of] the ashen spear, Menelaus, son of
Atreus, when he had slain [him], spoiled of his armour. As when any
mountain-nurtured lion, relying on his strength, has carried off from
the pasturing herd a heifer, which is the best; but first he breaks its
neck, seizing it in his strong teeth, and then tearing it in pieces,
laps up the blood and all the entrails; whilst around him dogs and
herdsmen shout very frequently from a distance, nor do they wish to go
against him, for pale fear violently seizes them: thus the soul of no
one within his breast dared to advance against glorious Menelaus. Then
indeed the son of Atreus had easily borne off the celebrated arms of
the son of Panthus, had not Phœbus Apollo envied him, who immediately
aroused Hector, equal to fleet Mars, against him, assimilating himself
to the hero Mentes, leader of the Cicones; and addressing him, he spoke
winged words:
“Hector, now indeed thou art thus running, pursuing things not to be
overtaken, the steeds of warlike Achilles; they indeed are difficult to
be managed by mortal men, or to be driven by any other than Achilles,
whom an immortal mother bore. In the meanwhile Menelaus, the warlike
son of Atreus, protecting Patroclus, has slain the bravest of the
Trojans, Euphorbus, the son of Panthus, and made him cease from
impetuous valour.”
Footnote 549: (return) This perfect has much the same usage as
ἐπενήνοθε, 219.
Thus having spoken, the god on his part again departed into the labour
of the men; but heavy grief oppressed Hector as to his dark soul. Then,
indeed, he looked around through the ranks, and immediately observed
the one bearing away the famous armour, and the other lying upon the
ground; and the blood flowed through the inflicted wound. But he
advanced through the foremost warriors, armed in shining brass, shrilly
shouting, like unto the inextinguishable flame of Vulcan. Nor did he
escape the notice of the son of Atreus, loudly exclaiming; but he,
deeply sighing, thus communed with his own great-hearted soul:
“Ah me! if I leave the beautiful armour and Patroclus, who lies here
for the sake of my honour, [I dread] lest some one of the Greeks,
whoever perceives it, will be indignant; but if, being alone, I fight
with Hector and the Trojans, from shame, [I fear] lest many surround
me, [being] alone. But crest-tossing Hector is leading all the Trojans
hither. But wherefore has my soul been thus debating? Whenever a man
desires, in opposition to a deity, to fight with a hero whom a god
honours, soon is a great destruction hurled upon him; wherefore no one
of the Greeks will blame me, who may perceive me retiring from Hector,
since he wars under the impulse of a god. But if I could hear Ajax,
brave in the din of war, both of us, again returning, would be mindful
of battle even against a god, if by any means we could draw off the
body for the sake of Achilles, the son of Peleus: of evils, certainly
it would be the better.” 550
Footnote 550: (return) “The evil here spoken of, and of which a choice
is presented to Menelaus, are loss of both the body and the armour of
Patroclus, or of either separately. The first alternative he is
resolved on guarding against by summoning Ajax to his aid; of the last
two, he prefers the abandonment of the arms, _i.e._ σύλη, spoliation of
the corpse, to ἀείκεια, its disfigurement.”—Kennedy.
While he was thus deliberating these things in his mind and soul, the
ranks of the Trojans were meanwhile advancing; and Hector led the way.
But he retired back, and quitted the corpse, turning round as a
shaggy-bearded lion, which dogs and men drive from the stall with
spears and clamour; out his valiant heart within his breast is shaken,
and he, unwilling, departs from the fold: thus did yellow-haired
Menelaus retire from Patroclus. And being turned round, he stood, when
he had reached the band of his companions, looking all around for
mighty Ajax, the son of Telamon; whom he very quickly perceived upon
the left of the whole battle, encouraging his companions, and urging
them to fight: for Phœbus Apollo had cast a heaven-sent panic amongst
them. But he made haste to run, and, immediately standing near, spoke:
“Ajax, hither, friend, let us hasten in defence of slain Patroclus, if
we can bear his naked corse at least to Achilles; for his armour
crest-tossing Hector possesses.”
Thus he spoke, but he roused the courage of warlike Ajax, and he
advanced through the foremost warriors, and with him yellow-haired
Menelaus. Hector on his part, after he had despoiled him of his
beautiful armour, was dragging Patroclus, that he might sever the head
from the shoulders with the sharp brass, and, carrying off the body,
might give it to the Trojan dogs, when Ajax came near, bearing his
shield, like a tower. Then Hector, retiring back, retreated into the
throng of his companions, and sprung up into his chariot; but he gave
the handsome armour to the Trojans to carry to the city, to be a great
glory to him. But Ajax, with his broad shield covering around the son
of Menœtius, stood like a lion over her young; against which, when
leading her whelps, the huntsmen rush together in the wood; whilst he
looks dreadful in his might, and draws down all his eyebrows,
concealing his eyes: so strode Ajax round the hero Patroclus. On the
other side stood the son of Atreus, warlike Menelaus, augmenting the
great grief in his bosom.
But Glaucus, the son of Hippolochus, leader of the Lycian heroes,
looking sternly at Hector, upbraided him with harsh language: “Hector,
most excellent as to appearance, certainly thou art greatly deficient
in fighting; doubtless good fame possesses thee without reason, since
thou art a fugitive. Consider now, how alone with the people [who are]
born in Ilium, thou mayest preserve the state and city, for none of the
Lycians, at all events, will go to fight with the Greeks for thy city;
since indeed there is no gratitude for fighting ever incessantly with
hostile men. How indeed, inglorious one, hast thou preserved an
inferior man in the throng, and suffered Sarpedon, at once thy guest
and companion, to become a prey and booty to the Greeks; who, when
alive, was a great advantage to thy city and thyself; but now thou
didst not attempt to drive away the dogs from him. Wherefore if any of
the Lycian warriors will now obey me, go home, 551 and utter
destruction will be manifest to Troy. For if now that confident,
intrepid strength, was in the Trojans, which enters heroes who in the
defence of their country undertake toil, and conflict with hostile men,
immediately might we draw Patroclus into Ilium. But if he, lifeless,
should come to the great city of king Priam, and we had drawn him away
from the battle, quickly indeed would the Greeks ransom [to us] the
beautiful armour of Sarpedon, and we might bear himself also into Troy;
for the attendant of that man is slain, who is by far the bravest of
the Greeks at the ships, and whose servants are close-fighting
warriors. But thou, forsooth, hast not dared to stand against
magnanimous Ajax, beholding his eyes in the battle of the enemy, nor to
fight against him; for he is more brave than thou.”
Footnote 551: (return) Take ἴμεν (ἰέναι) imperatively, or understand
ἐπιπείσεται ἐμοὶ ὤστε αὐτὸν ἰέναι εἰς οἷκον, ἄμεινον ἂν εἴη οὕτως ἄρα
ὄλεθρος, κ. τ. λ. See Kennedy.
But him sternly regarding, crest-tossing Hector addressed: “O Glaucus,
why hast thou, being such as thou art, spoken haughtily? I’ faith,
friend, I thought that thou didst excel in judgment the others, as many
as inhabit fertile Lycia; but now I altogether blame thy understanding,
since thou hast thus spoken, thou who sayest that I do not withstand
mighty Ajax. Neither have I dreaded the battle, nor the tumult of
steeds; but the counsel of ægis-bearing Jove is ever superior, who puts
even the valiant man to flight, and easily takes away the victory; but
at another time he himself impels him to fight. But come hither, my
friend, stand by me, and behold my conduct. Truly I shall always be a
coward, as thou sayest, or I will restrain even some of the Greeks,
although very eager, from keeping defence over dead Patroclus.”
Thus saying, he cheered on the Trojans, loudly shouting, “Ye Trojans
and Lycians, and close-fighting Dardanians, be men, my friends, and be
mindful of impetuous valour, whilst I put on the armour of illustrious
Achilles, beautiful, of which I despoiled mighty Patroclus, having
slain him.”
Thus having spoken, crest-tossing Hector departed from the glowing
battle, and, running very quickly, overtook his companions, not far
off, following with swift feet those who were bearing towards the city
the renowned arms of Achilles. Then standing apart from the mournful
battle, he changed his armour. His own indeed he gave to the warlike
Trojans to bear to sacred Ilium; but he put on the immortal arms of
Achilles, the son of Peleus, which the heavenly gods had bestowed on
his dear father; but he indeed, growing old, presented them to his son;
but the son grew not old in the armour of his father.
But when cloud-compelling Jove beheld him apart, accoutred in the
armour of divine Pelides, then shaking his head, he said to his own
soul:
“Ah! luckless one; nor is death at all in thy thoughts, which is now
near thee; but thou puttest on the immortal armour of the bravest hero,
at whom others also tremble; and thou hast slain his companion, both
gentle and brave, and thou hast taken the armour from his head and
shoulders not according to propriety. But now will I give into thy
hands a great victory, a compensation for this, that Andromache shall
never receive from thee, having returned from the battle, the
illustrious arms of the son of Peleus.”
The son of Saturn spoke, and moreover nodded with his sable brows. But
the armour fitted the person of Hector, and Mars, the dreadful warrior,
entered him. And his limbs were inwardly filled with might and
strength, and he went after the illustrious allies, exclaiming aloud;
and glittering in his armour, to all of them he presented the
appearance of the magnanimous son of Peleus. But going among them, he
animated each with his words,—Mesthles, Glaucus, Medon, and
Thersilochus, Asteropæus, Disenor, and Hippothoüs, Phorcys, Chromius,
and Ennomus the augur. Exhorting these, he spoke winged words:
“Hear, ye countless troops of allies dwelling around, for I did not
assemble you here, each from his own city, seeking or wanting a crowd,
but that ye might willingly defend for me the wives and infant children
of the Trojans from the warlike Greeks. Thinking these things, I wear
away my people by gifts and provisions [to you], and I satisfy the
desire of each of you. Wherefore now let some one, being turned round
straight, either perish or be saved; for these are the chances of war.
552 Nevertheless, whoever will drag Patroclus, although dead, to the
horse-breaking Trojans, and to whom Ajax shall yield, [to him] will I
present one-half of the spoils, but I myself will keep the other half;
and glory shall be to him as much as to me.”
Thus he spoke; but they, lifting up their spears, advanced with
condensed might 553 direct against the Greeks; and their mind eagerly
hoped to draw away the dead body from Telamonian Ajax:—fools! truly
over it he took away the life from many. And then Ajax addressed
Menelaus, good in the din of war:
Footnote 552: (return) See Duport, Gnom. Hom. p. 97.
Footnote 553: (return) Schol.: Στίφος ποιήσαντες, συνασπίσαντες, εἰς
τὸ αύτὸ πάντες ὁρμήσαντες. A curious interpretation is given in the
Glossaries: “Βοίζω, _post cibum denuo impetum facio.”_ See Alberti on
Hesych. p. 766.
“O my friend, O Jove-nurtured Menelaus, no longer do I expect that even
we ourselves will return from battle. Nor do I fear so much about the
dead body of Patroclus, which will quickly satiate the dogs and birds
of the Trojans, as much as I fear for my own head, lest it suffer
anything, and for thine, for Hector, that cloud of war, overshadows all
things; whilst to us, on the other hand, utter destruction appears. But
come, call the bravest of the Greeks, if any one will hear.”
Thus he spoke; nor did Menelaus, good in the din of war, disobey; but
he shouted, crying with a loud voice to the Greeks:
“Ο friends, leaders and chieftains of the Greeks, ye who with
Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, and Menelaus, drink the public wine, 554
and command each his forces; but honour and glory follows from Jove.
Difficult would it be for me to look to each of the leaders, for so
great a strife of battle burns. But let some one advance, and let him
be indignant in his mind, that Patroclus should become a sport to
Trojan dogs.”
Footnote 554: (return) _I.e._ who are supplied from the public
resources,—τὰ ἐκ τῶν κοινῶν καὶ δημοσίων χρημάτων χορηγούμενα τοῖς
βασιλεῦσι.—Schol.
Thus he spoke; but quickly the swift Oïlean Ajax heard, and first
advanced opposite, running through the battle; after him Idomeneus, and
Meriones, the armour-bearer of Idomeneus, equal to man-slaughtering
Mars. But who in his mind could recount the names of the others as many
as afterwards aroused the battle of the Greeks? But the Trojans, in
close array, first made the onset, and Hector led them on.
But as when, at the mouths 555 of a river flowing from Jove, the great
wave roars against the stream, while around the lofty shores resound,
the wave being ejected [upon the beach], with so loud a clamour did the
Trojans advance: but the Greeks stood round the son of Menœtius, having
one spirit, protected by their brazen shields; whilst over their
shining helmets the son of Saturn poured a thick haze; for he did not
formerly hate the son of Menœtius when, being alive, he was the
attendant of Achilles, therefore he was loth that he should become a
prey to the Trojan dogs of the enemy; and so he excited his companions
to defend him. The Trojans, however, first dislodged the dark-eyed
Greeks, and they, leaving the dead body, retreated; nor did the
magnanimous Trojans slay any of them with their spears, although
desirous, but drew off the body. But the Greeks were about to be absent
from him a very short while, for very quickly did Ajax rally them, who,
next to the renowned son of Peleus, excelled the other Greeks in beauty
and in deeds. And he broke through the front ranks, resembling a wild
boar in strength, which amongst the mountains easily disperses the dogs
and blooming youths through the woods, turning to bay; so the son of
illustrious Telamon, noble Ajax, having made the attack, easily routed
the phalanxes of the Trojans who had surrounded Patroclus, and mostly
expected to drag him to their city, and bear away glory. Meanwhile
Hippothous, the illustrious son of Pelasgian Lethus, was dragging him
by the foot through the violent conflict, having bound him with a strap
at the ancle round the tendons, gratifying Hector and the Trojans. But
soon came evil upon him, which no one, even of those desiring it,
averted from him. Him the son of Telamon, rushing through the crowd,
smote in close fight through the brazen-cheeked helmet. The
horse-haired helmet was cleft by the point of the weapon, stricken by
the great spear and strong hand; and the brain, bloody, gushed out of
the wound at the cone of the helmet; 556 and his strength was there
relaxed. Then he let fall from his hands the foot of magnanimous
Patroclus, to lie upon the earth, and near him he himself fell, prone
upon the dead body, far away from fertile Larissa: nor did he repay the
debt of nourishment to his beloved parents, for his life was short,
subdued by the spear of magnanimous Ajax. But Hector again aimed at
Ajax with his shining spear; he, however, seeing it opposite, avoided
the brazen spear by a little; but he struck Schedius, the magnanimous
son of Iphitus, by far the bravest of the Phoceans, who inhabited
dwellings in renowned Panopëus, ruling over many men. Him he smote
under the middle of the clavicle, and the brazen point of the weapon
went quite through, near the extremity of the shoulder. Falling, he
made a crash, and his arms rang upon him. Then Ajax again smote warlike
Phorcys, the son of Phænops, in the middle of the belly, while
defending Hippothous. And he broke the cavity of the corslet, and the
brazen weapon drank his entrails through; and falling in the dust, he
seized the earth with the palm of his hand. The foremost warriors and
illustrious Hector retreated; but the Greeks shouted loudly, and drew
off the bodies, both Phorcys and Hippothous, and they loosed the armour
from their shoulders.
Footnote 555: (return) Schol. Apoll. Rhod. i. 11: Τῶν ποταμῶν οἱ
συμβάλλοντες τόποι τῇ θαλάσσῃ, προχοαὶ λέγονται, where he quotes this
instance from Homer.
Footnote 556: (return) See iii. 372, “the part of the helmet in which
the crest was inserted—unless αἰλὸν be taken metaphorically, and by
παρ’ αὐλὸν be meant the _stream_ of blood, as from a pipe.”—Oxford
Transl.
Then again would the Trojans, [routed] by the warlike Greeks, have gone
up to Ilium, subdued through cowardice; but the Argives on their part,
by their valour and might, would have obtained glory, even contrary to
the destined will of Jove, had not Apollo himself excited Æneas, in
body like unto Periphas the herald, son of Epytis, who knowing prudent
counsels in his mind, had grown old, as a herald, with his aged sire.
Assimilating himself to him, Apollo, the son of Jove, addressed him:
“O Æneas, how could ye preserve lofty Ilium against the deity, since I
behold these other men relying on their bravery, and might, and valour,
and their number, and possessing a dauntless host? Yet Jove wills the
victory to us, rather than to the Danai; yet ye greatly tremble, nor
fight.”
Thus he spoke; but Æneas, seeing him before him, recognized far-darting
Apollo; and loudly shouting, addressed Hector:
“O Hector, and ye other leaders of the Trojans and allies, this now
indeed is a shame, that we, subdued by cowardice, should go up to
Ilium, [driven] by the warlike Achæans. For already even now some one
of the gods, having stood near to me, declared that Jove, the highest
counsellor, is an ally of the battle [to us]. Wherefore let us go
direct against the Greeks, nor let them quietly move the dead Patroclus
to the ships.”
Thus he spoke, and then springing forth, stood far before the front
ranks. But they rallied, and stood opposed to the Greeks. Then Æneas
wounded with his spear Leocritus, son of Arisbas, the brave companion
of Lycomedes. Him falling, warlike Lycomedes pitied, and advancing very
near, he stood, and hurled with his shining spear, and struck Apisaon,
the son of Hippasis, shepherd of the people, in the liver, beneath the
diaphragm, and immediately relaxed his limbs. He had come from fertile
Pæonia, and next to Asteropæus, was the bravest to fight. Warlike
Asteropæus pitied him-fallen, and he rushed forward, willing to fight
with the Greeks. But not yet could he [do so], for [those] standing
around Patroclus were fenced in on every side with shields, and held
their spears before them; for Ajax went eagerly among all, greatly
cheering them on. He suffered not any one either to retire from the
body, nor any of the Greeks to fight in front, excelling the others,
but vigorously to stalk around for defence, and to combat in close
fight. Thus did mighty Ajax command; but the earth was moistened with
purple gore, whilst upon each other fell the dead bodies of the Trojans
and courageous allies, and of the Greeks; for neither did they fight
bloodlessly, although far fewer perished, because they were ever
mindful throughout the tumult to repel severe labour from each other.
Thus indeed they fought, like a fire; nor would you say that the Sun
was safe, or the Moon, for they were wrapt in dark haze in the combat,
as many of the bravest as stood around the dead son of Menœtius. The
other Trojans and well-armed Greeks, however, fought at ease 557
beneath the atmosphere; the piercing splendour of the sun was expanded
over them, and a cloud did not appear over all the earth, nor the
mountains. Resting at intervals, they fought, avoiding the cruel
weapons of each other, standing far asunder; whilst those in the middle
suffered hardships from darkness and from war, and were afflicted by
the ruthless brass, as many as were most brave. But two heroes,
illustrious men, Thrasymedes and Antilochus, had not yet heard that
blameless Patroclus was dead; but thought that, still alive, he was
fighting with the Trojans in the foremost tumult. But these, watching
the slaughter and flight of their companions, fought apart, since
Nestor had so ordered, urging [them] on to battle from the black ships.
But to these all day a mighty contest of severe strife arose, and ever
incessantly the knees, the legs, and the feet of each under him, the
hands and the eyes of those fighting around the brave companion of
swift-footed Æacides, were defiled with fatigue and perspiration. And
as when a man gives the hide of a huge ox, saturated with grease, to
his people to stretch, but they, having received, stretch it, standing
apart from each other in a circle, and straightway the moisture exudes,
and the oily matter enters, many pulling it, till it is stretched in
every direction; so they, on both sides, dragged the body here and
there in a small space; for the mind of the Trojans, on the one hand,
eagerly hoped to draw him to Ilium, but of the Greeks, on the other, to
the hollow ships. Around him arose a fierce tumult; nor could Mars, the
exciter of troops, nor Minerva, having beheld it, have found fault, not
even if wrath had particularly come upon her; such an evil labour of
men and horses did Jove extend over Patroclus on that day. Nor as yet
did noble Achilles at all know that Patroclus was dead, because they
fought far from the swift ships, beneath the wall of the Trojans. He
never thought in his mind that he was dead; but that alive, having
approached the gates, he would return back, since he did not at all
suppose that he could sack the city without him, for he had often heard
this from his mother, hearing it apart, who used to tell him the design
of mighty Jove. Yet his mother had not then told him so great an evil
as had happened, that the companion by far most dear to him had
perished.
Footnote 557: (return) _I.e._ resting at intervals, as it is explained
in ver. 373.
But they, ever around the dead body, holding their sharp spears,
charged incessantly, and slaughtered one another, and thus would some
of the brazen-mailed Greeks say:
“O friends, surely it will not be honourable for us to retreat to the
hollow ships; but [rather] let the black earth here gape for all. This
indeed would at once be better for us, than that we should permit the
horse-breaking Trojans to drag him to their city, and obtain glory.”
And thus also would some one of the magnanimous Trojans say:
“Ο friends, although it be our destiny that all be equally subdued
beside this man, never let any one retire from the battle.”
Thus, then, some one said, and aroused the spirit of each. Thus indeed
were they fighting; and the iron clangour 558 reached the brazen heaven
through the unfruitful air. But the horses of Æacides being apart from
the combat, wept, when first they perceived that their charioteer had
fallen in the dust, beneath man-slaughtering Hector. Automedon, indeed,
the brave son of Diores, frequently urged them on, beating them with
the sharp lash, and frequently addressed them in mild terms and in
threats; but they chose neither to go back to the ships towards the
wide Hellespont nor into the battle among the Greeks; but, as a pillar
remains firm, which stands at the tomb of a dead man or woman, so they
remained detaining the splendid chariot motionless, and drooping their
heads to the earth. But warm tears 559 flowed from their eyelids to the
earth, complaining from desire of their charioteer; and their thick
mane was defiled, flowing down on both sides from the collar at the
yoke. But the son of Saturn beholding them lamenting, felt compassion,
and shaking his head, communed with his own mind:
“Ah! luckless pair, why did we give you to king Peleus, a mortal; for
ye are free from old age, and immortal? Was it that ye might endure
griefs with unhappy men? For there is not anything at all more wretched
than man, 560 of all, as many as breathe and move over the earth. But
Hector, the son of Priam, shall not be borne by you, even in the
curiously-wrought chariot, for I will not permit it. Is it not enough
that he both possesses those arms, and vainly boasts? But into your
knees and spirit will I cast vigour, that ye may safely bear Automedon
from the battle to the hollow ships; for still will I give glory to
them (the Trojans), to slay, until they reach the well-benched ships,
till the sun set, and sacred darkness come on.”
Footnote 558: (return) Clarke compares Æn. xii. 284, from Ennius, apud
Macrob. vi. 1: “Hastati spargunt hastas, fit ferreus imber.” See
Columna’s notes. p. 82, ed. Hessel. The Scholiast rather interprets it,
of a strong and violent shout, στερεὸς καὶ πολὺ ἰσχυρός.
Footnote 559: (return) See Virg. Æn. xi. 89, sqq. with Servius,
Quintus Calab. iii. 740: Ούδὲ μιν ἄμβροτοι ἵπποι ἀταρβέος Αἰακίδαο
Μίμνον ἀδάκρυτοι παρὰ νήεσιν’ ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοὶ Μύροντο σφετέροιο
δαϊκταμένου βασιλῆος. Οὐδ’ ἔθελον μογεροῖσιν ἔτ’ ἀνδράσιν, οὐδὲ μεθ’
ἵπποις Μίσγεσθ’ Ἀργείων, ὀλοὸν περὶ πένθος ἔχοντες.
Footnote 560: (return) On this comfortable and satisfactory sentiment,
see the lugubrious collection of parallel passages in Duport, p. 98.
So saying, he breathed strong vigour into the steeds; and they, shaking
the dust from their manes to the ground, quickly bore the rapid car
amongst the Trojans and Greeks. And against them 561 fought Automedon,
though grieved for his companion, rushing along in his chariot like a
vulture among the geese. For he fled easily from the tumult of the
Trojans, and easily did he rush on, pursuing through the dense throng.
Yet did he not slay the men when he pressed onward to pursue; for it
was by no means possible for him, being alone in the sacred 562 car, to
assault with the spear and to rein in the fleet steeds. At length,
however, a companion, the hero Alcimedon, son of Laërceus, the son of
Æmon, beheld him with his eyes, and stood behind his chariot, and
addressed Automedon:
Footnote 561: (return) The Trojans.
Footnote 562: (return) _I.e._ splendid, of surpassing workmanship.
Others refer the epithet to the divine gift mentioned in ver. 443, to
the fabrication of the chariot by the god Vulcan, or to the origin of
Achilles himself from a goddess.
“Which of the gods, O Automedon, has placed a foolish counsel in thy
bosom, and taken from thee sound judgment; inasmuch as alone thou
fightest in the foremost ranks with the Trojans? Thy companion indeed
is slain; and Hector himself vaunts, having upon his shoulders the
armour of Æacides.”
Him then Automedon, the son of Diores, addressed:
“Alcimedon, what other of the Greeks, then, is like thee, to subdue and
restrain the spirit of immortal steeds, unless Patroclus, whilst alive,
a counsellor equal to the gods? Now, however, death and fate possess
him. Nevertheless, do thou take the lash and beautiful reins; but I
will descend from the chariot, that I may fight.” 563
Footnote 563: (return) Alcimedon in this address condemns the
imprudence of his friend, who, in this moment of imminent danger, takes
upon him the joint offices of warrior (παραβάτης) and charioteer
(ἡνίοχος).
Thus he spoke, but Alcimedon, ascending the chariot, swift in war,
instantly took in his hands the lash and reins, whilst Automedon leaped
down; but illustrious Hector perceived this, and immediately addressed
Æneas, being near:
“Æneas, counsellor of the brazen-mailed Trojans, I have observed these
two steeds of Achilles proceeding through the battle with unskilful
charioteers. I therefore may hope to capture them, if thou, at least,
desire it in thy mind; for standing opposite, they will not dare to
withstand us, rushing on to fight in battle.”
Thus he spoke; nor did the brave son of Anchises disobey. Both advanced
direct, covered as to their shoulders with bulls’ hides, dry, thick;
and upon them much brass was plated. But along with them went both
Chromius and god-like Aretus: and their mind greatly hoped to slay
them, and to drive away the long-necked steeds. Foolish, 564 for they
were not destined to return back bloodlessly from Automedon, for he,
having prayed to father Jove, was filled with fortitude and valour, as
to his dark mind, and immediately addressed Alcimedon, his faithful
comrade: