Having divided the Trojan army, Achilles drives one part towards the
city, and the other into the Xanthus, where he takes twelve youths
alive, in order to sacrifice them at the tomb of Patroclus. He then
slays Lycaon and Asteropæus, deriding the river-god, Xanthus, as unable
to aid his friends. The river endeavours to overwhelm him by the aid of
Simoïs, but Vulcan defends him from the danger. Single combats of the
gods then follow, but they afterwards retire to Olympus. Apollo then
leads Achilles away, assuming the form of Agenor, and the Trojans are
thus enabled to regain the city.
But when they at last reached the course of the fairly-flowing river,
the eddying Xanthus, which immortal Jove begat; there separating them,
he pursued some indeed through the plain towards the city, by the
[same] way that the Greeks, on the preceding day, being astounded, had
fled, when illustrious Hector raged. By that way were they poured forth
terrified; but Juno expanded a dense cloud before them, to check them:
but the other half were rolled into the deep-flowing river, with silver
eddies. But they fell in with a great noise; and the deep streams
resounded, and the banks around murmured; but they, with clamour, swam
here and there, whirled about in the eddies. 668 As when locusts,
driven by the force of fire, fly into the air, to escape to a river,
but the indefatigable fire, suddenly kindled, blazes, and they fall,
through terror into the water: thus, by Achilles, was the resounding
river of deep-eddied Xanthus filled promiscuously with horses and men.
But the Jove-sprung [hero] left his spear upon the banks, leaning
against a tamarisk; and he leaped in, like unto a god, having only his
sword, and meditated destructive deeds in his mind. And he smote on all
sides, and a shocking lamentation arose of those who were stricken by
the sword, and the water was reddened with blood. And, as when the
other fish, flying from a mighty dolphin, fill the inmost recesses of a
safe-anchoring harbour, frightened; for he totally devours whatever he
can catch; so the Trojans hid themselves in caves along the streams of
the terrible river. But he, when he was wearied as to his hands,
slaying, chose twelve youths alive out of the river, a penalty for dead
Patroclus, the son of Menœtius. These he led out [of the river],
stupified, like fawns. And he bound their hands behind them 669 with
well-cut straps, which they themselves bore upon their twisted tunics;
and gave them to his companions to conduct to the hollow ships. But he
rushed on again, desiring to slay.
Footnote 668: (return) Virg. Æn. i. 118: “Apparent rari nantes in
gurgite vasto.” With the following description may be compared Æsch.
Ag. 670: Ὁρῶμεν ἀνθοῦν πέλαγος Αἰγαῖον νεκρῶν ἀνδρῶν Ἀχαίων ναυτικῶν τ’
ἐρειπίων. Aristid. Panath. p. 142: Ὡς δὲ ἑώρα τὴν θάλατταν αἵματι καὶ
ῥοθίῳ ῥέουσαν, καὶ πάντα νέκρων καὶ ναυαγίων μεστά.
Footnote 669: (return) As was customary with captives. Cf. Virg. Æn.
ii. 57, and Moll. on Longus, ii. 9.
Then did he encounter the son of Dardanian Priam, Lycaon, escaping from
the river, whom he himself had formerly led away, taking him unwilling
from his father’s farm, having come upon him by night: but he, with the
sharp brass, was trimming a wild fig-tree of its tender branches, that
they might become the cinctures of a chariot. But upon him came noble
Achilles, an unexpected evil; and then, conveying him in his ships, he
sold him into well-inhabited Lemnos; but the son of Jason gave his
price. 670 And from thence his guest, Imbrian Eëtion, ransomed him, and
gave him many things, and sent him to noble Arisbe; whence, secretly
escaping, he reached his father’s house. Returning from Lemnos, for
eleven days he was delighted in his soul, with his friends; but on the
twelfth the deity again placed him in the hands of Achilles, who was
about to send him into the [habitation] of Hades, although not willing
to go. But when swift-footed, noble Achilles perceived him naked,
without helmet and shield, neither had he a spear, for all these,
indeed, he had thrown to the ground, for the sweat overcame him, flying
from the river, and fatigue subdued his limbs beneath; but [Achilles]
indignant, thus addressed his own great-hearted soul:
Footnote 670: (return) _I.e._ purchase him as a slave.
“Ο gods! surely I perceive this, a great marvel, with mine eyes.
Doubtless the magnanimous Trojans whom I have slain will rise again
from the murky darkness, as now this man has returned, escaping the
merciless day, having been sold in sacred Lemnos; nor has the depth of
the sea restrained him, which restrains many against their will. But
come now, he shall taste the point of my spear, that I may know in my
mind, and learn, whether he will in like manner return thence, or
whether the fruitful earth will detain him, which detains even the
mighty.”
Thus he pondered, remaining still; but near him came Lycaon, in
consternation, anxious to touch his knees; for he very much wished in
his mind to escape evil death and black fate. Meanwhile noble Achilles
raised his long spear, desiring to wound him; but he ran in under it,
and, stooping, seized his knees, but the spear stuck fixed in the earth
over his back, eager to be satiated with human flesh. But he, having
grasped his knees with one hand, supplicated him, and with the other
held the sharp spear, nor did he let it go; and, supplicating,
addressed to him winged words:
“O Achilles, embracing thy knees, I supplicate thee; but do thou
respect and pity me. I am to thee in place of a suppliant, to be
revered, O Jove-nurtured one! For with thee I first tasted the fruit of
Ceres on that day when thou tookest me in the well-cultivated field,
and didst sell 671 me, leading me away from my father and friends, to
sacred Lemnos; and I brought thee the price of a hundred oxen. But now
will I redeem myself, giving thrice as many. This is already the
twelfth morning to me since I came to Troy, having suffered much, and
now again pernicious fate has placed me in thy hands. Certainly I must
be hated by father Jove, who has again given me to thee. For my mother
Laothoë, the daughter of aged Altes, brought forth short-lived me, of
Altes, who rules over the warlike Lelegans, possessing lofty Padasus,
near the Satnio: and Priam possessed his daughter, as well as many
others; but from her we two were born, but thou wilt slay both. Him,
godlike Polydorus, thou hast subdued already among the foremost
infantry, when thou smotest him with the sharp spear, and now will evil
be to me here; for I do not think that I shall escape thy hands, since
a deity has brought me near thee. Yet another thing will I tell thee,
and do thou store it in thy mind. Do not slay me, for I am not of the
same womb with Hector, who killed thy companion, both gentle and
brave.” Thus then, indeed, the noble son of Priam addressed him,
supplicating with words; but he heard a stern reply.
Footnote 671: (return) Hesych. έρασας είςτο πέρας τῆς θαλάσσης
διαπέρασας, έπώλησας. See Schol. on ver. 40.
“Fool, talk not to me of ransom, nor, indeed, mention it. Before
Patroclus fulfilled the fatal day, so long to me was it more agreeable
in my mind to spare the Trojans, and many I took alive and sold. But
now there is not [one] of all the Trojans, whom the deity shall put
into my hands before Ilium, who shall escape death; but above all of
the sons of Priam. But die thou also, my friend; why weepest thou thus?
Patroclus likewise died, who was much better than thou. Seest thou not
how great I am? both fair and great; and I am from a noble sire, and a
goddess mother bore me; but Death and violent Fate will come upon thee
and me, whether [it be] morning, evening, or mid-day; 672 whenever any
one shall take away my life with a weapon, either wounding me with a
spear, or with an arrow from the string.”
Footnote 672: (return) See Kennedy.
Thus he spoke; but his knees and dear heart were relaxed. He let go the
spear, indeed, and sat down, stretching out both hands. But Achilles,
drawing his sharp sword, smote [him] at the clavicle, near the neck.
The two-edged sword penetrated totally, and he, prone upon the ground,
lay stretched out, but the black blood flowed out, and moistened the
earth. Then Achilles, seizing him by the foot, threw him into the
river, to be carried along, and, boasting, spoke winged words:
“Lie there now with the fishes, 673 which, without concern, will lap
the blood of thy wound; nor shall thy mother 674 weep, placing thee
upon the funeral couch, but the eddying Scamander shall bear thee into
the wide bosom of the ocean. Some fish, bounding through the wave, will
escape to the dark ripple, 675 in order that he may devour the white
fat of Lycaon. Perish [ye Trojans], till we attain to the city of
sacred Ilium, you flying, and I slaughtering in the rear: nor shall the
wide-flowing, silver-eddying river, profit you, to which ye have
already sacrificed many bulls, and cast solid-hoofed steeds alive into
its eddies. But even thus shall ye die an evil death, until ye all
atone for the death of Patroclus, and the slaughter of the Greeks, whom
ye have killed at the swift ships, I being absent.”
Footnote 673: (return) Cf. Virg. Æn. x. 555, sqq.; Longus, ii. 20:
Άλλὰ βορὰν [ύμᾶς] ίχθύων θήσω καταδύσας.
Footnote 674: (return) Cf. Soph. Electr. 1138, sqq. with my note.
Footnote 675: (return) _I.e._ the surface.
Thus he spoke; but the River was the more enraged at heart, and
revolved in his mind how he might make noble Achilles cease from
labour, and avert destruction from the Trojans. But meanwhile the son
of Peleus, holding his long-shadowed spear, leaped upon Asteropæus, son
of Pelegon, desirous to kill him whom the wide-flowing Axius begat, and
Peribœa, eldest of the daughters of Accessamenus; for with her had the
deep-eddying river been mingled. Against him Achilles rushed; but he,
[emerging] from the river, stood opposite, holding two spears; for
Xanthus had placed courage in his mind, because he was enraged on
account of the youths slain in battle, whom Achilles had slain in the
stream, nor pitied them. But when they were now near, advancing towards
each other, him first swift-footed, noble Achilles addressed:
“Who, and whence art thou of men, thou who darest to come against me?
Truly they are the sons of unhappy men who encounter my might.” Him
again the illustrious son of Pelegon addressed: “O magnanimous son of
Peleus, why dost thou ask my race? I am from fruitful Pæonia, being far
off, leading the long-speared Pæonian heroes; and this is now the
eleventh morning to me since I came to Troy. But my descent is from the
wide-flowing Axius, who pours the fairest flood upon the earth, he who
begat Pelegon, renowned for the spear; who, men say, begat me. But now,
O illustrious Achilles, let us fight.”
Thus he spake, threatening: but noble Achilles raised the Pelian ash;
but the hero Asteropæus [took aim] with both spears at the same time,
676 for he was ambidexter. 677 With the one spear he struck the shield,
nor did it pierce the shield completely through; for the gold
restrained it, the gift of a god; and the other slightly wounded him
upon the elbow of the right arm; and the black blood gushed out: but
the [spear passing] over him, was fixed in the earth, longing to
satiate itself with his body. But second Achilles hurled his
straight-flying ashen spear at Asteropæus, anxiously desiring to slay
him. From him indeed he erred, and struck the lofty bank, and drove the
ashen spear up to the middle in the bank. Then the son of Peleus,
drawing his sharp sword from his thigh, eagerly leaped upon him; but he
was not able to pluck out, with his strong hand, the ashen spear of
Achilles, from the bank. Thrice, indeed, he shook it, desiring to pluck
it out, and thrice he failed in strength. And the fourth time he had
determined in his mind, bending, to snap the ashen spear of Æacides;
but Achilles first, close at hand, took away his life with the sword;
for he smote him upon the belly at the navel, and all his bowels were
poured out upon the ground, and darkness veiled him, dying, as to his
eyes. Then Achilles, leaping upon his breast, despoiled him of his
arms, and boasting, spoke:
Footnote 676: (return) Ἁμαρτῇ is here an adverb.
Footnote 677: (return) Symmachus, Epist. ix. 105: “Pari nitore atque
gravitate senatorias actiones et Romanæ rei monumenta limasti, ut plane
Homerica appellatione περιδέξιον, id est, æquimanum, te esse
pronunciem.”
“Lie so: it is a difficult thing for thee, though descended from a
River, to contend with the sons of the most mighty Saturnian [Jove].
Thou saidst thou wert of the race of a wide-flowing River, but I boast
myself to be of the race of mighty Jove. The hero ruling over many
Myrmidons begat me, Peleus, son of Æacus; but Æacus was from Jove;
wherefore Jove is more powerful than Rivers flowing into the sea, and
the race of Jove again is more powerful than that of a river. Besides,
a very great River is at hand to thee, if it can aught defend thee; but
it is not lawful to fight with Jove, the son of Saturn. With him
neither does king Acheloüs vie, nor the mighty strength of deep-flowing
Oceanus, from which flow all rivers, and every sea, and all fountains,
and deep wells; but even he dreads the bolt of the great Jove, and the
dreadful thunder, when it bellows from heaven.”
He said, and plucked his brazen spear from the bank. But him he left
there, after he had taken away his life, lying in the sand, and the
dark water laved him. About him, indeed, the eels and fishes were
busied, eating [and] nibbling the fat around his kidneys. But he
(Achilles) hastened to go against the Pæonian equestrian warriors, who
were already turned to flight beside the eddying river, when they saw
the bravest in the violent conflict bravely subdued by the hands and
sword of the son of Peleus. Then he slew Thersilochus, Mydon,
Astypylus, Mnesus, Thrasius, Ænius, and Ophelestes. And now had swift
Achilles slain even more Pæonians, had not the deep-eddying River,
enraged, addressed him, likening itself to a man, and uttered a voice
from its deep vortex:
“O Achilles, thou excellest, it is true, in strength, but thou doest
unworthy acts above [others], for the gods themselves always aid thee.
If indeed the son of Saturn has granted to thee to destroy all the
Trojans, at least having driven them from me, perform these arduous
enterprises along the plain. For now are my agreeable streams full of
dead bodies, nor can I any longer pour my tide into the vast sea,
choked up by the dead; whilst thou slayest unsparingly. But come, even
cease—a stupor seizes me—O chieftain of the people.”
But him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed:
“These things shall be as thou desirest, O Jove-nurtured Scamander. But
I will not cease slaughtering the treaty-breaking 678 Trojans, before
that I enclose them in the city, and make trial of Hector, face to
face, whether he shall slay me, or I him.”
Footnote 678: (return) Although this meaning of ύπερφίαλος is well
suited to this passage, yet Buttmann, Lexil. p. 616, § 6, is against
any such particular explanation of the word. See his whole
dissertation.
Thus speaking, he rushed upon the Trojans like unto a god; and the
deep-eddying River then addressed Apollo:
“Alas! O god of the silver bow, child of Jove, thou hast not observed
the counsels of Jove, who very much enjoined thee to stand by and aid
the Trojans, till the late setting evening 679 sun should come, and
overshadow the fruitful earth.”
Footnote 679: (return) Δείελος has been shown by Buttmann to be really
the _afternoon_; but he observes, p. 223, that in the present passage,
“it is not the Attic δείλη ὀψία, with which it has been compared, but
by the force of δύων, the actual sunset of evening. The ὀψέ is
therefore, strictly speaking, redundant, and appears to be used with
reference only to the time past, something in this way: ‘Thou shouldst
assist the Trojans until the sun sinks late in the west.’”
He spoke, and spear-renowned Achilles leaped into the midst, rushing
down from the bank. But he (the River) rushed on, raging with a swoln
flood, and, turbid, excited all his waves. And it pushed along the
numerous corpses, which were in him 680 in abundance, whom Achilles had
slain. These he cast out, roaring like a bull, upon the shore; but the
living he preserved in his fair streams, concealing them among his
mighty deep gulfs. And terrible around Achilles stood the disturbed
wave, and the stream, falling upon his shield, oppressed him, nor could
he stand steady on his feet. But he seized with his hands a thriving,
large elm; and it, falling from its roots, dislodged the whole bank,
and interrupted the beautiful streams with its thick branches, and
bridged over the river itself, 681 falling completely in. Then leaping
up from the gulf, he hastened to fly over the plain on his rapid feet,
terrified. Nor yet did the mighty god desist, but rushed after him,
blackening on the surface, that he might make noble Achilles cease from
toil, and avert destruction from the Trojans. But the son of Peleus
leaped back as far as is the cast of a spear, having the impetuosity of
a dark eagle, a hunter, which is at once the strongest and the swiftest
of birds. Like unto it he rushed, but the brass clanked dreadfully upon
his breast; but he, inclining obliquely, fled from it, and it, flowing
from behind, followed with a mighty noise. As when a ditch-worker leads
a stream of water from a black-flowing fountain through plantations and
gardens, holding a spade in his hands, and throwing out the
obstructions from the channel; all the pebbles beneath are agitated as
it flows along, and, rapidly descending, it murmurs down a sloping
declivity, and outstrips even him who directs it: so the water of the
river always overtook Achilles, though being nimble; for the gods are
more powerful than mortals. As often as swift-footed, noble Achilles
attempted to oppose it, and to know whether all the immortals who
possess the wide heaven put him to flight, so often did a great billow
of the river, flowing from Jove, lave his shoulders from above; whilst
he leaped up with his feet, sad in mind, and the rapid stream subdued
his knees under him, and withdrew the sand from beneath his feet. But
Pelides groaned, looking toward the wide heaven:
Footnote 680: (return) _I.e._ in the river. One translator absurdly
renders it “through him,” _i.e._ through Achilles.
Footnote 681: (return) “The circumstance of a fallen tree, which is by
Homer described as reaching from one of its banks to the other, affords
a very just idea of the breadth of the Scamander at the season when we
saw it.”—Wood on Homer, p. 328.
“O father Jove, how does none of the gods undertake to save me,
miserable, from the river! Hereafter, indeed, I would suffer anything.
682 But no other of the heavenly inhabitants is so culpable to me as my
mother, who soothed me with falsehoods, and said that I should perish
by the fleet arrows of Apollo, under the wall of the armed Trojans.
Would that Hector had slain me, who here was nurtured the bravest; then
a brave man would he have slain, and have despoiled a brave man. But
now it is decreed that I be destroyed by an inglorious death,
overwhelmed in a mighty river, like a swine-herd’s boy, whom, as he is
fording it, the torrent overwhelms in wintry weather.”
Footnote 682: (return) _I.e._ grant that I may but escape a
disgraceful death by drowning, and I care not how I perish afterwards.
The Scholiast compares the prayer of Ajax in p. 647: Ἐν δὲ φάει καὶ
ὄλεσσον. Cf. Æn, i. 100, sqq. Æsch. Choeph 340; Eur. Andr. 1184.
Thus he spoke; but Neptune and Minerva, very quickly advancing, stood
near him (but in body they had likened themselves to men), and, taking
his hand in their hands, strengthened him with words. But to them
earth-shaking Neptune began discourse:
“O son of Peleus, neither now greatly fear, nor yet be at all dismayed;
so great allies from among the gods are we to thee, Jove approving it,
I and Pallas Minerva, so that it is not decreed that thou shouldst be
overcome by a river. It, indeed, shall soon cease, and thou thyself
shalt see it. But let us prudently suggest, if thou be obedient, not to
stop thy hands from equally destructive war, before thou shalt have
enclosed the Trojan army within the renowned walls of Troy, whoever,
indeed, can escape: but do thou, having taken away the life of Hector,
return again to the ships; for we grant to thee to bear away glory.”
They indeed having thus spoken, departed to the immortals. But he
proceeded towards the plain (for the command of the gods strongly
impelled him), and it was all filled with the overflowed water. Much
beautiful armour and corpses of youths slain in battle, floated along;
but his knees bounded up against the course of it rushing straight
forward; for Minerva had put great strength into him. Nor did Scamander
remit his strength, but was the more enraged with the son of Peleus.
And he swelled the wave of the stream, and, shouting, animated Simoïs:
“O dear brother, let us both, at least, restrain the force of the man,
since he will quickly destroy the great city of king Priam, for the
Trojans resist him not in battle. But aid me very quickly, and fill thy
streams of water from thy fountains, and rouse all thy rivulets, raise
a great wave, and stir up a mighty confusion of stems and stones, that
we may restrain this furious man, who now already is victorious, and is
bent on deeds equal to the gods. For I think that neither his strength
will defend him, nor his beauty at all, nor those beautiful arms, which
shall lie everywhere in the very bottom of my gulf, covered with mud.
Himself also will I involve in sand, pouring vast abundant silt around
him; nor shall the Greeks know where to gather his bones, so much slime
will I spread over him. And there forthwith shall be 683 his tomb, nor
shall there be any want to him of entombing, when the Greeks perform
his obsequies.”
Footnote 683: (return) Observe the force of τετεύξεται.
He spoke, and raging aloft, turbid, he rushed upon Achilles, murmuring
with foam, with blood, and with dead bodies. Immediately the purple
water of the Jove-descended river being raised up, stood, and seized
the son of Peleus. But Juno cried aloud, fearing for Achilles, lest the
mighty deep-eddying river should sweep him away; and immediately
addressed Vulcan, her beloved son:
“Arise, Vulcan, my son; for we supposed that eddying Xanthus was
equally matched in battle against thee; but give aid with all haste,
and exhibit thy abundant flame. But I will go to excite a severe storm
of Zephyrus, and rapid Notus from the sea, which bearing a destructive
conflagration, may consume the heads and armour of the Trojans. Do
thou, therefore, burn the trees upon the banks of Xanthus, and hurl at
himself with fire, nor let him at all avert thee by kind words or
threats: neither do thou previously restrain thy might; but when I,
shouting, shall give the signal, then restrain thy indefatigable fire.”
Thus she spoke; but Vulcan darted forth his fierce-burning fire. First,
indeed, he kindled a fire in the plain, and burned many dead bodies,
which were in abundance, over it, whom Achilles had slain; so that the
whole plain was dried up, and the clear water restrained. And as when
an autumnal north wind immediately dries a newly-watered garden, and
gratifies him whoever cultivates it, so was the whole plain dried, and
it consumed the dead; whereupon he turned his all-resplendent flame
against the river. The elms were burned up, and the willows and
tamarisks; the lotus was consumed, and the rushes and reeds, which grew
in great abundance round the beautiful streams of the river. Harassed
were the eels and the fishes, which through the whirlpools, [and] which
through the fair streams dived here and there, exhausted by the breath
of the various artificer Vulcan. The might of the river was burnt up,
and he spake, and addressed him:
“None of the gods, O Vulcan, can oppose thee on equal terms, nor can I
contend with thee, thus burning with fire. Cease from combat, and let
noble Achilles instantly expel the Trojans from their city; what have I
to do with contest and assistance?”
He spoke, scorched; and his fair streams boiled up. As a caldron
pressed by much fire, glows, bubbling up within on all sides, while
melting the fat of a delicately-fed sow, whilst the dry wood lies
beneath it; so were his fair streams dried up with fire, and the water
boiled; nor could he flow on, but was restrained, and the vapour
[raised] by the might of crafty Vulcan harassed him. At length,
supplicating much, he addressed to Juno winged words:
“O Juno, why does thy son press upon my stream, to annoy [me] beyond
others? nor truly am I so much to blame as all the others, as many as
are assistants to the Trojans, But I will, however, desist, if thou
biddest it; and let him also cease; and I moreover will swear this,
that I never will avert the evil day from the Trojans, not even when
all burning Troy shall be consumed with destructive fire, and the
warlike sons of the Greeks shall burn it.”
But when the white-armed goddess Juno heard this, she straightway
addressed her beloved son Vulcan: “Vulcan, my illustrious son, abstain;
for it is not fitting thus to persecute an immortal god for the sake of
mortals.”
Thus she spoke; and Vulcan extinguished his glowing fire, and the
refluent water immediately lowered its fair streams. But when the might
of Xanthus was subdued, then indeed they rested; for Juno restrained
herself, though enraged.
Among the other gods, however, grievous, troublesome contention fell
out, and the inclination in their minds was borne in opposite
directions. They engaged with a great tumult, and the wide earth
re-echoed, and the mighty heaven resounded around. And Jove heard it,
sitting upon Olympus, and his heart laughed with joy, when he beheld
the gods engaging in contest. Then they did not long stand apart; for
shield-piercing Mars began, and rushed first against Minerva, holding
his brazen spear, and uttered an opprobrious speech:
“Why thus, O most impudent, having boundless audacity, dost thou join
the gods in battle? Has thy great soul incited thee? Dost thou not
remember when thou didst urge Diomede, the son of Tydeus, to strike me?
And taking the spear thyself, thou didst direct it right against me,
and didst lacerate my fair flesh. Now, therefore, I think that I will
chastise thee, for all that thou hast done against me.”
So saying, he struck [her] on the fringed ægis, horrible, which not
even the thunderbolt of Jove will subdue; on it gore-tainted Mars smote
her with the long spear. But she, retiring, seized in her stout hand a
stone lying in the plain, black, rugged, and great, which men of former
days had set to be the boundary of a field. 684 With this she struck
fierce Mars upon the neck, and relaxed his knees. Seven acres he
covered, falling; as to his hair he was defiled with dust; and his
armour rang round him. But Pallas Minerva laughed, and, boasting over
him, addressed to him winged words:
Footnote 684: (return) The student will find some rude representations
of these boundary-stones at page 212, sqq. of Van Goes’ edition of the
Rei Agrimensoria scriptores.
“Fool, hast thou not yet perceived how much I boast myself to be
superior, that thou opposest thy strength to me? Thus indeed dost thou
expiate the Erinnys of thy mother, who designs mischiefs against thee,
enraged because thou hast deserted the Greeks, and dost aid the
treaty-breaking Trojans.”
Thus having spoken, she turned back her bright eyes. But Venus, the
daughter of Jove, taking him by the hand, led him away, groaning very
frequently; but he with difficulty collected his spirit. But when the
white-armed goddess Juno perceived him, immediately to Minerva she
addressed winged words:
“Alas! O child of aegis-bearing Jove, invincible, see how again she,
most impudent, leads man-slaughtering Mars through the tumult, from the
glowing battle. But follow.”
Thus she spoke; but Minerva rushed after, and rejoiced in her mind; and
springing upon her, smote her with her stout hand on the breast, and
dissolved her knees and dear heart. Then both of them lay upon the
fruitful earth; but she, boasting over them, spoke winged words:
“Would that all, as many as are allies to the Trojans, when they fight
against the armed Greeks, were so bold and daring, as Venus came an
assistant to Mars, to oppose my strength; then had we long since ceased
from battle, having overthrown the well-built city of Ilium.”
Thus she spoke; but the white-armed goddess Juno smiled. And the
earth-shaking king addressed Apollo:
“Phoebus, why do we two stand apart? Nor is it becoming, since the
others have begun. This would be disgraceful, if we return without
fight to Olympus, and to the brazen-floored mansion of Jove. Commence,
for thou art younger by birth; for it would not be proper for me, since
I am elder, and know more things. Fool, since thou possessest a
senseless heart; nor dost at all remember those things, how many evils
we suffered round Ilium, when we alone of the gods, coming from Jove to
haughty Laomedon, laboured for a year for a stipulated hire, and he,
commanding, gave orders? I indeed built a city and wall for the
Trojans, extensive and very beautiful, that the city might be
impregnable; whilst thou, O Phoebus, didst feed, his stamping-footed,
curved-horned oxen, among the lawns of many-valed, woody Ida. 685 But
when now the jocund Hours had brought round the period of payment, then
did violent Laomedon forcibly defraud us both of all reward, and having
threatened, dismissed us. And beside, 686 he threatened that he would
bind our feet and hands from above, and sell us into distant islands;
and affirmed that he would cut off the ears of both with the brass: but
we immediately returned back with indignant mind, enraged on account of
the rewards which, having promised, he did not make good. Is it for
this thou dost now gratify the people? Why dost thou not strive along
with us, that the treaty-breaking Trojans may basely perish from the
root, with their children and modest 687 wives?”
Footnote 685: (return) On this slavery of Apollo, see my note, p. 43,
n. 2. Longus, Past. iv. 10: Εῖποτε Ἀπόλλων Λαομέδοντι θητεύων
ἐβούκολησε, τοιόσδε ἦν, οἷος τότε ἐφάνθη Δάφνις.
Footnote 686: (return) Σὺν μὲν. I almost prefer σοὶ μὲν, with other
MSS. and Clarke.
Footnote 687: (return) Perhaps intended as a covert sneer at Helen.
But him the far-darting king, Apollo, in turn addressed:
“O Neptune, thou wouldst not say that I am prudent, if I should now
contend with thee, for the sake of miserable mortals, who, like the
leaves, are at one time very blooming, feeding on the fruit of the soil
and at another again, perish without life. Rather let us cease from
combat as soon as possible; and let them decide the matter themselves.”
Thus having spoken, he turned himself back; for he was afraid to come
to strife of hands with his uncle. But him his sister, rustic Diana,
the mistress of wild beasts, harshly rebuked, and uttered this
upbraiding speech:
“Fliest thou, Far-darter? and hast thou yielded the whole victory to
Neptune? and dost thou give easy glory to him? O Fool, why in vain dost
thou hold an useless bow? No longer now shall I hear thee boasting in
the halls of our sire, as formerly amongst the immortal gods, that thou
wouldst fight in opposition to Neptune.”
Thus she spoke; but her the far-darting Apollo by no means addressed.
But the venerable spouse of Jove, enraged, rebuked [her] who rejoices
in arrows, with reproaching words:
“How darest thou now, fearless wretch, stand against me? A difficult
match am I for thee to be opposed to my strength, although thou art a
bow-bearer; for Jove has made thee a lioness among women, and suffered
thee to kill whatever woman thou wilt. Certainly it is better to slay
wild beasts among the mountains, or rustic stags, than to fight bravely
with thy betters. But if thou desirest to have a knowledge of battle,
come on, that thou mayest well know how much the better I am; since
thou opposest strength to me.”
She spoke, and with her left hand seized both her (Diana’s) hands at
the wrist, and with her right plucked the bow 688 from her shoulders.
Smiling, she beat her about the ears with it, while she writhed
herself; and the fleet arrows fell out [of her quiver, as she moved].
Then the goddess fled, weeping, like a dove which flies from a hawk to
a hollow rock, her hiding-place, (for neither was it fated that she
should be taken by it;) so she fled, weeping, and left her arrows
there.
Footnote 688: (return) I have followed Kennedy, who says: “The
preferable meaning of τόξα is _arcus_. This Juno employs as an
instrument of chastisement, to avoid the infliction of which, her
antagonist turns from side to side, and whilst thus shifting her
position lets fall her arrows, ὀϊστοί, ver. 492.” Others by τόξα
understood both bow and arrows.
But the messenger [Mercury], the slayer of Argos, addressed Latona:
“O Latona, I will by no means fight with thee; for difficult indeed
would it be to combat with the wives of cloud-compelling Jove; but
rather, very forward among the immortal gods, boast that thou hast
conquered me by violent force.”
Thus indeed he spoke; but Latona collected together the bent bow and
the arrows 689 which had fallen here and there amid the whirl of dust.
She, having taken the arrows, followed her daughter. But the daughter
had arrived at Olympus, and at the brazen-floored palace of Jove, and
had sat down at the knees of her father, weeping, whilst her ambrosial
robe trembled around; and her the Saturnian father drew towards him,
and, sweetly smiling, interrogated her:
“Which now of the heavenly inhabitants, my dear child, has rashly done
such things to thee, as if having done some evil openly?”
But him the fair-crowned mistress of the chase 690 addressed in turn:
“Thy spouse, the white-armed Juno, has injured me, O father, from whom
contention and strife await 691 the immortals.”
Footnote 689: (return) Τόξα here means both bow and arrows.
Footnote 690: (return) A more literal version would be, “the fair
crowned mistress of the cry,” i.e. the hunting cry.
Footnote 691: (return) Έφῆπται, “immitti solet.”—Heyne. See D’Orville
on Chariton, vii. 5, p. 582, ed. Lips.
Thus they indeed spoke such things with one another. But Phoebus Apollo
came to sacred Ilium; for the wall of the well-built city was a care to
him, lest the Greeks, contrary to fate, should overthrow it that day.
The other ever-existing gods, however, repaired to Olympus, some indeed
indignant, but others greatly boasting. And they sat down beside their
father, the collector of dark clouds: but Achilles slew at once the
Trojans themselves, and their solid-hoofed steeds. And as when a smoke,
ascending from a burning city, reaches the wide heaven, but the wrath
of the gods has excited it; it creates toil to all, and sends griefs
upon many; so did Achilles cause toil and griefs to the Trojans.
Meanwhile aged Priam stood upon a lofty tower, and observed huge
Achilles: but by him the routed Trojans were easily thrown into
confusion, nor was there any might in them. Then groaning, he descended
from the tower to the ground, in order to direct the illustrious guards
at the gates along the wall:
“Hold the gates open in your hands until the people, flying, come into
the city, for Achilles is at hand routing them. Now I think that
destructive deeds will be. But, as soon as they revive, hemmed in
within the wall, put to again the well-fitted doors, for I tremble lest
this destructive man rush within the wall.”
Thus he spoke; but they opened the gates and pushed back the bolts; and
they being opened, afforded safety. But Apollo leaped out to meet them,
that he might avert destruction from the Trojans. Then they, parched
with thirst, and covered with dust, fled from the plain directly
towards the city and the lofty wall; but he furiously pursued with his
spear; for fierce madness constantly possessed his heart, and he burned
to bear away glory. Then indeed the sons of the Greeks had taken
lofty-gated Troy, had not Phoebus Apollo excited noble Agenor, a hero,
the son of Antenor, both blameless and brave. And into his heart he
threw courage, and he himself stood beside him, leaning against a
beech-tree, that he might avert the heavy hands of death; but he was
overshadowed by much darkness. But he, when he perceived Achilles, the
destroyer of cities, stood still, and much his heart was darkened 692
as he remained; and sighing, he thus addressed his own great-hearted
soul:
“Alas, me! if indeed I fly from terrible Achilles, in the way by which
the others, routed, are flying, even thus will he seize me, and will
slay me unwarlike; but if I suffer these to be thrown into confusion by
Achilles, the son of Peleus, and fly in another direction on my feet
from the wall through the Ilian plain, until I reach the lawns of Ida,
and enter its thickets; then indeed, having bathed myself at evening in
the river, I may return back to Troy, cleansed from sweat. But why does
my mind commune these things? Truly he may observe me departing from
the city towards the plain, and, quickly pursuing, may overtake me on
his swift feet; then will it no longer be possible to escape Death and
Fate; for he is very powerful beyond all men. But if I go against him
in front of the city—for his body also is without doubt vulnerable by
the sharp brass, there is one soul in it, and men say that he is
mortal; although Jove, the son of Saturn, affords him glory.”
So saying, gathering himself up, 693 he awaited Achilles; and his
valiant heart within him burned to combat and to fight. As a panther
advances from a deep thicket against a huntsman, 694 nor is aught
troubled in mind, nor put to flight, although it hears the yelling; and
although anticipating it, he may have wounded, or stricken it,
nevertheless, although pierced with a spear, it desists not from the
combat, till either it be engaged in close fight, or be subdued. Thus
noble Agenor, the son of renowned Antenor, would not fly till he had
made trial of Achilles; but, on the contrary, held before him his
shield, equal on all sides, and took aim at him with his spear, and
shouted aloud:
Footnote 692: (return) Cf. Donalson on Soph. Antig. 20, where there is
a similar use of καλχαίνειν. The present metaphor is taken from the
troubled and darkling aspect of the sea before a storm.
Footnote 693: (return) Cf. xvi. 403, 714.
Footnote 694: (return) This pleonasm of ἀνὴρ is very common; ii. 474,
ἄνδρες αἴπολιι; iv. 187, ἄνδρες χαλκῆες. Cf. iii. 170; xii. 41. So
ἄνδρες πολῖται, Phlegon. Trall, p. 26. Ἄνδρες δημόται, Aristoph. Plut.
254. Ἀνὴρ βασιλεὺς, Palæphatus, 39. Ἀνὴρ οἰκονόμος, Manetho, iv. 610.
“Certainly now thou art great in hopes in thy mind, O illustrious
Achilles, that thou wilt this day devastate the city of the magnanimous
Trojans. Fool! certainly many griefs will be effected over it, for in
it we are numerous and valiant men, who will defend Ilium for our
beloved parents, our wives, and our children. But thou shalt here
fulfil thy destiny, although being so terrible, and a daring warrior.”
He spoke, and hurled the sharp javelin from his heavy hand, and struck
him in the shin below the knee, nor missed: but the greave of
newly-wrought tin around [it] horribly resounded; and the brazen weapon
recoiled from it stricken, nor penetrated: for the gifts of the god
prevented it. Then the son of Peleus next attacked godlike Agenor; nor
did Apollo permit him to obtain glory; but snatched him away, and
covered him with much haze; and sent him to return peacefully from the
battle.
But he by a stratagem averted the son of Peleus from the people; for
the Far-darter, having likened himself in every respect to Agenor,
stood before his feet; and he hastened to pursue him with his feet.
Whilst he was pursuing him, running before at a small interval, over
the corn-bearing plain, turned towards the deep-eddying river
Scamander; (for Apollo beguiled him by deceit, so that he always
expected to overtake him on his feet;) meanwhile the other Trojans
being routed, came delighted in a crowd to the city; and the city was
full of them shut in. Nor did they any longer dare to wait for each
other without the city and the wall, and to inquire who had escaped,
and who had fallen in the battle; but gladly they were poured into the
city, whomsoever of them the feet and knees preserved.