The Iliad of Homer (Prose)................................................................................................................................1

Rendered by Andrew Lang, M.A., Walter Leaf, Litt.D., And Ernest Myers, M.A. ................................1

PREFATORY NOTE .............................................................................................................................2

BOOK I. How Agamemnon and Achilles fell out at the siege of Troy; and Achilles withdrew

himself from battle, and won from Zeus a pledge that his wrong should be avenged on

Agamemnon and the Achaians. .............................................................................................................3

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians

and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians

and the Trojans. ....................................................................................................................................11

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And

how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. .............................................22

chief captains to battle. .........................................................................................................................28

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even

Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. ..........................................................................................35

BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and

parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his

wife. ......................................................................................................................................................43

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and

the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. ...................................................................................47

Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. ..........52

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased;

and how Achilles denied him. ...............................................................................................................57

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied

on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. .............................................63

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians,

and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. ....................................................................................71

BOOK XII How the Trojans and allies broke within the wall of the Achaians. ................................78

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. ........83

BOOK XIV How Sleep and Hera beguiled Zeus to slumber on the heights of Ida, and Poseidon

spurred on the Achaians to resist Hector, and how Hector was wounded. ..........................................94

BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the

Trojans. Fire is thrown on the ship of Protesilaos. ..............................................................................99

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the

ships, but was slain at last by Hector. .................................................................................................103

BOOK XVII Of the battle around the body of Patroklos. .................................................................111

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour

of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. ...............................................................................116

Achaians, and Achilles went forth with them to battle. .....................................................................123

BOOK XX How Achilles made havoc among the men of Troy. ......................................................128

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their

gates. ...................................................................................................................................................134

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the

ships. ...................................................................................................................................................141

BOOK XXIII Of the funeral of Patroklos, and the funeral games. ...................................................147

BOOK XXIV. How the body of Hector was ransomed, and of his funeral. .....................................157

BOOK I. How Agamemnon and Achilles fell out at the siege of Troy; and Achilles withdrew himself from

battle, and won from Zeus a pledge that his wrong should be avenged on Agamemnon and the Achaians.

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their

marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans.

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and

BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and parted in

friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his wife.

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building

BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus.

BOOK XIV How Sleep and Hera beguiled Zeus to slumber on the heights of Ida, and Poseidon spurred on

BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the Trojans. Fire is

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of

BOOK XIX How Achilles and Agamemnon were reconciled before the assembly of the Achaians, and

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates.

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships.

The execution of this version of the ILIAD has been entrusted to the three Translators in the following three

Each Translator is therefore responsible for his own portion; but the whole has been revised by all three

Translators, and the rendering of passages or phrases recurring in more than one portion has been determined

after deliberation in common. Even in these, however, a certain elasticity has been deemed desirable.

On a few doubtful points, though very rarely, the opinion of two of the translators has had to be adopted to

the suppression of that held by the third. Thus, for instance, the Translator of Books X. XVI. Would have

The text followed has been that of La Roche (Leipzig, 1873), except where the adoption of a different reading

has been specified in a footnote. Where the balance of evidence, external and internal, has seemed to the

Translator to be against the genuineness of the passage, such passage has been enclosed in brackets [].

The Translator of Books X. XVI. Has to thank Mr. R.W. Raper, Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, for his

valuable aid in revising the proofsheets of these Books. NOTE TO REVISED EDITION

In the present Edition the translation has been carefully revised throughout, and numerous minor corrections

have been made. The Notes at the end of the volume have been, with a few exceptions, omitted; one of the

Translators hopes to publish very shortly a Companion to the Iliad for English readers, which will deal fully

The use of square brackets has in this edition been restricted to passages where there is external evidence,

such as absence from the best MSS., for believing in interpolation. One or two departures from this Rule are

The reader will perhaps also be helped by the following list of the Greek and Latin names of the gods and

goddesses who play important parts in the narrative. When the Greek names and new to him, there

Sing, goddess, the wrath of Achilles Peleus' son, the ruinous wrath that brought on the Achaians woes

innumerable, and hurled down into Hades many strong souls of heroes, and gave their bodies to be a prey to

dogs and all winged fowls; and so the counsel of Zeus wrought out its accomplishment from the day when

Who among the gods set the twain at strife and variance? Apollo, the son of Leto and of Zeus; for he in anger

at the king sent a sore plague upon the host, so that the folk began to perish, because Atreides had done

dishonour to Chryses the priest. For the priest had come to the Achaians' fleet ships to win his daughter's

freedom, and brought a ransom beyond telling; and bare in his hands the fillet of Apollo the Fardarter upon

a golden staff; and made his prayer unto all the Achaians, and most of all to the two sons of Atreus, orderers

of the host; "Ye sons of Atreus and all ye wellgreaved Achaians, now may the gods that dwell in the

mansions of Olympus grant you to lay waste the city of Priam, and to fare happily homeward; only set ye my

dear child free, and accept the ransom in reverence to the son of Zeus, fardarting Apollo."

Then all the other Achaians cried assent, to reverence the priest and accept his goodly ransom; yet the thing

pleased not the heart of Agamemnon son of Atreus, but he roughly sent him away, and laid stern charge upon

him, saying: "Let me not find thee, old man, amid the hollow ships, whether tarrying now or returning again

hereafter, lest the staff and fillet of the god avail thee naught. And her will I not set free; nay, ere that shall

old age come on her in our house, in Argos, far from her native land, where she shall ply the loom and serve

So said he, and the old man was afraid and obeyed his word, and fared silently along the shore of the

loudsounding sea. Then went that aged man apart and prayed aloud to king Apollo, whom Leto of the fair

BOOK I. How Agamemnon and Achilles fell out at the siege of Troy; and Achilles withdrew himself from battle, and won from Zeus a pledge that his wrong should be avenged on Agamemnon and the Achaians. 3

locks bare: "Hear me, god of the silver bow, that standest over Chryse and holy Killa, and rulest Tenedos

with might, O Smintheus! If ever I built a temple gracious in thine eyes, or if ever I burnt to thee fat flesh of

thighs of bulls or goats, fulfil thou this my desire; let the Danaans pay by thine arrows for my tears."

So spake he in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him, and came down from the peaks of Olympus wroth at

heart, bearing on his shoulders his bow and covered quiver. And the arrows clanged upon his shoulders in

wrath, as the god moved; and he descended like to night. Then he sate him aloof from the ships, and let an

arrow fly; and there was heard a dread clanging of the silver bow. First did the assail the mules and fleet

dogs, but afterward, aiming at the men his piercing dart, he smote; and the pyres of the dead burnt continually

Now for nine days ranged the god's shafts through the host; but on the tenth Achilles summoned the folk to

assembly, for in his mind did goddess Hera of white arms put the thought, because she had pity on the

Danaans when she beheld them perishing. Now when they had gathered and were met in assembly, then

Achilles fleet of foot stood up and spake among them: "Son of Atreus, now deem I that we shall return

wandering home againif verily we might escape deathif war at once and pestilence must indeed ravage

the Achaians. But come, let us now inquire of some soothsayer or priest, yea, or an interpreter of

dreamsseeing that a dream too is of Zeuswho shall say wherefore Phoebus Apollo is so wroth, whether

he blame us by reason of vow or hecatomb; if perchance he would accept the savour of lambs or unblemished

So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up before them Kalchas son of Thestor, most excellent far of

augurs, who knew both things that were and that should be and that had been before, and guided the ships of

the Achaians to Ilios by his soothsaying that Phoebus Apollo bestowed on him. He of good intent made

harangue and spake amid them: "Achilles, dear to Zeus, thou biddest me tell the wrath of Apollo, the king

that smiteth afar. Therefore will I speak; but do thou make covenant with me, and swear that verily with all

thy heart thou wilt aid me both by word and deed. For of a truth I deem that I shall provoke one that ruleth all

the Argives with might, and whom the Achaians obey. For a king is more of might when he is wroth with a

meaner man; even though for the one day he swallow his anger, yet doth he still keep his displeasure

thereafter in his breast till he accomplish it. Consider thou, then, if thou wilt hold me safe."

And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and spake to him: "Yea, be of good courage, speak whatever

soothsaying thou knowest; for by Apollo dear to Zeus, him by whose worship thou, O Kalchas, declarest thy

soothsaying to the Danaans, not even if thou mean Agamemnon, that now avoweth him to be greatest far of

Then was the noble seer of good courage, and spake: "Neither by reason of a vow is he displeased, nor for

any hecatomb, but for his priest's sake to whom Agamemnon did despite, and set not his daughter free and

accepted not the ransom; therefore hath the Fardarter brought woes upon us, yea, and will bring. Nor will he

ever remove the loathly pestilence from the Danaans till we have given the brighteyed damsel to her father,

unbought, unransomed, and carried a holy hecatomb to Chryse; then might we propitiate him to our prayer."

So said he and sate him down, and there stood up before them the hero son of Atreus, wideruling

Agamemnon, sore displeased; and his dark heart within him was greatly filled with anger, and his eyes were

like flashing fire. To Kalchas first spake he with look of ill: "Thou seer of evil, never yet hast thou told me

the thing that is pleasant. Evil is ever the joy of thy heart to prophesy, but never yet didst thou tell any good

matter nor bring to pass. And now with soothsaying thou makest harangue among the Danaans, how that the

Fardarter bringeth woes upon them because, forsooth, I would not take the goodly ransom of the damsel

Chryseis, seeing I am the rather fain to keep her own self within mine house. Yea, I prefer her before

Klytaimnestra my wedded wife; in no wise is she lacking beside her, neither in favour nor stature, nor wit nor

skill. Yet for all this will I give her back, if that is better; rather would I see my folk whole than perishing.

Only make ye me ready a prize of honour forthwith, lest I alone of all the Argives be disprized, which thing

To him then made answer fleetfooted goodly Achilles: "Most noble son of Atreus, of all men most

covetous, how shall the greathearted Achaians give thee a meed of honour? We know naught of any wealth

of common store, but what spoil soe'er we took from captured cities hath been apportioned, and it beseemeth

not to beg all this back from the folk. Nay, yield thou the damsel to the god, and we Achaians will pay thee

back threefold and fourfold, if ever Zeus grant us to sack some wellwalled town of Troyland."

To him lord Agamemnon made answer and said: "Not in this wise, strong as thou art, O godlike Achilles,

beguile thou me by craft; thou shalt not outwit me nor persuade me. Dost thou wish, that thou mayest keep

thy meed of honour, for me to sit idle in bereavement, and biddest me give her back? Nay, if the

greathearted Achaians will give me a meed suited to my mind, that the recompense be equalbut if they

give it not, then I myself will go and take a meed of honour, thine be it or Aias', or Odysseus' that I will take

unto me; wroth shall he be to whomsoever I come. But for this we will take counsel hereafter; now let us

launch a black ship on the great sea, and gather picked oarsmen, and set therein a hecatomb, and embark

Chryseis of the fair cheeks herself, and let one of our counsellors be captain, Aias or Idomeneus or goodly

Odysseus, or thou, Peleides, most redoubtable of men, to do sacrifice for us and propitiate the Fardarter."

Then Achilles fleet of foot looked at him scowling and said: "Ah me, thou clothed in shamelessness, thou of

crafty mind, how shall any Achaian hearken to thy bidding with all his heart, be it to go a journey or to fight

the foe amain? Not by reason of the Trojan spearmen came I hither to fight, for they have not wronged me;

never did they harry mine oxen nor my horses, nor ever waste my harvest in deepsoiled Phthia, the nurse of

men; seeing there lieth between us long space of shadowy mountains and sounding sea; but thee, thou

shameless one, followed we hither to make thee glad, by earning recompense at the Trojans' hands for

Menelaos and for thee, thou dogface! All this thou threatenest thyself to take my meed of honour, wherefor

I travailed much, and the sons of the Achaians gave it me. Never win I meed like unto thine, when the

Achaians sack any populous citadel of Trojan men; my hands bear the brunt of furious war, but when the

apportioning cometh then is thy meed far ampler, and I betake me to the ships with some small thing, yet my

own, when I have fought to weariness. Now will I depart to Phthia, seeing it is far better to return home on

my beaked ships; nor am I minded here in dishonour to draw thee thy fill of riches and wealth."

Then Agamemnon king of men made answer to him "yea, flee, if thy soul be set thereon. It is not I that

beseech thee to tarry for my sake; I have others by my side that shall do me honour, and above all Zeus, lord

of counsel. Most hateful art thou to me of all kings, fosterlings of Zeus; thou ever lovest strife and wars and

fightings. Though thou be very strong, yet that I ween is a gift to thee of God. Go home with thy ships and

company and lord it among thy Myrmidons.; I reck not aught of thee nor care I for thine indignation; and all

this shall be my threat to thee: seeing Phoebus Apollo bereaveth me of Chryseis, her with my ship and my

company will I send back; and mine own self will I go to thy hut and take Briseis of the fair cheeks, even that

thy meed of honour, that thou mayest well know how far greater I am than thou, and so shall another

So said he, and grief came upon Peleus' son, and his heart within his shaggy breast was divided in counsel,

whether to draw his keen blade from his thigh and set the company aside and so slay Atreides, or to assuage

his anger and curb his soul. While yet he doubted thereof in heart and soul, and was drawing his great sword

from his sheath, Athene came to him from heaven, sent forth of the whitearmed goddess Hera, whose heart

loved both alike and had care for them. She stood behind Peleus' son and caught him by his golden hair, to

him only visible, and of the rest no man beheld her. Then Achilles marvelled, and turned him about, and

straightway knew Pallas Athene; and terribly shone her eyes. He spake to her winged words, and said: "Why

now art thou come hither, thou daughter of aegisbearing Zeus? Is it to behold the insolence of Agamemnon,

son of Atreus. Yea, I will tell thee that I deem shall even be brought to pass: by his own haughtinesses shall

Then the brighteyed goddess Athene spake to him again: "I came from heaven to stay thine anger, if

perchance thou wilt hearken to me, being sent forth if the whitearmed goddess Hera, that loveth you twain

alike and careth for you. Go to now, cease from strife, and let not thine hand draw the sword; yet with words

indeed revile him, even as it shall come to pass. For thus will I say to thee, and so it shall be fulfilled;

hereafter shall goodly gifts come to thee, yea in threefold measure, by reason of this despite; hold thou thine

And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to her: "Goddess, needs must a man observe the saying of

you twain, even though he be very wroth at heart; for so is the better way. Whosoever obeyeth the gods, to

He said, and stayed his heavy hand on the silver hilt, and thrust the great Sword back into the sheath, and was

not disobedient to the saying of Athene; and she forthwith was departed to Olympus, to the other gods in the

Then Peleus' son spake again with bitter words to Atreus' son, and in no wise ceased from anger: "Thou

heavy with wine, thou with face of dog and heart of deer, never didst thou take courage to arm for battle

among thy folk or to lay ambush with the princes of the Achaians; that to thee were even as death. Far better

booteth it, for sooth, to seize for thyself the meed of honour of every man through the wide host of the

Achaians that speaketh contrary to thee. Folkdevouring king! seeing thou rulest men of naught; else were

this despite, thou son of Atreus, thy last. But I will speak my word to thee, and swear a mighty oath

therewith: verily by this staff that shall no more put forth leaf or twig, seeing it hath for ever left its trunk

among the hills, neither shall it grow green again, because the axe hath stripped it of leaves and bark; and

now the sons of the Achaians that exercise judgment bear it in their hands, even they that by Zeus' command

watch over the traditionsso shall this be a mighty oath in thine eyesverily shall longing for Achilles

come hereafter upon the sons of the Achaians one and all; and then wilt thou in no wise avail to save them,

for all thy grief, when multitudes fall dying before manslaying Hector. Then shalt thou tear thy heart within

So said Peleides and dashed to earth the staff studded with golden nails, and himself sat down; and over

against him Atreides waxed furious. Then in their midst rose up Nestor, pleasant of speech, the clearvoiced

orator of the Pylians, he from whose tongue flowed discourse sweeter than honey. Two generations of mortal

men already had he seen perish, that had been of old time born and nurtured with him in goodly Pylos, and he

was king among the third. He of good intent made harangue to them and said: "Alas, of a truth sore

lamentation cometh upon the land of Achaia. Verily Priam would be glad and Priam's sons, and all the

Trojans would have great joy of heart, were they to hear all this tale of strife between you twain that are

chiefest of the Danaans in counsel and chiefest in battle. Nay, hearken to me; ye are younger both than I. Of

old days held I converse with better men even than you, and never did they make light of me. Yea, I never

beheld such warriors, nor shall behold, as were Peirithoos and Dryas shepherd of the host and Kaineus and

Exadios and godlike Polyphemos [and Theseus son of Aigeus, like to the Immortals]. Mightiest of growth

were they of all men upon the earth; mightiest they were and with the mightiest fought they, even the wild

tribes of the Mountain caves, and destroyed them utterly. And with these held I converse, being come from

Pylos, from a distant land afar; for of themselves they summoned me. So I played my part in fight; and with

them could none of men that are now on earth do battle. And they laid to heart my counsels and hearkened to

my voice. Even so hearken ye also, for better is it to hearken. Neither do thou, though thou art very great,

seize from him his damsel, but leave her as she was given at the first by the sons of the Achaians to be a meed

of honour; nor do thou, son of Peleus, think to strive with a king, might against might; seeing that no

common honour pertaineth to a sceptred king to whom Zeus apportioneth glory. Though thou be strong, and

a goddess mother bare thee, yet his is the greater place, for he is king over more. And thou, Atreides, abate

thy fury; nay, it is even I that beseech thee to let go thine anger with Achilles, who is made unto all the

Then lord Agamemnon answered and said: "Yea verily, old man, all this thou sayest is according unto right.

But this fellow would be above all others, he would be lord of all and king among all and captain to all;

wherein I deem none will hearken to him. Though the immortal gods made him a spearman, do they therefore

Then goodly Achilles brake in on him and answered: "Yea, for I should be called coward and man of naught,

if I yield to thee in every matter, howsoe'er thou bid. To others give now thine orders, not to me [play master;

for thee I deem that I shall no more obey]. This, moreover, will I say to thee, and do thou lay it to thy heart.

Know that not by violence will I strive for the damsel's sake, neither with thee nor any other; ye gave and ye

have taken away. But of all else that is mine beside my fleet black ship, thereof shalt thou not take anything

or bear it away against my will. Yea, go to now, make trial, that all these may see; forthwith thy dark blood

Now when the twain had thus finished the battle of violent words, they stood up and dissolved the assembly

beside the Achaian ships. Peleides went his way to his huts and trim ships with Menoitios' son [Patroklos]

and his company; and Atreides launched a fleet ship on the sea, and picked twenty oarsmen therefor, and

embarked the hecatomb for the god, and brought Chryseis of the fair cheeks and set her therein; and

So these embarked and sailed over the wet ways; and Atreides bade the folk purify themselves. So they

purified themselves, and cast the defilements into the sea and did sacrafice to Apollo, even unblemished

hecatombs of bulls and goats, along the shore of the unvintaged sea; and the sweet savour arose to heaven

Thus were they busied throughout the host; but Agamemnon ceased not from the strife wherewith he

threatened Achilles at the first; he spake to Talthybios and Eurybates that were his heralds and nimble

squires: "Go ye to the tent of Achilles Peleus' son, and take Briseis of the fair cheeks by the hand and lead her

hither; and if he give her not, then will I myself go, and more with me, and seize her; and that will be yet

So saying he sent them forth, and laid stern charge upon them. Unwillingly went they along the beach of the

unvintaged sea, and came to the huts and ships of the Myrmidons. Him found they sitting beside his hut and

black ship; nor when he saw them was Achilles glad. So they in dread and reverence of the king stood, and

spake to him no word, nor questioned him. But he knew in his heart, and spake to them: "All hail, ye heralds,

messengers of Zeus and men, come near; ye are not guilty in my sight, but Agamemnon that sent you for the

sake of the damsel Briseis. Go now, heavensprung Patroklos, bring forth the damsel, and give them her to

lead away. Moreover, let the twain themselves be my witnesses before the face of the blessed gods and

mortal men, yea and of him, that king untoward, against the day when there cometh need of me hereafter to

save them all from shameful wreck. Of a truth he raveth with baleful mind, and hath not knowledge to look

before and after, that so his Achaians might battle in safety beside their ships."

So said he, and Patroklos hearkened to his dear comrade, and led forth from the hut Briseis of the fair cheeks,

and gave them her to lead away. So these twain took their way back along the Achaians' ships, and with them

went the woman all unwilling. Then Achilles wept anon, and sat him down apart, aloof from his comrades on

the beach of the grey sea, gazing across the boundless main; he stretched forth his hands and prayed instantly

to his dear mother: "Mother, seeing thou didst of a truth bear me to so brief span of life, honour at the least

ought the Olympian to have granted me, even Zeus that thundereth on high; but now doth he not honour me,

no, not one whit. Verily Atreus' son, wideruling Agamemnon, hath done me dishonour; for he hath taken

So spake he weeping, and his lady mother heard him as she sate in the seadepths beside her aged sire. With

speed arose she from the grey sea, like a mist, and sate her before the face of her weeping son, and stroked

him with her hand, and spake and called on his name: "My child, why weepest thou? What sorrow hath

entered into they heart? Speak it forth, hide it not in thy mind, that both may know it."

Then with heavy moan Achilles fleet of foot spake to her: "Thou knowest it; why should I tell this to thee that

knowest all! We had fared to Thebe, the holy city of Eetion, and laid it waste and carried hither all the spoils.

So the sons of the Achaians divided among them all aright; and for Atreides they set apart Chryseis of the fair

cheeks. But Chryses, priest of Apollo the Fardarter, came unto the fleet ships of the mailclad Achaians to

win his daughter's freedom, and brought a ransom beyond telling, and bare in his hands the fillet of Apollo

the Fardarter upon a golden staff, and made his prayer unto all the Achaians, and most of all to the two sons

of Atreus, orderers of the host. Then all the other Achaians cried assent, to reverence the priest and accept his

goodly ransom; yet the thing pleased not the heart of Agamemnon son of Atreus, but he roughly sent him

away and laid stern charge upon him. So the old man went back in anger; and Apollo heard his prayers,

seeing he loved him greatly, and he aimed against the Argives his deadly darts. So the people began to perish

in multitudes, and the god's shafts ranged everywhither throughout the wide host of the Achaians. Then of

full knowledge the seer declared to us the oracle of the Fardarter. Forthwith I first bade propitiate the god;

but wrath gat hold upon Atreus' son thereat, and anon he stood up and spake a threatening word, that hath

now been accomplished. Her the glancing eyed Achaians are bringing on their fleet ship to Chryse, and bear

with them offerings to the king; and the other but now the heralds went and took from my hut, even the

daughter of Briseus, whom the sons of the Achaians gave me. Thou therefore, if indeed thou canst, guard

thine own son; betake thee to Olympus and beseech Zeus by any word whereby thou ever didst make glad his

heart. For oft have I heard thee proclaiming in my father's halls and telling that thou alone amid the immortals

didst save the son of Kronos, lord of the stormcloud, from shameful wreck, when all the other Olympians

would have bound him, even Hera and Poseidon and Pallas Athene. Then didst thou, O goddess, enter in and

loose him from his bonds, having with speed summoned to high Olympus him of the hundred arms whom

gods call Briareus, but all men call Aigaion; for he is mightier even than his fatherso he sate him by

Kronion's side rejoicing in his triumph, and the blessed gods feared him withal and bound not Zeus. This

bring thou to his remembrance and sit by him and clasp his knees, if perchance he will give succour to the

Trojans; and for the Achaians, hem them among their ships' sterns about the bay, given over to slaughter; that

they may make trial of their king, and that even Atreides, wideruling Agamemnon, may perceive his

Then Thetis weeping made answer to him: "Ah me, my child, why reared I thee, cursed in my motherhood?

Would thou hadst been left tearless and griefless amid the ships, seeing thy lot is very brief and endureth no

long while; but now art thou made shortlived alike and lamentable beyond all men; in an evil hour I bare

thee in our halls. But I will go myself to snowclad Olympus to tell this thy saying to Zeus, whose joy is in

the thunder, [perhaps rather, "hurler of the thunderbolt."] if perchance he may hearken to me. But tarry thou

now amid thy fleetfaring ships, and continue wroth with the Achaians, and refrain utterly from battle: for

Zeus went yesterday to Okeanos, unto the noble Ethiopians for a feast, and all the gods followed with him;

but on the twelfth day will he return to Olympus, and then will I fare to Zeus' palace of the bronze threshold,

So saying she went her way and left him there, vexed in spirit for the fairgirdled woman's sake, whom they

had taken perforce despite his will: and meanwhile Odysseus came to Chryse with the holy hecatomb. When

they were now entered within the deep haven, they furled their sails and laid them in the black ship, and

lowered the mast by the forestays and brought it to the crutch with speed, and rowed her with oars to the

anchorage. Then they cast out the mooring stones and made fast the hawsers, and so themselves went forth on

to the seabeach, and forth they brought the hecatomb for the Fardarter Apollo, and forth came Chryseis

withal from the seafaring ship. Then Odysseus of many counsels brought her to the altar and gave her into her

father's arms, and spake unto him: "Chryses, Agamemnon king of men sent me hither to bring thee thy

daughter, and to offer to Phoebus a holy hecatomb on the Danaans' behalf, wherewith to propitiate the king

So saying he gave her to his arms, and he gladly took his dear child; and anon they set in order for the god the

holy hecatomb about his wellbuilded altar; next washed they their hands and took up the barley meal. Then

Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed aloud for them: "Hearken to me, god of the silver bow that standest

over Chryse and holy Killa, and rulest Tenedos with might; even as erst thou heardest my prayer, and didst

me honour, and mightily afflictest the people of the Achaians, even so now fulfil me this my desire: remove

So spake he in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Now when they had prayed and sprinkled the barley

meal, first they drew back the victims' heads and slaughtered them and flayed them, and cut slices from the

thighs and wrapped them in fat, making a double fold, and laid raw collops thereon, and the old man burnt

them on cleft wood and made libation over them of gleaming wine; and at his side the young men in their

hands held fivepronged forks. Now when the thighs were burnt and they had tasted the vitals, then sliced

they all the rest and pierced it through with spits, and roasted it carefully, and drew all off again. So when

they had rest from the task and had made ready the banquet, they feasted, nor was their heart aught stinted of

the fair banquet. But when they had put away from them the desire of meat and drink, the young men

crowned the bowls with wine, and gave each man his portion after the drinkoffering had been poured into

the cups. So all day long worshipped they the god with music, singing the beautiful paean, the sons of the

Achaians making music to the Fardarter [or, "the Averter" (of pestilence)]; and his heart was glad to hear.

And when the sun went down and darkness came on them, they laid them to sleep beside the ship's hawsers;

and when rosyfingered Dawn appeared, the child of morning, then set they sail for the wide camp of the

Achaians; and Apollo the Fardarter sent them a favouring gale. They set up their mast and spread the white

sails forth, and the wind filled the sail's belly and the dark wave sang loud about the stem as the ship made

way, and she sped across the wave, accomplishing her journey. So when they were now come to the wide

camp of the Achaians, they drew up their black ship to land high upon the sands, and set in line the long

But he sat by his swiftfaring ships, still wroth, even the heaven sprung son of Peleus, Achilles fleet of foot;

he betook him neither to the assembly that is the hero's glory, neither to war, but consumed his heart in

Now when the twelfth morn thereafter was come, then the gods that are for ever fared to Olympus all in

company, led of Zeus. And Thetis forgat not her son's charge, but rose up from the seawave, and at early

morn mounted up to great heaven and Olympus. There found she Kronos' son of the farsounding voice

sitting apart from all on the topmost peak of manyridged Olympus. So she sat before his face and with her

left hand clasped his knees, and with her right touched him beneath his chin, and spake in prayer to king Zeus

son of Kronos: "Father Zeus, if ever I gave thee aid amid the immortal gods, whether by word or deed, fulfil

thou this my desire: do honour to my son, that is doomed to earliest death of all men: now hath Agamemnon

king of men done him dishonour, for he hath taken away his meed of honour and keepeth her of his own

violent deed. But honour thou him, Zeus of Olympus, lord of counsel; grant thou victory to the Trojans the

So spake she; but Zeus the cloudgatherer said no word to her, and sat long time in silence. But even as

Thetis had clasped his knees, so held she by him clinging, and questioned him yet a second time: "Promise

me now this thing verily, and bow thy head thereto; or else deny me, seeing there is naught for thee to fear;

Then Zeus the cloudgatherer, sore troubled, spake to her: "Verily it is a sorry matter, if thou wilt set me at

variance with Hera, whene'er she provoketh me with taunting words. Even now she upbraideth me ever amid

the immortal gods, and saith that I aid the Trojans in battle. But do thou now depart again, lest Hera mark

aught; and I will take thought for these things to fulfil them. Come now, I will bow my head to thee, that thou

mayest be of good courage; for that, of my part, is the surest token amid the immortals; no word of mine is

revocable nor false nor unfulfilled when the bowing of my head hath pledged it."

Kronion spake, and bowed his dark brow, and the ambrosial locks waved from the king's immortal head; and

Thus the twain took counsel and parted; she leapt therewith into the deep sea from glittering Olympus, and

Zeus fared to his own palace. All the gods in company arose from their seats before their father's face; neither

ventured any to await his coming, but stood up all before him. So he sate him there upon his throne; but Hera

saw, and was not ignorant how that the daughter of the Ancient of the sea, Thetis the silverfooted, had

devised counsel with him. Anon with taunting words spake she to Zeus the son of Kronos: "Now who among

the gods, thou crafty of mind, hath devised counsel with thee? It is ever thy good pleasure to hold aloof from

me and in secret meditation to give thy judgments, nor of thine own good will hast thou ever brought thyself

Then the father of gods and men made answer her: "Hera, think not thou to know all my sayings; hard they

are for thee, even though thou art my wife. But whichsoever it is seemly for thee to hear, none sooner than

thou shall know, be he god or man. Only when I will to take thought aloof from the gods, then do not thou

Then Hera the oxeyed queen made answer to him. "Most dread son of Kronos, what word is this thou hast

spoken? Yea, surely of old I have not asked thee nor made question, but in my heart sore afraid lest thou have

been won over by silverfooted Thetis, daughter of the Ancient of the sea, for she at early morn sat by thee

and clasped thy knees. To her I deem thou gavest a sure pledge that thou wilt do honour to Achilles, and lay

To her made answer Zeus the cloudgatherer: "Lady, Good lack! ever art thou imagining, nor can I escape

thee; yet shalt thou in no wise have power to fulfil, but wilt be the further from my heart; that shall be even

the worse for thee. And if it be so, then such must my good pleasure be. Abide thou in silence and hearken to

my bidding, lest all the gods that are in Olympus keep not off from thee my visitation, when I put forth my

He said, and Hera the oxeyed queen was afraid, and sat in silence, curbing her heart; but throughout Zeus'

palace the gods of heaven were troubled. Then Hephaistos the famed craftsman began to make harangue

among them, to do kindness to his mother, whitearmed Hera: "Verily this will be a sorry matter, neither any

more endurable, if ye twain thus fight for mortals' sakes, and bring wrangling among the gods; neither will

there any more be joy of the goodly feast, seeing that evil triumpheth. So I give counsel to my mother, though

herself is wise, to do kindness to our dear father Zeus, that our father upbraid us not again and cast the

banquet in confusion. What if the Olympian, the lord of the lightning, will to dash us from our seats! for he is

strongest far. Nay, approach thou him with gentle words, then will the Olympian forthwith be gracious unto

So speaking he rose up and sat in his dear mother's hand the twyhandled cup, and spake to her: "Be of good

courage, mother mine, and endure, though thou art vexed, lest I behold thee, thou art so dear, chastised before

mine eyes, and then shall I not be able for all my sorrow to save thee; for the Olympian is a hard foe to face.

Yea, once ere this, when I was fain to save thee, he caught me by my foot and hurled me from the heavenly

threshold; all day I flew, and at the set of sun I fell in Lemnos, and little life was in me. There did the Sintian

He spake, and the whitearmed goddess Hera smiled, and smiling took the cup at her son's hand. Then he

poured wine to all the other gods from right to left, ladling the sweet nectar from the bowl. And laughter

unquenchable arose amid the blessed gods to see Hephaistos bustling through the palace.

So feasted they al day till the setting of the sun; nor was their soul aught stinted of the fair banquet, nor of the

beauteous lyre that Apollo held, and the Muses singing alternately with sweet voice.

Now when the bright light of the sun was set, these went each to his own house to sleep, where each one had

his palace made with cunning device by famed Hephaistos the lame god; and Zeus the Olympian, the lord of

lightning, departed to his couch where he was wont of old to take his rest, whenever sweet sleep visited him.

Now all other gods and chariotdriving men slept all night long, only Zeus was not holden of sweet sleep;

rather was he pondering in his heart how he should do honour to Achilles and destroy many beside the

Achaians' ships. And this design seemed to his mind the best, to wit, to send a baneful dream upon

Agamemnon son of Atreus. So he spake, and uttered to him winged words: "Come now, thou baneful Dream,

go to the Achaians' fleet ships, enter into the hut of Agamemnon son of Atreus, and tell him every word

plainly as I charge thee. Bid him call to arms the flowinghaired Achaians with all speed, for that now he

may take the widewayed city of the Trojans. For the immortals that dwell in the halls of Olympus are no

longer divided in counsel, since Hera hath turned the minds of all by her beseeching, and over the Trojans

So spake he, and the Dream went his way when he had heard the charge. With speed he came to the

Achaians' fleet ships, and went to Agamemnon son of Atreus, and found him sleeping in his hut, and

ambrosial slumber poured over him. So he stood over his head in seeming like unto the son of Neleus, even

Nestor, whom most of all the elders Agamemnon honoured; in his likeness spake to him the heavenly Dream:

"Sleepest thou, son of wise Atreus tamer of horses? To sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a

counsellor, to whom peoples are entrusted and so many cares belong. But now hearken straightway to me, for

I am a messenger to thee from Zeus, who though he be afar yet hath great care for thee and pity. He biddeth

thee call to arms the flowinghaired Achaians with all speed, for that now thou mayest take the widewayed

city of the Trojans. For the immortals that dwell in the halls of Olympus are no longer divided in counsel,

since Hera hath turned the minds of all by her beseeching, and over the Trojans sorrows hang by the will of

Zeus. But do thou keep this in thy heart, not let forgetfulness come upon thee when honeyed sleep shall leave

So spake the Dream, and departed and left him there, deeming in his mind things that were not to be fulfilled.

For indeed he thought to take Priam's city that very day; fond man, in that he knew not the plans that Zeus

had in mind, who was willed to bring yet more grief and wailing on Trojans alike and Danaans throughout

the course of stubborn fights. Then woke he from sleep, and the heavenly voice was in his ears. So he rose up

sitting, and donned his soft tunic, fair and bright, and cast around him his great cloak, and beneath his

glistering feet he bound his fair sandals, and over his shoulders cast his silverstudded sword, and grasped his

sires' sceptre, imperishable for ever, wherewith he took his way amid the mailclad Achaians' ships.

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 11

Now went the goddess Dawn to high Olympus, foretelling daylight to Zeus and all the immortals; and the

king bade the clearvoiced heralds summon to the assembly the flowinghaired Achaians. So did those

But first the council of the greathearted elders met beside the ship of king Nestor the Pylosborn. And he

that had assembled them framed his cunning counsel: "Hearken, my friends. A dream from heaven came to

me in my sleep through the ambrosial night, and chiefly to goodly Nestor was very like in shape and bulk and

stature. And it stood over my head and charged me saying: 'Sleepest thou, son of wise Atreus tamer of

horses? To sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a counsellor, to whom peoples are entrusted and

so many cares belong. But now hearken straightway to me, for I am a messenger to thee from Zeus, who

though he be afar yet hath great care for thee and pity. He biddeth thee call to arms the flowinghaired

Achaians with all speed, for that now thou mayest take the widewayed city of the Trojans. For the

immortals that dwell in the palaces of Olympus are no longer divided in counsel, since Hera hath turned the

minds of all by her beseeching, and over the Trojans sorrows hang by the will of Zeus. But do thou keep this

in thy heart.' So spake the dream and was flown away, and sweet sleep left me. So come, let us now call to

arms as we may the sons of the Achaians. But first I will speak to make trial of them as is fitting, and bid

them flee with their benched ships; only do ye from this side and from that speak to hold them back."

So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up among them Nestor, who was king of sandy Pylos. He of

good intent made harangue to them and said: "My friends, captains and rulers of the Argives, had any other

of the Achaians told us this dream we might deem it a false thing, and rather turn away therefrom; but now he

hath seen it who of all Achaians avoweth himself far greatest. So come, let us call to arms as we may the sons

So spake he, and led the way forth from the council, and all the other sceptred chiefs rose with him and

obeyed the shepherd of the host; and the people hastened to them. Even as when the tribes of thronging bees

issue from the hollow rock, ever in fresh procession, and fly clustering among the flowers of spring, and

some on this hand and some on that fly thick; even so from ships and huts before the low beach marched

forth their many tribes by companies to the place of assembly. And in their midst blazed forth Rumour,

messenger of Zeus, urging them to go; and so they gathered. And the place of assemblage was in an uproar,

and the earth echoed again as the hosts sate them down, and there was turmoil. Nine heralds restrained them

with shouting, if perchance they might refrain from clamour, and hearken to their kings, the fosterlings of

Zeus. And hardly at the last would the people sit, and keep them to their benches and cease from noise. Then

stood up lord Agamemnon bearing his sceptre, that Hephaistos had wrought curiously. Hephaistos gave it to

king Zeus son of Kronos, and then Zeus gave it to the messengergod the slayer of Argus [Or, possibly, "the

swiftappearing"]; and king Hermes gave it to Pelops the charioteer, and Pelops again gave it to Atreus

shepherd of the host. And Atreus dying left it to Thyestes rich in flocks, and Thyestes in his turn left it to

Agamemnon to bear, that over many islands and all Argos he should be lord. Thereon he leaned and spake his

"My friends, Danaan warriors, men of Ares' company, Zeus Kronos' son hath bound me with might in

grievous blindness of soul; hard of heart is he, for that erewhile he promised me and pledged his nod that not

till I had wasted wellwalled Ilios should I return; but now see I that he planned a cruel wile and biddeth me

return to Argos dishonoured, with the loss of many of my folk. So meseems it pleaseth most mighty Zeus,

who hath laid low the head of many a city, yea, and shall lay low; for his is highest power. Shame is this even

for them that come after to hear; how so goodly and great a folk of the Achaians thus vainly warred a bootless

war, and fought scantier enemies, and no end thereof is yet seen. For if perchance we were minded, both

Achaians and Trojans, to swear a solemn truce, and to number ourselves, and if the Trojans should gather

together all that have their dwellings in the city, and we Achaians should marshal ourselves by tens, and

every company choose a Trojan to pour their wine, then would many tens lack a cupbearer: so much, I say,

do the sons of the Achaians outnumber the Trojans that dwell within the city. But allies from many cities,

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 12

even warriors that wield the spear, are therein, and they hinder me perforce, and for all my will suffer me not

to waste the populous citadel of Ilios. Already have nine years of great Zeus passed away, and our ships'

timbers have rotted and the tackling is loosed; while there our wives and little children sit in our halls

awaiting us; yet is our task utterly unaccomplished wherefor we came hither. So come, even as I bid let us all

obey. Let us flee with our ships to our dear native land; for now shall we never take widewayed Troy."

So spake he, and stirred the spirit in the breasts of all throughout the multitude, as many as had not heard the

council. And the assembly swayed like high seawaves of the Icarian Main that east wind and south wind

raise, rushing upon them from the clouds of father Zeus; and even as when the west wind cometh to stir a

deep cornfield with violent blast, and the ears bow down, so was all the assembly stirred, and they with

shouting hasted toward the ships; and the dust from beneath their feet rose and stood on high. And they bade

each man his neighbor to seize the shps and drag them into the bright salt sea, and cleared out the

launchingways, and the noise went up to heaven of their hurrying homewards; and they began to take the

Then would the Argives have accomplished their return against the will of fate, but that Hera spake a word to

Athene: "Out on it, daughter of aegisbearing Zeus, unwearied maiden! Shall the Argives thus indeed flee

homeward to their dear native land over the sea's broad back? But they would leave to Priam and the Trojans

their boast, even Helen of Argos, for whose sake many an Achaian hath perished in Troy, far away from his

dear native land. But go thou now amid the host of the mailclad Achaians; with thy gentle words refrain

thou every man, neither suffer them to draw their curved ships down to the salt sea."

So spake she, and the brighteyed goddess Athene disregarded not; but went darting down from the peaks of

Olympus, and came with speed to the fleet ships of the Achaians. There found she Odysseus standing, peer of

Zeus in counsel, neither laid he any hand upon his decked black ship, because grief had entered into his heart

and soul. And brighteyed Athene stood by him and said: "Heavensprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of many

devices, will ye indeed fling yourselves upon your benched ships to flee homeward to your dear native land?

But ye would leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Helen of Argos, for whose sake many an

Achaian hath perished in Troy, far from his dear native land. But go thou now amid the host of the Achaians,

and tarry not; and with gentle words refrain every man, neither suffer them to draw their curved ships down

So said she, and he knew the voice of the goddess speaking to him, and set him to run, and cast away his

mantle, the which his herald gathered up, even Eurybated of Ithaca, that waited on him. And himself he went

to meet Agamemnon son of Atreus, and at his hand received the sceptre of his sires, imperishable for ever,

Whenever he found one that was a captain and a man of mark, he stood by his side, and refrained him with

gentle words: "Good sir, it is not seemly to affright thee like a coward, but do thou sit thyself and make all

thy folk sit down. For thou knowest not yet clearly what is the purpose of Atreus' son; now is he but making

trial, and soon he will afflict the sons of the Achaians. And heard we not all of us what he spake in the

council? Beware lest in his anger he evilly entreat the sons of the Achaians. For proud is the soul of

heavenfostered kings; because their honour is of Zeus, and the god of counsel loveth them."

But whatever man of the people he saw and found him shouting, him he drave with his sceptre and chode him

with loud words: "Good sir, sit still and hearken to the words of others that are thy betters; but thou art no

warrior, and a weakling, never reckoned whether in battle or in council. In no wise can we Achaians all be

kings here. A multitude of masters is no good thing; let there be one master, one king, to whom the son of

crookedcounselling Kronos hath granted it, [even the sceptre and judgments, that he may rule among you"].

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 13

So masterfully ranged he the host; and they hasted back to the assembly from ships and huts, with noise as

when a wave of loudsounding sea roareth on the long beach and the main resoundeth.

Now all the rest sat down and kept their place upon the benches, only Thersites still chattered on, the

uncontrolled speech, whose mind was full of words many and disorderly, wherewith to strive against the

chiefs idly and in no good order, but even as he deemed that he should make the Argives laugh. And he was

illfavored beyond all men that came to Ilios. Bandylegged was he, and lame of one foot, and his two

shoulders rounded, arched down upon his chest; and over them his head was warped, and a scanty stubble

sprouted on it. Hateful was he to Achilles above all and to Odysseus, for them he was wont to revile. But now

with shrill shout he poured forth his upbraidings upon goodly Agamemnon. With him the Achaians were sore

vexed and had indignation in their souls. But he with loud shout spake and reviled Agamemnon: "Atreides,

for what art thou now ill content and lacking? Surely thy huts are full of bronze and many women are in they

huts, the chosen spoils that we Achaians give thee first of all, whene'er we take a town. Can it be that thou yet

wantest gold as well, such as some one of the horsetaming Trojans may bring from Ilios to ransom his son,

whom I perchance or some other Achaian have led captive; or else some young girl, to know in love, whom

thou mayest keep apart to thyself? But it is not seemly for one that is their captain to bring the sons of the

Achaians to ill. Soft fools, base things of shame, ye women of Achaia and men no more, let us depart home

with our ships, and leave this fellow here in Troyland to gorge him with meeds of honour, that he may see

whether our aid avail him aught or no; even he that hath now done dishonour to Achilles, a far better man

than he; for he hath taken away his meed of honour and keepeth it by his own violent deed. Of a very surety

is there no wrath at all in Achilles' mind, but he is slack; else this despite, thou son of Atreus, were thy last."

So spake Thersites, reviling Agamemnon shepherd of the host. But goodly Odysseus came straight to his

side, and looking sternly at him with hard words rebuked him: "Thersites, reckless in words, shrill orator

though thou art, refrain thyself, nor aim to strive singly against kings. For I deem that no mortal is baser than

thou of all that with the sons of Atreus came before Ilios. Therefore were it well that thou shouldest not have

kings in thy mouth as thou talkest, and utter revilings against them and be on the watch for departure. We

know not yet clearly how these things shall be, whether we sons of the Achaians shall return for good or ill.

Therefore now dost thou revile continually Agamemnon son of Atreus, shepherd of the host, because the

Danaan warriors give him many gifts, and so thou talkest tauntingly. But I will tell thee plain, and that I say

shall even be brought to pass: if I find thee again raving as now thou art, then may Odysseus' head no longer

abide upon his shoulders, nor may I any more be called father of Telemachos, if I take thee not and strip from

thee thy garments, thy mantle and tunic that cover thy nakedness, and for thyself send thee weeping to the

So spake he, and with his staff smote his back and shoulders: and he bowed down and a big tear fell from

him, and a bloody weal stood up from his back beneath the golden sceptre. Then he sat down and was

amazed, and in pain with helpless look wiped away the tear. But the rest, though they were sotty, laughed

lightly at him, and thus would one speak looking at another standing by: "Go to, of a truth Odysseus hath

wrought good deeds without number ere now, standing foremost in wise counsels and setting battle in array,

but now is this thing the best by fat that he hath wrought among the Argives, to wit, that he hath stayed this

prating railer from his harangues. Never again, forsooth, will his proud soul henceforth bid him revile the

So said the common sort; but up rose Odysseus waster of cities, with sceptre in his hand. And by his side

brighteyed Athene in the likeness of a herald bade the multitude keep silence, that the sons of the Achaians,

both the nearest and the farthest, might hear his words together and give heed to his counsel. He of good

intent made harangue to them and said: "Atreides, now surely are the Achaians for making thee, O king, most

despised among all mortal men, nor will they fulfil the promise that they pledged thee when they still were

marching hither from horsepasturing Argos; that thou shouldest not return till thou hadst laid wellwalled

Ilios waste. For like young children or widow women do they wail each to the other of returning home. Yea,

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 14

here is toil to make a man depart disheartened. For he that stayeth away but one single month far from his

wife in his benched ship fretteth himself when winter storms and the furious sea imprison him; but for us, the

ninth year of our stay here is upon us in its course. Therefore do I not marvel that the Achaians should fret

beside their beaked ships; yet nevertheless is it shameful to wait long and to depart empty. Be of good heart,

my friends, and wait a while, until we learn whether Kalchas be a true prophet or no. For this thing verily we

know well in our hearts, and ye all are witnesses thereof, even as many as the fates of death have not borne

away. It was as it were but yesterday or the day before that the Achaians' ships were gathering in Aulis,

freighted with trouble for Priam and the Trojans; and we round about a spring were offering on the holy altars

unblemished hecatombs to the immortals, beneath a fair planetree whence flowed bright water, when there

was seen a great portent: a snake bloodred on the back, terrible, whom the god of Olympus himself had sent

forth to the light of day, sprang from beneath the altar and darted to the planetree. Now there were there the

brood of a sparrow, tender little ones, upon the topmost branch, nestling beneath the leaves; eight were they

and the mother of the little ones was the ninth, and the snake swallowed these cheeping pitifully. And the

mother fluttered around wailing for her dear little ones; but he coiled himself and caught her by the wing as

she screamed about him. Now when he had swallowed the sparrow's little ones and the mother with them, the

god who revealed him made of him a sign; for the son of crookedcounselling Kronos turned him to stone,

and we stood by and marvelled to see what was done. So when the dread portent brake in upon the hecatombs

of the gods, then did Kalchas forthwith prophesy, and said: 'Why hold ye your peace, ye flowinghaired

Achaians? To us hath Zeus the counsellor shown this great sign, late come, of late fulfilment, the fame

whereof shall never perish. Even as he swallowed the sparrow's little ones and herself, the eight wherewith

the mother that bare the little ones was the ninth, so shall we war there so many years, but in the tenth year

shall we take the widewayed city.' So spake the seer; and now are all these things being fulfilled. So come,

abide ye all, ye wellgreaved Achaians, even where ye are, until we have taken the great city of Priam."

So spake he, and the Argives shouted aloud, and all round the ships echoed terribly to the voice of the

Achaians as they praised the saying of godlike Odysseus. And then spake among them knightly Nestor of

Gerenia: "Out on it; in very truth ye hold assembly like silly boys that have no care for deeds of war. What

shall come of our covenants and our oaths? Let all counsels be cast into the fire and all devices of warriors

and the pure drinkofferings and the right hands of fellow ship wherein we trusted. For we are vainly

striving with words nor can we find any device at all, for all our long tarrying here. Son of Atreus, do thou

still, as erst, keep steadfast purpose and lead the Argives amid the violent fray; and for these, let them perish,

the one or two Achaians that take secret counselto depart to Argos first, before they know whether the

promise of aegisbearing Zeus be a lie or no. Yea, for I say that most mighty Kronion pledged us his word

that day when the Argives embarked upon their fleet ships, bearing unto the Trojans death and fate; for by his

lightning upon our right he manifested signs of good. Therefore let Trojan's wife and paid back his strivings

and groans for Helen's sake. But if any man is overmuch desirous to black ship, that before all men he may

encounter death and fate. But do thou, my king, take good counsel thyself, and whate'er it be, shall not be cast

away. Separate thy warriors by tribes and by clans, Agamemnon, that clan may give aid to clan and tribe to

tribe. If thou do thus and the Achaians hearken to thee, then wilt thou know who among thy captains and who

of the common sort is a coward, and who too is brave; for they will fight each after their sort. So wilt thou

know whether it is even by divine command that thou shalt not take the city, or by the baseness of thy

And lord Agamemnon answered and said to him: "Verily hast thou again outdone the sons of the Achaians in

speech, old man. Ah, father Zeus and Athene and Apollo, would that among the Achaians I had ten such

councillors; then would the city of king Priam soon bow beneath our hands, captive and wasted. But

aegisbearing Zeus, the son of Kronos, hath brought sorrows upon me, in that he casteth my lot amid fruitless

wranglings and strifes. For in truth I and Achilles fought about a damsel with violent words, and I was first to

be angry; but if we can only be at one in council, then will there no more be any putting off the day of evil for

the Trojans, no not for an instant. But now go ye to your meal that we may join battle. Let each man sharpen

well his spear and bestow well his shield, and let him well give his fleetfooted steeds their meal, and look

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 15

well to his chariot on every side and take thought for battle, that all day long we may contend in hateful war.

For of respite shall there intervene no, not a whit, only that the coming of night shall part the fury of warriors.

On each man's breast shall the baldrick of his covering shield be wet with sweat, and his hand shall grow

faint about the spear, and each man's horse shall sweat as he draweth the polished chariot. And whomsoever I

perceive minded to tarry far from the fight beside the beaked ships, for him shall there be no hope hereafter to

So spake he, and the Argives shouted aloud, like to a wave on a steep shore, when the south wind cometh and

stirreth it; even on a jutting rock, that is never left at peace by the waves of all winds that rise from this side

and from that. And they did sacrifice each man to one of the everlasting gods, praying for escape from death

and the tumult of battle. But Agamemnon king of men slew a fat bull of five years to most mighty Kronion,

and called the elders, the princes of the Achaian host, Nestor first and king Idomeneus, and then the two

Aiantes and Tydeus' son, and sixthly Odysseus peer of Zeus in counsel. And Menelaos of the loud warcry

came to him unbidden, for he knew in his heart how his brother toiled. Then stood they around the bull and

took the barleymeal. And Agamemnon made his prayer in their midst and said: "Zeus, most glorious, most

great, god of the stormcloud, that dwellest in the heaven, vouchsafe that the sun set not upon us nor the

darkness come near, till I have laid low upon the earth Priam's palace smirched with smoke, and burnt the

doorways thereof with consuming fire, and rent on Hector's breast his doublet cleft with the blade; and about

So spake he, but not as yet would Kronion grant him fulfilment; he accepted the sacrifice, but made toil to

Now when they had prayed and sprinkled the barleymeal they first drew back the bull's head and cut his

throat and flayed him, and cut slices from the thigh's and wrapped them in fat, making a double fold, and laid

raw collops thereon. And these they burnt on cleft wood stript of leaves, and spitted the vitals and held them

over Hephaistos' flame. Now when the thighs were burnt and they had tasted the vitals, then sliced they all

the rest and pierced it through with spits, and roasted it carefully and drew all off again. So when they had

rest from the task and had made ready the banquet, they feasted, nor was their heart aught stinted of the fair

banquet. But when they had put away from them the desire of meat and drink, then did knightly Nestor of

Gerenia open his saying to them: "Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, let us not any more

hold long converse here, nor for long delay the work that god putteth in our hands; but come, let the heralds

of the mailclad Achaians make proclamation to the folk and gather them throughout the ships; and let us go

thus in concert through the wide host of the Achaians, that the speedier we may arouse keen war."

So spake he and Agamemnon king of men disregarded not. Straightway he bade the clearvoiced heralds

summon to battle the flowinghaired Achaians. So those summoned and these gathered with all speed. And

the kings, the fosterlings of Zeus that were about Atreus' son, eagerly marshalled them, and brighteyed

Athene in the midst, bearing the holy aegis that knoweth neither age nor death, whereon wave an hundred

tassels of pure gold, all deftly woven and each one an hundred oxen worth. Therewith she passed dazzling

through the Achaian folk, urging them forth; and in every man's heart she roused strength to battle without

ceasing and to fight. So was war made sweeter to them than to depart in their hollow ships to their dear native

land. Even as ravaging fire kindleth a boundless forest on a mountain's peaks, and the blaze is seen from afar,

even so as they marched went the dazzling gleam from the innumerable bronze through the sky even unto the

And as the many tribes of feathered birds, wild geese or cranes or longnecked swans, on the Asian mead by

Kaystrios' stream, fly hither and thither joying in their plumage, and with loud cries settle ever onwards, and

the mead resounds; even so poured forth the many tribes of warriors from ships and huts into the

Skamandrian plain. And the earth echoed terribly beneath the tread of men and horses. So stood they in the

flowery Skamandrian plain, unnumbered as are leaves and flowers in their season. Even as the many tribes of

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 16

thick flies that hover about a herdsman's steading in the spring season, when milk drencheth the pails, even in

like number stood the flowinghaired Achaians upon the plain in face of the Trojans, eager to rend them

asunder. And even as the goatherds easily divide the ranging flocks of goats when they mingle in the pasture,

so did their captains marshal them on this side and that, to enter into the fray, and in their midst lord

Agamemnon, his head and eyes like unto Zeus whose joy is in the thunder, and his waist like unto Ares and

his breast unto Poseidon. Even as a bull standeth out far foremost amid the herd, for his is preeminent amid

the pasturing kine, even such did Zeus make Atreides on that day, preeminent among many and chief amid

Tell me now, ye Muses that dwell in the mansions of Olympusseeing that ye are goddesses and are at hand

and know all things, but we hear only a rumour and know not anythingwho were the captains of the

Danaans and their lords. But the common sort could I not number nor name, nay, not if ten tongues were

mine and ten mouths, and a voice unwearied, and my heart of bronze within me, did not the Muses of

Olympus, daughters of aegisbearing Zeus, put into my mind all that came to Ilios. So will I tell the captains

Of the Boiotians Peneleos and Leitos were captains, and Arkesilaos and Prothoenor and Klonios; these were

they that dwelt in Hyria and rocky Aulis and Schoinos and Skolos and Eteonos full of ridges, Thespeia and

Graia and Mykalessos with wide lawns; and that dwelt about Harma and Eilesion and Erythrai, and they that

possessed Eleon and Peteon and Hyle, Okalea and the stablished fortress of Medeon, Kopai and Eutresis and

Thisbe haunt of doves; and they of Koroneia and grassy Haliartos, and that possessed Plataia and that dwelt

in Glisas, and that possessed the stablished fortress of lesser Thebes and holy Onchestos, Poseidon's bright

grove; and that possessed Arne rich in vineyards, and Mideia and sacred Nisa and Anthedon on the furthest

borders. Of these there came fifty ships, and in each one embarked young men of the Boiotians an hundred

and twenty. And they that dwelt in Aspledon and Orchomenos of the Minyai were led of Askalaphos and

Ialmenos, sons of Ares, whom Astyoche conceived of the mighty god in the palace of Aktor son of Azeus,

having entered her upper chamber, a stately maiden; for mighty Ares lay with her privily. And with them

And the Phokians were led of Schedios and Epistrophos, sons of great hearted Iphitos son of Naubolos;

these were they that possessed Kyparissos and rocky Pytho and sacred Krisa and Daulis and Panopeus, and

they that dwelt about Anemoreia and Hyampolis, yea, and they that lived by the goodly river Kephisos and

possessed Lilaia by Kephisos' springs. And with them followed thirty black ships. So they marshalled the

ranks of the Phokians diligently, and had their station hard by the Boiotians on the left.

And of the Lokrians the fleet son of Oileus was captain, Aias the less, that was not so great as was the

Telamonian Aias but far less. Small was he, with linen corslet, but with the spear he far outdid all the

Hellenes and Achaians. These were they that dwelt in Kynos and Opus and Kalliaros and Bessa and Skarphe

and lovely Augeiai and Tarphe and Thronion, about the streams of Boagrios. And with Aias followed forty

And the Abantes breathing fury, they that possessed Euboia and Chalkis and Eiretria and Histiaia rich in

vines, and Kerinthos by the sea and the steep fortress of Dios and they that possessed Karytos, and they that

dwelt in Styra, all these again were led of Elephenor of the stock of Ares, even the son of Chalkodon, and

captain of the proud Abantes. And with him followed the fleet Abantes with hair flowing behind, spearmen

eager with ashen shafts outstretched to tear the corslets on the breasts of the foes. And with him forty black

And they that possessed the goodly citadel of Athens, the domain of Erechtheus the highhearted, whom erst

Athene daughter of Zeus fostered when Earth, the graingiver, brought him to birth;and she gave him a

restingplace in Athens in her own rich sanctuary; and there the sons of the Athenians worship him with bulls

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 17

and rams as the years turn in their coursesthese again were led of Menestheus son of Peteos. And there was

no man upon the face of earth that was like him for the marshalling of horsemen and warriors that bear the

shield. Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was the elder by birth. And with him rivalled him, for he was the

And Aias led twelve ships from Salamis, [and brought them and set them where the battalions of the

And they that possessed Argos and Tiryns of the great walls, Hermione and Asine that enfold the deep gulf,

Troizen and Eionai and Epidauros full of vines, and the youths of the Achaians that possessed Aigina and

Mases, these were led of Diomedes of the loud warcary and Sthenelos, dear son of famous Kapaneus. And

the third with them came Euryalos, a godlike warrior, the son of king Mekisteus son of Talaos. But Diomedes

of the loud warcry was lord over all. And with them eighty black ships followed.

And of them that possessed the stablished fortress of Mykene and wealthy Corinth and stablished Kleonai,

and dwelt in Orneiai and lovely Araithyrea and Sikyon, wherein Adrestos was king at the first; and of them

that possessed Hyperesie and steep Gonoessa and Pellene, and dwelt about Aigion and through all the

coastland and about broad Helike, of them did lord Agamemnon son of Atreus lead an hundred ships. With

him followed most and goodliest folk by far; and in their midst himself was clad in flashing bronze, all

glorious, and was preeminent amid all warriors, because he was goodliest and led folk far greatest in

And of them that possessed Lakedaimon lying low amid the rifted hills, and Pharis and Sparta and Messe, the

haunt of doves, and dwelt in Bryseiai and lovely Augeiai, and of them too that possessed Amyklai and the

seacoast fortress of Helos, and that possessed Laas and dwelt about Oitylos, of these was the king's brother

leader, even Menelaos of the loud warcry, leader of sixty ships, and these were arrayed apart. And himself

marched among them confident in his zeal, urging his men to battle: and his heart most of all was set to take

vengeance for his strivings and groans for Helen's sake [Or, "for Helen's searchings of heart and groans."].

And of them that dwelt in Pylos and lovely Arene and Thryon the fordingplace of Alpheios, and in

established Aipy, and were inhabitants of Kyparisseis and Amphigeneia and Pteleos and Helos and

Dorionwhere the Muses met Thamyris the Thracian, and made an end of his singing, as he was faring from

Oichalia, from Eurytos the Oichalian; for he averred with boasting that he would conquer, even did the Muses

themselves sing against him, the daughters of aegisbearing Zeus; but they in their anger maimed him,

moreover they took from him the high gift of song and made him to forget his harpingof all these was

And of them that possessed Arkadia beneath the steep mountain of Kyllene, beside the tomb of Aipytos,

where are warriors that fight hand to hand; and of them that dwelt in Pheneos and Orchomenos abounding in

flocks, and Rhipe and Stratie and windy Enispe, and that possessed Tegea and lovely Mantineia, and

possessed Stymphelos and dwelt in Parhasie, of these was Ankaios' son lord Agapenor leader, even of sixty

ships; and in each ship embarked many Arkadian warriors skilled in fight. For Agamemnon king of men

himself gave them benched ships wherewith to cross the winedark sea, even he the son of Atreus; for

And they too that inhabited Bouprasion and goodly Elis, so much thereof as Hyrmine and Myrsinos upon the

borders and the Olenian rock and Aleision bound between them, of these men there were four captains, and

ten swift ships followed each one, and many Epeians embarked thereon. So some were led of Amphimachos

and Thalpios, of the lineage of Aktor, sons one of Kteatos and one of Eurytos; and of some was stalwart

Diores captain, son of Amarynkes; and of the fourth company godlike Polyxeinos was captain, son of king

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 18

And them of Doulichion and the holy Echinean Isles that stand beyond the sea over against Elis, even these

did Meges lead, the peer of Ares, Phyleides to wit, for he was begotten of knightly Phyleus dear to Zeus, him

that erst changed his habitation to Doulichion for anger against his father. And with him followed forty black

And Odysseus led the greathearted Kephallenians, them that possessed Ithaka and Neriton with quivering

leafage, and dwelt in Krokyleia and rugged Aigilips, and them that possessed Zakynthos and that dwelt in

Samos, and possessed the mainland and dwelt in the parts over against the isles. Them did Odysseus lead, the

peer of Zeus in counsel, and with him followed twelve ships with vermillion prow.

And of the Aitolians Thoas was captain, the son of Andraimon, even of them that dwelt in Pleuron and

Olenos and Pylene, and Chalkis on the seashore and rocky Kalydon. For the sons of greathearted Oineus

were no more, neither did he still live, and goldenhaired Meleagros was dead, to whose hands all had been

committed, for him to be king of the Aitolians. And with Thoas there followed forty black ships.

And of the Cretans Idomeneus the famous spearman was leader, even of them that possessed Knosos and

Gortys of the great walls, Lyktos and Miletos and chalky Lykastos and Phaistos and Rhytion, stablished cities

all; and of all others that dwelt in Crete of the hundred cities. Of these men was Idomeneus the famous

spearman leader, and Meriones peer of the manslaying wargod. With these followed eighty black ships.

And Tlepolemmos, Herakles' son goodly and tall, led from Rhodes nine ships of the lordly Rhodians, that

dwelt in Rhodes in threefold ordering, in Lindos and Ialysos and chalky Kameiros. These were led of

Tlepolemos the famous spearman, that was born to great Herakles by Astyocheia, whom he had brought

away from Ephyre by the river Selleeis, when he laid waste many cities of strong men, fosterlings of Zeus.

Now when Tlepolemos had grown to manhood within the strong palace walls, anon he slew his own father's

dear uncle, an old man now, Likymnios of the stock of Ares. Then with speed built he ships and gathered

much folk together, and went fleeing across the deep, because the other sons and grandsons of great Herakles

threatened him. So he came to Rhodes a wanderer, enduring hardships, and his folk settled by kinship in three

tribes, and were loved of Zeus that is king among gods and men; and Kronion poured upon them exceeding

Nireus, moreover, led three trim ships from Syme, Nireus son of Aglaia and king Charopos, Nireus the most

beauteous man that came up under Ilios of all the Danaans, after the noble son of Peleus. Howbeit he was a

And of them that possessed Nisyros and Krapathos and Kasos and Kos the city of Eurypylos, and the

Kalydnian Isles, of them Pheidippos and Antiphos were leaders, the two sons of king Thessalos son of

Now all moreover that dwelt in the Pelasgian Argos and inhabited Alos and Alope and Trachis and possessed

Phthia and Hellas the home of fair women, and were called Myrmidons and Hellenes and Achaians; of all

these, even fifty ships, Achilles was captain. But these took no thought of noisy war; for there was no man to

array them in line of battle. For fleetfooted goodly Achilles lay idle amid the ships, wroth for the sake of a

damsel, Briseis of the lovely hair, whom he had won from Lyrnessos and the walls of Thebe, and overthrew

Mynes and Epistrophos, warriors that bare the spear, sons of king Euenos Selepos' son. For her sake lay

And of them that possessed Phylake and flowery Pyrasos, Demeter's sanctuary, and Iton mother of flocks,

and Antron by the seashore and Pteleos couched in grass, of all these was warlike Protesilaos leader while

yet he lived; but now ere this the black earth held him fast. His wife with marred visage was left alone in

Phylake, yea, and his bridal chamber half builded; for a Dardanian warrior slew him as he leapt from his ship

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 19

far first of the Achaians. Yet neither were his men leaderless, though they sorrowed for their leader; for

Podarkes of the stock of Ares marshalled them, son of Phylakos' son Iphiklos was he, the lord of many flocks,

own brother of greathearted Protesilaos, and youngerborn than he: but the other was alike the elder and the

braver, even Protesilaos, that mighty man of war. Yet did not the host lack at all a leader, only they yearned

And of them that dwelt in Pherai by the Boibeian mere, in Boibe and Glaphyre and stablished Iolkos, of

them, even eleven ships, Admetos' dear son was leader, Eumelos whom Alkestis, fair among women, bare to

And of them that dwelt in Methone and Thaumakie, and possessed Meliboia and rugged Olizon, of these,

even seven ships, was Philoktetes leader, the cunning archer; and in each ship sailed fifty oarsmen skilled to

fight amain with the bow. But their captain lay enduring sore pain in the isle of goodly Lemnos, where the

sons of the Achaians left him sick of a grievous wound from a deadly watersnake. There lay he pining; yet

were the Argives soon to bethink them beside their ships of king Philoktetes. Yet neither were his men

leaderless, only they sorrowed for their leader; but Medon marshalled them, Oileus' bastard son, whom Rhene

And of them that possessed Trikke and terraced ithome and that possessed Oichalia city of Eurytos the

Oichalian, of these again Asklepios' two sons were leaders, the cunning leeches Podaleirios and Machaon.

And of them that possessed Ormenios and the fountain of Hypereia, and possessed Asterion and the white

crests of Titanos, of these was Eurypylos leader, Euaimon's glorious son; and with him, forty black ships

And of them that possessed Argissa and dwelt in Gyrtona, Orthe and Elone and the white city of Olooson, of

these was captain unflinching Polypoites, son of Peirithoos that immortal Zeus begat: and Polypoites did

famed Hippodameia conceive of Peirithoos on that day when he took vengeance of the shaggy wild folk, and

thrust them forth from Pelion and drave them to the Aithikes. And Polypoites ruled not alone, but with him

was Leonteus of the stock of Ares, son of highhearted Koronos Kaineus' son. And with them forty black

And Gouneus from Kyphos led twoandtwenty ships, and with him followed the Enienes and unflinching

Peraibians that had pitched their homes about wintry Dodona, and dwelt on the tilth about lovely Titaresios

that poureth his fairflowing stream into Peneios. Yet doth he not mingle with the silver eddies of Peneios,

but floweth on over him like unto oil, seeing that he is an offspring from the water of Styx, the dread river of

And the Magnetes were led of Prothoos son of Tenthredon, even they that dwelt about Peneios and Pelion

with trembling leafage. These did fleet Prothoos lead, and with him forty black ships followed.

So these were the leaders of the Danaans and their captains. Now tell me, O Muse, who among them was first

and foremost, of warriors alike and horses that followed the sons of Atreus. Of horses they of Pheres' son

were far goodliest, those that Eumelos drave, swift as birds, like of coat, like of age, matched to the measure

of a levelling line across their backs. These were reared in Peraia by Apollo of the silver bow, two mares

carrying onward the terror of battle. But of warriors far best was the Telamonian Aias, while the wrath of

Achilles yet endured; for he was greatest of all, he and his horses that bore him, even Peleus' noble son. But

he lay idle among his seafaring ships, in sore wrath against Agamemnon Atreus' son, shepherd of the host;

and his folk along the seashore sported with quoits and with casting of javelins and archery; and the horses

each beside his own chariot stood idle, champing clover and parsley of the marsh, and their lords' chariots lay

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 20

well covered up within the huts, while the men yearned for their warrior chief, and wandered hither and

So marched they then as though all the land were consuming with fire; and the earth groaned beneath them as

at the wrath of Zeus whose joy is in the thunder, when he lasheth the earth about Typhoeus in the country of

the Arimoi, where men say is Typhoeus' couch. Even so groaned the earth aloud at their tread as they went:

Now fleet Iris the windfooted went to the Trojans, a messenger from aegisbearing Zeus, with a grievous

message. These were holding assembly at Priam's gate, being gathered all together both young men and old.

And fleetfooted Iris stood hard by and spake to them; and she made her voice like to the voice of Polites son

of Priam, who was the sentinel of the Trojans and was wont to sit trusting in his fleetness upon the barrow of

Aisyetes of old, and on the top thereof wait the sallying of the Achaians forth from their ships. Even in his

likeness did fleetfooted Iris speak to Priam: "Old man, words beyond number are still pleasant to thee as erst

in the days of peace; but war without respite is upon us. Of a truth have I very oft ere now entered into battles

of the warriors, yet have I never seen so goodly a host and so great; for in the very likeness of the leaves of

the forest or the sands of the sea are they marching along the plain to fight against the city. But Hector, thee

do I charge beyond all to do even as I shall say. Seeing that the allies are very many throughout Priam's great

city, and diverse men, being scattered abroad, have diverse tongues; therefore let each one give the word to

those whose chieftain he is, and them let him lead forth and have the ordering of his countrymen."

So spake she, and Hector failed not to know the voice of the goddess, and straightway dismissed the

assembly, and they rushed to arms. And the gates were thrown open wide, and the host issued forth, footmen

Now there is before the city a certain steep mound apart in the plain, with a clear way about it on this side and

on that; and men indeed call this "Batieia," but the immortals call it "The tomb of lithe Myrine." There did the

Amid the Trojans great Hector of the glancing helm was leader, the son of Priam; with him the greatest hosts

But the Dardanians were led of the princely son of Anchises, Aineias, whom bright Aphrodite conceived to

Anchises amids the spurs of Ida, a goddess wedded to a mortal. Neither was he alone; with him were

Antenor's two sons, Archelochos and Akamas, well skilled in all the ways of war.

And of them that dwelt in Zeleia beneath the nethermost foot of Ida, the men of substance that drink the dark

waters of Aisepos, even the Troes; of these Lykaon's glorious son was leader, Pandaros, to whom Apollo

And of them that possessed Adresteia and the land of Apaisos and possessed Pityeia and the steep hill of

Tereia, of these Adrestos was captain, and Amphios of the linen corslet, the two sons of Merops of Perkote,

that beyond all men knew soothsaying, and would have hindered his children marching to murderous war.

And they that dwelt about Perkote and Praktios and possessed Sestos and Abydos and bright Arisbe, these

were led of Hyrtakos' son Asios, a prince of men, Asios son of Hyrtakos, whom his tall sorrel steeds brought

And Hippothoos led the tribes of the Pelasgians that fight with spears, them that inhabited deepsoiled

Larisa. These were led of Hippothoos and Pylaios of the stock of Ares, twain sons of Pelasgian Lethos son of

BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. 21

And the Thracians were led of Akamas and hero Peiroos, even all they that the strong stream of Hellespont

shutteth in. And Euphemos was captain of the Kikonian spearmen, the son of Troizenos Keos' son, fosterling

But Pyraichmes led the Paionians with curving bows, from far away in Amydon, from the broad stream of

Axios, Axios whose water is the fairest that floweth over the face of the earth.

And Pylaimenes of rugged heart led the Paphlagonians from the land of the Eneti, whence is the breed of

wild mules. This folk were they that possessed Kytoros and dwelt about Sesamon, and inhabited their famed

dwellings round the river Parthenios and Kromna and Aigialos and lofty Erythini.

And the Alizones were led of Odios and Epistrophos, from far away in Alybe, where is the birthplace of

And the Mysians were led of Chromis and Ennomos the augur, yet with all his auguries wardedhe not black

fate from him, but was vanguished by the hand of fleetfooted Aiakides in the river, when he made havoc of

And Phorkys and godlike Askanios led the Phrygians from far Askania, and these were eager to fight in the

And the Maionians were commanded of Mesthles and Antiphos, Talaimenes' two sons, whose mother was

the Gygaian mere. So these led the Maionians, whose birthplace was under Tmolos.

But Nastes led the Karians, uncouth of speech, that possessed Miletos and the mountain of Phthires, of

leafage numberless, and the streams of Maiandros and the steep crest of Mykale. These were led of

Amphimachos and Nastes: Nastes and Amphimachos the glorious children of Nomion. And he came,

forsooth, to battle with golden attire like a girlfond man: that held not back in any wise grievous

destruction, but he was vanguished by the hands of fleetfooted Aiakides in the river, and wisehearted

And Sarpedon and blameless Glaukos led the Lykians from far away in Lykia by eddying Xanthos.

Now when they were arrayed, each company with their captains, the Trojans marched with clamour and with

shouting like unto birds, even as when there goeth up before heaven a clamour of cranes which flee from the

coming of winter and sudden rain, and fly with clamour towards the streams of ocean, bearing slaughter and

fate to the Pigmy men, and in early morn offer cruel battle. But on the other side marched the Achaians in

Even as when the south wind sheddeth mist over the crests of a mountain, mist unwelcome to the shepherd,

but to the robber better than night, and a man can see no further than he casteth a stone; even so thick arose

the gathering dustclouds at their tread as they went; and with all speed they advanced across the plain.

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. 22

So when they were now come nigh in onset on each other, godlike Alexandros played champion to the

Trojans, wearing upon his shoulders pantherskin and curved bow and sword; and he brandished two

bronze headed spears and challenged all the chieftains of the Argives to fight him man to man in deadly

combat. But when Menelaos dear to Ares marked him coming in the forefront of the multitude with long

strides, then even as a lion is glad when he lighteth upon a great carcase, a horned stag, or a wild goat that he

hath found, being an hungered; and so he devoureth it amain, even though the fleet hounds and lusty youths

set upon him; even thus was Menelaos glad when his eyes beheld godlike Alexandros; for he thought to take

vengeance upon the sinner. So straightway he leap in his armour from his chariot to the ground.

But when godlike Alexandros marked him appear amid the champions, his heart was smitten, and he shrank

back into the host of his comrades, avoiding death. And even as a man that hath seen a serpent in a mountain

glade starteth backward and trembling seizeth his feet beneath him, and he retreateth back again, and paleness

hath hold of his cheeks, even so did godlike Alexandros for fear of Atreus' son shrink back into the throng of

lordly Trojans. But Hector beheld and upbraided him with scornful words: "Ill Paris, most fair in semblance,

thou deceiver womanmad, would thou hadst been unborn and died unwed. Yea, that were my desire, and it

were far better than thus to be our shame and looked at askance of all men. I ween that the flowinghaired

Achaians laugh, deeming that a prince is our champion only because a goodly favour is his; but in his heart is

there no strength nor any courage. Art thou indeed such an one that in thy seafaring ships thou didst sail over

the deep with the company of thy trusty comrades, and in converse with strangers didst bring back a fair

woman from a far country, one that was by marriage daughter to warriors that bear the spear, that she might

be a sore mischief to they father and city and all the realm, but to our foes a rejoicing, and to thyself a

hanging of the head? And canst thou not indeed abide Menelaos dear to Ares? Thou mightest see what sort of

warrior is he whose lovely wife thou hast. Thy lyre will not avail thee nor the gifts of Aphrodite, those thy

locks and fair favour, when thou grovellest in the dust. But the Trojans are very cowards: else ere this hadst

thou donned a robe of stone [i.e., been stoned by the people] for all the ill thou hast wrought."

And godlike Alexandros made answer to him again: "Hector, since in measure thou chidest me and not

beyond measurethey heart is ever keen, even as an axe that pierceth a beam at the hand of a man that

shapeth a ship's timber with skill, and thereby is the man's blow strengthened; even such is thy heart

undaunted in thy breast. Cast not in my teeth the lovely gifts of golden Aphrodite; not to be flung aside are

the gods' glorious gifts that of their own good will they give; for by his desire can no man win them. But now

if thou wilt have me do battle and fight, make the other Trojans sit down and all the Achaians, and set ye me

in the midst, and Menelaos dear to Ares, to fight for Helen and all her wealth. And whichsoever shall

vanquish and gain the upper hand, let him take all the wealth aright, and the woman, and bear them home.

And let the rest pledge friendship and sure oaths; so may ye dwell in deepsoiled Troy, and let them depart to

So spake he, and Hector rejoiced greatly to hear his saying, and went into the midst and restrained the

battalions of the Trojans, with his spear grasped by the middle; and they all sate them down. But the

flowinghaired Achaians kept shooting at him, aiming with arrows and casting stones. But Agamemnon king

of men cried aloud: "Refrain, ye Argives; shoot not, ye sons of the Achaians; for Hector of the glancing helm

So spake he, and they refrained from battle and made silence speedily. And Hector spake between the two

hosts, "Hear of me, Trojans and well greaved Achaians, the saying of Alexandros, for whose sake strife hath

come about. He biddeth the other Trojans and all the Achaians to lay down their goodly armour on the

bounteous earth, and himself in the midst and Menelaos dear to Ares to fight alone for Helen and all her

wealth. And whichsoever shall vanquish and gain the upper hand, let him take all the wealth aright, and the

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. 23

So spake he, and they all kept silence and were still. Then in their midst spake Menelaos of the loud warcry:

"Hearken ye now to me, too; for into my heart most of all is grief entered; and I deem that the parting of

Argives and Trojans hath come at last; seeing ye have endured many ills because of my quarrel and the first

sin of Alexandros. And for whichsoever of us death and fate are prepared, let him lie dead: and be ye all

parted with speed. Bring ye two lambs, one white ram and one black ewe, for earth and sun; and let us bring

one for Zeus. And call hither great Priam, that he may pledge the oath himself, seeing he hath sons that are

overweening and faithless, lest any by transgression do violence to the oath of Zeus; for young men's hearts

are ever lifted up. But wheresoever an old man entereth in, he looketh both before and after, whereby the best

So spake he, and Achaians and Trojans were glad, deeming that they should have rest from grievous war. So

they refrained their chariots to the ranks, and themselves alighted and doffed their arms. And these they laid

upon the earth each close to each, and there was but small space between. And Hector sent two heralds to the

city will all speed, to bring the lambs, and to call Priam. And lord Agamemnon sent forth Talthybios to go to

the hollow ships, and bade him bring a ram; and he was not disobedient to noble Agamemnon.

Now Iris went with a message to whitearmed Helen in the likeness of her husband's sister, the spouse of

Antenor's son, even her that lord Helikaon Antenor's son had to wife, Laodike fairest favoured of Priam's

daughters. And in the hall she found Helen weaving a great purple web of double fold, and embroidering

thereon many battles of horsetaming Trojans and mailclad Achaians, that they had endured for her sake at

the hands of Ares. So fleetfooted Iris stood by her side and said: "Come hither, dear sister, that thou mayest

see the wondrous doings of horsetaming Trojans and mailclad Achaians. They that erst waged tearful war

upon each other in the plain, eager for deadly battle, even they sit now in silence, and the tall spears are

planted by their sides. But Alexandros and Menelaos dear to Ares will fight with their tall spears for thee; and

So spake the goddess, and put into her heart sweet longing for her former husband and her city and parents.

Forthwith she veiled her face in shining linen, and hastened from her chamber, letting fall a round tear; not

unattended, for there followed with her two handmaidens, Aithre daughter of Pittheus and oxeyed Klymene.

Then came she straightway to the place of the Skaian gates. And they that were with Priam and Panthoos and

Thymoites and Lampos and Klytios and Hiketaon of the stock of Ares, Oukalegon withal and Antenor, twain

sages, being elders of the people, sat at the Skaian gates. These had now ceased from battle for old age, yet

were they right good orators, like grasshoppers that in a forest sit upon a tree and utter their lilylike

[supposed to mean "delicate" or "tender"] voice; even so sat the elders of the Trojans upon the tower. Now

when they saw Helen coming to the tower they softly spake winged words one to the other: "Small blame is it

that Trojans and wellgreaved Achaians should for such a woman long time suffer hardships; marvellously

like is she to the immortal goddesses to look upon. Yet even so, though she be so goodly, let her go upon

So said they, and Priam lifted up his voice and called to Helen: "Come hither, dear child, and sit before me,

that thou mayest see thy former husband and they kinsfolk and thy friends. I hold thee not to blame; nay, I

hold the gods to blame who brought on me the dolorous war of the Achaiansso mayest thou now tell me

who is this huge hero, this Achaian warrior so goodly and great. Of a truth there are others even taller by a

head; yet mine eyes never behold a man so beautiful nor so royal; for he is like unto one that is a king."

And Helen, fair among women, spake and answered him: "Reverend art thou to me and dread, dear father of

my lord; would that sore death had been my pleasure when I followed thy son hither, and left my home and

my kinsfolk and my daughter in her girlhood and the lovely company of mine agefellows. But that was not

so, wherefore I pine with weeping. Now will I tell thee that whereof thou askest me and enquirest. This is

Atreides, wideruling Agamemnon, one that is both a goodly king and mighty spearman. And he was my

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. 24

So said she, and the old man marvelled at him, and said: "Ah, happy Atreides, child of fortune, blest of

heaven; now know I that many sons of the Achaians are subject to thee. Erewhile fared I to Phrygia, the land

of vines, and there saw I that the men of Phrygia, they of the nimble steeds, were very many, even the hosts

of Otreus and godlike Mygdon, that were then encamped along the banks of Sangarios. For I too being their

ally was numbered among them on the day that the Amazons came, the peers of men. Yet were not even they

And next the old man saw Odysseus, and asked: "Come now, tell me of this man too, dear child, who is he,

shorter by a head than Agamemnon son of Atreus, but broader of shoulder and of chest to behold? His

armour lieth upon the bounteous earth, and himself like a bellwether rangeth the ranks of warriors. Yea, I

Then Helen sprung of Zeus made answer to him: "Now this is Laertes' son, crafty Odysseus, that was reared

in the realm of Ithaka, rugged though it be, and skilled in all the ways of wile and cunning device."

Then sage Antenor made answer to her: "Lady, verily the thing thou sayest is true indeed, for erst came

goodly Odysseus hither also on an embassage for thee, in the company of Menelaos dear to Ares; and I gave

them entertainment and welcomed them in my halls, and learnt the aspect of both and their wise devices.

Now when they mingled with the Trojans in the assembly, while all stood up Menelaos overpassed them all

by the measure of his broad shoulders; but when both sat down, Odysseus was the more stately. And when

they began to weave the web of words and counsel in the face of all, then Menelaos harangued fluently, in

few words, but very clearly, seeing he was not long of speech, neither random, though in years he was the

younger. But whenever Odysseus full of wiles rose up, he stood and looked down, with eyes fixed upon the

ground, and waved not his staff whether backwards or forwards, but held it stiff, like to a man of no

understanding; one would deem him to be churlish, and naught but a fool. But when he uttered his great voice

from his chest, and words like unto the snowflakes of winter, then could no mortal man contend with

And thirdly the old man say Aias, and asked: "Who then is this other Achaian warrior, goodly and great,

And longrobed Helen, fair among women, answered: "This is huge Aias, bulwark of the Achaians. And on

the other side amid the Cretans standeth Idomeneus like a god, and about him are gathered the captains of the

Cretans. Oft did Menelaos dear to Ares entertain him in our house whene'er he came from Crete. And now

behold I all the other glancingeyed Achaians, whom well I could discern and tell their names; but two

captains of the host can I not see, even Kastor tamer of horses and Polydeukes the skilful boxer, mine own

brethren, whom the same mother bare. Either they came not in the company from lovely Lakedaimon; or they

came hither indeed in their seafaring ships, but now will not enter into the battle of the warriors, for fear of

So said she; but them the lifegiving earth held fast there in Lakedaimon, in their dear native land.

Meanwhile were the heralds bearing through the city the holy oath offerings, two lambs and stronghearted

wine, the fruit of the earth, in a goatskin bottle. And the herald Idaios bare the shining bowl and golden

cups; and came to the old man and summoned him and said: "Rise, thou son of Laomedon. The chieftains of

the horsetaming Trojans and mailclad Achaians call on thee to go down into the plain, that ye may pledge

a trusty oath. But Alexandros and Menelaos dear to Ares will fight with their long spears for the lady's sake;

and let lady and treasure go with him that shall conquer. And may we that are left pledge friendship and

trusty oaths and dwell in deepsoiled Troy, and they shall depart to Argos pastureland of horses and Achaia

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. 25

So said he, and the old man shuddered and base his companions yoke the horses; and they with speed obeyed.

Then Priam mounted and drew back the reins, and by his side Antenor mounted the splendid chariot. So the

two drave the fleet horses through the Skaian gates to the plain. And when they had come even to the Trojans

and Achaians, they went down from the chariots upon the bounteous earth, and marched into the midst of

Trojans and Achaians. Then forthwith rose up Agamemnon king of men, and up rose Odysseus the man of

wiles; and the lordly heralds gathered together the holy oathofferings of the gods, and mingled the wine in a

bowl, and poured water over the princes' hands. And Atreides put forth his hand and drew his knife that hung

ever beside his sword's great sheath, and cut the hair from off the lambs' heads; and then the heralds portioned

it among the chief of the Trojans and Achaians. Then in their midst Atreus' son lifted up his hands and prayed

aloud: "Father Zeus, that rulest from Ida, most glorious, most great, and thou Sun that seest all things and

hearest all things, and ye Rivers and thou Earth, and ye that in the underworld punish men outworn,

whosoever sweareth falsely; be ye witnesses, and watch over the faithful oath. If Alexandros slay Menelaos,

then let him have Helen to himself and all her possessions; and we will depart on our seafaring ships. But if

goldenhaired Menelaos slay Alexandros, then let the Trojans give back Helen and all her possessions and

pay the Argives the recompense that is seemly, such as shall live among men that shall be hereafter. But if so

be that Priam and Priam's sons will not pay the recompense unto me when Alexandros falleth, then will I

fight on thereafter for the price of sin, and abide here till I compass the end of war."

So said he, and cut the lambs' throats with the pitiless knife. Them he laid gasping upon the ground, failing of

breath, for the knife had taken their strength from them; and next they drew the wine from the bowl into the

cups, and poured it forth and prayed to the gods that live for ever. And thus would say many an one of

Achaians and Trojans: "Zeus most glorious, most great, and all ye immortal gods, which folk soe'er be first to

sin against the oaths, may their brains be so poured forth upon the earth even as this wine, theirs and their

So spake they, but the son of Kronos vouchsafed not yet fulfilment. And in their midst Priam of the seed of

Dardanos uttered his saying: "Hearken to me, Trojans and wellgreaved Achaians. I verily will return back to

windy Ilios, seeing that I can in no wise bear to behold with mine eyes my dear son fighting with Menelaos

dear to Ares. But Zeus knoweth, and all the immortal gods, for whether of the twain the doom of death is

So spake the godlike man, and laid the lambs in his chariot, and entered in himself, and drew back the reins;

and by his side Antenor mounted the splendid chariot. So they departed back again to Ilios; and Hector son of

Priam and goodly Odysseus first meted out a space, and then they took the lots, and shook them in a

bronzebound helmet, to know whether of the twain should first cast his spear of bronze. And the people

prayed and lifted up their hands to the gods; and thus would say many an one of Achaians and Trojans:

"Father Zeus, that rulest from Ida, most glorious, most great; whichsoe'er it be that brought this trouble upon

both peoples, vouchsafe that he may die and enter the house of Hades; that so for us peace may be assured

So said they; and great Hector of the glancing plume shook the helmet, looking behind him; and quickly leapt

forth the lot of Paris. Then the people sat them down by ranks where each man's highstepping horses and

inwrought armour lay. And upon his shoulders goodly Alexandros donned his beauteous armour, even he that

was lord to Helen of the lovely hair. First upon his legs set he his greaves, beautiful, fastened with silver

ankleclasps; next upon his breast he donned the corslet of his brother Lykaon, and fitted it upon himself.

And over his shoulders cast he his silverstudded sword of bronze, and then a shield great and sturdy. And on

his mighty head he set a wrought helmet of horsehair crest, whereover the plume nodded terribly, and he

took him a strong spear fitted to his grasp. And in like wise warlike Menelaos donned his armour.

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. 26

So when they had armed themselves on either side in the throng, they strode between Trojans and Achaians,

fierce of aspect, and wonder came on them that beheld, both on the Trojans tamers of horses and on the

wellgreaved Achaians. Then took they their stand near together in the measured space, brandishing their

spears in wrath each against other. First Alexandros hurled his far shadowing spear, and smote on Atreides'

round shield; but the bronze brake not through, for its point was turned in the stout shield. Next Menelaos son

of Atreus lifted up his hand to cast, and made prayer to father Zeus: "King Zeus, grant me revenge on him

that was first to do me wrong, even on goodly Alexandros, and subdue thou him at my hands; so that many

an one of men that shall be hereafter may shudder to wrong his host that hath shown him kindness."

So said he, and poised his farshadowing spear, and hurled, and smote on the round shield of the son of

Priam. Through the bright shield went the ponderous spear and through the inwrought breastplate it pressed

on; and straight beside his flank the spear rent the tunic, but he swerved and escaped black death. Then

Atreides drew his silverstudded sword, and lifted up his hand and smote the helmetridge; but the sword

shattered upon it into three, yea four, and fell from his hand. Thereat Atreides looked up to the wide heaven

and cried: "Father Zeus, surely none of the gods is crueller than thou. Verily I thought to have gotten

vengeance on Alexandros for his wickedness, but now my sword breaketh in my hand, and my spear sped

So saying, he leapt upon him and caught him by his horsehair crest, and swinging him round dragged him

towards the wellgreaved Achaians; and he was strangled by the embroidered strap beneath his soft throat,

drawn tight below his chin to hold his helm. Now would Menelaos have dragged him away and won glory

unspeakable, but that Zeus' daughter Aphrodite was swift to mark, and tore asunder for him the strap of

slaughtered ox's hide; so the helmet came away empty in his stalwart hand. Thereat Menelaos cast it with a

swing toward the wellgreaved Achaians, and his trusty comrades took it up; and himself sprang back again

eager to slay him with spear of bronze. But Aphrodite snatched up Paris, very easily as a goddess may, and

hid him in thick darkness, and sent him down in his fragrant perfumed chamber; and herself went to summon

Helen. Her she found on the high tower, and about her the Trojan women thronged. So with her hand she

plucked her perfumed raiment and shook it and spake to her in the likeness of an aged dame, a woolcomber

that was wont to work for her fair wool when she dwelt in Lakedaimon, whom too she greatly loved. Even in

her likeness fair Aphrodite spake: "Come hither; Alexandros summoneth thee to go homeward. There is he in

his chamber and inlaid bed, radiant in beauty and vesture; nor wouldst thou deem him to be come from

fighting his foe, but rather to be faring to the dance, or from the dance to be just resting and set down."

So said she, and stirred Helen's soul within her breast; and when now she marked the fair neck and lovely

breast and sparkling eyes of the goddess, she marvelled straightway and spake a word and called upon her

name: "Strange queen, why art thou desirous now to beguile me? Verily thou wilt lead me further on to some

one of the people cities of Phrygia or lovely Maionia, if there too thou hast perchance some other darling

among mortal men, because even now Menelaos hath conquered goodly Alexandros, and will lead me,

accursed me, to his home. Therefore thou comest hither with guileful intent. Go and sit thou by his side and

depart from the way of the gods; neither let thy feet ever bear thee back to Olympus, but still be vexed for his

sake and guard him till he make thee his wife or perchance his slave. But thither will I not go that were a

sinful thingto array the bed of him; all the women of Troy will blame me thereafter; and I have griefs

Then in wrath bright Aphrodite spake to her: "Provoke me not, rash woman, lest in mine anger I desert thee,

and hate thee even as now I love thee beyond measure, and lest I devise grievous enmities between both, even

So said she, and Helen sprung of Zeus was afraid, and went wrapped in her bright radiant vesture, silently,

BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. 27

Now when they were come to the beautiful house of Alexandros the hand maidens turned straightway to

their tasks, and the fair lady went to the highroofed chamber; and laughterloving Aphrodite took for her a

chair and brought it, even she the goddess, and set it before the face of Paris. There Helen took her seat, the

child of aegisbearing Zeus, and with eyes turned askance spake and chode her lord: "Thou comest back

from battle; would thou hadst perished there, vanquished of that great warrior that was my former husband.

Verily it was once thy boast that thou wast a better man than Menelaos dear to Ares, in the might of thine arm

and thy spear. But go now, challenge Menelaos, dear to Ares to fight thee again face to face. Nay, but I, even

I, bid thee refrain, nor fight a fight with goldenhaired Menelaos man to man, neither attack him recklessly,

And Paris made answer to her and said: "Chide not my soul, lady, with cruel taunts. For now indeed hath

Menelaos vanquished me with Athene's aid, but another day may I do so unto him; for we too have gods with

us. But come now, let us have joy of love upon our couch; for never yet hath love so enwrapped my

heartnot even then when first I snatched thee from lovely Lakedaimon and sailed with thee on my

seafaring ships, and in the isle of Kranae had converse with thee upon thy couch in loveas I love thee

now and sweet desire taketh hold upon me." So saying he led the way to the couch, and the lady followed

Thus laid they them upon their fretted couch; but Atreides the while strode through the host like to a wild

beast, if anywhere he might set eyes on godlike Alexandros. But none of the Trojans or their famed allies

could discover Alexandros to Menelaos dear to Ares. Yet surely did they in no wise hide him for kindliness,

could any have seen him; for he was hated of all even as black death. So Agamemnon king of men spake

among them there: "Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies. Now is victory declared for Menelaos

dear to Ares; give ye back Helen of Argos and the possessions with her, and pay ye the recompense such as is

seemly, that it may live even among men that shall be hereafter." So said Atreides, and all the Achaians gave

Now the gods sat by Zeus and held assembly on the golden floor, and in the midst the lady Hebe poured them

their nectar: they with golden goblets pledged one another, and gazed upon the city of the Trojans. Then did

Kronos' son essay to provoke Hera with vexing words, and spake maliciously: "Twain goddesses hath

Menelaos for his helpers, even Hera of Argos and Alalkomenean Athene. Yet these sit apart and take there

pleasure in beholding; but beside that other ever standeth laughterloving Aphrodite and wardeth off fate

from him, and now hath she saved him as he thought to perish. But of a truth the victory is to Menelaos dear

to Ares; so let us take thought how these things shall be; whether once more we shall arouse ill war and the

dread battledin, or put friendship between the foes. Moreover if this were welcome to all and well pleasing,

may the city of king Priam yet be an habitation, and Menelaos take back Helen of Argos."

So said he, but Athene and Hera murmured thereat, who were sitting by him and devising ills for the Trojans.

Now Athene held her peace and said not anything, for wrath at father Zeus, and fierce anger gat hold upon

her: But Hera's breast contained not her anger, and she spake: "Most dread son of Kronos, what word is this

thou hast spoken? How hast thou the will to make my labour void and of none effect, and the sweat of my toil

that I sweated, when my horses were wearied with my summon ing of the host, to be the plague of Priam

Then in sore anger Zeus the cloudgatherer spake to her: "Good lack, how have Priam and Priam's sons done

thee such great wrong that thou art furiously minded to sack the established citadel of Ilios? Perchance wert

thou to enter within the gates and long walls and devour Priam raw, and Priam's sons and all the Trojans, then

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 28

mightest thou assuage thine anger. Do as thou art minded, only let not this quarrel hereafter be to me and thee

a sore strife between us both. And this moreover will I say to thee, and do thou lay it to they heart; whene'er I

too be of eager mind to lay waste to a city where is the race of men that are dear to thee, hinder thou not my

wrath, but let me be, even as I yield to thee of free will, yet with soul unwilling. For all cities beneath sun and

starry heaven that are the dwelling of mortal men, holy Ilios was most honoured of my heart, and Priam and

the folk of Priam of the good ashen spear. For never did mine altar lack the seemly feast, even drinkoffering

Then Helen the oxeyed queen made answer to him: "Of a surety three cities are there that are dearest far to

me, Argos and Sparta and wide wayed Mykene; these lay thou waste whene'er they are found hateful to thy

heart; not for them will I stand forth, nor do I grudge thee them. For even if I be jealous and would forbid

thee to overthrow them, yet will my jealousy not avail, seeing that thou art stronger far than I. Still must my

labour too not be made of none effect; for I also am a god, and my lineage is even as thine, and Kronos the

crooked counsellor begat me to the place of honour in double wise, by birthright, and because I am named thy

spouse, and thou art king among all the immortals. Let us indeed yield each to other herein, I to thee and thou

to me, and the rest of the immortal gods will follow with us; and do thou with speed charge Athene to betake

her to the fierce battle din of Trojans and Achaians, and to essay that the Trojans may first take upon them to

So said she, and the father of men and gods disregarded not; forthwith he spake to Athene winged words:

"Betake thee with all speed to the host, to the midst of Trojans and Achaians, and essay that the Trojans may

first take upon them to do violence to the Achaians in their triumph, despite the oaths."

So spake he, and roused Athene that already was set thereon; and from Olympus' heights she darted down.

Even as the son of Kronos the crook ed counsellor sendeth a star, a portent for mariners or a wide host of

men, bright shining, and therefrom are scattered sparks in multitude; even in such guise sped Pallas Athene to

earth, and leapt into their midst; and astonishment came on them that beheld, on horsetaming Trojans and

wellgreaved Achaians. And thus would many an one say, looking at his neighbor: "Of a surety either shall

sore war and the fierce battle din return again; or else Zeus doth stablish peace between the foes, even he that

Thus would many an one of Achaians and Trojans say. Then the goddess entered the throng of Trojans in the

likeness of a man, even Antenor's son Laodokos, a stalwart warrior, and sought for godlike Pandaros, if haply

she might find him. Lykaon's son found she, the noble and stalwart, standing, and about him the stalwart

ranks of the shieldbearing host that followed him from the streams of Aisepos. So she came near and spake

winged words: "Wilt thou now hearken to me, thou wise son of Lykaon? Then wouldst thou take heart to

shoot a swift arrow at Menelaos, and wouldst win favour and glory before all the Trojans, and before king

Alexandros most of all. Surely from him first of any wouldst thou receive glorious gifts, if perchance he see

Menelaos, Atreus' warrior son, vanquished by thy dart and brought to the grievous pyre. Go to now, shoot at

glorious Menelaos, and vow to Apollo, the son of light [Or, perhaps, "the Wolfborn"], the lord of archery, to

sacrifice a goodly hecatomb of firstling lambs when thou art returned to thy home, in the city of holy Zeleia."

So spake Athene, and persuaded his fool's heart. Forthwith he unsheathed his polished bow of horn of a wild

ibex that he himself had erst smitten beneath the breast as it came forth from a rock, the while he awaited in a

lurkingplace; and had pierced it in the chest, so that it fell backward on the rock. Now from its head sprang

there horns of sixteen palms; these the artificer, even the worker in horn, joined cunningly together, and

polished them all well and set the top of gold thereon. So he laid it down when he had well strung it, by

resting it upon the ground; and his staunch comrades held their shields before him, lest the warrior sons of the

Achaians should first set on them, ere Menelaos, Atreus' son, were smitten. Then opened he the lid of his

quiver and took forth a feathered arrow, never yet shot, a source of grievous pangs; and anon he laid the bitter

dart upon the string and vowed to Apollo, the son of light, the lord of archery, to sacrifice a goodly hecatomb

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 29

of firstling lambs when he should have returned to his home in the city of holy Zeleia. Then he took the notch

and string of oxes' sinew together, and drew, bringing to his breast the string, and to the bow the iron head.

So when he had now bent the great bow into a round, the horn twanged, and the string sang aloud, and the

But the blessed gods immortal forgat not thee, Menelaos; and before all the daughter of Zeus, the driver of

the spoil, who stood before thee and warded off the piercing dart. She turned it just aside from the flesh, even

as a mother driveth a fly from her child that lieth in sweet slumber; and with her own hand guided it where

the golden buckles of the belt were clasped and the doubled breastplate met them. So the bitter arrow lighted

upon the firm belt; through the inwrought belt it sped and through the curiously wrought breastplate it

pressed on and through the taslet [and apron or belt set with metal, worn below the corslet] he wore to shield

his flesh, a barrier against darts; and this best shielded him, yet it passed on even through this. Then did the

arrow graze the warrior's outermost flesh, and forthwith the dusky blood flowed from the wound.

As when some woman of Maionia or Karia staineth ivory with purple, to make a cheekpiece for horses, and

it is laid up in the treasure chamber, and many a horseman prayeth for it to wear; but it is laid up to be a

king's boast, alike an adornment for his horse and a glory for his charioteer; even in such wise, Menelaos,

were thy shapely thighs stained with blood and thy legs and thy fair ankles beneath.

Thereat shuddered Agamemnon king of men when he saw the black blood flowing from the wound. And

Menelaos dear to Ares likewise shuddered; but when he saw how thread [by which the iron head was

attached to the shaft] and bards were without, his spirit was gathered in his breast again. Then lord

Agamemnon moaned deep, and spake among them, holding Menelaos by the hand; and his comrades made

moan the while: "Dear brother, to thy death, meseemeth, pledged I these oaths, setting thee forth to fight the

Trojans alone before the face of the Achaians; seeing that the Trojans have so smitten thee, and trodden under

floor the trusty oaths. Yet in no wise is and oath of none effect, and the blood of lambs and pure

drinkofferings and the right hands of fellowship wherein we trusted. For even if the Olympian bring not

about the fulfilment forthwith, yet doth he fulfil at last, and men make dear amends, even with their own

heads and their wives and little ones. Yea of a surety I know this in heart and soul; the day shall come for

holy Ilios to be laid low, and Priam and the folk of Priam of the good ashen spear; and Zeus the son of

Kronos enthroned on high, that dwelleth in the heaven, himself shall brandish over them all his lowring aegis,

in indignation at this deceit. Then shall all this not be void; yet shall I have sore sorrow for thee, Menelaos, if

thou die and fulfil the lot of life. Yea in utter shame should I return to thirsty Argos, seeing that the Achaians

will forthwith bethink them of their native land, and so should we leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast,

even Helen of Argos. And the earth shall rot thy bones as thou liest in Troy with thy task unfinished: and thus

shall many an overweening Trojan say as he leapeth upon the tomb of glorious Menelaos: 'Would to God

Agamemnon might so fulfil his wrath in every matter, even as now he led hither the host of the Achaians for

naught, and hath gone home again to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left noble Menelaos

behind.' Thus shall men say hereafter: in that day let the wide earth gape for me."

But goldenhaired Menelaos encouraged him and said: "Be of good courage, neither dismay at all the host of

the Achaians. The keen dart lighted not upon a deadly spot; my glistening belt in front stayed it, and the kirtle

Then lord Agamemnon answered him and said: "Would it may be so, dear Menelaos. But the leech shall feel

So saying he spake to godlike Talthybios, his herald: "Talthybios, with all speed call Machaon hither, the

hero son of Asklepios the noble leech, to see Menelaos, Atreus' warrior son, whom one well skilled in

archery, some Trojan or Lykian, hath wounded with a bowshot, to his glory and our grief."

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 30

So said he, and the herald heard him and disregarded not, and went his way through the host of mailclad

Achaians to spy out the hero Machaon. Him he found standing, and about him the stalwart ranks of the

shield bearing host that followed him from Trike, pasture land of horses. So he came near and spake his

winged words: "Arise, thou son of Asklepios. Lord Agamemnon calleth thee to see Menelaos, captain of the

Achaians, whom one well skilled in archery, some Trojan or Lykian, hath wounded with a bowshot, to his

So saying he aroused his spirit in his breast, and they went their way amid the throng, through the wide host

of the Achaians. And when they were now come where was goldenhaired Menelaos wounded, and all as

many as were chieftains gathered around him in a circle, the godlike hero came and stood in their midst, and

anon drew forth the arrow from the clasped belt; and as it was drawn forth the keen barbs were broken

backwards. Then he loosed the glistering belt and kirtle of mail beneath and taslet that the coppersmiths

fashioned; and when he saw the wound where the bitter arrow had lighted, he sucked out the blood and

cunningly spread thereon soothing drugs, such as Cheiron of his good will had imparted to his sire.

While these were tending Menelaos of the loud warcry, the ranks of shieldbearing Trojans came on; so the

Achaians donned their arms again, and bethought them of the fray. Now wouldest thou not see noble

Agamemnon slumbering, nor cowering, unready to fight, but very eager for glorious battle. He left his horses

and his chariot adorned with bronze; and his squire, even Eurymedon son of Ptolemaios Peiraieus' son, kept

apart the snorting steeds; and he straitly charged him to have them at hand whenever weariness should come

upon his limbs with marshalling so many; and thus on foot ranged he through the ranks of warriors. And

whomsoever of all the fleethorsed Danaans he found eager, he stood by them and by his words encouraged

them: "Ye Argives, relax not in any wise your impetuous valour; for father Zeus will be no helper of liars, but

as these were first to transgress against the oaths, so shall their own tender flesh be eaten of the vultures, and

we shall bear away their dear wives and little children in our ships, when once we take the stronghold."

But whomsoever he found shrinking from hateful battle, these he chode sore with angry words: "Ye Argives,

warriors of the bow, ye men of dishonour, have ye no shame? Why stand ye thus dazed like fawns that are

weary with running over the long plain and so stand still, and no valour is found in their hearts at all? Even

thus stand ye dazed, and fight not. Is it that ye wait for the Trojans to come near where your good ships'

sterns are drawn up on the shore of the grey sea, to see if Kronion will stretch his arm over you indeed?"

So masterfully ranged he through the ranks of warriors. Then came he to the Cretans as he went through the

throng of warriors; and these were taking arms around wise Idomeneus; Idomeneus amid the foremost,

valiant as a wild boar, and Meriones the while was hastening his hindermost battalions. Then Agamemnon

king of men rejoiced to see them, and anon spake to Idomeneus with kindly words: "Idomeneus, more than

all the fleethorsed Danaans do I honour thee, whether in war or in task of other sort or in the feast, when the

chieftains of the Argives mingle in the bowl the gleaming wine of the counsellor. For even though all the

other flowinghaired Achaians drink one allotted portion, yet thy cup standeth ever full even as mine, to

drink as oft as they soul biddeth thee. Now arouse thee to war like such an one as thou avowest thyself to be

And Idomeneus the captain of the Cretans made answer to him: "Atreides, of very truth will I be to thee a

trusty comrade even as at the first I promised and gave my pledge; but do thou urge on all the flowinghaired

Achaians, that we may fight will all speed, seeing the Trojans have disannulled the oaths. But for all that

death and sorrow hereafter shall be their lot, because they were the first to transgress against the oaths."

So said he, and Agamemnon passed on glad at heart. Then came he to the Aiantes as he went through the

throng of warriors; and these twain were arming, and a cloud of footmen followed with them. Even as when a

goatherd from a place of outlook seeth a cloud coming across the deep before the blast of the west wind; and

to him being afar it seemeth ever blacker, even as pitch, as it goeth along the deep, and bringeth a great

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 31

whirlwind, and he shuddereth to see it and driveth his flock beneath a cave; even in such wise moved the

serried battalions of young men, the fosterlings of Zeus, by the side of the Aiantes into furious war, battalions

dark of line, bristling with shields and spears. And lord Agamemnon rejoiced to see them and spake to them

winged words, and said: "Aiantes, leaders of the mailclad Argives, to you twain, seeing it is not seemly to

urge you, give I no charge; for of your own selves ye do indeed bid your folk to fight amain. Ah, father Zeus

and Athene and Apollo, would that all had like spirit in their breasts; then would king Priam's city soon bow

So saying he left them there, and went to others. Then found he Nestor, the clearvoiced orator of the

Pylians, arraying his comrades, and urging them to fight, around great Pelegon and Alastor and Chromios and

lord Haimon and Bias shepherd of the host. And first he arrayed the horsemen with horses and chariots, and

behind them the footmen many and brave, to be a bulwark of battle; but the cowards he drave into the midst,

that every man, even though he would not, yet of necessity must fight. First he laid charge upon the

horsemen; these he bade hold in their horses nor be entangled in the throng. "Neither let any man, trusting in

his horsemanship and manhood, be eager to fight the Trojans alone and before the rest, nor yet let him draw

back, for so will ye be enfeebled. But whomsoever a warrior from the place of his own car can come at a

chariot of the foe, let him thrust forth with his spear; even so is the far better way. Thus moreover did men of

old time lay low cities and walls, because they had this mind and spirit in their breasts."

So did the old man charge them, being well skilled of yore in battles. And lord Agamemnon rejoiced to see

hem, and spake to him winged words, and said: "Old man, would to god that, even as thy spirit is in thine

own breast, thy limbs might obey and thy strength be unabated. But the common lot of age is heavy upon

thee; would that it had come upon some other man, and thou wert amid the young."

Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: "Atreides, I verily, even I too, would wish to be as on the day

when I slew noble Ereuthalion. But the gods in no wise grant men all things at once. As I was then a youth,

so doth old age now beset me. Yet even so will I abide among the horsemen and urge them by counsel and

words; for that is the right of elders. But the young men shall wield the spear, they that are more youthful

So spake he, and Atreides passed on glad at heart. He found Menestheus the charioteer, the son of Peteos,

standing still, and round him were the Athenians, masters of the battlecry. And hard by stood crafty

Odysseus, and round about him the ranks of Kephallenians, no feeble folk, stood still; for their host had not

yet heard the battlecry, seeing the battalions of horsetaming Trojans and Achaians had but just bestirred

them to move; so these stood still tarrying till some other column of the Achaians should advance to set upon

the Trojans and begin the battle. But when Agamemnon king of men saw it, he upbraided them, and spake to

them winged words, saying: "O son of king Peteos fosterling of Zeus, and thou skilled in evil wiles, thou

cunning of mind, why stand ye shrinking apart, and tarry for others? You beseemeth it to stand in your place

amid the foremost and to front the fiery battle; for ye are the first to hear my bidding to the feast, as oft as we

Achaians prepare a feast for the counsellors. Then are ye glad to eat roast meat and drink your cups of

honeysweet wine as long as ye will. But now would ye gladly behold it, yea, if ten columns of Achaians in

But Odysseus of many counsels looked fiercely at him and said: "Atreides, what word is this that hath

escaped the barrier of thy lips? How sayest thou that we are slack in battle? When once our [Or, "that we are

slack in battle, when once we Achaians," putting the note of interrogation after "tamers of horses."] Achaians

launch furious war on the Trojans, tamers of horses, then shalt thou, if thou wilt, and if thou hast any care

therefor, behold Telemachos' dear father mingling with the champions of the Trojans, the tamers of horses.

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 32

Then lord Agamemnon spake to him smiling, seeing how he was wroth, and took back his saying:

"Heavensprung son of Laertes, Odysseus full of devices, neither do I chide thee beyond measure nor urge

thee; for I know that thy heart within thy breast is kindly disposed; for thy thoughts are as my thoughts. Go

to, we will make amends hereafter, if any ill word hath been spoken now; may the gods bring it all to none

So saying he left them there and went on to others. The son of Tydeus found he, highhearted Diomedes,

standing still with horses and chariot well compact; and by him stood Sthenelos son of Kapaneus. Him lord

Agamemnon saw and upbraided, and spake to him winged words, and said: "Ah me, thou son of wise Tydeus

tamer of horses, why shrinkest thou, why gazest thou at the highways of the battle? Not thus was Tydeus

wont to shrink, but rather to fight his enemies far in front of his dear comrades, as they say that beheld him at

the task; for never did I meet him nor behold him, but men say that he was preeminent amid all. Of a truth he

came to Mykene, not in enmity, but as a guest with godlike Polyneikes, to raise him an army for the war that

they were levying against the holy walls of Thebes; and they besought earnestly that valiant allies might be

given them, and our folk were fain to grant them and made assent to their entreaty, only Zeus showed omens

of ill and turned their minds. So when these were departed and were come on their way, and had attained to

Asopos deep in rushes, that maketh his bed in grass, there did the Achaians appoint Tydeus to be their

ambassador. So he went and found the multitude of the sons of Kadmos feasting in the palace of mighty

Eteokles. Yet was knightly Tydeus, even though a stranger, not afraid, being alone amid the multitude of the

Kadmeians, but challenged them all to feats of strength, and in every one vanquished he them easily; so

present a helper was Athene unto him. But the Kadmeians, the urgers of horses, were wroth, and as he fared

back again they brought and set a strong ambush, even fifty young men, whose leaders were twain, Maion

son of Haimon, like to the immortals, and Autophonos' son Polyphontes staunch in battle. Still even on the

Tydeus brought shameful death; he slew them all, save one that he sent home alone; Maion to wit he sent

away in obediance to the omens of heaven. Such was Tydeus of Aitolia; but he begat a son that in battle is

So said he, and stalwart Diomedes made no answer, but had respect to the chiding of the king revered. But

the son of glorious Kapaneus answered him: "Atreides, utter not falsehood, seeing thou knowest how to speak

truly. We avow ourselves to be better men by far than our fathers were: we did take the seat of Thebes the

seven gated, though we led a scantier host against a stronger wall, because we followed the omens of the gods

and the salvation of Zeus; but they perished by their own iniquities. Do not thou therefore in any wise have

But stalwart Diomedes looked sternly at him, and said: "Brother, sit silent and obey my saying. I grudge not

that Agamemnon shepherd of the host should urge on the wellgreaved Achaians to fight; for him the glory

will attend if the Achaians lay the Trojans low and take holy Ilios; and his will be the great sorrow if the

He spake and leapt in his armour from the chariot to earth, and terribly rang the bronze upon the chieftain's

As when on the echoing beach the seawave lifteth up itself in close array before the driving of the west

wind; out on the deep doth it first raise its head, and then breaketh upon the land and belloweth aloud and

goeth with arching crest about the promontories, and speweth the foaming brine afar; even so in close array

moved the battalions of the Danaans without pause to battle. Each captain gave his men the word, and the rest

went silently; thou wouldest not deem that all the great host following them had any voice within their

breasts; in silence feared they their captains. On every man glittered the inwrought armour wherewith they

went clad. But for the Trojans, like sheep beyond number that stand in the courtyard of a man of great

substance, to be milked of their white milk, and bleat without ceasing to hear their lambs' cry, even so arose

the clamour of the Trojans through the wide host. For they had not all like speech nor one language, but their

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 33

tongues were mingled, and they were brought from many lands. These were urged on of Ares, and those of

brighteyed Athene, and Terror and Rout, and Strife whose fury wearieth not, sister and friend of murderous

Ares; her crest is but lowly at the first, but afterward she holdeth up her head in heaven and her feet walk

upon the earth. She now cast common discord in their midst, as she fared through the throng and made the

Now when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed they targe and spear and fury of

bronzeclad warrior; the bossed shields pressed each on each and mighty din arose. Then were heard the

voice of groaning and the voice of triumph together of the slayers and the slain, and the earth streamed with

blood. As when two winter torrents flow down the mountains to a watersmeet and join their furious flood

within the ravine from their great springs, and the shepherd heareth the roaring far off among the hills: even

so from the joining of battle came there forth shouting and travail. Antilochos first slew a Trojan warrior in

full array, valiant amid the champions, Echepolos son of Thalysios; him was he first to smite upon the ridge

of his crested helmet, and he drave the spear into his brow and the point of bronze passed within the bone;

darkness clouded his eyes, and he crashed like a tower amid the press of fight. As he fell lord Elephenor

caught him by the foot, Chalkodon's son, captain of the greathearted Abantes, and dragged him from

beneath the darts, eager with all speed to despoil him of his armour. Yet but for a little endured his essay;

greathearted Agenor saw him haling away the corpse, and where his side was left uncovered of his buckler

as he bowed him down, there smote he him with bronzetipped spearshaft and unstrung his limbs. So his

life departed from him, and over his corpse the task of Trojans and Achaians grew hot; like wolves leapt they

Next Telamonian Aias smote Anthemion's son, the lusty stripling Simoeisios, whose erst is mother bare

beside the banks of Simoeis on the way down from Ida whither she had followed with her parents to see their

flocks. Therefore they called him Simoeisios, but he repaid not his dear parents the recompense of his

nurture; scanty was his span of life by reason of the spear of greathearted Aias that laid him low. For as he

went he first was smitten on his right breast beside the pap; straight though his shoulder passed the spear of

bronze, and he fell to the ground in the dust like a poplartree, that hath grown up smooth in the lowland of a

great marsh, and its branches grow upon the top thereof; this hath a wainwright felled with gleaming steel, to

bend him a felloe for a goodly chariot, and so it lies drying by a river's banks. In such a fashion did

heavensprung Aias slay Simoeisios son of Anthemion; then at him Antiphos of the glancing corslet, Priam's

son, made a cast with his keen javelin across the throng. Him he missed, but smote Odysseus' valient

comrade Leukos in the groin as he drew the corpse his way, so that he fell upon it and the body dropped from

his hands. Then Odysseus was very wroth at heart for the slaying of him, and strode through the forefront of

the battle harnessed in flashing bronze, and went and stood hard by and glanced around him, and cast his

bright javelin; and the Trojans shrank before the casting of the hero. He sped not the dart in vain, but smote

Demokoon, Priam's bastard son that had come to him from tending his fleet mares in Abydos. Him Odysseus,

being wroth for his comrade's sake, smote with his javelin on one temple; and through both temples passed

the point of bronze, and darkness clouded his eyes, and he fell with a crash and his armour clanged upon him.

Then the forefighters and glorious Hector yielded, and the Argives shouted aloud, and drew the bodies unto

them, and pressed yet further onward. But Apollo looked down from Pergamos, and had indignation, and

with a shout called to the Trojans: "Arise, ye Trojans, tamers of horses; yield not to the Argives in fight; not

of stone nor iron is their flesh, that it should resist the piercing bronze when they are smitten. Moreover

Achilles, son of Thetis of the fair tresses, fighteth not, but amid the ships broodeth on his bitter anger."

So spake the dread god from the city; and the Achaians likewise were urged on of Zeus' daughter the

Tritonborn, most glorious, as she passed through the throng wheresoever she beheld them slackening.

Next was Diores son of Amrynkeus caught in the snare of fate; for he was smitten by a jagged stone on the

right leg hard by the ankle, and the caster thereof was captain of the men of Thrace, Peirros son of Imbrasos

that had come from Ainos. The pitiless stone crushed utterly the two sinews and the bones; back fell he in the

BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. 34

dust, and stretched out both his hands to his dear comrades, gasping out his soul. Then he that smote him,

even Peiroos, sprang at him and pierced him with a spear beside the navel; so all his bowels gushed forth

upon the ground, and darkness clouded his eyes. But even as Peiroos departed from him Thoas of Aitolia

smote with a spear his chest above the pap, and the point fixed in his lung. Then Thoas came close, and

plucked out from his breast the ponderous spear, and drew his sharp sword, wherewith he smote his belly in

the midst, and took his life. Yet he stripped not off his armour; for his comrades, the men of Thrace that wear

the topknot, stood around, their long spears in their hands, and albeit he was great and valiant and proud

they drave him off from them and he gave ground reeling. So were the two captains stretched in the dust side

by side, he of the Thracians and he of the mailclad Epeians; and around them were many others likewise

Now would none any more enter in and make light of the battle, could it be that a man yet unwounded by dart

or thrust of keen bronze might roam in the midst, being led of Pallas Athene by the hand, and by her guarded

from the flying shafts. For many Trojans that day and many Achaians were laid side by side upon their faces

But now to Tydeus' son Diomedes Athene gave might and courage, for him to be preeminent amid all the

Argives and win glorious renown. She kindled flame unwearied from his helmet and shield, like to the star of

summer that above all others glittereth bright after he hath bathed in the ocean stream. In such wise kindled

she flame from his head and shoulders and sent him into the midst, where men thronged the thickest.

Now there was amid the Trojans one Dares, rich and noble, priest of Hephaistos; and he had two sons,

Phegeus and Idaios, well skilled in all the art of battle. These separated themselves and assailed him face to

face, they setting on him from their car and he on foot upon the ground. And when they were now come near

in onset on each other, first Phegeus hurled his farshadowing spear; and over Tydeides' left shoulder the

spear point passed, and smote not his body. Then next Tydeides made a spearcast, and the javelin sped not

from his hand in vain, but smote his breast between the nipples, and thrust him from the chariot. So Idaios

sprang away, leaving his beautiful car, and dared not to bestride his slain brother; else had neither he himself

escaped black fate: but Hephaistos guarded him and saved him in a veil of darkness, that he might not have

his aged priest all broken with sorrow. And the son of greathearted Tydeus drave away the horses and gave

them to his men to take to the hollow ships. But when the greathearted Trojans beheld the sons of Dares,

how one was fled, and one was slain beside his chariot, the spirit of all was stirred. But brighteyed Athene

took impetuous Ares by the hand and spake to him and said: "Ares, Ares, bloodstained bane of mortals, thou

stormer of walls, can we not now leave the Trojans and Achaians to fight, on whichsoever it be that father

Zeus bestoweth glory? But let us twain give place, and escape the wrath of Zeus."

So saying she led impetuous Ares from the battle. Then she made him sit down beside loud Skamandros, and

So they laboured in the violent mellay; but of Tydeides man could not tell with whom he were joined,

whether he consorted with Trojans or with Achaians. For he stormed across the plain like a winter torrent at

the full, that in swift course scattereth the causeys [Causeways.]; neither can the long lines of causeys hold it

in, nor the fences of fruitful orchards stay its sudden coming when the rain of heaven driveth it; and before it

perish in multitudes the fair works of the sons of men. Thus before Tydeides the serried battalions of the

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 35

But when Lykaon's glorious son marked him storming across the plain, overthrowing battalions before him,

anon he bent his crooked bow against Tydeides, and smote him as he sped onwards, hitting hard by his right

shoulder the plate of his corslet; the bitter arrow flew through and held straight upon its way, and the corslet

was dabbled with blood. Over him then loudly shouted Lykaon's glorious son: "Bestir you, greathearted

Trojans, urgers of horses; the best man of the Achaians is wounded, and I deem that he shall not for long

So spake he boasting; yet was the other not vanquished of the swift dart, only he gave place and stood before

his horses and his chariot and spake to Sthenelos son of Kapaneus: "Haste thee, dear son of Kapaneus;

So said he, and Sthenelos leapt from his chariot to earth and stood beside him and drew the swift shaft right

through, out of his shoulder; and the blood darted up through the pliant tunic. Then Diomedes of the loud

warcry prayed thereat: "Hear me, daughter of aegisbearing Zeus, unwearied maiden! If ever in kindly

mood thou stoodest by my father in the heat of battle, even so now be thou likewise kind to me, Athene.

Grant me to slay this man, and bring within my spearcast him that took advantage to shoot me, and boasteth

So spake he in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him, and made his limbs nimble, his feet and his hands withal,

and came near and spake winged words: "Be of good courage now, Diomedes, to fight the Trojans; for in thy

breast I have set thy father's courage undaunted, even as it was in knightly Tydeus, wielder of the buckler.

Moreover I have taken from thine eyes the mist that erst was on them, that thou mayest well discern both god

and man. Therefore if any god come hither to make trial of thee, fight not thou face to face with any of the

immortal gods; save only if Aphrodite daughter of Zeus enter into the battle, her smite thou with the keen

So saying brighteyed Athene went her way and Tydeides returned and entered the forefront of the battle;

even though erst his soul was eager to do battle with the Trojans, yet now did threefold courage come upon

him, as upon a lion whom some shepherd in the field guarding his fleecy sheep hath wounded, being sprung

into the fold, yet hath not vanquished him; he hath roused his might, and then cannot beat him back, but

lurketh amid the steading, and his forsaken flock is affrighted; so the sheep are cast in heaps, one upon the

other, and the lion in his fury leapeth out of the high fold; even so in fury mingled mighty Diomedes with the

Him Aineias beheld making havoc of the ranks of warriors, and went his way along the battle and amid the

hurtling of spears, seeking godlike Pandaros, if haply he might find him. Lykaon's son he found, the noble

and stalwart, and stood before his face, and spake a word unto him. "Pandaros, where now are thy bow and

thy winged arrows, and the fame wherein no man of this land rivalleth thee, nor any in Lykia boasteth to be

thy better? Go to now, lift thy hands in prayer to Zeus and shoot thy dart at this fellow, whoe'er he be that

lordeth it here and hath already wrought the Trojans much mischief, seeing he hath unstrung the knees of

many a brave man; if indeed it be not some god wroth with the Trojans, in anger by reason of sacrifices; the

And Lykaon's glorious son made answer to him: "Aineias, counsellor of the mailclad Trojans, in everything

liken I him to the wise son of Tydeus; I discern him by his shield and crested helmet, and by the aspect of his

horses; yet know I not surely if it be not a god. But if it be the man I deem, even the wise son of Tydeus, then

not without help of a god is he thus furious, but some immortal standeth beside him with a cloud wrapped

about his shoulders and turned aside from him my swift dart even as it lighted. For already have I shot my

dart at him and smote his right shoulder right through the breastplate of his corslet, yea and I thought to hurl

him headlong to Aidoneus, yet I vanquished him not; surely it is some wrathful god. Already have I aimed at

two princes, Tydeus' and Atreus' sons, and both I smote and surely drew forth blood, yet only roused them the

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 36

more. Therefore in an evil hour I took from the peg my curved bow on that day when I led my Trojans to

lovely Ilios, to do noble Hector pleasure. But if I return and mine eyes behold my native land and wife and

great palace loftyroofed, then may an alien forthwith cut my head from me if I break not this bow with mine

hands and cast it upon the blazing fire; worthless is its service to me as air."

Then Aineias captain of the Trojans answered him: "Nay, talk not thus; naught shall be mended before that

we with horses and chariot have gone to face this man, and made trial of him in arms. Come then, mount

upon my car that thou mayest see of what sort are the steeds of Tros, well skilled for following or for fleeing

hither or thither very fleetly across the plain; they will e'en bring us to the city safe and sound, even though

Zeus hereafter give victory to Diomedes son of Tydeus. Come therefore, take thou the lash and shining reins,

and I will stand upon the car to fight; or else withstand thou him, and to the horses will I look."

To him made answer Lykaon's glorious son: "Aineias, take thou thyself the reins and thine own horses; better

will they draw the curved car for their wonted charioteer, if perchance it hap that we must flee from Tydeus'

son; lest they go wild for fear and will not take us from the fight, for lack of thy voice, and so the son of

greathearted Tydeus attack us and slay us both and drive away the wholehooved horses. So drive thou

thyself thy chariot and thy horses, and I will await his onset with my keen spear." So saying mounted they

upon the well dight chariot, and eagerly drave the fleet horses against Tydeides, And Sthenelos, the glorious

son of Kapaneus, saw them, and anon spake to Tydeides winged words: "Diomedes son of Tydeus, dear to

mine heart, I behold two stalwart warriors eager to fight against thee, endued with might beyond measure.

The one is well skilled in the bow, even Pandaros, and he moreover boasteth him to be Lykaon's son; and

Aineias boasteth himself to be born son of greathearted Anchises, and his mother is Aphrodite. Come now,

let us give place upon the chariot, neither rage thou thus, I pray thee, in the forefront of battle, lest perchance

Then stalwart Diomedes looked sternly at him and said: "Speak to me no word of flight, for I ween that thou

shalt not at all persuade me; not in my blood is it to fight a skulking fight or cower down; my force is

steadfast still. I have no mind to mount the chariot, nay, even as I am will I go to face them; Pallas Athene

biddeth me not be afraid. And as for these, their fleet horses shall not take both back from us again, even if

one or other escape. And this moreover tell I thee, and lay thou it to heart: if Athene rich in counsel grant me

this glory, to slay them both, then refrain thou here these my fleet horses, and bind the reins tight to the

chariot rim; and be mindful to leap upon Aineias' horses, and drive them forth from the Trojans amid the

wellgreaved Achaians. For they are of that breed whereof farseeing Zeus gave to Tros recompense for

Ganymede his child, because they were the best of all horses beneath the daylight and the sun."

In such wise talked they one to the other, and anon those other twain came near, driving their fleet horses.

First to him spake Lykaon's glorious son: "O thou strongsouled and cunning, son of proud Tydeus, verily

my swift dart vanquished thee not, the bitter arrow; so now will I make trial with my spear if I can hit thee."

He spake and poised and hurled his farshadowing spear, and smote upon Tydeides' shield; right through it

sped the point of bronze and reached the breastplate. So over him shouted loudly Lykaon's glorious son:

"Thou art smitten on the belly right through, and I ween thou shalt not long hold up thine head; so thou givest

But mighty Diomedes unaffrighted answered him: "Thou hast missed, and not hit; but ye twain I deem shall

not cease till one or other shall have fallen and glutted with blood Ares the stubborn god of war."

So spake he and hurled; and Athene guided the dart upon his nose beside the eye, and it pierced through his

white teeth. So the hard bronze cut through his tongue at the root and the point issued forth by the base of the

chin. He fell from his chariot, and his splendid armour gleaming clanged upon him, and the fleetfooted

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 37

Then Aineias leapt down with shield and long spear, fearing lest perchance the Achaians might take from him

the corpse; and strode over him like a lion confident in his strength, and held before him his spear and the

circle of his shield, eager to slay whoe'er should come to face him, crying his terrible cry. Then Tydeides

grasped in his hand a stonea mighty deedsuch as two men, as men now are, would not avail to lift; yet

he with ease wielded it all alone. Therewith he smote Aineias on the hip where the thigh turneth in the hip

joint, and this men call the "cupbone." So he crushed his cupbone, and brake both sinews withal, and the

jagged stone tore apart the skin. Then the hero stayed fallen upon his knees and with stout hand leant upon

the earth; and the darkness of night veiled his eyes. And now might Aineias king of men have perished, but

that Aphrodite daughter of Zeus was swift to mark. About her dear son wound she her white arms, and spread

before his face a fold of her radiant vesture, to be a covering from the darts, lest any of the fleethorsed

So was she bearing her dear son away from battle; but the son of Kapaneus forgat not the behest that

Diomedes of the loud warcry had laid upon him; he refrained his own wholehooved horses away from the

tumult, binding the reins tight to the chariotrim, and leapt on the sleekcoated horses of Aineias, and drave

them from the Trojans to the wellgreaved Achaians, and gave them to Deipylos his dear comrade whom he

esteemed above all that were his agefellows, because he was likeminded with himself; and bade him drive

them to the hollow ships. Then did the hero mount his own chariot and take the shining reins and forthwith

drive his stronghooved horses in quest of Tydeides, eagerly. Now Tydeides had made onslaught with

pitiless weapon on Kypris [Aphrodite], knowing how she was a coward goddess and none of those that have

mastery in battle of the warriors. Now when he had pursued her through the dense throng and come on her,

then greathearted Tydeus' son thrust with his keen spear, and leapt on her and wounded the skin of her weak

hand; straight through the ambrosial raiment that the Graces themselves had woven her pierced the dart into

the flesh, above the springing of the palm. Then flowed the goddess's immortal blood, such ichor as floweth

in the blessed gods; for they eat no bread neither drink they gleaming wine, wherefore they are bloodless and

are named immortals. And she with a great cry let fall her son: him Phoebus Apollo took into his arms and

saved him in a dusky cloud, lest any of the fleethorsed Danaans might hurl the spear into his breast and take

away his life. But over her Diomedes of the loud warcry shouted afar: "Refrain thee, thou daughter of Zeus,

from war and fighting. Is it not enough that thou beguilest feeble women? But if in battle thou wilt mingle,

verily I deem that thou shalt shudder at the name of battle, if thou hear it even afar off"

So spake he, and she departed in amaze and was sore troubled: and windfooted Iris took her and led her

from the throng tormented with her pain, and her fair skin was stained. There found she impetuous Ares

sitting, on the battle's left; and his spear rested upon a cloud, and his fleet steeds. Then she fell on her knees

and with instant prayer besought of her dear brother his goldenfrontleted steeds: "Dear brother, save me and

give me thy steeds, that I may win to Olympus, where is the habitation of the immortals. Sorely am I afflicted

with a wound wherewith a mortal smote me, even Tydeides, who now would fight even with father Zeus."

So spake she, and Ares gave her his goldenfrontleted steeds, and she mounted on the chariot sore at heart.

By her side mounted Iris, and in her hands grasped the reins and lashed the horses to start them; and they flew

onward nothing loth. Thus soon they came to the habitation of the gods, even steep Olympus. There

windfooted fleet Iris loosed the horses from the chariot and stabled them, and set ambrosial forage before

them; but fair Aphrodite fell upon Dione's knees that was her mother. She took her daughter in her arms and

stroked her with her hand, and spake and called upon her name: "Who now of the sons of heaven, dear child,

hath entreated thee thus wantonly, as though thou wert a wrongdoer in the face of all?"

Then laughterloving Aphrodite made answer to her: "Tydeus' son wounded me, highhearted Diomedes,

because I was saving from the battle my dear son Aineias, who to me is dearest far of all men. For no more is

the fierce battlecry for Trojans and Achaians, but the Danaans now are fighting even the immortals."

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 38

Then the fair goddess Dione answered her: "Be of good heart, my child, and endure for all thy pain; for many

of us that inhabit the mansions of Olympus have suffered through men, in bringing grievous woes one upon

So saying with both hands she wiped the ichor from the arm; her arm was comforted, and the grievous pangs

assuaged. But Athene and Hera beheld, and with bitter words provoked Zeus the son, of Kronos. Of them was

the brighteyed goddess Athene first to speak: "Father Zeus, wilt thou indeed be wroth with me whate'er I

say? Verily I ween that Kypris was urging some woman of Achaia to join her unto the Trojans whom she so

marvellously loveth; and stroking such an one of the fairrobed women of Achaia, she tore upon the golden

So spake she, and the father of gods and men smiled, and called unto him golden Aphrodite and said: "Not

unto thee, my child, are given the works of war; but follow thou after the loving tasks of wedlock, and to all

Now while they thus spake in converse one with the other, Diomedes of the loud warcry leapt upon Aineias,

knowing full well that Apollo himself had spread his arms over him; yet reverenced he not even the great

god, but still was eager to slay Aineias and strip from him his glorious armour. So thrice he leapt on him, fain

to slay him, and thrice Apollo beat back his glittering shield. And when the fourth time he sprang at him like

a god, then Apollo the Fardarter spake to him with terrible shout: "Think, Tydeides, and shrink, nor desire

to match thy spirit with gods; seeing there is no comparison of the race of immortal gods and of men that

So said he, and Tydeides shrank a short space backwards, to avoid the wrath of Apollo the Fardarter. Then

Apollo set Aineias away from the throng in holy Pergamos where his temple stood. There Leto and Archer

Artemis healed him in the mighty sanctuary, and gave him glory; but Apollo of the silver bow made a wraith

like unto Aineias' self, and in such armour as his; and over the wraith Trojans and goodly Achaians each

hewed the others' bucklers on their breasts, their round shields and fluttering targes.

Then to impetuous Ares said Phoebus Apollo: "Ares, Ares, bloodstained bane of mortals, thou stormer of

walls, wilt thou not follow after this man and withdraw him from the battle, this Tydeides, who now would

fight even with father Zeus? First in close fight he wounded Kypris in her hand hard by the wrist, and then

So saying he sate himself upon the height of Pergamos, and baleful Ares entered among the Trojan ranks and

aroused them in the likeness of fleet Akamas, captain of the Thracians. On the heavennurtured sons of

Priam he called saying: "O ye sons of Priam, the heavennurtured king, how long will ye yet suffer your host

to be slain of the Achaians? Shall it be even until they fight about our wellbuilded gates? Low lieth the

warrior whom we esteemed like unto goodly Hector, even Aineias son of Anchises great of heart. Go to now,

So saying he aroused the spirit and soul of every man. Thereat Sarpedon sorely chode noble Hector: "Hector,

where now is the spirit gone that erst thou hadst? Thou saidst forsooth that without armies or allies thou

wouldest hold the city, alone with thy sisters' husbands and thy brothers; but now can I not see any of these

neither perceive them, but they are cowering like hounds about a lion; and we are fighting that are but allies

So spake Sarpedon, and his word stung Hector to the heart, Forthwith he leapt from his chariot in his armour

to the earth, and brandishing two keen spears went everywhere through the host, urging them to fight, and

roused the dread battlecry. So they were rallied and stood to face the Achaians: and the Argives withstood

them in close array and fled not. Even as a wind carrieth the chaff about the sacred threshingfloors when

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 39

men are winnowing, and the chaffheaps grow whiteso now grew the Achaians white with falling dust

which in their midst the horses' hooves beat up into the brazen heaven, as fight was joined again, and the

charioteers wheeled round. Thus bare they forward the fury of their hands: and impetuous Ares drew round

them a veil of night to aid the Trojans in the battle, ranging everywhere. And Apollo himself sent forth

Aineias from his rich sanctuary and put courage in the heart of him, shepherd of the hosts. So Aineias took

his place amid his comrades, and they were glad to see him come among them alive and sound and full of

valiant spirit. Yet they questioned him not at all, for all the toil forbade them that the god of the silver bow

And on the other side the two Aiantes and Odysseus and Diomedes stirred the Danaans to fight; yet these of

themselves feared neither the Trojans' violence nor assaults, but stood like mists that Kronos' son setteth in

windless air on the mountain tops, at peace, while the might of the north wind sleepeth and of all the violent

winds that blow with keen breath and scatter apart the shadowing clouds. Even so the Danaans withstood the

Trojans steadfastly and fled not. And Atreides ranged through the throng exhorting instantly: "My friends,

quit you like men and take heart of courage, and shun dishonour in one another's eyes amid the stress of

battle. Of men that shun dishonour more are saved than slain, but for them that flee is neither glory found nor

So saying he darted swiftly with his javelin and smote a foremost warrior, even greathearted Aineias'

comrade Deikoon son of Pergasos, whom the Trojans held in like honour with Priam's sons, because he was

swift to do battle amid the foremost. Him lord Agamemnon smote with his dart upon the shield, and it stayed

not the spear, but the point passed through, so that he drave it through the belt into his nethermost belly: and

Then did Aineias slay two champions of the Danaans, even the sons of Diokles, Krethon and Orsilochos.

Like them, two lions on the mountain tops are nurtured by their dam in the deep forest thickets; and these

harry the kine and goodly sheep and make havoc of the farmsteads of men, till in their turn they too are slain

at men's hands with the keen bronze; in such wise were these twain vanquished at Aineias' hands and fell like

But Menelaos dear to Ares had pity of them in their fall, and strode through the forefront, harnessed in

flashing bronze, brandishing his spear; and Ares stirred his courage, with intent that he might fall beneath

Aineias' hand. But Antilochos, greathearted Nestor's son, beheld him, and strode through the forefront;

because he feared exceedingly for the shepherd of the host, lest aught befall him and disappoint them utterly

of their labour. So those two were now holding forth their hands and sharp spears each against the other,

eager to do battle; when Antilochos came and stood hard by the shepherd of the host. But Aineias faced them

not, keen warrior though he was, when he beheld two men abiding side by side; so these haled away the

corpses to the Achaians' host, and laid the hapless twain in their comrades' arms, and themselves turned back

But Hector marked them across the ranks, and sprang on them with a shout, and the battalions of the Trojans

followed him in their might: and Ares led them on and dread Enyo, she bringing ruthless turmoil of war, the

while Ares wielded in his hands his monstrous spear, and ranged now before Hector's face, and now behind.

Then Diomedes of the loud warcry shuddered to behold him; and even as a shiftless man crossing a great

plain cometh on a swiftstreaming river flowing on to the sea, and seeing it boil with foam springeth

backwards, even so now Tydeides shrank back and spake to the host: "Friends, how marvel we that noble

Hector is a spearman and bold man of war! Yet ever is there beside him some god that wardeth off

destruction; even as now Ares is there by him in likeness of a mortal man. But with faces towards the Trojans

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 40

Now the Argives before the face of Ares and mailclad Hector neither turned them round about toward their

black ships, nor charged forward in battle, but still fell backward, when they heard of Ares amid the Trojans.

But when the whitearmed goddess Hera marked them making havoc of the Argives in the press of battle,

anon she spake winged words to Athene: "Out on it, thou daughter of aegisbearing Zeus, unwearied maiden!

Was it for naught we pledged our word to Menelaos, that he should not depart till he had laid waste

wellwalled Ilios,if thus we let baleful Ares rage? Go to now, let us twain also take thought of impetuous

So said she, and the brighteyed goddess Athene disregarded not. So Hera the goddess queen, daughter of

Kronos, went her way to harness the goldfrontleted steeds. And Athene, daughter of aegisbearing Zeus,

cast down at her father's threshold her woven vesture manycoloured, that herself had wrought and her hands

had fashioned, and put on her the tunic of Zeus the cloudgatherer, and arrayed her in her armour for

dolorous battle. About her shoulders cast she the tasselled aegis terrible, whereon is Panic as a crown all

round about, and Strife is therein and Valour and horrible Onslaught withal, and therein is the dreadful

monster's Gorgon head, dreadful and grim, portent of aegisbearing Zeus. Upon her head set she the

twocrested golden helm with fourfold plate, bedecked with menatarms of a hundred cities. Upon the

flaming chariot set she her foot, and grasped her heavy spear, great and stout, wherewith she vanquisheth the

ranks of men, even of heroes with whom she of the awful sire is wroth. Then Hera swiftly smote the horses

with the lash; selfmoving groaned upon their hinges the gates of heaven whereof the Hours are warders, to

whom is committed great heaven and Olympus, whether to throw open the thick cloud or set it to. There

through the gates guided they their horses patient of the lash. And they found the son of Kronos sitting apart

from all the gods on the topmost peak of manyridged Olympus. Then the whitearmed goddess Hera stayed

her horses and questioned the most high Zeus, the son of Kronos, and said: "Father Zeus, hast thou no

indignation with Ares for these violent deeds? How great and goodly a company of Achaians hath he

destroyed recklessly and in unruly wise, unto my sorrow. But here in peace Kypris and Apollo of the silver

bow take their pleasure, having set on this mad one that knoweth not any law. Father Zeus, wilt thou at all be

And Zeus the cloudgatherer answered and said to her: "Go to now, set upon him Athene driver of the spoil,

So spake he, and the whitearmed goddess Hera disregarded not, and lashed her horses; they nothing loth

flew on between earth and starry heaven. As far as a man seeth with his eyes into the haze of distance as he

sitteth on a place of outlook and gazeth over the winedark sea, so far leap the loudly neighing horses of the

gods. Now when they came to Troy and the two flowing rivers, even to where Simoeis and Skamandros join

their streams, there the whitearmed goddess Hera stayed her horses and loosed them from the car and

poured thick mist round about them, and Simoeis made ambrosia spring up for them to graze. So the

goddesses went their way with step like unto turtledoves, being fain to bring succour to the men of Argos.

And when they were now come where the most and most valiant stood, thronging about mighty Diomedes

tamer of horses, in the semblance of ravening lions or wild boars whose strength is nowise feeble, then stood

the whitearmed goddess Hera and shouted in the likeness of greathearted Stentor with voice of bronze,

whose cry was loud as the cry of fifty other men: "Fie upon you, Argives, base things of shame, so brave in

semblance! While yet noble Achilles entered continually into battle, then issued not the Trojans even from

the Dardanian gate; for they had dread of his terrible spear. But now fight they far from the city at the hollow

So saying she aroused the spirit and soul of every man. And to Tydeides' side sprang the brighteyed goddess

Athene. That lord she found beside his horses and chariot, cooling the wound that Pandaros with his dart had

pierced, for his sweat vexed it by reason of the broad baldrick of his round shield; therewith was he vexed

and his arm grew weary, so he was lifting up the baldrick and wiping away the dusky blood. Then the

goddess laid her hand on his horses' yoke, and said: "Of a truth Tydeus begat a son little after his own

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 41

And stalwart Diomedes made answer to her and said: "I know thee, goddess daughter of aegisbearing Zeus:

therefore with my whole heart will I tell thee my thought and hide it not. Neither hath disheartening terror

taken hold upon me, nor any faintness, but I am still mindful of thy behest that thou didst lay upon me. Thou

forbadest me to fight face to face with all the blessed gods, save only if Zeus' daughter Aphrodite should

enter into battle, then to wound her with the keen bronze. Therefore do I now give ground myself and have

bidden all the Argives likewise to gather here together; for I discern Ares lording it in the fray."

Then the brighteyed goddess Athene answered him: "Diomedes son of Tydeus, thou joy of mine heart, fear

thou, for that, neither Ares nor any other of the immortals; so great a helper am I to thee. Go to now, at Ares

first guide thou thy wholehooved horses, and smite him hand to hand, nor have any awe of impetuous Ares,

raving here, a curse incarnate, the renegade that of late in converse with me and Hera pledged him to fight

against the Trojans and give succour to the Argives, but now consorteth with the Trojans and hath forgotten

So speaking, with her hand she drew back Sthenelos and thrust him from the chariot to earth, and instantly

leapt he down; so the goddess mounted the car by noble Diomedes' side right eagerly. The oaken axle

creaked loud with its burden, bearing the dread goddess and the man of might. Then Athene grasped the whip

and reins; forthwith against Ares first guided she the wholehooved horses. Now he was stripping huge

Periphas, most valiant far of the Aitolians, Ochesios' glorious son. Him was bloodstained Ares stripping;

and Athene donned the helm of Hades, that terrible Ares might not behold her. Now when Ares scourge of

mortals beheld noble Diomedes, he left huge Periphas lying there, where at the first he had slain him and

taken away his life, and made straight at Diomedes tamer of horses. Now when they were come nigh in onset

on one another, first Ares thrust over the yoke and horse's reins with spear of bronze, eager to take away his

life. But the brighteyed goddess Athene with her hand seized the spear and thrust it up over the car, to spend

itself in vain. Next Diomedes of the loud warcry attacked with spear of bronze; and Athene drave it home

against Ares' nethermost belly, where his taslets were girt about him. There smote he him and wounded him,

rending through his fair skin, and plucked forth the spear again. Then brazen Ares bellowed loud as nine

thousand warriors or ten thousand cry in battle as they join in strife and fray. Thereat trembling gat hold of

Even as gloomy mist appeareth from the clouds when after beat a stormy wind ariseth, even so to Tydeus' son

Diomedes brazen Ares appeared amid clouds, faring to wide heaven. Swiftly came he to the gods' dwelling,

steep Olympus, and sat beside Zeus son of Kronos with grief at heart, and shewed the immortal blood

flowing from the wound, and piteously spake to him winged words: "Father Zeus, hast thou no indignation to

behold these violent deeds? For ever cruelly suffer we gods by one another's devices, in shewing men grace.

With thee are we all at variance, because thou didst beget that reckless maiden and baleful, whose thought is

ever of iniquitous deeds. For all the other gods that are in Olympus hearken to thee, and we are subject every

one; only her thou chastenest not, neither in deed nor word, but settest her on, because this pestilent one is

thine own offspring. Now hath she urged on Tydeus' son, even overweening Diomedes, to rage furiously

against the immortal gods. Kypris first he wounded in close fight, in the wrist of her hand, and then assailed

he me, even me, with the might of a god. Howbeit my swift feet bare me away; else had I long endured

anguish there amid the grisly heaps of dead, or else had lived strengthless from the smitings of the spear."

Then Zeus the cloudgatherer looked sternly at him and said: "Nay, thou renegade, sit not by me and whine.

Most hateful to me art thou of all gods that dwell in Olympus: thou ever lovest strife and wars and battles.

Truly thy mother's spirit is intolerable, unyielding, even Hera's; her can I scarce rule with words. Therefore I

deem that by her prompting thou art in this plight. Yet will I no longer endure to see thee in anguish; mine

BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. 42

So spake he and bade Paieon heal him. And Paieon laid assuaging drugs upon the wound. Even as fig juice

maketh haste to thicken white milk, that is liquid but curdleth speedily as a man stirreth, even so swiftly

healed he impetuous Ares. And Hebe bathed him, and clothed him in gracious raiment, and he sate him down

Then fared the twain back to the mansion of great Zeus, even Hera and Athene, having stayed Ares scourge

So was the dread fray of Trojans and Achaians left to itself, and the battle swayed oft this way and that across

the plain, as they aimed against each other their bronzeshod javelins, between Simoeis and the streams of

Now had the Trojans been chased again by the Achaians, dear to Ares, up into Ilios, in their weakness

overcome, but that Prism's son Helenos, far best of augurs, stood by Aineias' side and Hector's, and spake to

them: "Aineias and Hector, seeing that on you lieth the task of war in chief of Trojans and Lykians, because

for every issue ye are foremost both for fight and counsel, stand ye your ground, and range the host

everywhither to rally them before the gates, ere yet they fall fleeing in their women's arms, and be made a

rejoicing to the foe. Then when ye have aroused all our battalions we will abide here and fight the Danaans,

though in sore weariness; for necessity presseth us hard: but thou, Hector, go into the city, and speak there to

thy mother and mine; let her gather the aged wives to brighteyed Athene's temple in the upper city, and with

her key open the doors of the holy house; and let her lay the robe, that seemeth to her the most gracious and

greatest in her hall and far dearest unto herself, upon the knees of beauteoushaired Athene; and vow to her

to sacrifice in her temple twelve sleek kine, that have not felt the goad, if she will have mercy on the city and

the Trojans' wives and little children. So may she perchance hold back Tydeus' son from holy Ilios, the

furious spearman, the mighty deviser of rout, whom in good sooth I deem to have proved himself mightiest of

the Achaians. Never in this wise feared we Achilles, prince of men, who they say is born of a goddess; nay,

So spake he, and Hector disregarded not his brother's word, but leapt forthwith from his chariot in his armour

to earth, and brandishing two sharp spears passed everywhere through the host, rousing them to battle, and

stirred the dread warcry. So they were rallied and stood to face the Achaians, and the Argives gave ground

and ceased from slaughter, and deemed that some immortal had descended from starry heaven to bring the

Trojans succour, in such wise rallied they. Then Hector called to the Trojans with farreaching shout: "O

highsouled Trojans and ye farfamed allies, quit you like men, my friends, and take thought of impetuous

courage, while I depart to Ilios and bid the elders of the council and our wives pray to the gods and vow them

So saying Hector of the glancing helm departed, and the black hide beat on either side against his ankles and

Now Glaukos son of Hippolochos and Tydeus' son met in the midspace of the foes, eager to do battle. Thus

when the twain were come nigh in onset on each other, to him first spake Diomedes of the loud warcry:

"Who art thou, noble sir, of mortal men? For never have I beheld thee in glorious battle ere this, yet now hast

thou far outstripped all men in thy hardihood, seeing thou abidest my farshadowing spear. Luckless are the

fathers whose children face my might. But if thou art some immortal come down from heaven, then will not I

fight with heavenly gods. But if thou art of men that eat the fruit of the field, come nigh, that anon thou

BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his wife. 43

Then Hippolochos' glorious son made answer to him: "Greathearted Tydeides, why enquirest thou of my

generation? Even as are the generations of leaves such are those likewise of men; the leaves that be the wind

scattereth on the earth, and the forest buddeth and putteth forth more again, when the season of spring is at

hand; so of the generations of men one putteth forth and another ceaseth. Yet if thou wilt, have thine answer,

that thou mayest well know our lineage, whereof many men have knowledge. Hippolochos, son of

Bellerophon, begat me, and of him do I declare me to be sprung; he sent me to Troy and bade me very

instantly to be ever the best and to excel all other men, nor put to shame the lineage of my fathers that were of

noblest blood in Ephyre and in wide Lykia. This is the lineage and blood whereof I avow myself to be."

So said he, and Diomedes of the loud warcry was glad. He planted his spear in the bounteous earth and with

soft words spake to the shepherd of the host: "Surely then thou art to me a guestfriend of old times through

my father: for goodly Oineus of yore entertained noble Bellerophon in his halls and kept him twenty days.

Moreover they gave each the other goodly gifts of friendship; Oineus gave a belt bright with purple, and

Bellerophon a gold twohandled cup. Therefore now am I to thee a dear guestfriend in midmost Argos, and

thou in Lykia, whene'er I fare to your land. So let us shun each other's spears, even amid the throng; Trojans

are there in multitudes and famous allies for me to slay, whoe'er it be that God vouchsafeth me and my feet

overtake; and for thee are there Achaians in multitude, to slay whome'er thou canst. But let us make exchange

of arms between us, that these also may know how we avow ourselves to be guestfriends by lineage."

So spake the twain, and leaping from their cars clasped each the other by his hand, and pledged their faith.

But now Zeus son of Kronos took from Glaukos his wits, in that he made exchange with Diomedes Tydeus'

son of golden armour for bronze, the price of five score oxen for the price of nine.

Now when Hector came to the Skaian gates and to the oak tree, there came running round about him the

Trojans' wives and daughters, enquiring of sons and brethren and friends and husbands. But he bade them

But when he came to Priam's beautiful palace, adorned with polished colonnadesand in it were fifty

chambers of polished stone, builded hard by one another, wherein Priam's sons slept beside their wedded

wives; and for his daughters over against them on the other side within the courtyard were twelve roofed

chambers of polished stone builded hard by one another, wherein slept Priam's sonsinlaw beside their

chaste wivesthen came there to meet him his bountiful mother, leading with her Laodike, fairest of her

daughters to look on; and she clasped her hand in his, and spake, and called upon his name: "My son, why

hast thou left violent battle to come hither. Surely the sons of the Achaiansname of evil!press thee hard

in fight about thy city, and so thy spirit hath brought thee hither, to come and stretch forth thy hands to Zeus

from the citadel. But tarry till I bring thee honeysweet wine, that thou mayest pour libation to Zeus and all

the immortals first, and then shalt thou thyself also be refreshed if thou wilt drink. When a man is awearied

wine greatly maketh his strength to wax, even as thou art awearied in fighting for thy fellows."

Then great Hector of the glancing helm answered her: "Bring me no honeyhearted wine, my lady mother,

lest thou cripple me of my courage and I be forgetful of my might. But go thou to the temple of Athene,

driver of the spoil, with offerings, and gather the aged wives together; and the robe that seemeth to thee the

most gracious and greatest in thy palace, and dearest unto thyself, that lay thou upon the knees of

beauteoushaired Athene, and vow to her to sacrifice in her temple twelve sleek kine, that have not felt the

goad, if she will have mercy on the city and the Trojans' wives and little children. So go thou to the temple of

Athene, driver of the spoil; and I will go after Paris, to summon him, if perchance he will hearken to my

voice. Would that the earth forthwith might swallow him up! The Olympian fostered him to be a sore bane to

the Trojans and to greathearted Priam, and to Priam's sons. If I but saw him going down to the gates of

BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his wife. 44

So said he, and she went unto the hall, and called to her handmaidens, and they gathered the aged wives

throughout the city. Then she herself went down to her fragrant chamber where were her embroidered robes,

the work of Sidonian women, whom godlike Alexandros himself brought from Sidon, when he sailed over

the wide sea, that journey wherein he brought home highborn Helen. Of these Hekabe took one to bear for

an offering to Athene, the one that was fairest for adornment and greatest, and shone like a star, and lay

nethermost of all. Then went she her way and the multitude of aged wives hasted after her. And Hector was

come to Alexandros' fair palace, that himself had builded with them that were most excellent carpenters then

in deepsoiled Troyland; these made him his chamber and hall and courtyard hard by to Priam and Hector,

in the upper city. There entered in Hector dear to Zeus, and his hand bare his spear, eleven cubits long: before

his face glittered the bronze spearpoint, and a ring of gold ran round about it. And he found Paris in his

chamber busied with his beauteous arms, his shield and breastplate, and handling his curved bow; and Helen

of Argos sate among her servingwomen and appointed brave handiwork for her handmaidens. Then when

Hector saw him he rebuked him with scornful words: "Good sir, thou dost not well to cherish this rancour in

thy heart. The folk are perishing about the city and high wall in battle, and for thy sake the battlecry is

kindled and war around this city; yes thyself wouldest thou fall out with another, didst thou see him shrinking

And godlike Alexandros answered him: "Hector, since in measure thou chidest me and not beyond measure,

therefore will I tell thee; lay thou it to thine heart and hearken to me. Not by reason so much of the Trojans,

for wrath and indignation, sate I me in my chamber, but fain would I yield me to my sorrow. Even now my

wife hath persuaded me with soft words, and urged me into battle; and I moreover, even I, deem that it will

be better so; for victory shifteth from man to man. Go to then, tarry awhile, let me put on my armour of war;

So said he, but Hector of the glancing helm answered him not a word. But Helen spake to him with gentle

words: "My brother, even mine that am a dog, mischievous and abominable, would that on the day when my

mother bare me at the first, an evil stormwind had caught me away to a mountain or a billow of the

loudsounding sea, where the billow might have swept me away before all these things came to pass.

Howbeit, seeing the gods devised all these ills in this wise, would that then I had been mated with a better

man, that felt dishonour and the multitude of men's reproachings. But as for him, neither hath he now sound

heart, nor ever will have; thereof deem I moreover that he will reap the fruit. But now come, enter in and sit

thee here upon this bench, my brother, since thy heart chiefly trouble hath encompassed, for the sake of me,

that am a dog, and for Alexandros' sin; on whom Zeus bringeth evil doom, that even in days to come we may

Then great Hector of the glancing helm answered her: "Bid me not sit, Helen, of thy love; thou wilt not

persuade me. Already my heart is set to succour the men of Troy, that have great desire for me that am not

with them. But rouse thou this fellow, yea let himself make speed, to overtake me yet within the city. For I

shall go into mine house to behold my housefolk and my dear wife, and infant boy; for I know not if I shall

return home to them again, or if the gods will now overthrow me at the hands of the Achaians."

So spake Hector of the glancing helm and departed; and anon he came to his wellstablished house. But he

found not whitearmed Andromache in the halls; she with her boy and fairrobed handmaiden had taken her

stand upon the tower, weeping and wailing. And when Hector found not his noble wife within, he came and

stood upon the threshold and spake amid the serving women: "Come tell me now true, my serving women.

Whither went whitearmed Andromache forth from the hall? Hath she gone out to my sisters or unto my

brothers' fairrobed wives, or to Athene's temple, where all the fairtressed Trojan women propitiate the

Then a busy housedame spake in answer to him: "Hector, seeing thou straitly chargest us tell thee true,

neither hath she gone out to any of thy sisters or thy brothers' fairrobed wives, neither to Athene's temple,

BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his wife. 45

where all the fairtressed Trojan women are propitiating the awful goddess; but she went to the great tower

of Ilios, because she heard the Trojans were hard pressed, and great victory was for the Achaians. So hath she

come in haste to the wall, like unto one frenzied; and the nurse with her beareth the child."

So spake the housedame, and Hector hastened from his house back by the same way down the wellbuilded

streets. When he had passed through the great city and was come to the Skaian gates, whereby he was minded

to issue upon the plain, then came his dearwon wife, running to meet him, even Andromache daughter of

greathearted Eetion. So she met him now, and with her went the handmaid bearing in her bosom the tender

boy, the little child, Hector's loved son, like unto a beautiful star. Him Hector called Skamandrios, but all the

folk Astyanax [Astyanax = "City King."; for only Hector guarded Ilios. So now he smiled and gazed at his

boy silently, and Andromache stood by his side weeping, and clasped her hand in his, and spake and called

upon his name. "Dear my lord, this thy hardihood will undo thee, neither hast thou any pity for thine infant

boy, nor for me forlorn that soon shall be thy widow; for soon will the Achaians all set upon thee and slay

thee. But it were better for me to go down to the grave if I lose thee; for never more will any comfort be

mine, when once thou, even thou, hast met thy fate, but only sorrow. Nay, Hector, thou art to me father and

lady mother, yea and brother, even as thou art my goodly husband. Come now, have pity and abide here upon

Then great Hector of the glancing helm answered her: "Surely I take thought for all these things, my wife; but

I have very sore shame of the Trojans and Trojan dames with trailing robes, if like a coward I shrink away

from battle. Moreover mine own soul forbiddeth me, seeing I have learnt ever to be valiant and fight in the

forefront of the Trojans, winning my father's great glory and mine own. Yea of a surety I know this in heart

and soul; the day shall come for holy Ilios to be laid low, and Priam and the folk of Priam of the good ashen

spear. Yet doth the anguish of the Trojans hereafter not so much trouble me, neither Hekabe's own, neither

king Priam's, neither my brethren's, the many and brave that shall fall in the dust before their foemen, as doth

thine anguish in the day when some mailclad Achaian shall lead thee weeping and rob thee of the light of

freedom. So shalt thou abide in Argos and ply the loom at another woman's bidding, and bear water from

fount Messeis or Hypereia, being grievously entreated, and sore constraint shall be laid upon thee. And then

shall one say that beholdeth thee weep: 'This is the wife of Hector, that was foremost in battle of the

horsetaming Trojans when men fought about Ilios.' Thus shall one say hereafter, and fresh grief will be

thine for lack of such an husband as thou hadst to ward off the day of thraldom. But me in death may the

heapedup earth be covering, ere I hear thy crying and thy carrying into captivity."

So spake glorious Hector, and stretched out his arm to his boy. But the child shrunk crying to the bosom of

his fairgirdled nurse, dismayed at his dear father's aspect, and in dread at the bronze and horsehair crest

that he beheld nodding fiercely from the helmet's top. Then his dear father laughed aloud, and his lady

mother; forthwith glorious Hector took the helmet from his head, and laid it, all gleaming, upon the earth;

then kissed he his dear son and dandled him in his arms, and spake in prayer to Zeus and all the gods, "O

Zeus and all ye gods, vouchsafe ye that this my son may likewise prove even as I, preeminent amid the

Trojans, and as valiant in might, and be a great king of Ilios. Then may men say of him, 'Far greater is he than

his father' as he returneth home from battle; and may he bring with him bloodstained spoils from the foeman

So spake he, and laid his son in his dear wife's arms; and she took him to her fragrant bosom, smiling

tearfully. And her husband had pity to see her, and caressed her with his hand, and spake and called upon her

name: "Dear one, I pray thee be not of oversorrowful heart; no man against my fate shall hurl me to Hades;

only destiny, I ween, no man hath escaped, be he coward or be he valiant, when once he hath been born. But

go thou to thine house and see to thine own tasks, the loom and distaff, and bid thine handmaidens ply their

work; but for war shall men provide, and I in chief of all men that dwell in Ilios."

BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his wife. 46

So spake glorious Hector, and took up his horsehair crested helmet; and his dear wife departed to her home,

oft looking back, and letting fall big tears. Anon she came to the wellstablished house of manslaying

Hector, and found therein her many handmaidens, and stirred lamentation in them all. So bewailed they

Hector, while yet he lived, within his house: for they deemed that he would no more come back to them from

Neither lingered Paris long in his lofty house, but clothed on him his brave armour, bedight with bronze, and

hasted through the city, trusting to his nimble feet. Even as when a stalled horse, fullfed at the manger,

breaketh his tether and speedeth at the gallop across the plain, being wont to bathe him in the fairflowing

stream, exultingly; and holdeth his head on high, and his mane floateth about his shoulders, and he trusteth in

his glory, and nimbly his limbs bear him to the haunts and pasturages of mares; even so Priam's son Paris,

glittering in his armour like the shining sun, strode down from high Pergamos laughingly, and his swift feet

bare him. Forthwith he overtook his brother noble Hector, even as he was on the point to turn him away from

the spot where he had dallied with his wife. To him first spake godlike Alexandros: "Sir, in good sooth I have

delayed thee in thine haste by my tarrying, and came not rightly as thou badest me."

And Hector of the glancing helm answered him and said: "Good brother, no man that is rightminded could

make light of thy doings in fight, seeing thou art strong: but thou art wilfully remiss and hast no care; and for

this my heart is grieved within me, that I hear shameful words concerning thee in the Trojans' mouths, who

for thy sake endure much toil. But let us be going; all this will we make good hereafter, if Zeus ever

vouchsafe us to set before the heavenly gods that are for everlasting the cup of deliverance in our halls, when

So spake glorious Hector and issued from the gates, and with him went his brother Alexandros; and both

were eager of soul for fight and battle. Even as God giveth to longing seamen fair wind when they have

grown weary of beating the main with polished oars, and their limbs are fordone with toil, even so appeared

Now when the goddess brighteyed Athene marked them making havoc of the Argives in the press of battle,

she darted down from the crests of Olympus to holy Ilios. But Apollo rose to meet her, for he beheld her from

Pergamos, and would have victory for the Trojans. So the twain met each the other by the oaktree. To her

spake first king Apollo son of Zeus: "Why now art thou come thus eagerly from Olympus, thou daughter of

great Zeus, and why hath thy high heart sent thee? Surely it is to give the Danaans unequal victory in battle!

seeing thou hast no mercy on the Trojans, that perish. But if thou wouldest hearken to meand it were far

better solet us now stay battle and warring for the day; hereafter shall they fight again, till they reach the

goal of Ilios, since thus it seemeth good to your hearts, goddesses immortal, to lay waste this city."

And the goddess brighteyed Athene made answer to him: "So be it, Fardarter; in this mind I likewise came

from Olympus to the midst of Trojans and Achaians. But come, how thinkest thou to stay the battle of the

And king Apollo, son of Zeus, made answer to her: "Let us arouse the stalwart spirit of horsetaming Hector,

if so be he will challenge some one of the Danaans in single fight man to man to meet him in deadly combat.

So shall the bronzegreaved Achaians be jealous and stir up one to fight singly with goodly Hector." So

spake he and the brighteyed goddess Athene disregarded not. Now Helenos Priam's dear son understood in

spirit their resolve that the gods in counsel had approved; and he went to Hector and stood beside him, and

spake a word to him: "Hector son of Priam, peer of Zeus in counsel, wouldest thou now hearken at all to me?

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. 47

for I am thy brother. Make the other Trojans sit, and all the Achaians, and thyself challenge him that is best of

the Achaians to meet thee man to man in deadly combat. It is not yet thy destiny to die and meet thy doom;

for thus heard I the voice of the gods that are from everlasting." So said he, and Hector rejoiced greatly to

hear his saying, and went into the midst and refrained the battalions of the Trojans with his spear grasped by

the middle; and they all sate them down: and Agamemnon made the wellgreaved Achaians sit. And Athene

withal and Apollo of the silver bow, in the likeness of vulture birds, sate them upon a tall oak holy to

aegisbearing father Zeus, rejoicing in their warriors; and the ranks of all of them sate close together,

bristling with shields and plumes and spears. Even as there spreadeth across the main the ripple of the west

wind newly risen, and the sea grows black beneath it, so sate the ranks of Achaians and Trojans upon the

plain. And Hector spake between both hosts: "Hearken to me, Trojans and wellgreaved Achaians, that I may

speak what my mind within my breast biddeth me. Our oaths of truce Kronos' son, enthroned on high,

accomplished not; but evil is his intent and ordinance for both our hosts, until either ye take fairtowered

Troy or yourselves be vanquished beside your seafaring ships. But in the midst of you are the chiefest of all

the Achaians; therefore now let the man whose heart biddeth him fight with me come hither from among you

all to be your champion against goodly Hector. And this declare I, and be Zeus our witness thereto; if that

man slay me with the longedged sword, let him spoil me of my armour and bear it to the hollow ships, but

give back my body to my home, that Trojans and Trojans' wives may give me my due of burning in my

death. But if I slay him and Apollo vouchsafe me glory, I will spoil him of his armour and bear it to holy Ilios

and hang it upon the temple of fardarting Apollo, but his corpse will I render back to the welldecked ships,

that the flowinghaired Achaians may entomb him, and build him a barrow beside wide Hellespont. So shall

one say even of men that be late born, as he saileth in his benched ship over the winedark sea: 'This is the

barrow of a man that died in days of old, a champion whom glorious Hector slew.' So shall a man say

So spake he and they all were silent and held their peace; to deny him they were ashamed, and feared to meet

him. But at the last stood up Menelaos and spake amid them and chiding upbraided them, and groaned deep

at heart: "Ah me, vain threateners, ye women of Achaia and no more men, surely all this shall be a shame,

evil of evil, if no one of the Danaans now goeth to meet Hector. Nay, turn ye all to earth and water, sitting

there each man disheartened, helplessly inglorious; against him will I myself array me; and from on high the

So spake he and donned his fair armour. And now, O Menelaos, had the end of life appeared for thee at

Hector's hands, seeing he was stronger far, but that the princes of the Achaians started up and caught thee.

And Atreus' son himself, wideruling Agamemnon, took him by his right hand and spake a word and called

upon his name: "Thou doest madly, Menelaos fosterling of Zeus; yet is it no time for this thy madness. Draw

back, though it be with pain, nor think for contention's sake to fight with one better than thou, with Hector

Priam's son, whom others beside thee abhor. Yea, this man even Achilles dreadeth to meet in battle, wherein

is the warrior's glory; and Achilles is better far than thou. Go therefore now and sit amid the company of thy

fellows; against him shall the Achaians put forth another champion. Fearless though he be and insatiate of

turmoil, I ween that he shall be fain to rest his knees, if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray."

So spake the hero and persuaded his brother's heart with just counsel; and he obeyed. So his squires thereat

with gladness took his armour from his shoulders; and Nestor stood up and spake amid the Argives: "Fie

upon it, verily sore lamentation cometh on the land of Achaia. Verily old Peleus driver of chariots would

groan sore, that goodly counsellor of the Myrmidons and orator, who erst questioned me in his house, and

rejoiced greatly, inquiring of the lineage and birth of all the Argives. If he heard now of those that all were

cowering before Hector, then would he lift his hands to the immortals, instantly praying that his soul might

depart from his limbs down to the house of Hades. Would to God I were thus young and my strength were

sound; then would Hector of the glancing helm soon find his combat. But of those of you that be chieftains of

the host of the Achaians, yet desireth no man of good heart to meet Hector face to face." So the old man

upbraided them, and there stood up nine in all. Far first arose Agamemnon king of men, and after him rose

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. 48

Tydeus' son stalwart Diomedes, and after them the Aiantes clothed with impetuous might, and after them

Idomeneus and Idomeneus' brotherinarms Meriones, peer of Enyalios slayer of men, and after them

Eurypylos Euaimon's glorious son; and up rose Thoas Andraimon's son and goodly Odysseus. So all these

were fain to fight with goodly Hector. And among them spake again knightly Nestor of Gerenia: "Now cast

ye the lot from the first unto the last, for him that shall be chosen: for he shall in truth profit the wellgreaved

Achaians, yea and he shall have profit of his own soul, if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray."

So said he, and they marked each man his lot and cast them in the helmet of Agamemnon Atreus' son; and the

hosts prayed and lifted up their hands to the gods. And thus would one say, looking up to wide heaven: "O

father Zeus, vouchsafe that the lot fall upon Aias or Tydeus' son, or else on the king of Mykene rich in gold."

So spake they, and knightly Nestor of Gerenia shook the helmet, and there leapt forth the lot that themselves

desired, even the lot of Aias. And Aias saw and knew the token upon the lot, and rejoiced in heart, and spake:

"My friends, verily the lot is mine, yea and myself am glad at heart, because I deem that I shall vanquish

goodly Hector. But come now, while I clothe me in my armour of battle, pray ye the while to Kronos' son

king Zeus, in silence to yourselves, that the Trojans hear you notnay rather, openly if ye will, for we have

no fear of any man soever. For none by force shall chase me, he willing me unwilling, neither by skill; seeing

So said he, and they prayed to Kronos' son, king Zeus; and thus would one speak, looking up to wide heaven:

"O father Zeus that rulest from Ida, most glorious, most great, vouchsafe to Aias victory and the winning of

great glory. But if thou so lovest Hector indeed, and carest for him, grant unto either equal prowess and

So said they, while Aias arrayed him in flashing bronze. And when he had now clothed upon his flesh all his

armour, then marched he as huge Ares coming forth, when he goeth to battle amid heroes whom Kronos' son

setteth to fight in fury of heartconsuming strife. So rose up huge Aias, bulwark of the Achaians, with a smile

on his grim face: and went with long strides of his feet beneath him, shaking his farshadowing spear. Then

moreover the Argives rejoiced to look upon him, but sore trembling came upon the Trojans, on the limbs of

every man, and Hector's own heart beat within his breast. But in no wise could he now flee nor shrink back

into the throng of the host, seeing he had challenged him to battle. And Aias came near bearing his

towerlike shield of bronze, with sevenfold oxhide, and stood near to Hector, and spake to him threatening:

"Hector, now verily shalt thou well know, man to man, what manner of princes the Danaans likewise have

among them, even after Achilles, render of men, the lionhearted. But he amid his beaked seafaring ships

lieth in sore wrath with Agamemnon shepherd of the host; yet are we such as to face thee, yea and many of

And great Hector of the glancing helm answered him: "Aias of the seed of Zeus, son of Telamon, chieftain of

the host, tempt not thou me like some puny boy or woman that knoweth not deeds of battle. But I well know

wars and slaughterings. To right know I, to left know I the wielding of my tough targe; therein I deem is

stalwart soldiership. And I know how to charge into the mellay of fleet chariots, and how in close battle to

join in furious Ares' dance. Howbeit, I have no mind to smite thee, being such an one as thou art, by spying

He spake, and poised his farshadowing spear, and hurled and smote Aias' dread shield of sevenfold hide

upon the uttermost bronze, the eighth layer that was thereon. Through six folds went the stubborn bronze

cleaving, but in the seventh hide it stayed. Then heavensprung Aias hurled next his farshadowing spear,

and smote upon the circle of the shield of Priam's son. Through the bright shield passed the violent spear, and

through the curiously wrought corslet pressed it on; and straight forth beside the flank the spear rent his

doublet; but he swerved aside and escaped black death. Then both together with their hands plucked forth

their long spears and fell to like ravening lions or wild boars whose might is nowise feeble. Then Priam's son

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. 49

smote the shield's midst with his dart, but the bronze brake not through, for the point turned back; but Aias

leapt on him and pierced his buckler, and straight through went the spear and staggered him in his onset, and

cleft its way unto his neck, so that the dark blood gushed up. Yet even then did not Hector of the glancing

helm cease from fight, but yielded ground and with stout hand seized a stone lying upon the plain, black and

rugged and great; therewith hurled he and smote Aias' dread shield of sevenfold oxhide in the midst upon

the boss, and the bronze resounded. Next Aias lifted a far greater stone, and swung and hurled it, putting

might immeasurable therein. So smote he the buckler and burst it inwards with the rock like unto a millstone,

and beat down his knees; and he was stretched upon his back, pressed into his shield; but Apollo straightway

raised him up. And now had they been smiting hand to hand with swords, but that the heralds, messengers of

gods and men, came, one from the Trojans, one from the mailclad Achaians, even Talthybios and Idaios,

both men discreet. Between the two held they their staves, and herald Idaios spake a word, being skilled in

wise counsel: "Fight ye no more, dear sons, neither do battle; seeing Zeus the cloudgatherer loveth you both,

and both are men of war; that verily know we all. But night already is upon us: it is well withal to obey the

Then Telamonian Aias answered and said to him: "Idaios, bid ye Hector to speak those words; of his own self

he challenged to combat all our best. Let him be first, and I will surely follow as he saith."

Then great Hector of the glancing helm said to him: "Aias, seeing God gave thee stature and might and

wisdom, and with the spear thou art excellent above all the Achaians, let us now cease from combat and

battle for the day; but hereafter will we fight until God judge between as, giving to one of us the victory: But

come, let us give each the other famous gifts, that men may thus say, Achaians alike and Trojans: ` These,

having fought for sake of heartconsuming strife, parted again reconciled in friendship."'

So said he, and gave him his silverstudded sword, with scabbard and wellcut baldrick; and Aias gave his

belt bright with purple. So they parted, and one went to the Achaian host, and one betook him to the throng of

Trojans. And these rejoiced to behold him come to them alive and sound, escaped from the fury of Aias and

his hands unapproachable; and they brought him to the city saved beyond their hope. And Aias on their side

So when these were come unto the huts of Atreides, then did Agamemnon king of men slay them an ox, a

male of five years old, for the most mighty son of Kronos. This they flayed and made ready, and divided it

all, and minced it cunningly, and pierced it through with spits, and roasted it carefully, and drew all off again.

Then as soon as they had rest from the task and had made ready the meal, they began the feast, nor was their

soul aught stinted of the equal banquet. And the hero son of Atreus, wideruling Agamemnon, gave to Aias

slices of the chine's full length for his honour. And when they had put from them the desire of meat and

drink, then first the old man began to weave the web of counsel, even Nestor whose rede [counsel] of old

time was proved most excellent. He made harangue among them and said: "Son of Atreus and ye other

princes of the Achaians, seeing that many flowinghaired Achaians are dead, and keen Ares hath spilt their

dusky blood about fairflowing Skamandros, and their souls have gone down to the house of Hades;

therefore it behoveth thee to make the battle of the Achaians cease with daybreak; and we will assemble to

wheel hither the corpses with oxen and mules; so let us burn them; and let us heap one barrow about the pyre,

rearing it from the plain for all alike; and thereto build with speed high towers, a bulwark for our ships and

for ourselves. In the midst thereof let us make gates well compact, that through them may be a way for

chariotdriving. And without let us dig a deep foss hard by, to be about it and to hinder horses and footmen,

So spake he and all the chiefs gave assent. But meanwhile there was in the high town of Ilios an assembly of

the Trojans, fierce, confused, beside Priam's gate. To them discreet Antenor began to make harangue:

"Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies, that I may tell you that my soul within my breast

commandeth me. Lo, go to now, let us give Helen of Argos and the wealth with her for the sons of Atreus to

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. 50

take away. Now fight we in guilt against the oaths of faith; therefore is there no profit for us that I hope to see

So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up among them noble Alexandros, lord of Helen

beautifulhaired; he made him answer and spake winged words: "Antenor, these words from thee are no

longer to my pleasure; yet thou hast it in thee to devise other sayings more excellent than this. But if indeed

thou sagest this in earnest, then verily the gods themselves have destroyed thy wit. But I will speak forth

amid the horsetaming Trojans, and declare outright; my wife will I not give back; but the wealth I brought

from Argos to our home, all that I have a mind to give, and add more of mine own substance."

So spake he and sate him down, and there stood up among them Priam of the seed of Dardanos, the peer of

gods in counsel; he made harangue to them, and said: "Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies,

that I may tell you that my soul within my breast commandeth me. Now eat your supper throughout the city

as of old, and take thought to keep watch, and be wakeful every man. And at dawn let Idaios fare to the

hollow ships to tell to Atreus' sons Agamemnon and Menelaos the saying of Alexandros, for whose sake

strife is come about: and likewise to ask them this wise word, whether they are minded to refrain from noisy

war till we have burned our dead; afterwards will we fight again, till heaven part us and give one or other

So spake he, and they hearkened diligently to him and obeyed: and at dawn Idaios fared to the hollow ships.

He found the Danaans in assembly, the men of Ares' company, beside the stern of Agamemnon's ship; and so

the loudvoiced herald stood in their midst and said unto them: "Atreides and ye other princes of the

Achaians, Priam and all the noble Trojans bade me tell youif perchance it might find favour and acceptance

with youthe saying of Alexandros, for whose sake strife hath come about. The wealth that Alexandros

brought in his hollow ships to Troywould he had perished first!all that he hath a mind to give, and to add

more thereto of his substance. But the wedded wife of glorious Menelaos he saith he will not give; yet verily

the Trojans bid him do it. Moreover they bade me ask this thing of you; whether ye are minded to refrain

from noisy war until we have burned our dead; afterwards will we fight again, till heaven part us and give one

So said he and they all kept silence and were still. But at the last spake Diomedes of the loud warcry in their

midst: "Let no man now accept Alexandros' substance, neither Helen's self; known is it, even to him that hath

no wit at all, how that the issues of destruction hang already over the Trojans."

So spake he, and all the sons of the Achaians shouted, applauding the saying of horsetaming Diomedes. And

then lord Agamemnon spake to Idaios: "Idaios, thyself thou hearest the saying of the Achaians, how they

answer thee; and the like seemeth good to me. But as concerning the dead, I grudge you not to burn them; for

dead corpses is there no stinting; when they once are dead, of the swift propitiation of fire. And for the oaths

So saying he lifted up his sceptre in the sight of all the gods, and Idaios departed back to holy Ilios. Now

Trojans and Dardanians sate in assembly, gathered all together to wait till Idaios should come; and he came

and stood in their midst and declared his message. Then they made them ready very swiftly for either task,

some to bring the dead, and some to seek for wood. And on their part the Argives hasted from their

Now the sun was newly beating on the fields as he climbed heaven from the deep stream of gentlyflowing

Ocean, when both sides met together. Then was it a hard matter to know each man again; but they washed

them with water clean of clotted gore, and with shedding of hot tears lifted them upon the wains. But great

Priam bade them not wail aloud; so in silence heaped they the corpses on the pyre, stricken at heart; and when

they had burned them with fire departed to holy Ilios. And in like manner on their side the wellgreaved

BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. 51

Achaians heaped the corpses on the pyre, stricken at heart, and when they had burned them with fire departed

And when day was not yet, but still twilight of night, then was the chosen folk of the Achaians gathered

together around the pyre, and made one barrow about it, rearing it from the plain for all alike; and thereto

built they a wall and lofty towers, a bulwark for their ships and for themselves. In the midst thereof made

they gates wellcompacted, that through them might be a way for chariotdriving. And without they dug a

Thus toiled the flowinghaired Achaians: and the gods sate by Zeus, the lord of lightning, and marvelled at

the great work of the mailclad Achaians. And Poseidon shaker of earth spake first to them: "O father Zeus,

is there any man throughout the boundless earth that will any more declare to the immortals his mind and

counsel? Seest thou not how the flowinghaired Achaians have now again built them a wall before their

ships, and drawn a foss around it, but gave not excellent hecatombs to the gods? Verily the fame thereof shall

reach as far as the dawn spreadeth, and men will forget the wall that I and Phoebus Apollo built with travail

And Zeus the cloudgatherer said to him, sore troubled: "Out on it, farswaying Shaker of earth, for this

thing thou sayest. Well might some other god fear this device, one that were far feebler than thou in the might

of his hands: but thine shall be the fame as far as the dawn spreadeth. Go to now, hereafter when the

flowinghaired Achaians be departed upon their ships to their dear native land, then burst thou this wall

asunder and scatter it all into the sea, and cover the great seabeach over with sand again, that the great wall

Now Dawn the saffronrobed was spreading over all the earth, and Zeus whose joy is in the thunder let call

an assembly of the gods upon the topmost peak of manyridged Olympus, and himself made harangue to

them and all the gods gave ear: "Hearken to me, all gods and all ye goddesses, that I may tell you what my

heart within my breast commandeth me. One thing let none essay, be it goddess or be it god, to wit, to thwart

my saying; approve ye it all together, that with all speed I may accomplish these things. Whomsoever I shall

perceive minded to go, apart from the gods, to succour Trojans or Danaans, chastened in no seemly wise shall

he return to Olympus, or I will take and cast him into misty Tartaros, right far away, where is the deepest gulf

beneath the earth; there are the gate of iron and threshold of bronze, as far beneath Hades as heaven is high

above the earth: then shall he know how far I am mightiest of all gods. Go to now, ye gods, make trial that ye

all may know. Fasten ye a rope of gold from heaven, and all ye gods lay hold thereof and all goddesses; yet

could ye not drag from heaven to earth Zeus, counsellor supreme, not though ye toiled sore. But once I

likewise were minded to draw with all my heart, then should I draw you up with very earth and sea withal.

Thereafter would I bind the rope about a pinnacle of Olympus, and so should all those things be hung in air.

So saying he let harness to his chariot his bronzeshod horses, fleet of foot, with flowing manes of gold; and

himself clad him with gold upon his flesh, and grasped the whip of gold, well wrought, and mounted upon his

car, and lashed the horses to start them; they nothing loth sped on between earth and starry heaven. So fared

he to manyfountained Ida, mother of wild beasts, even unto Gargaros, where is his demesne and fragrant

altar. There did the father of men and gods stay his horses, and unloose them from the car, and cast thick mist

about them; and himself sate on the mountaintops rejoicing in his glory, to behold the city of the Trojans

BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. 52

Now the flowinghaired Achaians took meat hastily among the huts and thereafter arrayed themselves.

Likewise the Trojans on their side armed them throughout the towna smaller host, yet for all that were they

eager to fight in battle, of forceful need, for their children's sake and their wives'. And the gates were opened

So when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed they targe and spear and fury of

bronzeclad warrior; the bossed shields pressed each on each, and mighty din arose. Then were heard the

voice of groaning and the voice of triumph together of the slayers and the slain, and the earth streamed with

Now while it yet was morn and the divine day waxed, so long from either side lighted the darts amain and the

people fell. But when the sun bestrode midheaven, then did the Father balance his golden scales, and put

therein two fates of death that layeth men at their length, one for horsetaming Trojans, one for mailclad

Achaians; and he took the scaleyard by the midst and lifted it, and the Achaians' day of destiny sank down.

So lay the Achaians' fates on the bounteous earth, and the Trojans' fates were lifted up towards wide heaven.

And the god thundered aloud from Ida, and sent his blazing flash amid the host of the Achaians; and they saw

Then had Idomeneus no heart to stand, neither Agamemnon, neither stood the twain Aiantes, men of Ares'

company. Only Nestor of Gerenia stood his ground, he the Warden of the Achaians; neither he of purpose,

but his horse was fordone, which noble Alexandros, beauteoushaired Helen's lord, had smitten with an

arrow upon the top of the crest where the foremost hairs of horses grow upon the skull; and there is the most

deadly spot. So the horse leapt up in anguish and the arrow sank into his brain, and he brought confusion on

the steeds as he writhed upon the dart. While the old man leapt forth and with his sword began to hew the

traces, came Hector's fleet horses through the tumult, bearing a bold charioteer, even Hecktor. And now had

the old man lost his life, but that Diomedes of the loud warcry was swift to mark. Terribly shouted he,

summoning Odysseus: "Heavenborn son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, whither fleest thou with thy

back turned, like a coward in the throng? Beware lest as thou fleest one plant a spear between thy shoulders.

So spake he, but muchenduring noble Odysseus heard him not, but hastened by to the hollow ships of the

Achaians. Yet Tydeides, though but one, mingled amid the fighters in the forefront, and took his stand before

the steeds of the old man, Neleus' son, and spake to him winged words, and said: "Old man, of a truth young

warriors beset thee hard; and thy force is abated, and old age is sore upon thee, and thy squire is but a

weakling, and thy steeds are slow. Come then, mount upon my car, that thou mayest see of what sort are the

steeds of Tros, well skilled for following or fleeing hither or thither very fleetly across the plain, even those

that erst I took from Aineias inspirer of fear. Thine let our squires tend, and these let us guide straight against

the horsetaming Trojans, that even Hector may know whether my spear also rageth in my hands."

So said he, and knightly Nestor of Gerenia disregarded not. Then the two squires tended Nestor's horses, even

Sthenelos the valiant and kindly Eurymedon: and the other twain both mounted upon Diomedes' car. And

Nestor took into his hands the shining reins, and lashed the horses; and soon they drew nigh Hector. Then

Tydeus' son hurled at him as he charged straight upon them: him missed he, but his squire that drave his

chariot, Eniopeus, highhearted Thebaios' son, even him as he held the reins, he smote upon the breast beside

the nipple. So he fell from out the car, and his fleetfooted horses swerved aside; and there his soul and spirit

were unstrung. Then sore grief encompassed Hector's soul for sake of his charioteer. Yet left he him there

lying, though he sorrowed for his comrade, and drave in quest of a bold charioteer; and his horses lacked not

long a master, for anon he found Iphitos' son, bold Archepto lemos, and him he made mount behind his fleet

BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. 53

Then had destruction come and deeds beyond remedy been wrought, and so had they been penned in Ilios

like lambs, had not the father of gods and men been swift to mark. So he thundered terribly and darted his

white lightning and hurled it before Diomedes' steeds to earth; and there arose a terrible flame of sulphur

burning, and the two horses were affrighted and cowered beneath the car. And the shining reins dropped from

Nestor's hands, and he was afraid at heart and spake to Diomedes: "Come now Tydeides, turn back thy

wholehooved horses to flight: seest thou not that victory from Zeus attendeth not on thee? Now doth

Kronos' son vouchsafe glory to this Hector, for the day; hereafter shall he grant it us likewise, if he will. A

man may not at all ward off the will of Zeus, not though one be very valiant; he verily is mightier far."

Then Diomedes of the loud warcry answered him: "Yea verily, old man, all this thou sayest is according

unto right. But this is the sore grief that entereth my heart and soul: Hector some day shall say as he maketh

harangue amid the Trojans: 'Tydeides betook him to the ships in flight before my face.' So shall he boastin

So spake he and turned the wholehooved horses to flight, back through the tumult; and the Trojans and

Hector with wondrous uproar poured upon them their dolorous darts. And over him shouted loudly great

Hector of the glancing helm: "Tydeides, the fleethorsed Danaans were wont to honour thee with the highest

place, and meats, and cups brimful, but now will they disdain thee; thou art after all no better than a woman.

Begone, poor puppet; not for my flinching shalt thou climb on our towers, neither carry our wives away upon

So said he, and Tydeides was of divided mind, whether to wheel his horses and fight him face to face. Thrice

doubted he in heart and soul, and thrice from Ida's mountains thundered Zeus the lord of counsel, and gave to

the Trojans a sign, the turning of the course of battle. And Hector with loud shout called to the Trojans:

"Trojans and Lykians and Dardanians that love close fight, be men, my friends, and bethink you of impetuous

valour. I perceive that of good will Kronion vouchsafest me victory and great glory, and to the Danaans

destruction. Fools, that devised these walls weak and of none account; they shall not withhold our fury, and

lightly shall our steeds overleap the delved foss. But when I be once come amid the hollow ships, then be

thought taken of consuming fire, that with fire I may burn the ships and slay the men."

So spake he and shouted to his steeds, and said: "Xanthos, and thou Podargos, and Aithon and goodly

Lampos, now pay me back your tending, even the abundance that Andromache, greathearted Eetion's

daughter, set before you of honeyhearted wheat, and mingled wine to drink at the heart's bidding. Pursue ye

now and haste, that we may seize Nestor's shield, the fame whereof now reacheth unto heaven, how that it is

of gold throughout, armrods and all; and may seize moreover from horsetaming Diomedes' shoulders his

richly dight breastplate that Hephaistos wrought cunningly. Could we but take these, then might I hope this

And now had he burned the trim ships with blazing fire, but that queen Hera put it in Agamemnon's heart

himself to bestir him and swiftly arouse the Achaians. So he went his way along the huts and ships of the

Achaians, holding a great cloak of purple in his stalwart hand, and stood by Odysseus' black ship of mighty

burden, that was in the midst, so that a voice could be heard to either end. Then shouted he in a piercing

voice, and called to the Danaans aloud: "Fie upon you, Argives, ye sorry things of shame, so brave in

semblance! Whither are gone our boastings when we said that we were bravest, the boasts ye uttered

vaingloriously when in Lemnos, as ye ate your fill of flesh of tallhorned oxen and drank goblets crowned

with wine, and said that every man should stand in war to face fivescore yea tenscore Trojans? yet now can

we not match one, even this Hector that anon will burn our ships with flame of fire. O Father Zeus, didst ever

thou blind with such a blindness any mighty king, and rob him of great glory? Nay, Zeus, this hope fulfil thou

me; suffer that we ourselves at least flee and escape, neither suffer that the Achaians be thus vanquished of

BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. 54

So spake he, and the Father had pity on him as he wept, and vouchsafed him that his folk should be saved and

perish not. Forthwith sent he an eaglesurest sign among winged fowlholding in his claws a fawn, the

young of a fleet hind; beside the beautiful altar of Zeus he let fall the fawn, where the Achaians did sacrifice

unto Zeus lord of all oracles. So when they saw that the bird was come from Zeus, they sprang the more upon

Now could no man of the Danaans, for all they were very many, boast that he before Tydeus' son had guided

his fleet horses forth, and driven them across the trench and fought man to man; first by far was Tydeides to

slay a warrior of the Trojans in full array, even Agelaos son of Phradmon. Now he had turned his steeds to

flee; but as he wheeled the other plunged the spear into his back between his shoulders, and drave it through

And after him came Atreus' sons, even Agamemnon and Menelaos, and after them the Aiantes clothed upon

with impetuous valour, and after them Idomeneus and Idomeneus' brother in arms Meriones, peer of Enyalios

slayer of men, and after them Eurypylos, Euaimon's glorious son. And ninth came Teukros, stretching his

backbent bow, and took his stand be neath the shield of Aias son of Telamon. And so Aias would stealthily

withdraw the shield, and Teukros would spy his chance; and when he had shot and smitten one in the throng,

then fell such an one and gave up the ghost, and Teukros would return, and as a child beneath his mother, so

And Agamemnon king of men rejoiced to behold him making havoc with his stalwart bow of the battalions of

the Trojans, and he came and stood by his side and spake to him, saying: "Teukros, dear heart, thou son of

Telamon, prince of the host, shoot on in this wise, if perchance thou mayest be found the salvation of the

And noble Teukros made answer and said to him: "Most noble son of Atreus, why urgest thou me that myself

am eager? Verily with such strength as is in me forbear I not, but ever since we drave them towards Ilios I

watch with my bow to slay the foemen. Eight longbarbed arrows have I now sped, and all are buried in the

He said, and shot another arrow from the string right against Hector; and his heart was fain to smite him. Yet

missed he once again, for Apollo turned the dart away; but Archeptolemos, Hector's bold charioteer, he smote

on the breast beside the nipple as he hasted into battle: so he fell from his car and his fleetfooted horses

swerved aside; and there his soul and spirit were unstrung. Then sore grief encompassed Hector's soul for his

charioteer's sake; yet left he him, though he sorrowed for his comrade, and bade Kebriones his own brother,

being hard by, take the chariot reins; and he heard and disregarded not. And himself he leapt to earth from the

resplendent car, with a terrible shout; and in his hand he caught a stone, and made right at Teukros, and his

heart bade him smite him. Now Teukros had plucked forth from his quiver a keen arrow, and laid it on the

string; but even as he drew it back, Hector of the glancing helm smote him with the jagged stone, as he aimed

eagerly against him, even beside his shoulder, where the collar bone fenceth off neck and breast, and where

is the most deadly spot; and he brake the bowstring, and his hand from the wrist grew numb, and he stayed

fallen upon his knee, and his bow dropped from his hand. But Aias disregarded not his brother's fall, but ran

and strode across him and hid him with his shield. Then two trusty comrades bent down to him, even

Mekisteus son of Echios and goodly Alastor, and bare him, groaning sorely, to the hollow ships. And once

again the Olympian aroused the spirit of the Trojans. So they drove the Achaians straight toward the deep

foss, and amid the foremost went Hector exulting in his strength. And even as when a hound behind wild boar

or lion, with swift feet pursuing snatcheth at him, at flank or buttock, and watcheth for him as he wheeleth, so

Hector pressed hard on the flowinghaired Achaians, slaying ever the hindmost, and they fled on. But when

they were passed in flight through palisade and foss, and many were fallen beneath the Trojans' hands, then

halted they and tarried beside the ships, calling one upon another, and lifting up their hands to all the gods

prayed each one instantly. But Hector wheeled round his beauteousmaned steeds this way and that, and his

BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. 55

Now at the sight of them the whitearmed goddess Hera had compassion, and anon spake winged words to

Athene: "Out on it, thou child of aegisbearing Zeus, shall not we twain any more take thought for the

Danaans that perish, if only for this last time? Now will they fill up the measure of evil destiny and perish by

one man's onslaught; seeing that he is furious now beyond endurance, this Hector son of Priam, and verily

And the brighteyed goddess Athene made answer to her, "Yea in good sooth, may this fellow yield up

strength and life, and perish at the Argives' hands in his native land; only mine own sire is furious, with no

good intent, headstrong, ever sinful, the foiler of my purposes. But now make thou ready our wholehooved

horses, while I enter into the palace of aegisbearing Zeus and gird me in my armour for battle, that I may

see if Priam's son, Hector of the glancing helm, shall be glad at the appearing of us twain amid the highways

of the battle. Surely shall many a Trojan likewise glut dogs and birds with fat and flesh, fallen dead at the

So said she, and the whitearmed goddess Hera disregarded not. But when father Zeus beheld from Ida, he

was sore wroth, and sped Iris goldenwinged to bear a message: "Go thy way, fleet Iris, turn them back,

neither suffer them to face me; for in no happy wise shall we join in combat. For thus will I declare, and even

so shall the fulfilment be; I will maim their fleet horses in the chariot, and them will I hurl out from the car,

and will break in pieces the chariot; neither within the courses of ten years shall they heal them of the wounds

the thunderbolt shall tear; that the brighteyed one may know the end when she striveth against her father.

But with Hera have I not so great indignation nor wrath: seeing it ever is her wont to thwart me, whate'er I

So said he, and whirlwindfooted Iris arose to bear the message, and departed from the mountains of Ida unto

high Olympus. And even at the entrance of the gates of Olympus manyfolded she met them and stayed

And father Zeus drave from Ida his fairwheeled chariot and horses unto Olympus, and came unto the

session of the gods. For him also the noble Shaker of Earth unyoked the steeds, and set the car upon the

stand, and spread a cloth thereover; and farseeing Zeus himself sate upon his golden throne, and beneath his

feet great Olympus quaked. Only Athene and Hera sate apart from Zeus, and spake no word to him neither

questioned him. But he was ware thereof in his heart, and said, "Why are ye thus vexed, Athene and Hera?

Surely ye are not wearied of making havoc in glorious battle of the Trojans, for whom ye cherish bitter hate!

Howsoever, seeing that my might is so great and my hands invincible, all the gods that are in Olympus could

not turn me: and for you twain, trembling erst gat hold upon your bright limbs ere that ye beheld war and

war's fell deeds. For thus will I declare, and even so had the fulfilment beennever had ye, once smitten

with the thunderbolt, fared on your chariots back unto Olympus where is the habitation of the immortals."

So spake he, and Athene and Hera murmured, that were sitting by him and devising ills for the Trojans. Now

Athene held her peace, and said not anything, for wrath at father Zeus, and fierce anger gat hold upon her; but

Hera's heart contained not her anger, and she spake: "Most dread son of Kronos, what word is this thou hast

said? Well know we, even we, that thy might is no wise puny; yet still have we pity for the Danaan spearmen,

And Zeus the cloudgatherer answered and said: "At morn shalt thou behold most mighty Kronion, if thou

wilt have it so, O Hera, oxeyed queen, making yet more havoc of the vast army of Argive spearmen; for

headlong Hector shall not refrain from battle till that Peleus' son fleet of foot have arisen beside the ships, that

day when these shall fight amid the sterns in most grievous stress, around Patroklos fallen. Such is the doom

of heaven. And for thine anger reck I not, not even though thou go to the nethermost bounds of earth and sea,

BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. 56

where sit Iapetos and Kronos and have no joy in the beams of Hyperion the Sungod, neither in any breeze,

but deep Tartaros is round about them. Though thou shouldest wander till thou come even thither, yet reck I

So said he, but whitearmed Hera spake him no word. And the sun's bright light dropped into Ocean,

drawing black night across Earth the graingiver. Against the Trojans' will daylight departed, but welcome,

Now glorious Hector made an assembly of the Trojans, taking them apart from the ships, beside the eddying

river, in an open space where was found a spot clear of dead. And they came down from their chariots to the

ground to hear the word that Hector, dear unto Zeus, proclaimed. He in his hand held his spear eleven cubits

long; before his face gleamed the spearhead of bronze, and a ring of gold ran round about it. Thereon he

leaned and spake to the Trojans, saying: "Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies. I thought but

now to make havoc of the ships and all the Achaians and depart back again to windy Ilios; but dusk came too

soon, and that in chief hath now saved the Argives and the ships beside the beach of the sea. So let us now

yield to black night, and make our supper ready; unyoke ye from the chariots your fairmaned horses, and set

fodder beside them. And from the city bring kine and goodly sheep with speed; and provide you with

honeyhearted wine, and corn from your houses, and gather much wood withal, that all night long until

earlyspringing dawn we may burn many fires, and the gleam may reach to heaven; lest perchance even by

night the flowinghaired Achaians strive to take flight over the broad back of the sea. Verily must they not

embark upon their ships unvexed, at ease: but see ye that many a one of them have a wound to nurse even at

home, being stricken with arrow or keenpointed spear as he leapeth upon his ship; that so many another man

may dread to wage dolorous war on the horsetaming men of Troy. And let the heralds dear to Zeus proclaim

throughout the city that young maidens and old men of hoary heads camp round the city on the battlements

builded of the gods; and let the women folk burn a great fire each in her hall; and let there be a sure watch set,

lest an ambush enter the city when the host is absent. Howbeit for the night will we guard our own selves, and

at morn by daybreak, arrayed in our armour, let us awake keen battle at the hollow ships. I will know whether

Tydeus' son stalwart Diomedes shall thrust me from the ships back to the wall, or I shall lay him low with my

spear and bear away his gory spoils. Tomorrow shall he prove his valour, whether he can abide the

onslaught of my spear. Would that I were immortal and ageless all my days and honoured like as Athene is

So Hector made harangue, and the Trojans clamoured applause. And they loosed their sweating steeds from

the yoke, and tethered them with thongs, each man beside his chariot; and from the city they brought kine and

goodly sheep with speed, and provided them with honeyhearted wine and corn from their houses, and

gathered much wood withal. And from the plain the winds bare into heaven the sweet savour. But these with

high hopes sate them all night along the highways of the battle, and their watchfires burned in multitude.

Even as when in heaven the stars about the bright moon shine clear to see, when the air is windless, and all

the peaks appear and the tall headlands and glades, and from heaven breaketh open the infinite air, and all

stars are seen, and the shepherd's heart is glad; even in like multitude between the ships and the streams of

Xanthos appeared the watchfires that the Trojans kindled in front of Ilios. A thousand fires burned in the

plain and by the side of each sate fifty in the gleam of blazing fire. And the horses champed white barley and

Thus kept the Trojans watch; but the Achaians were holden of heavensent panic, handmaid of palsying fear,

and all their best were stricken to the heart with grief intolerable. Like as two winds stir up the main, the

home of fishes, even the north wind and the west wind that blow from Thrace, coming suddenly; and the dark

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. 57

billow straightway lifteth up its crest and casteth much tangle out along the sea; even so was the Achaians'

But Atreides was stricken to the heart with sore grief, and went about bidding the clearvoiced heralds

summon every man by name to the assembly, but not to shout aloud; and himself he toiled amid the foremost.

So they sat sorrowful in assembly, and Agamemnon stood up weeping like unto a fountain of dark water that

from a beetling cliff poureth down its black stream; even so with deep groaning he spake amid the Argives

and said: "My friends, leaders and captains of the Argives, Zeus son of Kronos hath bound me with might in

grievous blindness of soul; hard of heart is he, for that erewhile he promised and gave his pledge that not till I

had laid waste wellwalled Ilios should I depart, but now hath planned a cruel wile, and biddeth me return in

dishonour to Argos with the loss of many of my folk. Such meseemeth is the good pleasure of most mighty

Zeus, that hath laid low the heads of many cities, yea and shall lay low; for his is highest power. So come,

even as I shall bid let us all obey; let us flee with our ships to our dear native land, for now shall we never

So said he, and they all held their peace and kept silence. Long time were the sons of the Achaians voiceless

for grief, but at the last Diomedes of the loud warcry spake amid them and said: "Atreides: with thee first in

thy folly will I contend, where it is just, O king, even in the assembly; be not thou wroth therefor. My valour

didst thou blame in chief amid the Danaans, and saidst that I was no man of war but a coward; and all this

know the Argives both young and old. But the son of crookedcounselling Kronos hath endowed thee but by

halves; he granted thee to have the honour of the sceptre above all men, but valour he gave thee not, wherein

is highest power. Sir, deemest thou that the sons of the Achaians are thus indeed cowards and weaklings as

thou sayest? If thine own heart be set on departing, go thy way; the way is before thee, and thy ships stand

beside the sea, even the great multitude that followed thee from Mykene. But all the other flowinghaired

Achaians will tarry here until we lay waste Troy. Nay, let them too flee on their ships to their dear native

land; yet will we twain, even I and Sthenelos, fight till we attain the goal of Ilios; for in God's name are we

So said he, and all the sons of the Achaians shouted aloud, applauding the saying of horsetaming Diomedes.

Then knightly Nestor arose and said amid them: "Tydeides, in battle art thou passing mighty, and in council

art thou best among thine equals in years; none of all the Achaians will make light of thy word nor gainsay it.

Now let us yield to black night and make ready our meal; and let the sentinels bestow them severally along

the deepdelved foss without the wall. This charge give I to the young men; and thou, Atreides, lead then the

way, for thou art the most royal. Spread thou a feast for the councillors; that is thy place and seemly for thee.

Thy huts are full of wine that the ships of the Achaians bring thee by day from Thrace across the wide sea; all

entertainment is for thee, being king over many. In the gathering of many shalt thou listen to him that

deviseth the most excellent counsel; sore need have all the Achaians of such as is good and prudent, because

hard by the ships our foemen are burning their watchfires in multitude; what man can rejoice thereat? This

So said he, and they gladly hearkened to him and obeyed. Forth sallied the sentinels in their harness. Seven

were the captains of the sentinels, and with each went fivescore young men bearing their long spears in their

hands; and they took post midway betwixt foss and wall, and kindled a fire and made ready each man his

Then Atreides gathered the councillors of the Achaians, and led them to his hut, and spread before them an

abundant feast. So they put forth their hands to the good cheer that lay before them. And when they had put

away from them the desire of meat and drink, then the old man first began to weave his counsel, even Nestor,

whose rede of old time was approved the best. He spake to them and said: "Most noble son of Atreus,

Agamemnon king of men, in thy name will I end and with thy name begin, because thou art king over many

hosts, and to thy hand Zeus hath entrusted sceptre and law, that thou mayest take counsel for thy folk. Thee

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. 58

therefore more than any it behoveth both to speak and hearken, and to accomplish what another than thou

may say. No other man shall have a more excellent thought than this that I bear in mind from old time even

until now, since the day when thou, O heavensprung king, didst go and take the damsel Briseis from angry

Achilles' hut by no consent of ours. Nay, I right heartily dissuaded thee; but thou yieldedst to thy proud spirit,

and dishonouredst a man of valour whom even the immortals honoured; for thou didst take and keepest from

him his meed of valour. Still let us even now take thought how we may appease him and persuade him with

And Agamemnon king of men answered and said to him: "Old sir, in no false wise hast thou accused my

folly. Fool was I, I myself deny it not. Worth many hosts is he whom Zeus loveth in his heart, even as now he

honoureth this man and destroyeth the host of the Achaians. But seeing I was a fool in that I yielded to my

sorry passion, I will make amends and give a recompense beyond telling. In the midst of you all I will name

the excellent gifts; seven tripods untouched of fire, and ten talents of gold and twenty gleaming caldrons, and

twelve stalwart horses, winners in the race, that have taken prizes by their speed. No lackwealth were that

man whose substance were as great as the prizes my wholehooved steeds have borne me off. And seven

women will I give, skilled in excellent handiwork, Lesbians whom I chose me from the spoils the day that he

himself took stablished Lesbos, surpassing womankind in beauty. These will I give him, and with them shall

be she whom erst I took from him, even the daughter of Briseus. All these things shall be set straightway

before him; and if hereafter the gods grant us to lay waste the great city of Priam, then let him enter in when

we Achaians be dividing the spoil, and lade his ship full of gold and bronze, and himself choose twenty

Trojan women, the fairest that there be after Helen of Argos. And if we win to the richest of lands, even

Achaian Argos, he shall be my son and I will hold him in like honour with Orestes, my stripling boy that is

nurtured in all abundance. Three daughters are mine in my wellbuilded hall, Chrysothemis and Laodike and

Iphianassa; let him take of them which he will, without gifts of wooing, to Peleus' house; and I will add a

great dower such as no man ever yet gave with his daughter. And seven wellpeopled cities will I give him,

Kardamyle and Enope and grassy Hire and holy Pherai and Antheia deep in meads, and fair Aipeia and

Pedasos land of vines. And all are nigh to the salt sea, on the uttermost border of sandy Pylos; therein dwell

men abounding in flocks and kine, men that shall worship him like a god with gifts, and beneath his sway

fulfil his prosperous ordinances. All this will I accomplish so he but cease from wrath. Let him yield; Hades I

ween is not to be softened neither overcome, and therefore is he hatefullest of all gods to mortals. Yea, let

him be ruled by me, inasmuch as I am more royal and avow me to be the elder in years."

Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered and said: "Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men,

now are these gifts not lightly to be esteemed that thou offerest king Achilles. Come therefore, let us speed

forth picked men to go with all haste to the hut of Peleus' son Achilles. Lo now, whomsoever I appoint let

them consent. First let Phoinix dear to Zeus lead the way, and after him great Aias and noble Odysseus; and

for heralds let Odios and Eurybates be their companions. And now bring water for our hands, and bid keep

holy silence, that we may pray unto Zeus the son of Kronos, if perchance he will have mercy upon us."

So said he, and spake words that were wellpleasing unto all. Forthwith the heralds poured water on their

hands, and the young men crowned the bowls with drink and gave each man his portion after they had poured

the libation in the cups. And when they had made libation and drunk as their heart desired, they issued forth

from the hut of Agamemnon son of Atreus. And knightly Nestor of Gerenia gave them full charge, with many

a glance to each, and chiefest to Odysseus, how they should essay to prevail on Peleus' noble son.

So the twain went along the shore of the loudsounding sea, making instant prayer to the earthembracer, the

Shaker of the Earth, that they might with ease prevail on Aiakides' great heart. So they came to the huts and

ships of the Myrmidons, and found their king taking his pleasure of a loud lyre, fair, of curious work, with a

silver crossbar upon it. Therein he was delighting his soul, and singing the glories of heroes. And over

against him sate Patroklos alone in silence, watching till Aiakides should cease from singing. So the twain

came forward, and noble Odysseus led the way, and they stood before his face; and Achilles sprang up

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. 59

amazed with the lyre in his hand, and left the seat where he was sitting, and in like manner Patroklos when he

beheld the men arose. Then Achilles fleet of foot greeted them and said: "Welcome; verily ye are friends that

are comesore indeed is the needeven ye that are dearest of the Achaians to me even in my wrath."

So spake noble Achilles and led them forward, and made them sit on settles and carpets of purple; and anon

he spake to Patroklos being near: "Bring forth a greater bowl, thou son of Menoitios; mingle stronger drink,

and prepare each man a cup, for dearest of men are these that are under my roof."

Then put they forth their hands to the good cheer lying before them. And when they had put from them the

desire of meat and drink, Aias nodded to Phoinix. But noble Odysseus marked it, and filled a cup with wine

and pledged Achilles: "Hail, O Achilles! The fair feast lack we not either in the hut of Agamemnon son of

Atreus neither now in thine; for feasting is there abundance to our heart's desire, but our thought is not for

matters of the delicious feast; nay, we behold very sore destruction, thou fosterling of Zeus, and are afraid.

Now is it in doubt whether we save the benched ships or behold them perish, if thou put not on thy might.

Nigh unto ships and wall have the highhearted Trojans and famed allies pitched their camp, and kindled

many fires throughout their host, and ween that they shall no more be withheld but will fall on our black

ships. And Zeus son of Kronos sheweth them signs upon the right by lightning, and Hector greatly exulteth in

his might and rageth furiously, trusting in Zeus, and recketh not of god nor man, for mighty madness hath

possessed him. He prayeth bright Dawn to shine forth with all speed, for he bath passed his word to smite off

from the ships the ensigns' tops, and to fire the hulls with devouring flame, and hard thereby to make havoc

of the Achaians confounded by the smoke. Therefore am I sore afraid in my heart lest the gods fulfil his

boastings, and it be fated for us to perish here in Troyland, far from Argos pastureland of horses. Up then!

if thou art minded even at the last to save the failing sons of the Achaians from the wardin of the Trojans.

Eschew thy grievous wrath; Agamemnon offereth thee worthy gifts, so thou wilt cease from anger. Lo now,

hearken thou to me, and I will tell thee all the gifts that in his hut Agamemnon promised thee. But if

Agamemnon be too hateful to thy heart, both he and his gifts, yet have thou pity on all the Achaians that faint

throughout the host; these shall honour thee as a god, for verily thou wilt earn exceeding great glory at their

hands. Yea now mightest thou slay Hector, for he would come very near thee in his deadly madness, because

he deemeth that there is no man like unto him among the Danaans that the ships brought hither."

And Achilles fleet of foot answered and said unto him: "Heavensprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of many

wiles, in openness must I now declare unto you my saying, even as I am minded and as the fulfilment thereof

shall be, that ye may not sit before me and coax this way and that. For hateful to me even as the gates of hell

is he that hideth one thing in his heart and uttereth another: but I will speak what meseemeth best. Not me, I

ween, shall Agamemnon son of Atreus persuade, nor the other Danaans, seeing we were to have no thank for

battling with the foemen ever without respite. He that abideth at home hath equal share with him that fighteth

his best, and in like honour are held both the coward and the brave; death cometh alike to the untoiling and to

him that hath toiled long. Neither have I any profit for that I endured tribulation of soul, ever staking my life

in fight. Even as a hen bringeth her unfledged chickens each morsel as she winneth it, and with herself it

goeth hard, even so I was wont to watch out many a sleepless night and pass through many bloody days of

battle, warring with folk for their women's sake. Twelve cities of men have I laid waste from shipboard, and

from land eleven, throughout deepsoiled Troyland; out of all these took I many goodly treasures and

would bring and give them all to Agamemnon son of Atreus, and he staying behind amid the fleet ships

would take them and portion out some few but keep the most. Now some he gave to be meeds of honour to

the princes and the kings, and theirs are left untouched; only from me of all the Achaians took he my darling

lady and keepeth her. But why must the Argives make war on the Trojans? why hath Atreides gathered his

host and led them hither? is it not for lovelyhaired Helen's sake? Do then the sons of Atreus alone of mortal

men love their wives? surely whatsoever man is good and sound of mind loveth his own and cherisheth her,

even as I too loved mine with all my heart, though but the captive of my spear. But now that he hath taken

my meed of honour from mine arms and hath deceived me, let him not tempt me that know him full well; he

shall not prevail. Nay, Odysseus, let him take counsel with thee and all the princes to ward from the ships the

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. 60

consuming fire. Verily without mine aid he hath wrought many things, and built a wall and dug a foss about it

wide and deep, and set a palisade therein; yet even so can he not stay murderous Hector's might. But so long

as I was fighting amid the Achaians, Hector had no mind to array his battle far from the wall, but scarce came

unto the Skaian gates and to the oaktree; there once he awaited me alone and scarce escaped my onset. But

now, seeing I have no mind to fight with noble Hector, I will tomorrow do sacrifice to Zeus and all the gods,

and store well my ships when I have launched them on the salt seathen shalt thou see, if thou wilt and hast

any care therefor, my ships sailing at break of day over Hellespont, the fishes' home, and my men right eager

at the oar; and if the great Shaker of the Earth grant me good journey, on the third day should I reach

deepsoiled Phthia. There are my great possessions that I left when I came hither to my hurt; and yet more

gold and ruddy bronze shall I bring from hence, and fairgirdled women and grey iron, all at least that were

mine by lot; only my meed of honour hath he that gave it me taken back in his despitefulness, even lord

Agamemnon son of Atreus. To him declare ye everything even as I charge you, openly, that all the Achaians

likewise may have indignation, if haply he hopeth to beguile yet some other Danaan, for that he is ever

clothed in shamelessness. Verily not in my face would he dare to look, though he have the front of a dog.

Neither will I devise counsel with him nor any enterprise, for utterly he hath deceived me and done wickedly;

but never again shall he beguile me with fair speechlet this suffice him. Let him begone in peace; Zeus the

lord of counsel hath taken away his wits. Hateful to me are his gifts, and I hold him at a straw's worth. Not

even if he gave me ten times, yea twenty, all that now is his, and all that may come to him otherwhence, even

all the revenue of Orchomenos or Egyptian Thebes where the treasurehouses are stored fullestThebes of

the hundred gates, whence sally forth two hundred warriors through each with horses and chariotsnay, nor

gifts in number as sand or dust; not even so shall Agamemnon persuade my soul till he have paid me back all

the bitter despite. And the daughter of Agamemnon son of Atreus will I not wed, not were she rival of golden

Aphrodite for fairness and for handiwork matched brighteyed Athenenot even then will I wed her; let him

choose him of the Achaians another that is his peer and is more royal than I. For if the gods indeed preserve

me and I come unto my home, then will Peleus himself seek me a wife. Many Achaian maidens are there

throughout Hellas and Phthia, daughters of princes that ward their cities; whomsoever of these I wish will I

make my dear lady. Very often was my high soul moved to take me there a wedded wife, a help meet for me,

and have joy of the possessions that the old man Peleus possesseth. For not of like worth with life hold I even

all the wealth that men say was possessed of the wellpeopled city of Ilios in days of peace gone by, before

the sons of the Achaians came; neither all the treasure that the stone threshold of the archer Phoebus Apollo

encompasseth in rocky Pytho. For kine and goodly flocks are to be had for the harrying, and tripods and

chestnut horses for the purchasing; but to bring back man's life neither harrying nor earning availeth when

once it hath passed the barrier of his lips. For thus my goddess mother telleth me, Thetis the silverfooted,

that twain fates are bearing me to the issue of death. If I abide here and besiege the Trojans' city, then my

returning home is taken from me, but my fame shall be imperishable; but if I go home to my dear native land,

my high fame is taken from me, but my life shall endure long while, neither shall the issue of death soon

reach me. Moreover I would counsel you all to set sail homeward, seeing ye shall never reach your goal of

steep Ilios; of a surety farseeing Zeus holdeth his hand over her and her folk are of good courage. So go

your way and tell my answer to the princes of the Achaians, even as is the office of elders, that they may

devise in their hearts some other better counsel, such as shall save them their ships and the host of the

Achaians amid the hollow ships: since this counsel availeth them naught that they have now devised, by

reason of my fierce wrath. But let Phoinix now abide with us and lay him to rest, that he may follow with me

on my ships to our dear native land tomorrow, if he will; for I will not take him perforce."

So spake he, and they all held their peace and were still, and marvelled at his saying; for he denied them very

vehemently. But at the last spake to them the old knight Phoinix, bursting into tears, because he was sore

afraid for the ships of the Achaians: "If indeed thou ponderest departure in thy heart, glorious Achilles, and

hast no mind at all to save the fleet ships from consuming fire, because that wrath bath entered into thy heart;

how can I be left of thee, dear son, alone thereafter? To thee did the old knight Peleus send me the day he sent

thee to Agamemnon forth from Phthia, a stripling yet unskilled in equal war and in debate wherein men wax

preeminent. Therefore sent he me to teach thee all these things, to be both a speaker of words and a doer of

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. 61

deeds. Yea, I reared thee to this greatness, thou godlike Achilles, with my heart's love; for with none other

wouldest thou go unto the feast, neither take meat in the hall, till that I had set thee upon my knees and stayed

thee with the savoury morsel cut first for thee, and put the winecup to thy lips. Oft hast thou stained the

doublet on my breast with sputtering of wine in thy sorry helplessness. Thus I suffered much with thee, and

much I toiled, being mindful that the gods in nowise created any issue of my body; but I made thee my son,

thou godlike Achilles, that thou mayest yet save me from grievous destruction. Therefore, Achilles, rule thy

high spirit; neither beseemeth it thee to have a ruthless heart. Nay, even the very gods can bend, and theirs

withal is loftier majesty and honour and might. Nay, come for the gifts; the Achaians shall honour thee even

as a god. But if without gifts thou enter into battle the bane of men, thou wilt not be held in like honour, even

And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to him: "Phoinix my father, thou old man fosterling of Zeus,

such honour need I in no wise; for I deem that I have been honoured by the judgment of Zeus, which shall

abide upon me amid my beaked ships as long as breath tarrieth in my body and my limbs are strong.

Moreover I will say this thing to thee and lay thou it to thine heart; trouble not my soul by weeping and

lamentation, to do the pleasure of warrior Atreides; neither beseemeth it thee to cherish him, lest thou be

hated of me that cherish thee. It were good that thou with me shouldest vex him that vexeth me. Be thou king

even as I, and share my sway by halves, but these shall bear my message. So tarry thou here and lay thee to

rest in a soft bed, and with break of day will we consider whether to depart unto our own, or to abide."

He spake, and nodded his brow in silence unto Patroklos to spread for Phoinix a thick couch, that the others

might bethink them to depart from the hut with speed. Then spake to them Aias, Telamon's godlike son, and

said: "Heavensprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, let us go hence; for methinks the purpose of

our charge will not by this journey be accomplished; and we must tell the news, though it be no wise good,

with all speed unto the Danaans, that now sit awaiting. But Achilles hath wrought his proud soul to fury

within himstubborn man, that recketh naught of his comrades' love, wherein we worshipped him beyond

all men amid the shipsunmerciful! Yet doth a man accept recompense of his brother's murderer or for his

dead son; and so the manslayer for a great price abideth in his own land, and the kinsman's heart is

appeased, and his proud soul, when he hath taken the recompense. But for thee, the gods have put within thy

breast a spirit implacable and evil, by reason of one single damsel. And now we offer thee seven damsels, far

best of all, and many other gifts besides; entertain thou then a kindly spirit, and have respect unto thine home;

because we are guests of thy roof, sent of the multitude of Danaans, and we would fain be nearest to thee and

And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to him: "Aias sprung of Zeus, thou son of Telamon, prince

of the folk, thou seemest to speak all this almost after mine own mind; but my heart swelleth with wrath as

oft as I bethink me of those things, how Atreides entreated me arrogantly among the Argives, as though I

were some worthless sojourner. But go ye and declare my message; I will not take thought of bloody war

until that wise Priam's son, noble Hector, come to the Myrmidons' huts and ships, slaying the Argives, and

smirch the ships with fire. But about mine hut and black ship I ween that Hector, though he be very eager for

So said he, and they took each man a twohandled cup, and made libation and went back along the line of

ships; and Odysseus led the way. And Patroklos bade his fellows and handmaidens spread with all speed a

thick couch for Phoinix; and they obeyed and spread a couch as he ordained, fleeces and rugs and fine flock

Now when those were come unto Atreides' huts, the sons of the Achaians stood up on this side and on that,

and pledged them in cups of gold, and questioned them; and Agamemnon king of men asked them first:

"Come now, tell me, Odysseus full of praise, thou great glory of the Achaians; will he save the ships from

BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. 62

And steadfast goodly Odysseus answered him: "Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, he

yonder hath no mind to quench his wrath, but is yet more filled of fury, and spurneth thee and thy gifts. He

biddeth thee take counsel for thyself amid the Argives, how to save the ships and folk of the Achaians. And

for himself he threateneth that at break of day he will launch upon the sea his trim wellbenched ships.

Moreover he said that he would counsel all to sail for home, because ye now shall never reach your goal of

steep Ilios; surely farseeing Zeus holdeth his hand over her and her folk are of good courage. Even so said

he, and here are also these to tell the tale that were my companions, Aias and the two heralds, both men

discreet. But the old man Phoinix laid him there to rest, even as Achilles bade him, that he may follow with

him on his ships to his dear native land tomorrow, if he will; for he will not take him perforce."

So said he, and they all held their peace and were still, marvelling at his saying, for he harangued very

vehemently. Long were the sons of the Achaians voiceless for grief, but at the last Diomedes of the loud

warcry spake amid them: "Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, would thou hadst never

besought Peleus' glorious son with offer of gifts innumerable; proud is he at any time, but now hast thou yet

far more encouraged him in his haughtiness. Howbeit we will let him bide, whether he go or tarry; hereafter

he shall fight, whenever his heart within him biddeth and god arouseth him. Come now, even as I shall say let

us all obey. Go ye now to rest, full to your hearts' desire of meat and wine, wherein courage is and strength;

but when fair rosyfingered Dawn appeareth, array thou with all speed before the ships thy folk and

So said he, and all the princes gave assent, applauding the saying of Diomedes tamer of horses. And then they

made libation and went every man to his hut, and there laid them to rest and took the boon of sleep.

Now beside the ships the other leaders of the whole Achaian host were sleeping all night long, by soft Sleep

overcome, but Agamemnon son of Atreus, shepherd of the host, sweet Sleep held not, so many things he

debated in his mind. And even as when the lord of fairtressed Hera lighteneth, fashioning either a mighty

rain unspeakable, or hail, or snow, when the flakes sprinkle all the ploughed lands, or fashioning perchance

the wide mouth of bitter war, even so oft in his breast groaned Agamemnon, from the very deep of his heart,

and his spirits trembled within him. And whensoever he looked toward that Trojan plain, he marvelled at the

many fires that blazed in front of Ilios, and at the sound of flutes and pipes, and the noise of men; but

whensoever to the ships he glanced and the host of the Achaians, then rent he many a lock clean forth from

And this in his soul seemed to him the best counsel, to go first of all to Nestor son of Neleus, if perchance he

might contrive with him some right device that should be for the warding off of evil from all the Danaans.

Then he rose, and did on his doublet about his breast, and beneath his shining feet he bound on fair sandals,

and thereafter clad him in the tawny skin of a lion fiery and great, a skin that reached to the feet, and he

And even in like wise did trembling fear take hold on Menelaos, (for neither on his eyelids did Sleep settle

down,) lest somewhat should befall the Argives, who verily for his sake over wide waters were come to

With a dappled pard's akin first he covered his broad shoulders, and he raised and set on his head a casque of

bronze, and took a spear in his strong hand. Then went he on his way to rouse his brother, that mightily ruled

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 63

over all the Argives, and as a god was honoured by the people. Him found he harnessing his goodly gear

about his shoulders, by the stern of the ship, and glad to his brother was his coming. Then Menelaos of the

loud warcry first accosted him: "Wherefore thus, dear brother, art thou arming? Wilt thou speed forth any of

thy comrades to spy on the Trojans? Nay, terribly I fear lest none should undertake for thee this deed, even to

go and spy out the foeman alone through the ambrosial night; needs must he be a man right hardy of heart."

Then the lord Agamemnon answered him and spake: "Need of good counsel have I and thou, Menelaos

fosterling of Zeus, of counsel that will help and save the Argives and the ships, since the heart of Zeus hath

turned again. Surely on the sacrifices of Hector hath he set his heart rather than on ours. For never did I see,

nor heard any tell, that one man devised so many terrible deeds in one day, as Hector, dear to Zeus, hath

wrought on the sons of the Achaians, unaided; though no dear son of a goddess is he, nor of a god. He hath

done deeds that methinks will be a sorrow to the Argives, lasting and long, such evils hath he devised against

the Achaians. But go now, run swiftly by the ships, and summon Aias and Idomeneus, but I will betake me to

noble Nestor, and bid him arise, if perchance he will be fain to go to the sacred company of the sentinels and

lay on them his command. For to him above others would they listen, for his own son is chief among the

sentinels, he and the brother in arms of Idomeneus, even Meriones, for to them above all we entrusted this

Then Menelaos of the loud warcry answered him: "How meanest thou this word wherewith thou dost

command and exhort me? Am I to abide there with them, waiting till thou comest, or run back again to thee

Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him again: "There do thou abide lest we miss each other as we

go, for many are the paths through the camp. But call aloud, wheresoever thou goest, and bid men awake,

naming each man by his lineage, and his father's name, and giving all their dues of honour, nor be thou proud

of heart. Nay rather let us ourselves be labouring, for even thus did Zeus from our very birth dispense to us

So he spake, and sent his brother away, having clearly laid on him his commandment. Then went he himself

after Nestor, the shepherd of the host, whom he found by his hut and black ship, in his soft bed: beside him

lay his arms, a shield, and two spears, and a shining helmet. Beside him lay his glittering girdle wherewith

the old man was wont to gird himself when he harnessed him for war, the bane of men, and led on the host,

for he yielded not to grievous old age. Then he raised him on his elbow, lifting his head, and spake to the son

of Atreus, inquiring of him with this word: "Who art thou that farest alone by the ships, through the camp in

the dark night, when other mortals are sleeping? Seekest thou one of thy mules, or of thy comrades? speak,

Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him: "O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaians,

thou shalt know Agamemnon, son of Atreus, whom above all men Zeus hath planted for ever among labours,

while my breath abides within my breast, and my knees move. I wander thus, for that sweet sleep rests not on

mine eyes, but war is my care, and the troubles of the Achaians. Yea, greatly I fear for the sake of the

Danaans, nor is my heart firm, but I am tossed to and fro, and my heart is leaping from my breast, and my

good knees tremble beneath me. But if thou wilt do aught, since neither on thee cometh sleep, let us go

thither to the sentinels, that we may see them, lest they be fordone with toil, and so are slumbering, and have

quite forgotten to keep watch. And hostile men camp hard by, nor know we at all but that they are keen to do

Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: "Verily will I follow after thee, but let us also rouse others

again, both the son of Tydeus, spearman renowned, and Odysseus, and swift Aias, and the strong son of

Phyleus. But well it would be if one were to go and call those also, the godlike Aias, and Idomeneus the

prince; for their ships are furthest of all, and nowise close at hand. But Menelaos will I blame, dear as he is

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 64

and worshipful, yea, even if thou be angry with me, nor will I hide my thought, for that he slumbereth, and to

thee alone hath left the toil; now should he be toiling among all the chiefs and beseeching them, for need no

And the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him again: "Old man, another day I even bid thee blame him,

for often is he slack, and willeth not to labour, yielding neither to unreadiness nor heedlessness of heart, but

looking toward me, and expecting mine instance. But now he awoke far before me, and came to me, and him

I sent forward to call those con cerning whom thou inquirest. But let us be gone, and them shall we find

Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: "So will none of the Argives be wroth with him or disobey

So spake he, and did on his doublet about his breast, and beneath his bright feet he bound goodly shoon, and

all around him buckled a purple cloak, with double folds and wide, and thick down all over it.

And he took a strong spear, pointed with sharp bronze, and he went among the ships of the mailclad

Achaians. Then Odysseus first, the peer of Zeus in counsel, did knightly Gerenian Nestor arouse out of sleep,

with his voice, and quickly the cry came all about his heart, and he came forth from the hut and spake to them

saying: "Wherefore thus among the ships and through the camp do ye wander alone, in the ambrosial night;

Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: "Laertes' son, be not wroth, for great trouble besetteth the

Achaians. Nay follow, that we may arouse others too, even all that it behoveth to take counsel, whether we

So spake he, and Odysseus of the many counsels came to the hut, and cast a shield about his shoulders, and

And they went to seek Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and him they found outside his hut, with his arms, and

around him his comrades were sleeping with their shields beneath their heads, but their spears were driven

into the ground erect on the spikes of the butts, and afar shone the bronze, like the lightning of father Zeus.

Now that hero was asleep, and under him was strewn the hide of an ox of the field, but beneath his head was

stretched a shining carpet. Beside him went and stood knightly Nestor of Gerenia and stirred him with a touch

of his foot, and aroused him, chiding him to his face, saying: "Wake, son of Tydeus, why all night long dost

thou sleep? Knowest thou not that the Trojans on the high place of the plain are camped near the ships, and

So spake he, and Diomedes sprang swiftly up out of sleep, and spake to him winged words: "Hard art thou,

old man, and from toil thou never ceasest. Now are there not other younger sons of the Achaians, who might

rouse when there is need each of the kings, going all around the host? but thou, old man, art indomitable."

And him knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered again, "Nay verily, my son, all this that thou sayest is

according unto right. Noble sons have I, and there be many of the host, of whom each man might go and call

the others. But a right great need hath assailed the Achaians. For now to all of us it standeth on a razor's edge,

either pitiful ruin for the Achaians, or life. But come now, if indeed thou dost pity me, rouse swift Aias, and

So spake he, and Diomedes cast round his shoulders the skin of a great fiery lion, that reached to his feet, and

he grasped his spear, and started on his way, and roused the others from their place and led them on.

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 65

Now when they had come among the assembled sentinels, they found not the leaders of the sentinels asleep,

but they all sat wide awake with their arms. And even as hounds keep difficult guard round the sheep in a

fold, having heard a hardy wild beast that cometh through the wood among the hills, and much clamour riseth

round him of hounds and men, and sleep perisheth from them, even so sweet sleep did perish from their eyes,

as they watched through the wicked night, for ever were they turning toward the plains, when they heard the

And that old man was glad when he saw them, and heartened them with his saying, and calling out to them he

spake winged words: "Even so now, dear children, do ye keep watch, nor let sleep take any man, lest we

So saying he sped through the moat, and they followed with him, the kings of the Argives, who had been

called to the council. And with them went Meriones, and the glorious son of Nestor, for they called them to

share their counsel. So they went clean out of the delved foss, and sat down in the open, where the midspace

was clear of dead men fallen, where fierce Hector had turned again from destroying the Argives, when night

covered all. There sat they down, and declared their saying each to the other, and to them knightly Nestor of

Gerenia began discourse: "O friends, is there then no man that would trust to his own daring spirit, to go

among the greathearted Trojans, if perchance he might take some straggler of the enemy, yea, or hear

perchance some rumour among the Trojans, and what things they devise among themselves, whether they are

fain to abide there by the ships, away from the city, or will retreat again to the city, now that they have

conquered the Achaians? All this might such an one learn, and back to us come scathless: great would be his

fame under heaven among all men, and a goodly gift will be given him. For all the best men that bear sway

by the ships, each and all of them will give him a black ewe, with her lamb at her foot, and ever will he be

So spake he, and thereon were they all silent, holding their peace, but to them spake Diomedes of the loud

warcry: "Nestor, my heart and manful spirit urge me to enter the camp of the foemen hard by, even of the

Trojans: and if some other man will follow with me, more comfort and more courage will there be. If two go

together, one before another perceiveth a matter, how there may be gain therein; but if one alone perceive

So spake he, and many were they that wished to follow Diomedes. The two Aiantes were willing, men of

Nestor, and the son of Atreus, Menelaos, spearman renowned, yea and the hardy Odysseus was willing to

steal into the throng of Trojans, for always daring was his heart within him. But among them spake the king

of men, Agamemnon: "Diomedes son of Tydeus, joy of mine heart, thy comrade verily shalt thou choose,

whomsoever thou wilt, the best of them that be here, for many are eager. But do not thou, out of reverent

heart, leave the better man behind, and give thyself the worse companion, yielding to regard for any, and

So spake he, but was in fear for the sake of fairhaired Menelaos. But to them again answered Diomedes of

the loud warcry: "If indeed ye bid me choose myself a comrade, how then could I be unmindful of godlike

Odysseus, whose heart is passing eager, and his spirit so manful in all manner of toils; and Athene loveth

him. But while he cometh with me, even out of burning fire might we both return, for he excelleth in

Then him again answered the steadfast noble Odysseus: "Son of Tydeus, praise me not overmuch, neither

blame me aught, for thou speakest thus among the Argives that themselves know all. But let us be going, for

truly the night is waning, and near is the dawn, and the stars have gone onward, and the night has advanced

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 66

So spake they, and harnessed them in their dread armour. To the son of Tydeus did Thrasymedes steadfast in

war give a twoedged sword (for his own was left by his ship) and a shield, and about his head set a helm of

bull's hide, without cone or crest, that is called a skullcap, and keeps the heads of stalwart youths. And

Meriones gave Odysseus a bow and a quiver, and a sword, and on his head set a helm made of leather, and

with many a thong was it stiffly wrought within, while without the white teeth of a boar of flashing tusks

were arrayed thick set on either side, well and cunningly, and in the midst was fixed a cap of felt.

So when these twain had harnessed them in their dread armour, they set forth to go, and left there all the best

of the host. And to them did Pallas Athene send forth an omen on the right, a heron hard by the way, and they

beheld it not with their eyes, through the dark night, but they heard its shrill cry. And Odysseus was glad in

the omen of the bird, and prayed to Athene: "Listen to me, thou child of aegisbearing Zeus, that ever in all

toils dost stand by me, nor doth any motion of mine escape thee: but now again above all be thou friendly to

me, Athene, and grant that we come back with renown to the ships, having wrought a great work, that shall

Next again prayed Diomedes of the loud warcry: "Listen now likewise to me, thou child of Zeus, unwearied

maiden, and follow with me as when with my father thou didst follow, even noble Tydeus, into Thebes, when

he went forth as a messenger from the Achaians. Even so now stand thou by me willingly, and protect me.

And to thee will I sacrifice a yearling heifer, broad of brow, unbroken, that never yet hath man led below the

So spake they in their prayer, and Pallas Athene heard them. And when they had prayed to the daughter of

mighty Zeus, they went forth on their way, like two lions, through the dark night, amid the slaughter, amid

Nay, nor the stouthearted Trojans did Hector suffer to sleep, but he called together all the best of them, all

that were chiefs and leaders of the Trojans, them did he call together, and contrived a crafty counsel: "Who is

there that would promise and perform for me this deed, for a great gift? yea his reward shall be sufficient. For

I will give him a chariot, and two horses of arching neck, the best that be at the swift ships of the Achaians, to

whosoever shall dare the deed, and for himself shall win glory. And the deed is this; to go near the

swiftfaring ships, and seek out whether the swift ships are guarded, as of old, or whether already, being

subdued beneath our hands, the foes are devising of flight among themselves, and have no care to watch

So spake he, but they were all silent and held their peace. Now there was among the Trojans one Dolon, the

son of Eumedes the godlike herald, and he was rich in gold, and rich in bronze: and verily he was ill favoured

to look upon, but swift of foot. So he spake then a word to the Trojans and to Hector: "Hector, my heart and

manful spirit urge me to go near the swiftfaring ships, and spy out all. But come, I pray thee, hold up the

staff, and swear to me, that verily thou wilt give me the horses and the chariots bedight with bronze that bear

the noble son of Peleus. But to thee I will prove no vain spy, nor disappoint thy hope. For I will go straight to

the camp, until I may come to the ship of Agamemnon, where surely the chiefs are like to hold council,

So spake he, and Hector took the staff in his hand, and sware to him: "Now let Zeus himself be witness, the

loudthundering lord of Hera, that no other man of the Trojans shall mount those horses, but thou, I declare,

So spake he, and sware a bootless oath thereto, and aroused Dolon to go. And straightway he cast on his

shoulders his crooked bow, and did on thereover the skin of a grey wolf, and on his head a helm of

ferretskin, and took a sharp javelin, and went on his way to the ships from the host. But he was not like to

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 67

But when he had left the throng of men and horses, he went forth eagerly on the way, and Odysseus of the

seed of Zeus was ware of him as he approached, and said unto Diomedes: "Lo, here is some man, Diomedes,

coming from the camp, I know not whether as a spy to our ships, or to strip certain of the dead men fallen.

But let us suffer him to pass by us a little way on the plain, and thereafter may we rush on him and take him

speedily, and if it chance that he outrun us by speed of foot, ever do thou hem him in towards the ships and

away from the camp, rushing on him with thy spear, lest in any wise he escape towards the city."

So they spake, and turning out of the path they lay down among the bodies of the dead; and swiftly Dolon ran

past them in his witlessness. But when he was as far off as is the length of the furrow made by mules, these

twain ran after him, and he stood still when he heard the sound, supposing in his heart that they were friends

come from among the Trojans to turn him back, at the countermand of Hector. But when they were about a

spearcast off, or even less, he knew them for foemen, and stirred his swift limbs to fly, and speedily they

And as when two sharptoothed hounds, well skilled in the chase, press ever hard on a doe or a hare through

a wooded land, and it runs screaming before them, even so Tydeus' son and Odysseus the sacker of cities cut

Dolon off from the host, and ever pursued hard after him. But when he was just about to come among the

sentinels, in his flight towards the ships, then Athene poured strength into the son of Tydeus, that none of the

mailclad Achaians might boast himself the first to smite, and he come second. And strong Diomedes leaped

upon him with the spear, and said: "Stand, or I shall overtake thee with the spear, and methinks that thou shalt

So spake he, and threw his spear, but of his own will he missed the man, and passing over his right shoulder

the point of the polished spear stuck fast in the ground: and Dolon stood still, in great dread and trembling,

and the teeth chattered in his mouth, and he was green with fear. Then the twain came up with him, panting,

and gripped his hands, and weeping he spake: "Take me alive, and I will ransom myself, for within our house

there is bronze, and gold, and smithied iron, wherefrom my father would do you grace with ransom untold, if

Then Odysseus of the many counsels answered him and said: "Take courage, let not death be in thy mind, but

come speak and tell me truly all the tale, why thus from the host lost thou come all alone among the ships,

through the black night, when other mortals are sleeping? Comest thou to strip certain of the dead men fallen,

or did Hector send thee forth to spy out everything at the hollow ships, or did thine own spirit urge thee on?"

Then Dolon answered him, his limbs trembling beneath him: "With many a blind hope did Hector lead my

wits astray, who vowed to give me the wholehooved horses of the proud son of Peleus, and his car bedight

with bronze: and he bade me fare through the swift black night, and draw nigh the foemen, and seek out

whether the swift ships are guarded, as of old, or whether, already, being subdued beneath our hands, they are

devising of flight among themselves, and have no care to watch through the night, being fordone with dread

And smiling thereat did Odysseus of the many counsels make him answer: "Verily now thy soul was set on

great rewards, even the horses of the wise son of Aiakos, but hard are they for mortal men to master, and hard

to drive, for any but Achilles only, whom a deathless mother bare. But come, tell me all this truly, all the tale:

where when thou camest hither didst thou leave Hector, shepherd of the host, and where lie his warlike gear,

and where his horses? And how are disposed the watches, and the beds of the other Trojans? And what

counsel take they among themselves; are they fain to abide there nigh the ships afar from the city, or will they

return to the city again, seeing that they have subdued unto them the Achaiana?"

Then Dolon son of Eumedes made him answer again: "Lo, now all these things will I recount to thee most

truly. Hector with them that are counsellors holdeth council by the barrow of godlike Ilos, apart from the din,

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 68

but as for the guards whereof thou askest, oh hero, no chosen watch nor guard keepeth the host. As for all the

watch fires of the Trojanson them is necessity, so that they watch and encourage each other to keep guard;

but, for the allies called from many lands, they are sleeping and to the Trojans they leave it to keep watch, for

no wise near dwell the children and wives of the allies." Then Odysseus of the many counsels answered him

and said: "How stands it now, do they sleep amidst the horsetaming Trojans, or apart? tell me clearly, that I

Then answered him Dolon son of Eumedes: "Verily all this likewise will I recount to thee truly. Towards the

sea lie the Karians, and Paionians of the bended bow, and the Leleges and Kaukones, and noble Pelasgoi.

And towards Thymbre the Lykians have their place, and the haughty Mysians, and the Phrygians that fight

from chariots, and Maionians lords of chariots. But wherefore do ye inquire of me throughly concerning all

these things? for if ye desire to steal into the throng of Trojans, lo, there be those Thracians, new comers, at

the furthest point apart from the rest, and among them their king Rhesos, son of Eioneus. His be the fairest

horses that ever I beheld, and the greatest, whiter than snow, and for speed like the winds. And his chariot is

fashioned well with gold and silver, and golden is his armour that he brought with him, marvellous, a wonder

to behold; such as it is in no wise fit for mortal men to bear, but for the deathless gods. But bring me now to

the swift ships, or leave me here, when ye have bound me with a ruthless bond, that ye may go and make trial

Then strong Diomedes, looking grimly on him, said: "Put no thought of escape, Dolon, in thy heart, for all the

good tidings thou hast brought, since once thou halt come into our hands. For if now we release thee or let

thee go, on some later day wilt thou come to the swift ships of the Achaians, either to play the spy, or to fight

in open war, but if subdued beneath my hands thou lose thy life, never again wilt thou prove a bane to the

He spake, and that other with strong hand was about to touch his chin, and implore his mercy, but Diomedes

smote him on the midst of the neck, rushing on him with the sword, and cut through both the sinews, and the

head of him still speaking was mingled with the dust. And they stripped him of the casque of ferret's skin

from off his head, and of his wolf skin, and his bended bow, and his long spear, and these to Athene the

Giver of Spoil did noble Odysseus hold aloft in his hand, and he prayed and spake a word: "Rejoice, O

goddess, in these, for to thee first of all the immortals in Olympus will we call for aid; nay, but yet again send

So spake he aloud, and lifted from him the spoils on high, and set them on a tamarisk bush, and raised

thereon a mark right plain to see, gathering together reeds, and luxuriant shoots of tamarisk, lest they should

So the twain went forward through the arms, and the black blood, and quickly they came to the company of

Thracian men. Now they were slumbering, fordone with toil, but their goodly weapons lay by them on the

ground, all orderly, in three rows, and by each man his pair of steeds. And Rhesos slept in the midst, and

beside him his swift horses were bound with thongs to the topmost rim of the chariot. Him Odysseus spied

from afar, and showed him unto Diomedes: "Lo, Diomedes, this is the man, and these are the horses whereof

Dolon that we slew did give us tidings. But come now, put forth thy great strength; it doth not behove thee to

stand idle with thy weapons: nay, loose the horses; or do thou slay the men, and of the horses will I take

So spake he, and into that other brighteyed Athene breathed might, and he began slaying on this side and on

that, and hideously went up their groaning, as they were smitten with the sword, and the earth was reddened

with blood. And like as a lion cometh on flocks without a herdsman, on goats or sheep, and leaps upon them

with evil will, so set the son of Tydeus on tha men of Thrace, till he had slain twelve. But whomsoever the

son of Tydeus drew near and smote with the sword, him did Odysseus of the many counsels seize by the foot

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 69

from behind, and drag him out of the way, with this design in his heart, that the fairmaned horses might

lightly issue forth, and not tremble in spirit, when they trod over the dead; for they were not yet used to dead

men. But when the son of Tydeus came upon the king, he was the thirteenth from whom he took sweet life

away, as he was breathing hard, for an evil dream stood above his head that night through the device of

Athens. Meanwhile the hardy Odysseus loosed the wholehooved horses, and bound them together with

thongs, and drave them out of the press, smiting them with his bow, since he had not taken thought to lift the

shining whip with his hands from the chariot; then he whistled for a sign to noble Diomedes.

But Diomedes stood and pondered what most daring deed he might do, whether he should take the chariot,

where lay the armour, and drag it out by the pole, or lift it upon high, and so bear it forth, or whether he

should take the life away from yet more of the Thracians. And while he was pondering this in his heart, then

Athene drew near, and stood, and spake to noble Diomedes: "Bethink thee of returning, O son of great

hearted Tydeus, to the hollow ships, lest perchance thou come thither in flight, and perchance another god

So spake she, and he observed the voice of the utterance of the goddess, and swiftly he sprang upon the

steeds, and Odysseus smote them with his bow, and they sped to the swift ships of the Achaians.

Nay, nor a vain watch kept Apollo of the silver bow, when he beheld Athene caring for the son of Tydeus; in

wrath against her he stole among the crowded press of Trojans, and aroused a counsellor of the Thracians,

Hippokoon, the noble kinsman of Rhesos. And he started out of sleep, when he beheld the place desolate

where the swift horses had stood, and beheld the men gasping in the death struggle; then he groaned aloud,

and called out by name to his comrade dear. And a clamour arose and din unspeakable of the Trojans hasting

together, and they marvelled at the terrible deeds, even all that the heroes had wrought, and had gone

But when those others came to the place where they had slain the spy of Hector, there Odysseus, dear to

Zeus, checked the swift horses, and Tydeus' son, leaping to the ground, set the bloody spoil in the hands of

Odysseus, and again mounted, and lashed the horses, and they sped onward nothing loth. But Nestor first

heard the sound, and said: "O friends, leaders and counsellors of the Argives, shall I be wrong or speak

sooth? for my heart bids me speak. The sound of swiftfooted horses strikes upon mine ears. Would to god

that Odysseus and that strong Diomedes may even instantly be driving the wholehooved horses from among

the Trojans; but terribly I fear in mine heart lest the bravest of the Argives suffer aught through the Trojans'

Not yet was his whole word spoken, when they came themselves, and leaped down to earth, but gladly the

others welcomed them with handclasping, and with honeyed words. And first did knightly Nestor of

Gerenia make question: "Come, tell me now, renowned Odysseus, great glory of the Achaians, how ye twain

took those horses? Was it by stealing into the press of Trojans? Or did some god meet you, and give you

them? Wondrous like are they to rays of the sun. Ever with the Trojans do I mix in fight, nor methinks do I

tarry by the ships, old warrior as I am. But never yet saw I such horses, nor deemed of such. Nay, methinks

some god must have encountered you and given you these. For both of you doth Zeus the cloudgatherer

And him answered Odysseus of the many counsels: "O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaians,

lightly could a god, if so he would, give even better steeds than these, for the gods are far stronger than we.

But as for these newcome horses, whereof, old man, thou askest me, they are Thracian, but their lord did

brave Diomedes slay, and beside him all the twelve best men of his company. The thirteenth man was a spy

we took near the ships, one that Hector and the other haughty Trojans sent forth to pry upon our camp."

BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. 70

So spake he, and drave the wholehooved horses through the foss, laughing; and the other Achaians went

with him joyfully. But when they had come to the wellbuilt hut of the son of Tydeus, they bound the horses

with wellcut thongs, at the mangers where the swift horses of Diomedes stood eating honeysweet barley.

And Odysseus placed the bloody spoils of Dolon in the stern of the ship, that they might make ready a sacred

offering to Athene. But for themselves, they went into the sea, and washed off the thick sweat from shins, and

neck, and thighs. But when the wave of the sea had washed the thick sweat from their skin, and their hearts

And when they had washed, and anointed them with olive oil, they sat down at supper, and from the full

Now Dawn arose from her couch beside proud Tithonos, to bring light to the immortals and to mortal men.

But Zeus sent forth fierce Discord unto the fleet ships of the Achaians, and in her hands she held the signal of

war. And she stood upon the huge black ship of Odysseus, that was in the midst, to make her voice heard on

either side, both to the huts of Aias, son of Telamon, and to the huts of Achilles, for these twain, trusting in

their valour and the might of their hands, had drawn up their trim ships at the two ends of the line. There

stood the goddess and cried shrilly in a great voice and terrible, and mighty strength she set in the heart of

each of the Achaians, to war and fight unceasingly. And straightway to them war grew sweeter than to depart

Then each man gave in charge his horses to his charioteer, to hold them in by the foss, well and orderly, and

themselves as heavy men at arms were hasting about, being harnessed in their gear, and unquenchable the cry

arose into the Dawn. And long before the charioteers were they arrayed at the foss, but after them a little way

came up the drivers. And among them the son of Kronos aroused an evil din, and from above rained down

dew danked with blood out of the upper air, for that he was about to send many strong men down to Hades.

But the Trojans on the other side, on the high ground of the plain, gathered them around great Hector, and

noble Polydamus, and Aineias that as a god was honoured by the people of the Trojans, and the three sons of

Antenor, Polybos, and noble Agenor, and young Akamas like unto the immortals. And Hector in the foremost

rank bare the circle of his shield. And as from amid the clouds appeareth glittering a baneful star, and then

again sinketh within the shadowy clouds, even so Hector would now appear among the foremost ranks, and

again would be giving command in the rear, and all in bronze he shone, like the lightning of aegisbearing

And even as when reapers over against each other drive their swaths through a rich man's field of wheat or

barley, and thick fall the handfuls, even so the Trojans and Achaians leaped upon each other, destroying, and

neither side took thought of ruinous flight; and equal heads had the battle, and they rushed on like wolves.

And woful Discord was glad at the sight, for she alone of the gods was with them in the war; for the other

gods were not beside them, but in peace they sat within their halls, where the goodly mansion of each was

builded in the folds of Olympus. And they all were blaming the son of Kronos, lord of the stormcloud, for

that he willed to give glory to the Trojans. But of them took the father no heed, but aloof from the others he

sat apart, glad in his glory, looking toward the city of the Trojans, and the ships of the Achaians, and the

So long as morning was, and the sacred day still waxed, so long did the shafts of both hosts strike, and the

folk fell, but about the hour when a woodman maketh ready his meal, in the dells of a mountain, when he

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 71

hath tired his hands with felling tall trees, and weariness cometh on his soul, and desire of sweet food taketh

his heart, even then the Danaans by their valour brake the battalions, and called on their comrades through the

lines. And in rushed Agamemnon first of all, where thickest clashed the battalions, there he set on, and with

him all the wellgreaved Achaians. Footmen kept slaying footmen as they were driven in flight, and

horsemen slaying horsemen with the sword, and from beneath them rose up the dust from the plain, stirred by

the thundering hooves of horses. And the lord Agamemnon, ever slaying, followed after, calling on the

Argives. And as when ruinous fire falleth on dense woodland, and the whirling wind beareth it everywhere,

and the thickets fall utterly before it, being smitten by the onset of the fire, even so beneath Agamemnon son

of Atreus fell the heads of the Trojans as they fled; and many strongnecked horses rattled empty cars along

the highways of the battle, lacking their noble charioteers; but they on the earth were lying, far more dear to

the vultures than to their wives. But Hector did Zeus draw forth from the darts and the dust, from the

manslaying, and the blood, and the din, and the son of Atreus followed on, crying eagerly to the Danaans.

And past the tomb of ancient Ilos, son of Dardanos, across the mid plain, past the place of the wild figtree

they sped, making for the city, and ever the son of Atreus followed shouting, and his invincible hands were

defiled with gore. But when they were come to the Skaian gates, and the oaktree, there then they halted, and

awaited each other. But some were still in full flight through the mid plain, like kine that a lion hath scattered,

coming on them in the dead of night; all hath he scattered, but to one sheer death appeareth instantly, and he

breaketh her neck first, seizing her with strong teeth, and thereafter swalloweth greedily the blood and all the

guts; even so lord Agamemnon son of Atreus followed hard on the Trojans, ever slaying the hindmost man,

and they were scattered in flight, and on face or back many of them fell from their chariots beneath the hands

of Agamemnon, for mightily he raged with the spear. But when he was nowabout coming below the city, and

the steep wall, then did the father of men and gods sit him down on the crests of manyfountained Ida, from

Then sent he forth Iris of the golden wings, to bear his word: "Up and go, swift Iris, and tell this word unto

Hector: So long as he sees Agamemnon, shepherd of the host, raging among the foremost fighters, and

ruining the ranks of men, so long let him hold back, but bid the rest of the host war with the foe in strong

battle. But when, or smitten with the spear or wounded with arrow shot, Agamemnon leapeth into his chariot,

then will I give Hector strength to slay till he come even to the welltimbered ships, and the sun go down,

So swiftfooted Iris spake to Hector the words of Zeus and departed, but Hector with his harness leaped from

the chariot to the ground, and, shaking his sharp spears went through all the host, stirring up his men to fight,

and he roused the dread din of battle. And they wheeled round, and stood and faced the Achaians, while the

Argives on the other side strengthened their battalions. And battle was made ready, and they stood over

against each other, and Agamemnon first rushed in, being eager to fight far in front of all.

Tell me now, ye Muses that inhabit mansions in Olympus, who was he that first encountered Agamemnon,

whether of the Trojans themselves, or of their allies renowned? It was Iphidamas, son of Antenor, great and

mighty, who was nurtured in Thrace rich of soil, the mother of sheep; he it was that then encountered

Agamemnon son of Atreus. And when they were come near in onset against each other, Atreus' son missed,

and his spear was turned aside, but Iphidamas smote him on the girdle, below the corslet, and himself pressed

on, trusting to his heavy hand, but pierced not the gleaming girdle, for long ere that the point struck on the

silver, and was bent like lead. Then wideruling Agamemnon caught the spear with his hand and drew it

toward him furiously, like a lion, and snatched it out of the hand of Iphidamas, and smote his neck with the

sword, and unstrung his limbs. So even there he fell, and slept a sleep of bronze most piteously. Then did

Agamemnon son of Atreus strip him, and went bearing his goodly harness into the throng of the Achaians.

Now when Koon beheld him, Koon Antenor's eldest son, illustrious among men, strong sorrow came on him,

covering his eyes, for his brother's fall: and he stood on one side with his spear, and unmarked of noble

Agamemnon smote him on the midarm, beneath the elbow, and clean through went the point of the shining

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 72

spear. Then Agamemnon king of men shuddered, yet not even so did he cease from battle and war, but rushed

against Koon, grasping his windnurtured spear. Verily then Koon seized right lustily by the foot Iphidamas,

his brother, and his father's son, and called to all the best of his men; but him, as he dragged the dead through

the press, beneath his bossy shield Agamemnon wounded with a bronzeshod spear, and unstrung his limbs,

and drew near and cut off his head over Iphidamas. There the sons of Antenor, at the hands of Aga memnon

the king, filled up the measure of their fate, and went down within the house of Hades.

But Agamemnon ranged among the ranks of men, with spear, and sword, and great stones for throwing, while

yet the blood welled warm from his wound. But when the wound waxed dry, and the blood ceased to flow,

then keen pangs came on the might of the son of Atreus. Then leaped he into his chariot, and bade his

charioteer drive to the hollow ships, for he was sore vexed at heart. And he called in a piercing voice, and

shouted to the Danaans: "O friends, leaders and counsellors of the Argives, do ye now ward from the

seafaring ships the harsh din of battle, for Zeus the counsellor suffers me not all day to war with the Trojans."

So spake he, and his charioteer lashed the fairmaned steeds toward the hollow ships, and they flew onward

nothing loth, and their breasts were covered with foam, and their bellies were stained with dust, as they bore

But Hector, when he beheld Agamemnon departed, cried to the Trojans and Lykians with a loud shout: "Ye

Trojans and Lykians, and Dardanians that war in close fight, be men, my friends, and be mindful of your

impetuous valour. The best man of them hath departed and to me hath Zeus, the son of Kronos, given great

renown. But straightway drive ye the wholehooved horses against the mighty Danaans, that ye may be the

So spake he, and aroused the might and spirit of every man. Himself with high thoughts he fared among the

foremost, and fell upon the fight; like a roaring blast, that leapeth down and stirreth the violetcoloured deep.

There whom first, whom last did he slay, even Hector, son of Priam, when Zeus vouchsafed him renown?

Asaios first, and Autonoos, and Opites, and Dolops, son of Klytios, and Opheltios, and Agelaos, and

Aisymnos, and Oros, and Hipponoos steadfast in the fight; these leaders of the Danaans he slew, and

thereafter smote the multitude, even as when the West Wind driveth the clouds of the white South Wind,

smiting with deep storm, and the wave swelleth huge, rolling onward, and the spray is scattered on high

beneath the rush of the wandering wind; even so many heads of the host were smitten by Hector.

There had ruin begun, and deeds remedeless been wrought, and now would all the Achaians have fled and

fallen among the ships, if Odysseus had not called to Diomedes, son of Tydeus: "Tydeus' son, what ails us

that we forget our impetuous valour? Nay, come hither, friend, and take thy stand by me, for verily it will be

And to him strong Diomedes spake in answer: "Verily will I abide and endure, but short will be all our profit,

for Zeus, the cloudgatherer, clearly desireth to give victory to the Trojans rather than to us."

He spake, and drave Thymbraios from his chariot to the ground, smiting him with the spear in the left breast,

and Odysseus smote Molion the godlike squire of that prince. These then they let be, when they had made

them cease from war, and then the twain fared through the crowd with a din, as when two boars full of valour

fall on the hunting hounds; so rushed they on again, and slew the Trojans, while gladly the Achaians took

But Hector quickly spied them among the ranks, and rushed upon them shouting, and with him followed the

battalions of the Trojans. And beholding him, Diomedes of the loud warcry shuddered, and straightway

spake to Odysseus that was hard by: "Lo, on us this ruin, even mighty Hector, is rolling: let us stand, and

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 73

So spake he, and swayed and sent forth his farshadowing spear, and smote him nor missed, for he aimed at

the head, on the summit of the crest, and bronze by bronze was turned, nor reached his fair flesh, for it was

stopped by the threefold helm with its socket, that Phoebus Apollo to Hector gave. But Hector sprang back a

wondrous way, and mingled with the throng, and he rested, fallen on his knee, and leaned on the ground with

But while Tydeus' son was following after his spearcast, far through the foremost fighters, where he saw it

sink into the earth, Hector gat breath again, and leaping back into his chariot drave out into the throng, and

avoided black Fate. Then rushing on with his spear mighty Diomedes spake to him: "Dog, thou art now again

escaped from death; yet came ill very nigh thee: but now hath Phoebus Apollo saved thee, to whom thou

must surely pray when thou goest amid the clash of spears. Verily I will slay thee yet when I meet thee

hereafter, if any god is helper of me too. Now will I make after the rest, whomsoever I may seize."

So spake he, and stripped the son of Paeon, spearman renowned. But Alexandros, the lord of fairtressed

Helen, aimed with his arrows at Tydeides, shepherd of the host; leaning as he aimed against a pillar on the

barrow, by men fashioned, of Ilos, son of Dardanos, an elder of the people in time gone by. Now Diomedes

was stripping the shining corslet of strong Agastrophos from about his breast, and the shield from his

shoulders, and his strong helmet, when Paris drew the centre of his bow; nor vainly did the shaft fly from his

hand, for he smote the flat of the right foot of Diomedes, and the arrow went clean through, and stood fixed

in the earth; and right sweetly laughing Paris leaped up from his lair, and boasted, and said: "Thou art

smitten, nor vainly hath the dart flown forth; would that I had smitten thee in the nether belly, and taken thy

life away. So should the Trojans have breathed again from their trouble, they that shudder at thee, as bleating

But him answered strong Diomedes, no wise dismayed: "Bowman, reviler, proud in thy bow of horn, thou

gaper after girls, verily if thou madest trial in full harness, man to man, thy bow and showers of shafts would

nothing avail thee, but now thou boastest vainly, for that thou hast grazed the sole of my foot. I care not, more

than if a woman had struck me or a senseless boy, for feeble is the dart of a craven man and a worthless. In

other wise from my hand, yea, if it do but touch, the sharp shaft flieth, and straightway layeth low its man,

and torn are the cheeks of his wife, and fatherless his children, and he, reddening the earth with his blood,

So spake he, and Odysseus, spearman renowned, drew near, and stood in front of him, and Diomedes sat

down behind him, and drew the sharp arrow from his foot, and a sore pang passed through his flesh. Then

sprang he into his car, and bade his charioteer drive back to the hollow ships, for he was hurt at heart. Then

Odysseus, spearman renowned, was left alone, nor did one of the Argives abide by him, for fear had fallen on

them all. Then in heaviness he spoke to his own greathearted spirit: "Ah me, what thing shall befall me! A

great evil it is if I flee, in dread of the throng; yet worse is this, if I be taken all alone, for the other Danaans

bath Kronion scattered in flight. But wherefore doth my heart thus converse with herself? for I know that they

are cowards, who flee the fight, but whosoever is a hero in war, him it mainly behoves to stand stubbornly,

While he pondered thus in heart and spirit, the ranks came on of the Trojans under shield, and hemmed him

in the midst, setting among them their own bane. And even as when hounds and young men in their bloom

press round a boar, and he cometh forth from his deep lair, whetting his white tusk between crooked jaws,

and round him they rush, and the sound of the gnashing of tusks ariseth, and straightway they await his

assault, so dread as he is, even so then round Odysseus, dear to Zeus, rushed the Trojans. And first he

wounded noble Deiopites, from above, in the shoulder, leaping on him with sharp spear, and next he slew

Thoon and Ennomos, and next Chersidamas, being leapt down from his chariot, he smote with the spear on

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 74

the navel beneath the bossy shield, and he fell in the dust and clutched the ground with the hollow of his

hand. These left he, and wounded Charops, son of Hippasos, with the spear, the brother of highborn Sokos.

And to help him came Sokos, a godlike man, and stood hard by him, and spake saying: "O renowned

Odysseus, insatiable of craft and toil, today shalt thou either boast over two sons of Hippasos, as having

slain two such men of might, and stripped their harness, or smitten by my spear shaft lose thy life."

So spake he, and smote him on the circle of his shield; through the shining shield passed the strong spear, and

through the fairdight corslet it was thrust, and tore clean off the flesh of the flanks, but Pallas Athens did not

suffer it to mingle with the bowels of the hero, and Odysseus knew that the dart had in nowise lighted on a

deadly spot, and drawing backward, he spake unto Sokos "Ah, wretched one, verily sheer destruction is come

upon thee. Surely thou hast made me to cease from warring among the Trojans, but here to thee I declare that

slaying and black Fate will be upon thee this day, and beneath my spear overthrown shalt thou give glory to

He spake, and the other turned, and started to flee, and in his back as he turned he fixed the spear, between

the shoulders, and drave it through the breast. Then he fell with a crash, and noble Odysseus boasted over

him: "Ah, Sokos, son of wisehearted Hippasos the tamer of horses, the end of death hath come upon and

caught thee, nor hast thou avoided. Ah, wretch, thy father and lady mother shall not close thine eyes in death,

but birds that eat flesh raw shall tear thee, shrouding thee in the multitude of their wings. But to me, if I die,

So spake he, and drew the mighty spear of wisehearted Sokos forth from his flesh, and from his bossy

shield, and his blood flowed forth when the spear was drawn away, and afflicted his spirit. And the

greathearted Trojans when they beheld the blood of Odysseus, with clamour through the throng came all

together against him. But he gave ground, and shouted unto his comrades: thrice he shouted then, as loud as

man's mouth might cry, and thrice did Menelaos dear to Zeus hear his call, and quickly he spake to Aias that

was hard by him: "Aias, of the seed of Zeus, child of Telamon, lord of the hosts, the shout of Odysseus of the

hardy heart rings round me, like as though the Trojans were oppressing him alone among them, and had cut

him off in the strong battle. Nay, let us speed into the throng, for better it is to rescue him. I fear lest he suffer

some evil, being alone among the Trojans, so brave as he is, and lest great sorrow for his loss come upon the

So spake he, and led the way, and the other followed him, a godlike man. Then found they Odysseus dear to

Zeus, and the Trojans beset him like tawny jackals from the hills round a wounded horned stag, that a man

hath smitten with an arrow from the bowstring, and the stag hath fled from him by speed of foot, as long as

the blood is warm and his limbs are strong, but when the swift arrow hath overcome him, then do the rav

ening jackals rend him in the hills, in a dark wood, and then god leadeth a murderous lion thither, and the

jackals flee before him, but he rendeth them, so then, round wisehearted Odysseus of the crafty counsels,

did the Trojans gather, many and mighty, but that hero thrusting on with the spear held off the pitiless day.

Then Aias drew near, bearing his shield like a tower, and stood thereby, and the Trojans fled from him, where

each man might. Then warlike Menelaos led Odysseus out of the press, holding him by the hand, till the

Then Aias leaped on the Trojans, and slew Doyrklos, bastard son of Priam, and thereafter wounded he

Pandokos, and he wounded Lysandros, and Pyrasos, and Pylartes. And as when a brimming river cometh

down upon the plain, in winter flood from the hills, swollen by the rain of Zeus, and many dry oaks and many

pines it sucketh in, and much soil it casteth into the sea, even so renowned Aias charged them, pursuing

through the plain, slaying horses and men. Nor wist Hector thereof at all, for he was fighting on the left of all

the battle, by the banks of the river Skamandros, whereby chiefly fell the heads of men, and an unquenchable

cry arose, around great Nestor and warlike Idomeneus. And Hector with them was warring, and terrible

things did he, with the spear and in horsemanship, and he ravaged the battalions of the young men. Nor

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 75

would the noble Achaians have yet given ground from the path, if Alexandros, the lord of fairtressed Helen,

had not stayed Machaon shepherd of the host in his valorous deeds, and smitten him on the right shoulder

with a threebarbed arrow. Therefore were the Achaians, breathing valour, in great fear, lest men should

Then Idomeneus spake to noble Nestor: "O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaians, arise, get thee

up into thy chariot, and with thee let Machaon go, and swiftly drive to the ships the wholehooved horses.

For a leech is worth many other men, to cut out arrows, and spread soothing medicaments."

So spake he, nor did knightly Nestor of Gerenia disobey him, but straightway gat up into his chariot, and with

him went Machaon, son of Asklepios the good leech, and he lashed the horses, and willingly flew they

But Kebriones, the charioteer of Hector, beheld the Trojans driven in flight, and spake to him, and said:

"Hector, here do we contend with the Danaans, at the limit of the wailful war, but, lo, the other Trojans are

driven in flight confusedly, men and horses. And Aias son of Telamon is driving them; well I know him, for

wide is the shield round his shoulders. Nay, let us too urge thither the horses and chariot, there where

horsemen and footmen thickest in the forefront of evil strife are slaying each other, and the cry goes up

So spake he, and smote the fairmaned horses with the shrillsounding whip, and they felt the lash, and

fleetly bore the swift chariot among the Trojans and Achaians, treading on the dead, and the shields, and with

blood was sprinkled all the axletree beneath, and the rims round the car with the drops from the hooves of

the horses, and with drops from the tires about the wheels. And Hector was eager to enter the press of men,

and to leap in and break through, and evil din of battle he brought among the Danaans, and brief space rested

he from smiting with the spear. Nay, but he ranged among the ranks of other men, with spear, and sword, and

Now father Zeus, throned in the highest, roused dread in Aias, and he stood in amaze, and cast behind him his

sevenfold shield of bull's hide, and gazed round in fear upon the throng, like a wild beast, turning this way

and that, and slowly retreating step by step. And as when hounds and country folk drive a tawny lion from the

midfold of the kine, and suffer him not to carry away the fattest of the herd; all night they watch, and he in

great desire for the flesh maketh his onset, but takes nothing thereby, for thick the darts fly from strong hands

against him, and the burning brands, and these he dreads for all his fury, and in the dawn he departeth with

vexed heart; even so at that time departed Aias, vexed at heart, from among the Trojans, right unwillingly, for

he feared sore for the ships of the Achaians. And as when a lazy ass going past a field hath the better of the

boys with him, an ass that hath had many a cudgel broken about his sides, and he fareth into the deep crop,

and wasteth it, while the boys smite him with cudgels, and feeble is the force of them, but yet with might and

main they drive him forth, when he hath had his fill of fodder, even so did the highhearted Trojans and

allies, called from many lands, smite great Aias, son of Telamon, with darts on the centre of his shield, and

ever followed after him. And Aias would now be mindful of his impetuous valour, and turn again, and hold at

bay the battalions of the horsetaming Trojans, and once more he would turn him again to flee. Yet he

hindered them all from making their way to the fleet ships, and himself stood and smote between the Trojans

and the Achaians, and the spears from strong hands stuck some of them in his great shield, fain to win further,

and many or ever they reached his white body stood fast halfway in the earth, right eager to sate themselves

But the mares of Neleus all sweating bare Nestor out of the battle, and also carried they Machaon, shepherd

of the host. Then the noble Achilles, swift of foot, beheld and was ware of him, for Achilles was standing by

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 76

the stern of his great ship, watching the dire toil, and the woful rout of battle. And straightway he spake to his

own comrade, Patroklos, calling to him from beside the ship, and he heard, and from the hut he came, like

unto Ares; and this to him was the beginning of evil. Then the strong son of Menoitios spake first to Achilles:

Then swiftfooted Achilles answered him and spake: "Noble son of Menoitios, dear to my heart, now

methinks that the Achaians will stand in prayer about my knees, for need no longer tolerable cometh upon

them. But go now, Patroklos dear to Zeus, and ask Nestor who is this that he bringeth wounded from the war.

Verily from behind he is most like Machaon, that child of Asklepios, but I beheld not the eyes of the man, for

So spake he and Patroklos obeyed his dear comrade, and started and ran past the ships, and the huts of the

Now when they came to the hut of the son of Neleus, they lighted down on the bounteous earth, and the

squire, Eurymedon, loosed the horses of that old man from the car, and they dried the sweat from their

doublets, standing before the breeze, by the shore of the sea, and thereafter came they to the hut, and sat them

down on chairs. And fairtressed Hekamede mixed for them a mess, Hekamede that the old man won from

Tenedos, when Achilles sacked it, and she was the daughter of greathearted Arsinoos, and her the Achaians

chose out for him, because always in counsel he excelled them all. First she drew before them a fair table,

polished well, with feet of cyanus, and thereon a vessel of bronze, with onion, for relish to the drink, and pale

honey, and the grain of sacred barley, and beside it a right goodly cup, that the old man brought from home,

embossed with studs of gold, and four handles there were to it, and round each two golden doves were

feeding, and to the cup were two feet below. Another man could scarce have lifted the cup from the table,

when it was full, but Nestor the Old raised it easily. In this cup the woman, like unto the goddesses, mixed a

mess for them, with Pramnian wine, and therein grated cheese of goats' milk, with a grater of bronze, and

scattered white barley thereover, and bade them drink, whenas she had made ready the mess.

So when the twain had drunk, and driven away parching thirst, they took their pleasure in discourse, speaking

each to the other. Now Patroklos stood at the doors, a godlike man, and when the old man beheld him, he

arose from his shining chair, and took him by the hand, and led him in, and bade him be seated. But

Patroklos, from over against him, was for refusing, and spake and said: "No time to sit have I, old man,

fosterling of Zeus, nor wilt thou persuade me. Revered and dreaded is he that sent me forth to ask thee who

this man is that thou bringest home wounded. Nay, but I know myself, for I see Machaon, shepherd of the

host. And now will I go back again, a messenger, to speak a word to Achilles. And well dost thou know, old

man, fosterling of Zeus, how terrible a man he is; lightly would he blame even one that is blameless."

Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him again: "Wherefore is Achilles thus sorry for the sons of the

Achaians, for as many as are wounded with darts? He knoweth not at all what grief hath arisen in the camp:

for the best men lie in the ships, wounded by shaft or smitten by spear. Wounded with the shaft is strong

Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and smitten is Odysseus, spearman renowned, and Agamemnon, and this other

have I but newly carried out of battle, wounded with an arrow from the bowstring. But Achilles, for all his

valiance, careth not for the Danaans, nor pities them at all. Doth he wait till the fleet ships hard by the shore

shall burn in the consuming fire, and till we be slain one upon another? Nay, but even now speak thou thus

and thus to wisehearted Achilles, if perchance he will obey thee. Who knows but that, God helping, thou

mightst stir his spirit with thy persuading? and good is the persuasion of a friend. But if in his heart he be

shunning some oracle of God, and his lady mother hath told him somewhat from Zeus, natheless let him send

forth thee, and let the rest of the host of the Myrmidons follow with thee, if perchance any light shall arise

from thee to the Danaans; and let him give thee his fair harness, to bear into the war, if perchance the Trojans

may take thee for him, and withhold them from the strife, and the warlike sons of the Achaians might take

breath, being wearied; for brief is the breathing time in battle. And lightly might ye, being unwearied, drive

BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. 77

So spake he, and roused his heart within his breast, and he started and ran by the ships to Achilles of the seed

So in the huts the strong son of Menortios was tending the wounded Eurypylos, but still they fought

confusedly, the Argives and Trojans. Nor were the fosse of the Danaans and their wide wall above long to

protect them, the wall they had builded for defence of the ships, and the fosse they had drawn round about;

for neither had they given goodly hecatombs to the gods, that it might guard with its bounds their swift ships

and rich spoil. Nay, maugre the deathless gods was it builded, wherefore it abode steadfast for no long time.

While Hector yet lived, and yet Achilles kept his wrath, and unsacked was the city of Priam the king, so long

the great wall of the Achaians likewise abode steadfast. But when all the bravest of the Trojans died, and

many of the Argives,some were taken, and some were left,and the city of Priam was sacked in the tenth

year, and the Argives had gone back in their ships to their own dear country, then verily did Poseidon and

Apollo take counsel to wash away the wall, bringing in the might of the rivers, of all that flow from the hills

of Ida to the sea. Rhesos there was, and Heptaporos, and Karesos, and Rhodios, Grenikos, and Aisepos, and

goodly Skamandros, and Simoeis, whereby many shields and helms fell in the dust, and the generation of

men half divine; the mouths of all these waters did Phoebus Apollo turn together, and for nine days he drave

their stream against the wall; and still Zeus rained unceasingly, that the quicker he might mingle the wall with

the salt sea. And the Shaker of the earth, with his trident in his hands, was himself the leader, and sent forth

into the waves all the foundations of beams and stones that the Achaians had laid with toil, and made all

smooth by the strong current of the Hellespont, and covered again the great beach with sand, when he had

swept away the wall, and turned the rivers back to flow in their channel, where of old they poured down their

So were Poseidon and Apollo to do in the aftertime; but then war and the din of war sounded about the

wellbuilded wall, and the beams of the towers rang beneath the strokes; while the Argives, subdued by the

scourge of Zeus, were penned and driven in by the hollow ships, in dread of Hector, the mighty maker of

flight, but he, as aforetime, fought like a whirlwind. And as when, among hounds and hunting men, a boar or

lion wheeleth him about, raging in his strength, and these array themselves in fashion like a tower, and stand

up against him, casting many javelins from their hands; but never is his stout heart confused nor afraid, and

his courage is his bane, and often he wheeleth him about, and maketh trial of the ranks of men, and

wheresoever he maketh onset there the ranks of men give way, even so Hector went and besought his

comrades through the press, and spurred them on to cross the dyke. But his swiftfooted horses dared not, but

loud they neighed, standing by the sheer edge, for the wide fosse affrighted them, neither easy to leap from

hard by, nor to cross, for overhanging banks stood round about it all on either hand, and above it was

furnished with sharp stakes that the sons of the Achaians had planted there, thick set and great, a bulwark

against hostile men. Thereby not lightly might a horse enter, drawing a wellwheeled chariot; but the

footmen were eager, if they might accomplish it. Then Polydamas drew near valiant Hector, and spake to

him: "Hector and ye other leaders of the Trojans and allies, foolishly do we drive our fleet horses through the

dyke; nay right hard it is to cross, for sharp stakes stand in it, and over against them the wall of the Achaians.

Thereby none may go down and fight in chariots, for strait is the place wherein, methinks, we might come by

a mischief. For if Zeus that thunders on high is utterly to destroy them in his evil will, and is minded to help

the Trojans, verily then I too would desire that even instantly this might be, that the Achaians should perish

here nameless far from Argos: but and if they turn again, and we flee back from among the ships, and rush

into the delved ditch, then methinks that not even one from among us to bear the tidings will win back to the

city before the force of the Achaians when they rally. But come as I declare, let us all obey. Let our squires

hold the horses by the dyke, while we being harnessed in our gear as foot soldiers follow all together with

Hector, and the Achaians will not withstand us, if indeed the bands of death be made fast upon them."

So spake Polydamas, and his wise word pleased Hector well, and straightway in his harness he leaped from

his chariot to the ground. Nor were the other Trojans gathered upon the chariots, but they all leaped forth,

when they beheld goodly Hector. There each gave it into the charge of his own charioteer, to keep the horses

orderly there by the fosse. And they divided, and arrayed themselves, and ordered in five companies they

Now they that went with Hector and noble Polydamas, these were most, and bravest, and most were eager to

break the wall, and fight by the hollow ships; and with them followed Kebriones for the third, for Hector had

left another man with his chariot, a weaker warrior than Kebriones. The second company Paris led, and

Alkathoos, and Agenor: and the third company Helenos led, and godlike Deiphobos,two sons of

Priam,the third was the warrior Asios, Asios Hyrtakos' son, whom his tall sorrel steeds brought out of

Arisbe, from the river Selleeis. And of the fourth company was the brave son of Anchises leader, even

Aineias; and with him were two sons of Antenor, Archelochos and Akamas, both well skilled in all warfare.

And Sarpedon led the glorious allies, and to be with him he chose Glaukos and warlike Asteropaios, for they

seamed to him to be manifestly the bravest of all after himself but he was excellent, yea, above all the host.

And these when they had arrayed one another with wellfashioned shields of bulls' hide, went straight and

eager against the Danaans, nor deemed that they could longer resist them, but that themselves should fall on

Then the rest of the Trojans and the farfamed allies obeyed the counsel of blameless Polydamas, but Asios,

son of Hyrtakos, leader of men, willed not to leave his horses there, and his squire the charioteer, but with

them he drew near the swift ships, fond man! for never was he, avoiding evil Fates, to return, rejoicing in his

horses and chariot, back from the ships to windy Ilios. Nay, ere that the Fate of ill name overshadowed him,

by the spear of Idomeneus, the haughty son of Deukalion. For Asios went against the left flank of the ships,

whereby the Achaians returned out of the plain with chariots and horses: there he drave through his horses

and his car, nor found he the doors shut on the gates, and the long bar, but men were holding them open if

perchance they might save any of their comrades fleeing out of the battle towards the ships. Straight thereby

held he his horses with unswerving aim, and his men followed him, crying shrilly, for they deemed that the

Achaians could no longer hold them off, but that themselves would fall on the black ships: fools, for in the

gates they found two men of the bravest, the highhearted sons of the warrior Lapithae, one the son of

Peirithoos, strong Polypoites, and one Leonteus, peer of Ares the bane of men. These twain stood in front of

the lofty gates, like highcrested oak trees in the hills, that for ever abide the wind and rain, firm fixed with

roots great and long; even so these twain, trusting to the mightiness of their hands, abode the coming of great

Asios, and fled not. But straight came the Trojans against the wellbuilded wall, holding their shields of dry

bulls' hide on high, with mighty clamour, round the prince Asios, and Iamenos, and Orestes, and Adamas, son

of Asios, and Thoon, and Oinomaos. But the other twain for a while, being within the wall, urged the

wellgreaved Achaians to fight for the ships; but when they saw the Trojans assailing the wall, while the

Danaans cried and turned in flight, then forth rushed the twain, and fought in front of the gates like wild boars

that in the mountains abide the assailing crew of men and dogs, and charging on either flank they crush the

wood around them, cutting it at the root, and the clatter of their tusks wages loud, till one smite them and take

their life away: so clattered the bright bronze on the breasts of the twain, as they were smitten in close fight,

for right hardily they fought, trusting to the host above them, and to their own strength.

For the men above were casting with stones from the wellbuilded towers, in defence of themselves and of

the huts, and of the swiftfaring ships. And like snowflakes the stones fell earthward, flakes that a

tempestuous wind, as it driveth the dark clouds, rains thickly down on the bounteous earth: so thick fell the

missiles from the hands of Achaians and Trojans alike, and their helms rang harsh and their bossy shields,

being smitten with mighty stones. Verily then Asios, son of Hyrtakos, groaned and smote both his thighs, and

indignantly he spake: "Zeus, verily thou too dost greatly love a lie, for I deemed not that the Achaian heroes

could withstand our might and our hands invincible. But they like wasps of nimble body, or bees that have

made their dwellings in a rugged path, and leave not their hollow hold, but abide and keep the hunters at bay

for the sake of their little ones, even so these men have no will to give ground from the gates, though they are

So spake he, nor with his speech did he persuade the mind of Zeus, for his will was to give renown to Hector.

But the others were fighting about the other gates, and hard it were for me like a god to tell all these things,

for everywhere around the wall of stone rose the fire divine; the Argives, for all their sorrow, defending the

ships of necessity; and all the gods were grieved at heart, as many as were defenders of the Danaans in battle.

There the son of Peirithoos, mighty Polypoites, smote Damasos with the spear, through the helmet with

cheekpieces of bronze; nor did the bronze helm stay the spear, but the point of bronze brake clean through the

bone, and all the brain within was scattered, and the spear overcame him in his eagerness. Thereafter he slew

Pylon and Ormenos. And Leonteus of the stock of Ares smote Hippomachos, son of Antimachos, with the

spear, striking him on the girdle. Then again he drew his sharp sword from the sheath, and smote Antiphates

first in close fight, rushing on him through the throng, that he fell on his back on the ground; and thereafter he

brought down Menon, and Iamenos, and Orestes one after the other, to the bounteous earth.

While they were stripping from these the shining arms, the young men who followed with Polydamas and

Hector, they that were most in number and bravest, and most were eager to break the wall and set the ships on

fire, these still stood doubtful by the fosse, for as they were eager to pass over a bird had appeared to them, an

eagle of lofty flight, skirting the host on the left hand. In its talons it bore a bloodred monstrous snake, alive,

and struggling still; yea, not yet had it forgotten the joy of battle, but writhed backward and smote the bird

that held it on the breast, beside the neck, and the bird cast it from him down to the earth, in sore pain, and

dropped it in the midst of the throng; then with a cry sped away down the gusts of the wind. And the Trojans

shuddered when they saw the gleaming snake lying in the midst of them; an omen of aegisbearing Zeus.

Then verily Polydamas stood by brave Hector, and spake: "Hector, ever dost thou rebuke me in the

assemblies, though I counsel wisely; since it by no means beseemeth one of the people to speak contrary to

thee, in council or in war, but always to increase thy power; but now again will I say all that seemeth to me to

be best. Let us not advance and fight with the Danaans for the ships. For even thus, methinks, the end will be,

if indeed this bird hath come for the Trojans when they were eager to cross the dyke, this eagle of lofty flight,

skirting the host on the left hand, bearing in his talons a bloodred monstrous snake, yet living; then

straightway left he hold of him, before he reached his own nest, nor brought him home in the end to give to

his nestlings. Even so shall we, though we burst with mighty force the gates and wall of the Achaians, and the

Achaians give ground, even so we shall return in disarray from the ships by the way we came; for many of

the Trojans shall we leave behind, whom the Achaians will slay with the sword, in defence of the ships. Even

so would a soothsayer interpret that in his heart had clear knowledge of omens, and whom the people

Then Hector of the glancing helm lowered on him and said: "Polydamas, that thou speakest is no longer

pleasing to me; yea, thou knowest how to conceive another counsel better than this. But if thou verily

speakest thus in earnest, then the gods themselves have utterly destroyed thy wits; thou that bidst us forget

the counsels of loudthundering Zeus, that himself promised me, and confirmed with a nod of his head! But

thou bidst us be obedient to birds long of wing, whereto I give no heed, nor take any care thereof, whether

they fare to the right, to the dawn and to the sun, or to the left, to mist and darkness. Nay, for us, let us trust to

the counsel of mighty Zeus, who is king over all mortals and immortals. One omen is best, to fight for our

own country. And wherefore dost thou fear war and battle? For if all the rest of us be slain by the ships of the

Argives, yet needst thou not fear to perish, for thy heart is not warlike, nor enduring in battle. But if thou dost

hold aloof from the fight, or winnest any other with thy words to turn him from war, straightway by my spear

So spake he, and led on, and they followed with a wondrous din; and Zeus that joyeth in the thunder roused

from the hills of Ida, a blast of wind, which bare the dust straight against the ships; and he made weak the

heart of the Achaians, but gave renown to the Trojans and to Hector. Trusting then in his omens, and their

might, they strove to break the great wall of the Achaians. They dragged down the machicolations [projecting

galleries] of the towers, and overthrew the battlements, and heaved up the projecting buttresses, that the

Achaians set first in the earth, to be the props of the towers. These they overthrew, and hoped to break the

wall of the Achaians. Nor even now did the Danaans give ground from the path, but closed up the battlements

with shields of bulls' hides, and cast from them at the foemen as they went below the walls.

Now the two Aiantes went everywhere on the towers, ever urging, and arousing the courage of the Achaians.

One they would accost with honeyed words, another with hard words they would rebuke, whomsoever they

saw utterly giving ground from the fight: "O friends, whosoever is eminent, or whosoever is of middle station

among the Argives, ay, or lower yet, for in no wise are all men equal in war, now is there work for all, and

this yourselves well know. Let none turn back to the ships, for that he hath heard one threatening aloud; nay,

get ye forward, and cheer another on, if perchance Olympian Zeus, the lord of lightning, will grant us to drive

So these twain shouted in the front, and aroused the battle of the Achaians. But as flakes of snow fall thick on

a winter day, when Zeus the Counsellor bath begun to snow, showing forth these arrows of his to men, and he

hath lulled the winds, and he snoweth continually, till he hath covered the crests of the high hills, and the

uttermost headlands, and the grassy plains, and rich tillage of men; and the snow is scattered over the havens

and shores of the grey sea, and only the wave as it rolleth in keeps off the snow, but all other things are

swathed over, when the shower of Zeus cometh heavily, so from both sides their stones flew thick, some

towards the Trojans, and some from the Trojans against the Achaians, while both sides were smitten, and

Yet never would the Trojans, then, and renowned Hector have broken the gates of the wall, and the long bar,

if Zeus the Counsellor had not roused his son Sarpedon against the Argives, like a lion against the kine of

crooked horn. Straightway he held forth his fair round shield, of hammered bronze, that the bronzesmith had

hammered out, and within had stitched many bulls' hides with rivets of gold, all round the circle, this held he

forth, and shook two spears; and sped on his way, like a mountainnurtured lion, that long lacketh meat, and

his brave spirit urgeth him to make assail on the sheep, and come even against a wellbuilded homestead.

Nay, even if he find herdsmen thereby, guarding the sheep with hounds and spears, yet hath he no mind to be

driven without an effort from the steading, but he either leapeth on a sheep, and seizeth it, or himself is

smitten in the foremost place with a dart from a strong hand. So did his heart then urge on the godlike

Sarpedon to rush against the wall, and break through the battlements. And instantly he spake to Glaukos, son

of Hippolochos: "Glaukos, wherefore have we twain the chiefest honour,seats of honour, and messes, and

full cups in Lykia, and all men look on us as gods? And wherefore hold we a great demesne by the banks of

Xanthos, a fair demesne of orchardland, and wheatbearing tilth? Therefore now it behoveth us to take our

stand in the first rank of the Lykians, and encounter fiery battle, that certain of the wellcorsleted Lykians

may say, 'Verily our kings that rule Lykia be no inglorious men, they that eat fat sheep, and drink the choice

wine honeysweet: nay, but they are also of excellent might, for they war in the foremost ranks of the

Lykians.' Ah, friend, if once escaped from this battle we were for ever to be ageless and immortal, neither

would I fight myself in the foremost ranks, nor wouid I send thee into the war that giveth men renown, but

nowfor assuredly ten thousand fates of death do every way beset us, and these no mortal may escape nor

avoidnow let us go forward, whether we shall give glory to other men, or others to us."

So spake he, and Glaukos turned not apart, nor disobeyed him, and they twain went straight forward, leading

Then Menestheus son of Peteos shuddered when he beheld them, for against his tower they went, bringing

with them ruin; and he looked along the tower of the Achaians if perchance he might see any of the leaders,

that would ward off destruction from his comrades, and he beheld the two Aiantes, insatiate of war, standing

there, and Teukros hard by, newly come from his hut; but he could not cry to be heard of them, so great was

the din, and the noise went up unto heaven of smitten shields and helms with horsehair crests, and of the

gates, for they had all been shut, and the Trojans stood beside them, and strove by force to break them, and

enter in. Swiftly then to Aias he sent the herald Thootes: "Go, noble Thootes, and run, and call Aias: or rather

the twain, for that will be far the best of all, since quickly here will there be wrought utter ruin. For hereby

press the leaders of the Lykians, who of old are fierce in strong battle. But if beside them too war and toil

arise, yet at least let the strong Telamonian Aias come alone and let Teukros the skilled bowman follow with

So spake he, and the herald listened and disobeyed him not, but started and ran by the wall of the mailclad

Achaians, and came, and stood by the Aiantes, and straightway spake: "Ye twain Aiantes, leaders of the

mailclad Achaians, the dear son of Peteos, fosterling of Zeus, biddeth you go thither, that, if it be but for a

little while, ye may take your part in battle: both of you he more desireth, for that will be far the best of all,

since quickly there will there be wrought utter ruin. For thereby press the leaders of the Lykians, who of old

are fierce in strong battle. But if beside you too war and toil arise, yet at least let the strong Telamonian Aias

So spake he, nor did the strong Telamonian Aias disobey, but instantly spake winged words to the son of

Oileus: "Aias, do ye twain stand here, thyself and strong Lykomedes, and urge the Danaans to war with all

their might; but I go thither, to take my part in battle, and quickly will I come again, when I have well aided

So spake Telamonian Aias and departed, and Teukros went with him, his brother by the same father, and with

Now when they came to the tower of greathearted Menestheus, passing within the wall,and to men sore

pressed they came,the foe were climbing upon the battlements, like a dark whirlwind, even the strong

leaders and counsellors of the Lykians; and they hurled together into the war and the battlecry arose. Now

first did Aias Telamon's son slay a man, Epikles great of heart, the comrade of Sarpedon. With a jagged stone

he smote him, a great stone that lay uppermost within the wall, by the battlements. Not lightly could a man

hold it in both hands, however strong in his youth, of such mortals as now are, but Aias lifted it, and cast it

from above, and shattered the helm of fourfold crest, and broke the bones of the head, and he fell like a diver

from the lofty tower, and his life left his bones. And Teukros smote Glaukos, the strong son of Hippolochos,

as he came on, with an arrow from the lofty wall; even where he saw his shoulder bare he smote him, and

made him cease from delight in battle. Back from the wall he leapt secretly, lest any of the Achaians should

see him smitten, and speak boastfully. But sorrow came on Sarpedon when Glaukos departed, so soon as he

was aware thereof, but he forgot not the joy of battle. He aimed at Alkmaon, son of Thestor, with the spear,

and smote him, and drew out the spear. And Alkmaon following the spear fell prone, and his bronzedight

arms rang round him. Then Sarpedon seized with strong hands the battlement, and dragged, and it all gave

Then Aias and Teukros did encounter him: Teukros smote him with an arrow, on the bright baldric of his

covering shield, about the breast, but Zeus warded off the Fates from his son, that he should not be overcome

beside the ships' sterns. Then Aias leaped on and smote his shield, nor did the spear pass clean through, yet

shook he Sarpedon in his eagerness. He gave ground a little way from the battlement, yet retreated not

wholly, since his heart hoped to win renown. Then he turned and cried to the godlike Lykians: "O Lykians,

wherefore thus are ye slack in impetuous valour. Hard it is for me, stalwart as I am, alone to break through,

and make a path to the ships, nay, follow hard after me, for the more men, the better work."

So spake he, and they, dreading the rebuke of their king, pressed on the harder around the counsellor and

king. And the Argives on the other side made strong their battalions within the wall, and mighty toil began

for them. For neither could the strong Lykians burst through the wall of the Danaans, and make a way to the

ships, nor could the warlike Danaans drive back the Lykians from the wall, when once they had drawn near

thereto. But as two men contend about the marches of their land, with measuring rods in their hands, in a

common field, when in narrow space they strive for equal shares, even so the battlements divided them, and

over those they smote the round shields of ox hide about the breasts of either side, and the fluttering bucklers.

And many were wounded in the flesh with the ruthless bronze, whensoever the back of any of the warriors

was laid bare as he turned, ay, and many clean through the very shield. Yea, everywhere the towers and

battlements swam with the blood of men shed on either side, by Trojans and Achaians. But even so they

could not put the Argives to rout, but they held their ground, as an honest woman that laboureth with her

hands holds the balance, and raises the weight and the wool together, balancing them, that she may win scant

wages for her children; so evenly was strained their war and battle, till the moment when Zeus gave the

greater renown to Hector, son of Priam, who was the first to leap within the wall of the Achaians. In a

piercing voice he cried aloud to the Trojans: "Rise, ye horsetaming Trojans, break the wall of the Argives,

So spake he, spurring them on, and they all heard him with their ears, and in one mass rushed straight against

the wall, and with sharp spears in their hands climbed upon the machicolations of the towers. And Hector

seized and carried a stone that lay in front of the gates, thick in the hinder part, but sharp at point: a stone that

not the two best men of the people, such as mortals now are, could lightly lift from the ground on to a wain,

but easily he wielded it alone, for the son of crookedcounselling Kronos made it light for him. And as when

a shepherd lightly beareth the fleece of a ram, taking it in one hand, and little doth it burden him, so Hector

lifted the stone, and bare it straight against the doors that closely guarded the stubbornset portals, double

gates and tall, and two cross bars held them within, and one bolt fastened them. And he came, and stood hard

by, and firmly planted himself, and smote them in the midst, setting his legs well apart, that his cast might

lack no strength. And he brake both the hinges, and the stone fell within by reason of its weight, and the gates

rang loud around, and the bars held not, and the doors burst this way and that beneath the rush of the stone.

Then glorious Hector leaped in, with face like the sudden night, shining in wondrous mail that was clad about

his body, and with two spears in his hands. No man that met him could have held him back when once he

leaped within the gates: none but the gods, and his eyes shone with fire. Turning towards the throng he cried

to the Trojans to overleap the wall, and they obeyed his summons, and speedily some overleaped the wall,

and some poured into the fairwrought gateways, and the Danaans fled in fear among the hollow ships, and a

Now Zeus, after that he had brought the Trojans and Hector to the ships, left them to their toil and endless

labour there, but otherwhere again he turned his shining eyes, and looked upon the land of the Thracian

horsebreeders, and the Mysians, fierce fighters hand to hand, and the proud Hippemolgoi that drink mare's

milk, and the Abioi, the most righteous of men. To Troy no more at all he turned his shining eyes, for he

deemed in his heart that not one of the Immortals would draw near, to help either Trojans or Danaans.

But the mighty Earthshaker held no blind watch, who sat and marvelled on the war and strife, high on the

topmost crest of wooded Samothrace, for thence all Ida was plain to see; and plain to see were the city of

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 83

Priam, and the ships of the Achaians. Thither did he go from the sea and sate him down, and he had pity on

the Achaians, that they were subdued to the Trojans, and strong was his anger against Zeus.

Then forthwith he went down from the rugged hill, faring with swift steps, and the high hills trembled, and

the woodland, beneath the immortal footsteps of Poseidon as he moved. Three strides he made, and with the

fourth he reached his goal, even Aigae, and there was his famous palace in the deeps of the mere, his

glistering golden mansions builded, imperishable for ever. Thither went he, and let harness to the car his

bronzehooved horses, swift of flight, clothed with their golden manes. He girt his own golden array about

his body, and seized the wellwrought lash of gold, and mounted his chariot, and forth he drove across the

waves. And the sea beasts frolicked beneath him, on all sides out of the deeps, for well they knew their lord,

and with gladness the sea stood asunder, and swiftly they sped, and the axle of bronze was not wetted

Now there is a spacious cave in the depths of the deep mere, between Tenedos and rugged Imbros; there did

Poseidon, the Shaker of the earth, stay his horses, and loosed them out of the chariot, and cast before them

ambrosial food to graze withal, and golden tethers he bound about their hooves, tethers neither to be broken

nor loosed, that there the horses might continually await their lord's return. And he went to the host of the

Now the Trojans like flame or stormwind were following in close array, with fierce intent, after Hector, son

of Priam. With shouts and cries they came, and thought to take the ships of the Achaians, and to slay thereby

all the bravest of the host. But Poseidon, that girdleth the world, the Shaker of the earth, was urging on the

Argives, and forth he came from the deep salt sea, in form and untiring voice like unto Kalchas. First he

spake to the two Aiantes, that themselves were eager for battle: "Ye Aiantes twain, ye shall save the people of

the Achaians, if ye are mindful of your might, and reckless of chill fear. For verily I do not otherwhere dread

the invincible hands of the Trojans, that have climbed the great wall in their multitude, nay, the wellgreaved

Achaians will hold them all at bay; but hereby verily do I greatly dread lest some evil befall us, even here

where that furious one is leading like a flame of fire, Hector, who boasts him to be son of mighty Zeus. Nay,

but here may some god put it into the hearts of you twain, to stand sturdily yourselves, and urge others to do

the like; thereby might ye drive him from the fleetfaring ships, despite his eagerness, yea, even if the

Therewith the Shaker of the world, the girdler of the earth, struck the twain with his staff, and filled them

with strong courage, and their limbs he made light, and their feet, and their hands withal. Then, even as a

swiftwinged hawk speeds forth to fly, poised high above a tall sheer rock, and swoops to chase some other

bird across the plain, even so Poseidon sped from them, the Shaker of the world. And of the twain Oileus'

son, the swiftfooted Aias, was the first to know the god, and instantly he spake to Aias, son of Telamon:

"Aias, since it is one of the gods who hold Olympus, that in the semblance of a seer commands us now to

fight beside the shipsnot Kalchas is he, the prophet and soothsayer, for easily I knew the tokens of his feet

and knees as he turned away, and the gods are easy to discernlo, then mine own heart within my breast is

more eagerly set on war and battle, and my feet beneath and my hands above are lusting for the fight."

Then Aias, son of Telamon, answered him saying: "Even so, too, my hands invincible now rage about the

spearshaft, and wrath has risen within me, and both my feet are swift beneath me; yea, I am keen to meet,

So they spake to each other, rejoicing in the delight of battle, which the god put in their heart. Then the

girdler of the earth stirred up the Achaians that were in the rear and were renewing their strength beside the

swift ships. Their limbs were loosened by their grievous toil, yea, and their souls filled with sorrow at the

sight of the Trojans, that had climbed over the great wall in their multitude. And they looked on them, and

shed tears beneath their brows, thinking that never would they escape destruction. But the Shaker of the earth

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 84

right easily came among them, and urged on the strong battalions of warriors. Teukros first he came and

summoned, and Leitos, and the hero Peneleos, and Thoas, and Deipyros, and Meriones, and Antilochos, lords

of the warcry, all these he spurred on with winged words: "Shame on you, Argives, shame, ye striplings, in

your battle had I trusted for the salvation of our ships. But if you are to withdraw from grievous war, now

indeed the day doth shine that shall see us conquered by the Trojans. Out on it, for verily a great marvel is

this that mine eyes behold, a terrible thing that methought should never come to pass, the Trojans advancing

against our ships! Of yore they were like fleeting hinds, that in the wild wood are the prey of jackals, and

pards, and wolves, and wander helpless, strengthless, empty of the joy of battle. Even so the Trojans of old

cared never to wait and face the wrath and the hands of the Achaians, not for a moment. But now they are

fighting far from the town, by the hollow ships, all through the baseness of our leader and the remissness of

the people, who, being at strife with the chief, have no heart to defend the swiftfaring ships, nay, thereby

they are slain. But if indeed and in truth the hero Agamemnon, the wideruling son of Atreus, is the very

cause of all, for that he did dishonour the swiftfooted son of Peleus, not even so may we refrain in any wise

from war. Nay, let us right our fault with speed, for easily righted are the hearts of the brave. No longer do ye

well to refrain from impetuous might, all ye that are the best men of the host. I myself would not quarrel with

one that, being a weakling, abstained from war, but with you I am heartily wroth. Ah, friends, soon shall ye

make the mischief more through this remissness,but let each man conceive shame in his heart, and

indignation, for verily great is the strife that hath arisen. Lo, the mighty Hector of the loud warcry is fighting

On this wise did the Earthenfolder call to and spur on the Achaians. And straightway they made a stand

around the two Aiantes, strong bands that Ares himself could not enter and make light of, nor Athene that

marshals the host. Yea, they were the chosen best that abode the Trojans and goodly Hector, and spear on

spear made closeset fence, and shield on serried shield, buckler pressed on buckler, and helm on helm, and

man on man. The horsehair crests on the bright helmetridges touched each other as they nodded, so close

they stood each by other, and spears brandished in bold hands were inter. laced; and their hearts were

Then the Trojans drave forward in close array, and Hector led them, pressing straight onwards, like a rolling

rock from a cliff, that the winterswollen water thrusteth from the crest of a hill, having broken the

foundations of the stubborn rock with its wondrous flood; leaping aloft it flies, and the wood echoes under it,

and unstayed it runs its course, till it reaches the level plain, and then it rolls no more for all its

eagerness,even so Hector for a while threatened lightly to win to the sea through the huts and the ships of

the Achaians, slaying as he came, but when he encountered the serried battalions, he was stayed when he

drew near against them. But they of the other part, the sons of the Achaians, thrust with their swords and

doublepointed spears, and drave him forth from them, that he gave ground and reeled backward. Then he

cried with a piercing voice, calling on the Trojans: "Trojans, and Lykians, and closefighting Dardanians,

hold your ground, for the Achaians will not long ward me off, nay, though they have arrayed themselves in

fashion like a tower. Rather, methinks, they will flee back before the spear, if verily the chief of gods has set

Therewith he spurred on the heart and spirit of each man; and Deiphobos, the son of Priam, strode among

them with high thoughts, and held in front of him the circle of his shield, and lightly he stepped with his feet,

advancing beneath the cover of his shield. Then Meriones aimed at him with a shining spear, and struck, and

missed not, but smote the circle of the bullshide shield, yet no whit did he pierce it; nay, well ere that might

be, the long spearshaft snapped in the socket. Now Deiphobos was holding off from him the bullshide

shield, and his heart feared the lance of wise Meriones, but that hero shrunk back among the throng of his

comrades, greatly in wrath both for the loss of victory, and of his spear, that he had shivered. So he set forth

to go to the huts and the ships of the Achaians, to bring a long spear, that he had left in his hut.

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 85

Meanwhile the others were fighting on, and there arose an inextinguishable cry. First Teukros, son of

Telamon, slew a man, the spearman Imbrios, the son of Mentor rich in horses. In Pedaion he dwelt, before the

coming of the sons of the Achaians, and he had for wife a daughter of Priam, born out of wedlock,

Medesikaste; but when the curved ships of the Danaans came, he returned again to Ilios, and was

preeminent among the Trojans, and dwelt with Priam, who honoured him like his own children. Him the son

of Telemon pierced below the ear with his long lance, and plucked back the spear. Then he fell like an ash

that on the crest of a farseen hill is smitten with the axe of bronze, and brings its delicate foliage to the

ground; even so he fell, and round him rang his armour bedight with bronze. Then Teukros rushed forth, most

eager to strip his armour, and Hector cast at him as he came with his shining spear. But Teukros, steadily

regarding him, avoided by a little the spear of bronze; so Hector struck Amphimachos, son of Kteatos, son of

Aktor, in the breast with the spear, as he was returning to the battle. With a crash he fell, and his armour rang

Then Hector sped forth to tear from the head of greathearted Amphimachos the helmet closely fitted to his

temples, but Aias aimed at Hector as he came, with a shining spear, yet in no wise touched his body, for he

was all clad in dread armour of bronze; but he smote the boss of his shield, and drave him back by main

force, and he gave place from behind the two dead men, and the Achaians drew them out of the battle. So

Stichios and goodly Menestheus, leaders of the Athenians, conveyed Amphimachos back among the host of

the Achaians, but Imbrios the two Aiantes carried, with hearts full of impetuous might. And as when two

lions have snatched away a goat from sharptoothed hounds, and carry it through the deep thicket, holding

the body on high above the ground in their jaws, so the two warrior Aiantes held Imbrios aloft and spoiled his

arms. Then the son of Oileus cut his head from his delicate neck, in wrath for the sake of Amphimachos, and

sent it rolling like a ball through the throng, and it dropped in the dust before the feet of Hector.

Then verily was Poseidon wroth at heart, when his son's son fell in the terrible fray. [Kteatos, father of

Amphimachos, was Poseidon's son.] So he set forth to go by the huts and the ships of the Achaians, to spur

on the Danaans, and sorrows he was contriving for the Trojans. Then Idomeneus, spearman renowned, met

him on his way from his comrade that had but newly returned to him out of the battle, wounded on the knee

with the sharp bronze. Him his comrades carried forth, and Idomeneus gave charge to the leeches, and so

went on to his hut, for he still was eager to face the war. Then the mighty Shaker of the earth addressed him,

in the voice of Thoas, son of Andraimon, that ruled over the Aitolians in all Pleuron, and mountainous

Kalydon, and was honoured like a god by the people: "Idomeneus, thou counsellor of the Cretans, say,

whither have thy threats fared, wherewith the sons of the Achaians threatened the Trojans?"

Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him again: "O Thaos, now is there no man to blame, that I

wot of, for we all are skilled in war. Neither is there any man that spiritless fear holds aloof, nor any that

gives place to cowardice, and shuns the cruel war, nay, but even thus, methinks, must it have seemed good to

almighty Kronion, even that the Achaians should perish nameless here, far away from Argos. But Thoas,

seeing that of old thou wert staunch, and dost spur on some other man, wheresoever thou mayst see any give

Then Poseidon, the Shaker of the earth, answered him again: "Idomeneus, never may that man go forth out of

Troyland, but here may he be the sport of dogs, who this day wilfully is slack in battle. Nay, come, take thy

weapons and away: herein we must play the man together, if any avail there may be, though we are no more

than two. Ay, and very cowards get courage from company, but we twain know well how to battle even with

Therewith the god went back again into the strife of men, but Idomeneus, so soon as he came to his

wellbuilded hut, did on his fair armour about his body, and grasped two spears, and set forth like the

lightning that Kronion seizes in his hand and brandishes from radiant Olympus, showing forth a sign to

mortal men, and far seen are the flames thereof. Even so shone the bronze about the breast of Idomeneus as

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 86

he ran, and Meriones, his good squire, met him, while he was still near his hut,he was going to bring his

spear of bronze,and mighty Idomeneus spake to him: "Meriones son of Molos, fleet of foot, dearest of my

company, wherefore hast thou come hither and left the war and strife? Art thou wounded at all, and vexed by

a dart's point, or dost thou come with a message for me concerning aught? Verily I myself have no desire to

Then wise Meriones answered him again, saying: "I have come to fetch a spear, if perchance thou hast one

left in the huts, for that which before I carried I have shivered in casting at the shield of proud Deiphobos."

Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him again: "Spears, if thou wilt, thou shalt find, one, ay,

and twenty, standing in the hut, against the shining side walls, spears of the Trojans whereof I have spoiled

their slain. Yea, it is not my mood to stand and fight with foemen from afar, wherefore I have spears, and

Then wise Meriones answered him again: "Yea, and in mine own hut and my black ship are many spoils of

the Trojans, but not ready to my hand. Nay, for methinks that neither am I forgetful of valour; but stand forth

among the foremost to face the glorious war, whensoever ariseth the strife of battle. Any other, methinks, of

the mailclad Achaians should sooner forget my prowess, but thou art he that knoweth it."

Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him again: "I know what a man of valour thou art,

wherefore shouldst thou tell me thereof? Nay, if now beside the ships all the best of us were being chosen for

an ambushwherein the valour of men is best discerned; there the coward, and the brave man most plainly

declare themselves: for the colour of the coward changes often, and his spirit cannot abide firm within him,

but now he kneels on one knee, now on the other, and rests on either foot, and his heart beats noisily in his

breast, as he thinks of doom, and his teeth chatter loudly. But the colour of the brave man does not change,

nor is he greatly afraid, from the moment that he enters the ambush of heroes, but his prayer is to mingle

instantly in woeful war. Were we being chosen for such an ambush, I say, not even then would any man

reckon lightly of thy courage and thy strength. Nay, and even if thou wert striken in battle from afar, or

smitten in close fight, the dart would not strike thee in the hinder part of the neck, nor in the back, but would

encounter thy breast or belly, as thou dost press on, towards the gathering of the foremost fighters. But come,

no more let us talk thus, like children, loitering here, lest any man be vehemently wroth, but go thou to the

Thus he spake, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, quickly bare the spear of bronze from the hut, and went

after Idomeneus, with high thoughts of battle. And even as Ares, the bane of men, goes forth into the war, and

with him follows his dear son Panic, stark and fearless, that terrifies even the hardy warrior; and these twain

leave Thrace, and harness them for fight with the Ephyri, or the greathearted Phlegyans, yet hearken not to

both peoples, but give honour to one only; like these gods did Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of men, set

forth into the fight, harnessed in gleaming bronze. And Meriones spake first to Idomeneus saying: "Child of

Deukalion, whither art thou eager to enter into the throng: on the right of all the host, or in the centre, or on

the left? Ay, and no other where, methinks, are the flowinghaired Achaians so like to fail in fight."

Then Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, answered him again: "In the centre of the ships there are others to

bear the brunt, the two Aiantes, and Teukros, the best bowman of the Achaians, ay, and a good man in close

fight; these will give Hector Priam's son toil enough, howsoever keen he be for battle; yea, though he be

exceeding stalwart. Hard will he find it, with all his lust for war, to overcome their strength and their hands

invincible, and to fire the ships, unless Kronion himself send down on the swift ships a burning brand. But

not to a man would he yield, the great Telamonian Aias, to a man that is mortal and eateth Demeter's grain,

and may be chosen with the sword of bronze, and with hurling of great stones. Nay, not even to Achilles the

breaker of the ranks of men would he give way, not in close fight; but for speed of foot none may in any wise

strive with Achilles. But guide us twain, as thou sayest, to the left hand of the host, that speedily we may

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 87

So he spake, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, led the way, till they came to the host, in that place

And when the Trojans saw Idomeneus, strong as flame, and his squire with him, and their glorious armour,

they all shouted and made for him through the press. Then their mellay began, by the sterns of the ships. And

as the gusts speed on, when shrill winds blow, on a day when dust lies thickest on the roads, and the winds

raise together a great cloud of dust, even so their battle clashed together, and all were fain of heart to slay

each other in the press with the keen bronze. And the battle, the bane of men, bristled with the long spears,

the piercing spears they grasped, and the glitter of bronze from gleaming helmets dazzled the eyes, and the

sheen of newburnished corslets, and shining shields, as the men thronged all together. Right hardy of heart

would he have been that joyed and sorrowed not at the sight of this labour of battle.

Thus the two mighty sons of Kronos, with contending will, were contriving sorrow and anguish for the

heroes. Zeus desired victory for the Trojans and Hector, giving glory to swiftfooted Achilles; yet he did not

wish the Achaian host to perish utterly before Ilios, but only to give renown to Thetis and her stronghearted

son. But Poseidon went among the Argives and stirred them to war, stealing secretly forth from the grey salt

sea: for he was sore vexed that they were overcome by the Trojans, and was greatly in wrath against Zeus.

Verily both were of the same lineage and the same place of birth, but Zeus was the elder and the wiser.

Therefore also Poseidon avoided to give open aid, but secretly ever he spurred them on, throughout the host,

in the likeness of a man. These twain had strained the ends of the cords of strong strife and equal war, and

had stretched them over both Trojans and Achaians, a knot that none might break nor undo, for the loosening

Even then Idomeneus, though his hair was flecked with grey, called on the Danaans, and leaping among the

Trojans, roused their terror. For he slew Othryoneus of Kabesos, a sojourner there, who but lately had

followed after the rumour of war, and asked in marriage the fairest of the daughters of Priam, Kassandra,

without gifts of wooing, but with promise of mighty deed, namely that he would drive perforce out of

Troyland the sons of the Achaians. To him the old man Priam had promised and appointed that he would

give her, so he fought trusting in his promises. And Idomeneus aimed at him with a bright spear, and cast and

smote him as he came proudly striding on, and the corslet of bronze that he wore availed not, but the lance

struck in the midst of his belly. And he fell with a crash, and Idomeneus boasted over him, and lifted up his

voice, saying: "Othryoneus, verily I praise thee above all mortal men, if indeed thou shalt accomplish all that

thou hast promised Priam, son of Dardanos, that promised thee again his own daughter. Yea, and we likewise

would promise as much to thee, and fulfil it, and would give thee the fairest daughter of the son of Atreus,

and bring her from Argos, and wed her to thee, if only thou wilt aid us to take the fairset citadel of Ilios.

Nay, follow us that we may make a covenant of marriage by the seafaring ships, for we are no hard exacters

Therewith the hero Idomeneus dragged him by the foot across the fierce mellay. But Asios came to his aid,

on foot before his horses that the charioteer guided so that still their breath touched the shoulders of Asios.

And the desire of his heart was to cast at Idomeneus, who was beforehand with him, and smote him with the

spear in the throat, below the chin, and drove the point straight through. And he fell as an oak falls, or a

poplar, or tall pine tree, that craftsmen have felled on the hills with new whetted axes, to be a ship's timber;

even so he lay stretched out before the horses and the chariot, groaning, and clutching the bloody dust. And

the charioteer was amazed, and kept not his wits, as of old, and dared not turn his horses and avoid out of the

hands of foemen; and Antilochos the steadfast in war smote him, and pierced the middle of his body with a

spear. Nothing availed the corslet of bronze he was wont to wear, but he planted the spear fast in the midst of

his belly. Therewith he fell gasping from the wellwrought chariot, and Antilochos, the son of greathearted

Nestor, drave the horses out from the Trojans, among the wellgreaved Achaians. Then Deiphobos, in sorrow

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 88

for Asios, drew very nigh Idomeneus, and cast at him with his shining spear. But Idomeneus steadily

watching him, avoided the spear of bronze, being hidden beneath the circle of his shield, the shield covered

about with oxhide and gleaming bronze, that he allows bore, fitted with two armrods: under this he

crouched together, and the spear of bronze flew over. And his shield rang sharply, as the spear grazed

thereon. Yet it flew not vainly from the heavy hand of Deiphobos, but smote Hypsenor, son of Hippasos, the

shepherd of the hosts, in the liver, beneath the midriff, and instantly unstrung his knees. And Deiphobos

boasted over him terribly, crying aloud: "Ah, verily, not unavenged lies Asios, nay, methinks, that even on

his road to Hades, strong Warden of the gate, he will rejoice at heart, since, lo, I have sent him escort for the

So spake he, but grief came on the Argives by reason of his boast, and stirred above all the soul of the

wisehearted Antilochos, yet, despite his sorrow, he was not heedless of his dear comrade, but ran and stood

over him, and covered him with his buckler. Then two trusty companions, Mekisteus, son of Echios, and

goodly Alastor, stooped down and lifted him, and with heavy groaning bare him to the hollow ships.

And Idomeneus relaxed not his mighty force, but ever was striving, either to cover some one of the Trojans

with black night, or himself to fall in warding off death from the Achaians. There the dear son of Aisyetes,

fosterling of Zeus, even the hero Alkathoos, was slain, who was soninlaw of Anchises, and had married

the eldest of his daughters, Hippodameia, whom her father and her lady mother dearly loved in the halls, for

she excelled all the maidens of her age in beauty, and skill, and in wisdom, wherefore the best man in wide

Troy took her to wife. This Alkathoos did Poseidon subdue to Idomeneus, throwing a spell over his shining

eyes, and snaring his glorious limbs; so that he might neither flee backwards, nor avoid the stroke, but stood

steady as a pillar, or a tree with lofty crown of leaves, when the hero Idomeneus smote him in the midst of the

breast with the spear, and rent the coat of bronze about him, that aforetime warded death from his body, but

now rang harsh as it was rent by the spear. And he fell with a crash, and the lance fixed in his heart, that, still

beating, shook the buttend of the spear. Then at length mighty Ares spent its fury there; but Idomeneus

boasted terribly, and cried aloud: "Deiphobos, are we to deem it fair acquittal that we have slain three men for

one, since thou boastest thus? Nay, sir, but stand thou up also thyself against me, that thou mayst know what

manner of son of Zeus am I that have come hither! For Zeus first begat Minos, the warden of Crete, and

Minos got him a son, the noble Deukalion, and Deukalion begat me, a prince over many men in wide Crete,

and now have the ships brought me hither, a bane to thee and thy father, and all the Trojans."

Thus he spake, but the thoughts of Deiphobos were divided, whether be should retreat, and call to his aid

some one of the greathearted Trojans, or should try the adventure alone. And on this wise to his mind it

seemed the better, to go after Aineias, whom he found standing the last in the press, for Aineias was ever

wroth against goodly Priam, for that Priam gave him no honour, despite his valour among men. So

Deiphobos stood by him, and spake winged words to him: "Aineias, thou counsellor of the Trojans, now

verily there is great need that thou shouldst succour thy sister's husband, if any care for kin doth touch thee.

Nay follow, let us succour Alkathoos, thy sister's husband, who of old did cherish thee in his hall, while thou

wert but a little one, and now, lo, spearfamed Idomeneus hath stripped him of his arms!"

So he spake, and roused the spirit in the breast of Aineias, who went to seek Idomeneus, with high thoughts

of war. But fear took not hold upon Idomeneus, as though he had been some tender boy, but he stood at bay,

like a boar on the hills that trusteth to his strength, and abides the great assailing throng of men in a lonely

place, and he bristles up his back, and his eyes shine with fire, while he whets his tusks, and is right eager to

keep at bay both men and hounds. Even so stood spear famed Idomeneus at bay against Aineias, that came

to the rescue, and gave ground no whit, but called on his comrades, glancing to Askalaphos, and Aphareus,

and Deipyros, and Meriones, and Antilochos, all masters of the warcry; them he spurred up to battle, and

spake winged words: "Hither, friends, and rescue me, all alone as I am, and terribly I dread the onslaught of

swiftfooted Aineias, that is assailing me; for he is right strong to destroy men in battle, and he hath the

flower of youth, the greatest avail that may be. Yea, if he and I were of like age, and in this spirit whereof

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 89

So he spake, and they all, being of one spirit in their hearts, stood hard by each other, with buckler laid on

shoulder. But Aineias, on the other side, cried to his comrades, glancing to Deiphobos, and Paris, and noble

Agenor, that with him were leaders of the Trojans; and then the hosts followed them, as sheep follow their

leader to the water from the pasture, and the shepherd is glad at heart; even so the heart of Aineias was glad

Then they rushed in close fight around Alkathoos with their long spears, and round their breasts the bronze

rang terribly, as they aimed at each other in the press, while two men of war beyond the rest, Aineias and

Idomeneus, the peers of Ares, were each striving to hew the flesh of the other with the pitiless bronze. Now

Aineias first cast at Idomeneus, who steadily watching him avoided the spear of bronze, and the point of

Aineias went quivering in the earth, since vainly it had flown from his stalwart hand. But Idomeneus smote

Oinomaos in the midst of the belly, and brake the plate of his corslet, and the bronze let forth the bowels

through the corslet, and he fell in the dust and clutched the earth in his palms. And Idomeneus drew forth the

farshadowing spear from the dead, but could not avail to strip the rest of the fair armour from his shoulders,

for the darts pressed hard on him. Nay, and his feet no longer served him firmly in a charge, nor could he rush

after his own spear, nor avoid the foe. Wherefore in close fight he still held off the pitiless day of destiny, but

in retreat: his feet no longer bore him swiftly from the battle. And as he was slowly departing, Deiphobos

aimed at him with his shining spear, for verily he ever cherished a steadfast hatred against Idomeneus. But

this time, too, he missed him, and smote Askalapbos, the son of Enyalios, with his dart, and the strong spear

passed through his shoulder, and he fell in the dust, and clutched the earth in his outstretched hand. But

loudvoiced awful Ares was not yet aware at all that his son had fallen in strong battle, but he was reclining

on the peak of Olympus, beneath the golden clouds, being held there by the design of Zeus, where also were

Now the people rushed in close fight around Askalaphos, and Deiphobos tore from Askalaphos his shining

helm, but Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, leaped forward and smote the arm of Deiphobos with his spear,

and from his hand the vizored casque fell clanging to the ground. And Meriones sprang forth instantly, like a

vulture, and drew the strong spear from the shoulder of Deiphobos, and fell back among the throng of his

comrades. But the own brother of Deiphobos, Polites, stretched his hands round his waist, and led him forth

from the evil din of war, even till he came to the swift horses, that waited for him behind the battle and the

fight, with their charioteer, and welldight chariot. These bore him heavily groaning to the city, worn with

But the rest still were fighting, and the warcry rose unquenched. There Aineias rushed on Aphareus, son of

Kaletor, and struck his throat, that chanced to be turned to him, with the keen spear, and his head dropped

down and his shield and helm fell with him, and death that slays the spirit overwhelmed him. And Antilochos

watched Thoon as he turned the other way, and leaped on him, and wounded him, severing all the vein that

runs up the back till it reaches the neck; this he severed clean, and Thoon fell on his back in the dust,

stretching out both his hands to his comrades dear. Then Antilochos rushed on, and stripped the armour from

his shoulders, glancing around while the Trojans gathered from here and there, and smote his wide shining

shield, yet did not avail to graze, behind the shield, the delicate flesh of Antilochos with the pitiless bronze.

For verily Poseidon, the Shaker of the earth, did guard on every side the son of Nestor, even in the midst of

the javelins. And never did Antilochos get free of the foe, but turned him about among them, nor ever was his

spear at rest, but always brandished and shaken, and the aim of his heart was to smite a foeman from afar, or

to set on him at close quarters. But as he was aiming through the crowd, he escaped not the ken of Adamas,

son of Asios, who smote the midst of his shield with the sharp bronze, setting on nigh at hand; but Poseidon

of the dark locks made his shaft of no avail, grudging him the life of Antilochos. And part of the spear abode

there, like a burned stake, in the shield of Antilochos, and half lay on the earth, and back retreated Adamas to

the ranks of his comrades, avoiding Fate. But Meriones following after him as he departed, smote him with a

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 90

spear between the privy parts and the navel, where a wound is most baneful to wretched mortals. Even there

he fixed the spear in him and he fell, and writhed about the spear, even as a bull that herdsmen on the hills

drag along perforce when they have bound him with withes, so he when he was smitten writhed for a

moment, not for long, till the hero Meriones came near, and drew the spear out of his body. And darkness

And Helenos in close fight smote Deipyros on the temple, with a great Thracian sword, and tore away the

helm, and the helm, being dislodged, fell on the ground, and one of the Achaians in the fight picked it up as it

Then grief took hold of the son of Atreus, Menelaos of the loud warcry, and he went with a threat against

the warrior Helenos, the prince, shaking his sharp spear, while the other drew the centrepiece of his bow.

And both at once were making ready to let fly, one with his sharp spear, the other with the arrow from the

string. Then the son of Priam smote Menelaos on the breast with his arrow, on the plate of the corslet, and off

flew the bitter arrow. Even as from a broad shovel in a great threshing floor, fly the blackskinned beans and

pulse, before the whistling wind, and the stress of the winnower's shovel, even so from the corslet of the

renowned Menelaos flew glancing far aside the bitter arrow. But the son of Atreus, Menelaos of the loud

warcry, smote the hand of Helenos wherein he held the polished bow, and into the bow, clean through the

hand, was driven the spear of bronze. Back he withdrew to the ranks of his comrades, avoiding Fate, with his

hand hanging down at his side, for the ashen spear dragged after him. And the greathearted Agenor drew the

spear from his hand, and himself bound up the hand with a band of twisted sheep'swool, a sling that a squire

Then Peisandros made straight for renowned Menelaos, but an evil Fate was leading him to the end of Death;

by thee, Menelaos, to be overcome in the dread strife of battle. Now when the twain had come nigh in onset

upon each other, the son of Atreus missed, and his spear was turned aside, but Peisandros smote the shield of

renowned Menelaos, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean through, for the wide shield caught it, and the

spear brake in the socket, yet Peisandros rejoiced in his heart, and hoped for the victory. But the son of Atreus

drew his silverstudded sword, and leaped upon Peisandros. And Peisandros, under his shield, clutched his

goodly axe of fine bronze, with long and polished haft of olivewood, and the twain set upon each other.

Then Peisandros smote the crest of the helmet shaded with horse hair, close below the very plume, but

Menelaos struck the other, as he came forward, on the brow, above the base of the nose, and the bones

cracked, and the eyes, all bloody, fell at his feet in the dust. Then he bowed and fell, and Menelaos set his

foot on his breast, and stripped him of his arms, and triumphed, saying: "Even thus then surely, ye will leave

the ships of the Danaans of the swift steeds, ye Trojans overweening, insatiate of the dread din of war. Yea,

and ye shall not lack all other reproof and shame, wherewith ye made me ashamed, ye hounds of evil, having

no fear in your hearts of the strong wrath of loudthundering Zeus, the god of guest and host, who one day

will destroy your steep citadel. O ye that wantonly carried away my wedded wife and many of my

possessions, when ye were entertained by her, now again ye are fain to throw ruinous fire on the seafaring

ships, and to slay the Achaian heroes. Nay, but ye will yet refrain you from battle, for as eager as ye be. O

Zeus, verily they say that thou dost excel in wisdom all others, both gods and men, and all these things are

from thee. How wondrously art thou favouring men of violence, even the Trojans, whose might is ever

iniquitous, nor can they have their fill of the din of equal war. Of all things there is satiety, yea, even of love

and sleep, and of sweet song, and dance delectable, whereof a man would sooner have his fill than of war, but

Thus noble Menelaos spake, and stripped the bloody arms from the body, and gave them to his comrades, and

instantly himself went forth again, and mingled in the forefront of the battle. Then Harpalion, the son of king

Pylaimenes, leaped out against him, Harpalion that followed his dear father to Troy, to the war, nor ever

came again to his own country. He then smote the middle of the shield of Atreus' son with his spear, in close

fight, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean through, but fell back into the host of his comrades, avoiding

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 91

Fate, glancing round every way, lest one should wound his flesh with the bronze. But Meriones shot at him as

he retreated with a bronzeshod arrow, and smote him in the right buttock, and the arrow went right through

the bladder and came out under the bone. And sitting down, even there, in the arms of his dear comrades, he

breathed away his soul, lying stretched like a worm on the earth, and out flowed the black blood, and wetted

the ground. And the Paphlagonians great of heart, tended him busily, and set him in a chariot, and drove him

to sacred Ilios sorrowing, and with them went his father, shedding tears, and there was no atonement for his

Now Paris was very wroth at heart by reason of his slaying, for he had been his host among the many

Paphlagonions, wherefore, in wrath for his sake, he let fly a bronzeshod arrow. Now there was a certain

Euchenor, the son of Polyidos the seer, a rich man and a good, whose dwelling was in Corinth. And well he

knew his own ruinous fate, when he went on shipboard, for often would the old man, the good Polyidos, tell

him, that he must either perish of a sore disease in his halls, or go with the ships of the Achaians, and be

overcome by the Trojans. Wherefore he avoided at once the heavy warfine of the Achaians, and the hateful

disease, that so he might not know any anguish. This man did Paris smite beneath the jaw and under the ear,

and swiftly his spirit departed from his limbs, and, lo, dread darkness overshadowed him.

So they fought like flaming fire, but Hector, beloved of Zeus had not heard nor knew at all that, on the left of

the ships, his host was being subdued by the Argives, and soon would the Achaians have won renown, so

mighty was the Holder and Shaker of the earth that urged on the Argives; yea, and himself mightily defended

them. But Hector kept where at first he had leaped within the walls and the gate, and broken the serried ranks

of shieldbearing Danaans, even where were the ships of Aias and Protesilaos, drawn up on the beach of the

hoary sea, while above the wall was builded lowest, and thereby chiefly the heroes and their horses were

There the Boiotians, and Ionians with trailing tunics, and Lokrians and Phthians and illustrious Epeians

scarcely availed to stay his onslaught on the ships, nor yet could they drive back from them noble Hector, like

a flame of fire. And there were the picked men of the Athenians; among them Menestheus son of Peteos was

the leader; and there followed with him Pheidas and Stichios, and brave Bias, while the Epeians were led by

Meges, son of Phyleus, and Amphion and Drakios, and in front of the Phthians were Medon, and Podarkes

resolute in war. Now the one, Medon, was the bastard son of noble Oileus, and brother of Aias, and he dwelt

in Phylake, far from his own country, for that he had slain a man, the brother of his stepmother Eriopis, wife

of Oileus. But the other, Podarkes, was the son of Iphiklos son of Phylakos, and they in their armour, in the

van of the greathearted Phthians, were defending the ships, and fighting among the Boiotians.

Now never at all did Aias, the swift son of Oileus, depart from the side of Aias, son of Telamon, nay, not for

an instant, but even as in fallow land two winedark oxen with equal heart strain at the shapen plough, and

round the roots of their horns springeth up abundant sweat, and nought sunders them but the polished yoke,

as they labour through the furrow, till the end of the furrow brings them up, so stood the two Aiantes close by

each other. Now verily did many and noble hosts of his comrades follow with the son of Telamon, and bore

his shield when labour and sweat came upon his limbs. But the Lokrians followed not with the highhearted

son of Oileus, for their hearts were not steadfast in close brunt of battle, seeing that they had no helmets of

bronze, shadowy with horsehair plumes, nor round shields, nor ashen spears, but trusting in bows and

welltwisted slings of sheep's wool, they followed with him to Ilios. Therewith, in the war, they shot thick

and fast, and brake the ranks of the Trojans. So the one party in front contended with the Trojans, and with

Hector arrayed in bronze, while the others from behind kept shooting from their ambush, and the Trojans lost

There then right ruefully from the ships and the huts would the Trojans have withdrawn to windy Ilios, had

not Polydamas come near valiant Hector and said: "Hector, thou art hard to be persuaded by them that would

counsel thee; for that god has given thee excellence in the works of war, therefore in council also thou art fain

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 92

to excel other men in knowledge. But in nowise wilt thou be able to take everything on thyself. For to one

man has god given for his portion the works of war, [to another the dance, to another the lute and song,] but

in the heart of yet another hath farseeing Zeus placed an excellent understanding, whereof many men get

gain, yea he saveth many an one, and himself best knoweth it. But, lo, I will speak even as it seemeth best to

me. Behold all about thee the circle of war is blazing, but the greathearted Trojans, now that they have got

down the wall, are some with their arms standing aloof and some are fighting, few men against a host, being

scattered among the ships. Nay, withdraw thee, and call hither all the best of the warriors. Thereafter shall we

take all counsel carefully, whether we should fall on the ships of many benches, if indeed god willeth to give

us victory, or after counsel held, should return unharmed from the ships. For verily I fear lest the Achaians

repay their debt of yesterday, since by the ships there tarrieth a man insatiate of war, and never, methinks,

So spake Polydamas, and his safe counsel pleased Hector well, who spake to him winged words and said:

"Polydamas, do thou stay here all the best of the host, but I will go thither to face the war, and swiftly will

So he spake, and set forth, in semblance like a snowy mountain, and shouting aloud he flew through the

Trojans and allies. And they all sped to Polydamas, the kindly son of Panthoos, when they heard the voice of

Hector. But he went seeking Deiphobos, and the strong prince Helenos, and Adamas son of Asios, and Asios

son of Hyrtakos, among the warriors in the foremost line, if anywhere he might find them. But them he found

not at all unharmed, nor free of bane, but, lo, some among the sterns of the ships of the Achaians lay lifeless,

slain by the hands of the Argives, and some were within the wall wounded by thrust or cast. But one he

readily found, on the left of the dolorous battle, goodly Alexandros, the lord of fairtressed Helen, heartening

his comrades and speeding them to war. And he drew near to him, and addressed him with words of shame:

"Thou evil Paris, fairest of face, thou that lustest for women, thou seducer, where, prithee, are Deiphobos, and

the strong prince Helenos, and Adamas son of Asios, and Asios son of Hyrtakos, and where is Othryoneus?

Now hath all high Ilios perished utterly. Now, too, thou seest, is sheer destruction sure."

Then godlike Alexandros answered him again saying: "Hector, since thy mind is to blame one that is

blameless, some other day might I rather withdraw me from the war, since my mother bare not even me

wholly a coward. For from the time that thou didst gather the battle of thy comrades about the ships, from

that hour do we abide here, and war with the Danaans ceaselessly; and our comrades concerning whom thou

inquirest are slain. Only Deiphobos and the strong prince Helenos have both withdrawn, both of them being

wounded in the hand with long spears, for Kronion kept death away from them. But now lead on,

wheresoever thy heart and spirit bid thee, and we will follow with thee eagerly, nor methinks shall we lack

for valour, as far as we have strength; but beyond his strength may no man fight, howsoever eager he be."

So spake the hero, and persuaded his brother's heart, and they went forth where the war and din were thickest,

round Kebriones, and noble Polydamas, and Phalkes, and Orthaios, and godlike Polyphetes, and Palmys, and

Askanios, and Morys, son of Hippotion, who had come in their turn, out of deepsoiled Askanie, on the morn

before, and now Zeus urged them to fight. And these set forth like the blast of violent winds, that rushes

earthward beneath the thunder of Zeus, and with marvellous din doth mingle with the salt sea, and therein are

many swelling waves of the loud roaring sea, arched over and white with foam, some vanward, others in the

rear; even so the Trojans arrayed in van and rear and shining with bronze, followed after their leaders.

And Hector son of Priam was leading them, the peer of Ares, the bane of men. In front he held the circle of

his shield, thick with hides, and plates of beaten bronze, and on his temples swayed his shining helm. And

everywhere he went in advance and made trial of the ranks, if perchance they would yield to him as he

charged under cover of his shield. But he could not confound the heart within the breast of the Achaians. And

Aias, stalking with long strides, challenged him first: "Sir, draw nigh, wherefore dost thou vainly try to

dismay the Argives? We are in no wise ignorant of war, but by the cruel scourge of Zeus are we Achaians

BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. 93

vanquished. Surely now thy heart hopes utterly to spoil the ships, but we too have hands presently to hold our

own. Verily your peopled city will long ere that beneath our hands be taken and saked. But for thee, I tell thee

that the time is at hand, when thou shalt pray in thy flight to Zeus, and the other immortal gods, that thy

fairmaned steeds may be fleeter than falcons: thy steeds that are to bear thee to the city, as they storm in

And even as he spake, a bird flew forth on the right hand, an eagle of lofty flight, and the host of the

Achaians shouted thereat, encouraged by the omen, but renowned Hector answered: "Aias, thou blundering

boaster, what sayest thou! Would that indeed I were for ever as surely the son of aegisbearing Zeus, and that

my mother were lady Hera, and that I were held in such honour as Apollo and Athene, as verily this day is to

bring utter evil on all the Argives! And thou among them shalt be slain, if thou hast the heart to await my

long spear, which shall rend thy lily skin, and thou shalt glut with thy fat and flesh the birds and dogs of the

So he spake and led the way, and they followed with wondrous din, and the whole host shouted behind. And

the Argives on the other side answered with a shout, and forgot not their valiance, but abode the onslaught of

the bravest of the Trojans. And the cry of the two hosts went up through the higher air, to the spendour of

Yet the cry of battle escaped not Nestor, albeit at his wine, but he spake winged words to the son of

Asklepios: "Bethink thee, noble Machaon, what had best be done; lo, louder waxes the cry of the strong

warriors by the ships. Nay, now sit where thou art, and drink the bright wine, till Hekamede of the fair tresses

shall heat warm water for the bath, and wash away the clotted blood, but I will speedily go forth and come to

Therewith he took the wellwrought shield of his son, horsetaming Thrasymedes, which was lying in the

hut, all glistering with bronze, for the son had the shield of his father. And he seized a strong spear, with a

point of keen bronze, and stood outside the hut, and straightway beheld a deed of shame, the Achaians fleeing

in rout, and the highhearted Trojans driving them, and the wall of the Achaians was overthrown. And as

when the great sea is troubled with a dumb wave, and dimly bodes the sudden paths of the shrill winds, but is

still unmoved nor yet rolled forward or to either side, until some steady gale comes down from Zeus, even so

the old man pondered,his mind divided this way and that,whether he should fare into the press of the

Danaans of the swift steeds, or go after Agamemnon, son of Atreus, shepherd of the host. And thus as he

pondered, it seemed to him the better counsel to go to the son of Atreus. Meanwhile they were warring and

slaying each other, and the stout bronze rang about their bodies as they were thrust with swords and

Now the kings, the fosterlings of Zeus, encountered Nestor, as they went up from the ships, even they that

were wounded with the bronze, Tydeus' son, and Odysseus, and Agamemnon, son of Atreus. For far apart

from the battle were their ships drawn up, on the shore of the grey sea, for these were the first they had drawn

up to the plain, but had builded the wall in front of the hindmost. For in no wise might the beach, wide as it

was, hold all the ships, and the host was straitened. Wherefore they drew up the ships row within row, and

filled up the wide mouth of all the shore that the headlands held between them. Therefore the kings were

going together, leaning on their spears, to look on the war and fray, and the heart of each was sore within his

breast. And the old man met them, even Nestor, and caused the spirit to fail within the breasts of the

BOOK XIV How Sleep and Hera beguiled Zeus to slumber on the heights of Ida, and Poseidon spurred on the Achaians to resist Hector, and how Hector was wounded. 94

And mighty Agamemnon spake and accosted him: "O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaians,

wherefore dost thou come hither and hast deserted the war, the bane of men? Lo, I fear the accomplishment

of the word that dread Hector spake, and the threat wherewith he threatened us, speaking in the assembly of

the Trojans, namely, that never would he return to Ilios from the ships, till he had burned the ships with fire,

and slain the men. Even so he spake, and, lo, now all these things are being fulfilled. Alas, surely even the

other wellgreaved Achaians store wrath against me in their hearts, like Achilles, and have no desire to fight

Then Nestor of Gerenia the knight answered him saying "Verily these things are now at hand, and being

accomplished, nor otherwise could Zeus himself contrive them, he that thundereth on high. For, lo, the wall is

overthrown, wherein we trusted that it should be an unbroken bulwark of the ships and of our own bodies.

But let us take counsel, bow these things may best be done, if wit may do aught: but into the war I counsel

Then Agamemnon king of men answered him again: "Nestor, for that they are warring by the rearmost ships,

and the wellbuilded wall hath availed not, nor the trench, whereat the Achaians endured so much labour,

hoping in their hearts that it should be the unbroken bulwark of the ships, and of their own bodiessuch it

seemeth must be the will of Zeus supreme, [that the Achaians should perish here nameless far from Argos].

For I knew it when he was forward to aid the Danaans, and now I know that he is giving to the Trojans glory

like that of the blessed gods, and hath bound our hands and our strength. But come, as I declare, let us all

obey. Let us drag down the ships that are drawn up in the first line near to the sea, and speed them all forth to

the salt sea divine, and moor them far out with stones, till the divine night comes, if even at night the Trojans

will refrain from war, and then might we drag down all the ships. For there is no shame in fleeing from ruin,

yea, even in the night. Better doth he fare who flees from trouble, than he that is overtaken."

Then, looking on him sternly, spake Odysseus of many counsels: "Atreus' son, what word hath passed the

door of thy lips? Man of mischief, sure thou shouldst lead some other inglorious army, not be king among us,

to whom Zeus hath given it, from youth even unto age, to wind the skein of grievous wars, till every man of

us perish. Art thou indeed so eager to leave the widewayed city of the Trojans, the city for which we endure

with sorrow so many evils? Be silent, lest some other of the Achaians hear this word, that no man should so

much as suffer to pass through his mouth, none that understandeth in his heart how to speak fit counsel, none

that is a sceptred king, and hath hosts obeying him so many as the Argives over whom thou reignest. And

now I wholly scorn thy thoughts, such a word as thou hast uttered, thou that, in the midst of war and battle,

dost bid us draw down the welltimbered ships to the sea, that even more than ever the Trojans may possess

their desire, albeit they win the mastery even now, and sheer destruction fall upon us. For the Achaians will

not make good the war, when the ships are drawn down to the salt sea, but will look round about to flee, and

withdraw from battle. There will thy counsel work a mischief, O marshal of the host!"

Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him: "Odysseus, right sharply hast thou touched my heart with

thy stern reproof: nay, I do not bid the sons of the Achaians to drag, against their will, the welltimbered

ships to the salt sea. Now perchance there may be one who will utter a wiser counsel than this of mine,a

Then Diomedes of the loud warcry spake also among them: "The man is near,not long shall we seek him,

if ye be willing to be persuaded of me, and each of you be not resentful at all, because in years I am the

youngest among you. Nay, but I too boast me to come by lineage of a noble sire, Tydeus, whom in Thebes

the piledup earth doth cover. For Portheus had three wellborn children, and they dwelt in Pleuron, and

steep Kalydon, even Agrios and Melas, and the third was Oineus the knight, the father of my father, and in

valour he excelled the others. And there he abode, but my father dwelt at Argos, whither he had wandered,

for so Zeus and the other gods willed that it should be. And he wedded one of the daughters of Adrastos, and

dwelt in a house full of livelihood, and had wheatbearing fields enow, and many orchards of trees apart, and

BOOK XIV How Sleep and Hera beguiled Zeus to slumber on the heights of Ida, and Poseidon spurred on the Achaians to resist Hector, and how Hector was wounded. 95

many sheep were his, and in skill with the spear he excelled all the Achaians: these things ye must have

heard, if I speak sooth. Therefore ye could not say that I am weak and a coward by lineage, and so dishonour

my spoken counsel, that well I may speak. Let us go down to the battle, wounded as we are, since we needs

must; and then might we hold ourselves aloof from the battle, beyond the range of darts, lest any take wound

upon wound; but the others will we spur on, even them that aforetime gave place to their passion, and stand

So he spake, and they all heard him readily, and obeyed him. And they set forth, led by Agamemnon the king

Now the renowned Earthshaker held no vain watch, but went with them in the guise of an ancient man, and

he seized the right hand of Agamemnon, Atreus' son, and uttering winged words he spake to him, saying:

"Atreides, now methinks the ruinoue heart of Achilles rejoices in his breast, as he beholds the slaughter and

flight of the Achaians, since he hath no wisdom, not a grain. Nay, even so may he perish likewise, and god

mar him. But with thee the blessed gods are not utterly wroth, nay, even yet methinks the leaders and rulers

of the Trojans will cover the wide plain with dust, and thyself shalt see them fleeing to the city from the ships

So spake he, and shouted mightily, as he sped over the plain. And loud as nine thousand men, or ten thousand

cry in battle, when they join the strife of war, so mighty was the cry that the strong Shaker of the earth sent

forth from his breast, and great strength he put into the heart of each of the Achaians, to strive and war

Now Hera of the golden throne stood on the peak of Olympus, and saw with her eyes, and anon knew him

that was her brother and her lord's going to and fro through the glorious fight, and she rejoiced in her heart.

And she beheld Zeus sitting on the topmost crest of manyfountained Ida, and to her heart he was hateful.

Then she took thought, the oxeyed lady Hera, how she might beguile the mind of aegisbearing Zeus. And

this seemed to her in her heart to be the best counsel, namely to fare to Ida, when she had well adorned

herself, if perchance a sweet sleep and a kindly she could pour on his eye lids and his crafty wits. And she set

forth to her bower, that her dear son Hephaistos had fashioned, and therein had made fast strong doors on the

pillars, with a secret bolt, that no other god might open. There did she enter in and closed the shining doors.

With ambrosia first did she cleanse every stain from her winsome body, and anointed her with olive oil,

ambrosial, soft, and of a sweet savour; if it were but shaken, in the bronzefloored mansion of Zeus, the

savour thereof went right forth to earth and heaven. Therewith she anointed her fair body, and combed her

hair, and with her hands plaited her shining tresses, fair and ambrosial, flowing from her immortal head. Then

she clad her in her fragrant robe that Athene wrought delicately for her, and therein set many things

beautifully made, and fastened it over her breast with clasps of gold. And she girdled it with a girdle arrayed

with a hundred tassels, and she set earrings in her pierced ears, earrings of three drops, and glistering,

therefrom shone grace abundantly. And with a veil over all the peerless goddess veiled herself, a fair new

veil, bright as the sun, and beneath her shining feet she bound goodly sandals. But when she had adorned her

body with all her array, she went forth from her bower, and called Aphrodite apart from the other gods, and

spake to her, saying: "Wilt thou obey me, dear child, in that which I shall tell thee? or wilt thou refuse, with a

Then Aphrodite the daughter of Zeus answered her: "Hera, goddess queen, daughter of mighty Kronos, say

the thing that is in thy mind, my heart bids me fulfil it, if fulfil it I may, and if it may be accomplished."

Then with crafty purpose the lady Hera answered her: "Give me now Love and Desire wherewith thou dost

overcome all the Immortals, and mortal men. For I am going to visit the limits of the bountiful Earth, and

Okeanos, father of the gods, and mother Tethys, who reared me well and nourished me in their halls, having

taken me from Rhea, when farseeing Zeus imprisoned Kronos beneath the earth and the unvintaged sea.

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Them am I going to visit, and their endless strife will I loose, for already this long time they hold apart from

each other, since wrath hath settled in their hearts. If with words I might persuade their hearts, and bring them

Then laughterloving Aphrodite answered her again: "It may not be, nor seemly were it, to deny that thou

Therewith from her breast she loosed the broidered girdle, fairwrought, wherein are all her enchantments;

therein are love, and desire, and loving converse, that steals the wits even of the wise. This girdle she laid in

her hands, and spake, and said: "Lo now, take this girdle and lay it up in thy bosom, this fairwrought girdle,

wherein all things are fashioned; methinks thou wilt not return with that unaccomplished, which in thy heart

So spake she, and the oxeyed lady Hera smiled, and smiling laid up the zone within her breast.

Then the daughter of Zeus, Aphrodite, went to her house, and Hera, rushing down, left the peak of Olympus,

and sped' over the snowy hills of the Thracian horsemen, even over the topmost crests, nor grazed the ground

with her feet, and from Athos she fared across the foaming sea, and came to Lemnos, the city of godlike

Thoas. There she met Sleep, the brother of Death, and clasped her hand in his, and spake and called him by

name: "Sleep, lord of all gods and of all men, if ever thou didst hear my word, obey me again even now, and I

will be grateful to thee always. Lull me, I pray thee, the shining eyes of Zeus beneath his brows. And gifts I

will give to thee, even a fair throne, imperishable for ever, a golden throne, that Hephaistos the Lame, mine

own child, shall fashion skilfully, and will set. beneath it a footstool for the feet, for thee to set thy shining

feet upon, when thou art at a festival. Nay come, and I will give thee one of the younger of the Graces, to wed

So she spake, and Sleep was glad, and answered and said:"Come now, swear to me by the inviolable water

of Styx, and with one of thy hands grasp the bounteous earth, and with the other the shining sea, that all may

be witnesses to us, even all the gods below that are with Kronos, that verily thou wilt give me one of the

So spake he, nor did she disobey, the whitearmed goddess Hera; she sware as he bade her, and called all the

gods by name, even those below Tartaros that are called Titans. But when she had sworn and ended that oath,

the twain left the citadel of Lemnos, and of Imbros, clothed on in mist, and swiftly they accomplished the

way. To manyfountained Ida they came, the mother of wild beasts, to Lekton, where first they left the sea,

and they twain fared above the dry land, and the topmost forest waved beneath their feet. There Sleep halted,

ere the eyes of Zeus beheld him, and alighted on a tall pine tree, the loftiest pine that then in all Ida rose

through the nether to the upper air. But Hera swiftly drew nigh to topmost Gargaros, the highest crest of Ida,

and Zeus the cloudgatherer beheld her. And as he saw her, so love came over his deep heart, and he stood

before her, and spoke, and said: "Hera, with what desire comest thou thus hither from Olympus, and thy

Then with crafty purpose lady Hera answered him: "I am going to visit the limits of the bountiful Earth, and

Okeanos, father of the gods, and mother Tethys, who reared me well and cherished me in their halls. Them

am I going to visit, and their endless strife will I loose, for already this long time they hold apart from each

other, since wrath hath settled in their hearts. But my horses are standing at the foot of many fountained Ida,

my horses that shall bear me over wet and dry. And now it is because of thee that I am thus come hither,

down from Olympus, lest perchance thou mightest be wroth with me hereafter, if silently I were gone to the

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Then Zeus, the gatherer of the clouds, answered her and said: "Hera, thither mayst thou go on a later day. For

never once as thus did the love of goddess or woman so mightily overflow and conquer the heart within my

Thus slept the Father in quiet on the crest of Gargaros, by Sleep and love overcome. But sweet Sleep started

and ran to the ships of the Achaians, to tell his tidings to the god that holdeth and shaketh the earth. And he

stood near him, and spake winged words: "Eagerly now, Poseidon, do thou aid the Danaans, and give them

glory for a little space, while yet Zeus sleepeth, for over him have I shed soft slumber, and Hera hath beguiled

So he spake, and passed to the renowned tribes of men, and still the more did he set on Poseidon to aid the

Danaans, who straightway sprang far afront of the foremost, and called to them: "Argives, are we again to

yield the victory to Hector, son of Priam, that he may take our ships and win renown? Nay, even so he saith

and declareth that he will do, for that Achilles by the hollow ships abides angered at heart. But for him there

will be no such extreme regret, if we spur us on to aid each the other. Nay come, as I command, let us all

obey. Let us harness us in the best shields that are in the host, and the greatest, and cover our heads with

shining helms, and take the longest spears in our hands, and so go forth. Yea, and I will lead the way, and

methinks that Hector, son of Priam, will not long await us, for all his eagerness. And whatsoever man is

steadfast in battle, and hath a small buckler on his shoulder, let him give it to a worse man, and harness him

So spake he, and they heard him eagerly and obeyed him. And them the kings themselves arrayed, wounded

as they were, Tydeus' son, and Odysseus, and Agamemnon, son of Atreus. They went through all the host,

and made exchange of weapons of war. The good arms did the good warrior harness him in, the worse he

gave to the worse. But when they had done on the shining bronze about their bodies, they started on the

march, and Poseidon led them, the Shaker of the earth, with a dread sword of fine edge in his strong hand,

like unto lightning; wherewith it is not permitted that any should mingle in woful war, but fear holds men afar

therefrom. But the Trojans on the other side was renowned Hector array ing. Then did they now strain the

fiercest strife of war, even darkhaired Poseidon and glorious Hector, one succouring the Trojans, the other

with the Argives. And the sea washed up to the huts and ships of the Argives, and they gathered together with

a mighty cry. Not so loudly bellows the wave of the sea against the land, stirred up from the deep by the

harsh breath of the north wind, nor so loud is the roar of burning fire in the glades of a mountain, when it

springs to burn up the forest, nor calls the wind so loudly in the high leafy tresses of the trees, when it rages

and roars its loudest, as then was the cry of the Trojans and Achaians, shouting dreadfully as they rushed

First glorious Hector cast with his spear at Aias, who was facing him full, and did not miss, striking him

where two belts were stretched across his breast, the belt of his shield, and of his silverstudded sword; these

guarded his tender flesh. And Hector was enraged because his swift spear had flown vainly from his hand,

Then as he was departing the great Telamonian Aias smote him with a huge stone; for many stones, the props

of swift ships, were rolled among the feet of the fighters; one of these he lifted, and smote Hector on the

breast, over the shieldrim, near the neck, and made him spin like a top with the blow, that he reeled round

and round. And even as when an oak falls uprooted beneath the stroke of father Zeus, and a dread savour of

brimstone arises therefrom, and whoso stands near and beholds it has no more courage, for dread is the bolt

of great Zeus, even so fell mighty Hector straightway in the dust. And the spear fell from his hand, but his

shield and helm were made fast to him, and round him rang his arms adorned with bronze.

Then with a loud cry they ran up, the sons of the Achaians, hoping to drag him away, and they cast showers

of darts. But not one availed to wound or smite the shepherd of the host, before that might be the bravest

BOOK XIV How Sleep and Hera beguiled Zeus to slumber on the heights of Ida, and Poseidon spurred on the Achaians to resist Hector, and how Hector was wounded. 98

gathered about him, Polydamas, and Aineias, and goodly Agenor, and Sarpedon, leader of the Lykians, and

noble Glaukos, and of the rest not one was heedless of him, but they held their round shields in front of him,

and his comrades lifted him in their arms, and bare him out of the battle, till he reached his swift horses that

were standing waiting for him, with the charioteer and the fairdight chariot at the rear of the combat and the

war. These toward the city bore him heavily moaning. Now when they came to the ford of the fairflowing

river, of eddying Xanthos, that immortal Zeus begat, there they lifted him from the chariot to the ground, and

poured water over him, and he gat back his breath, and looked up with his eyes, and sitting on his heels

kneeling, he vomited black blood. Then again he sank back on the ground, and black night covered his eyes,

Now when they had sped in flight across the palisade and trench, and many were overcome at the hands of

the Danaans, the rest were stayed, and abode beside the chariots in confusion, and pale with terror, and Zeus

awoke, on the peaks of Ida, beside Hera of the golden throne. Then he leaped up, and stood, and beheld the

Trojans and Achaians, those in flight, and these driving them on from the rear, even the Argives, and among

them the prince Poseidon. And Hector he saw lying on the plain, and around him sat his comrades, and he

was gasping with difficult breath, and his mind wandering, and was vomiting blood, for it was not the

weakest of the Achaians that had smitten him. Beholding him, the father of men and gods had pity on him,

and terribly he spoke to Hera, with fierce look: "O thou ill to deal with, Hera, verily it is thy crafty wile that

has made noble Hector cease from the fight, and has terrified the host. Nay, but yet I know not whether thou

mayst not be the first to reap the fruits of thy cruel treason, and I beat thee with stripes. Dost thou not

remember, when thou wert hung from on high, and from thy feet I suspended two anvils, and round thy hands

fastened a golden bond that might not be broken? And thou didst hang in the clear air and the clouds, and the

gods were wroth in high Olympus, but they could not come round and unloose thee."

So spake he, and the oxeyed lady Hera shuddered, and spake unto him winged words, saying: "Let earth

now be witness hereto, and wide heaven above, and that falling water of Styx, the greatest oath and the most

terrible to the blessed gods, and thine own sacred head, and our own bridal bed, whereby never would I

forswear myself, that not by my will does earthshaking Poseidon trouble the Trojans and Hector, and

succour them of the other part. Nay, it is his own soul that urgeth and commandeth him, and he had pity on

the Achaians, when he beheld them hard pressed beside the ships. I would even counsel him also to go even

So spake she, and the father of gods and men smiled, and answering her he spake winged words: "If thou, of

a truth, O oxeyed lady Hera, wouldst hereafter abide of one mind with me among the immortal gods,

thereon would Poseidon, howsoever much his wish be contrariwise, quickly turn his mind otherwhere, after

thy heart and mine. But if indeed thou speakest the truth and soothly, go thou now among the tribes of the

gods, and call Iris to come hither, and Apollo, the renowned archer, that Iris may go among the host of

mailclad Achaians and tell Poseidon the prince to cease from the war, and get him unto his own house. But

let Phoebus Apollo spur Hector on to the war, and breathe strength into him again, and make him forget his

anguish, that now wears down his heart, and drive the Achaians back again, when he hath stirred in them

craven fear. Let them flee and fall among the manybenched ships of Achilles son of Peleus, and he shall

rouse his own comrade, Patroklos; and him shall renowned Hector slay with the spear, in front of Ilios, after

that he has slain many other youths, and among them my son, noble Sarpedon. In wrath therefor shall goodly

Achilles slay Hector. From that hour verily will I cause a new pursuit from the ships, that shall endure

continually, even until the Achaians take steep Ilios, through the counsels of Athene. But before that hour

neither do I cease in my wrath, nor will I suffer any other of the Immortals to help the Danaans there, before I

accomplish that desire of the son of Peleus, as I promised him at the first, and confirmed the same with a nod

BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the Trojans. Fire is thrown on the ship of Protesilaos. 99

of my head, on that day when the goddess Thetis clasped my knees, imploring me to honour Achilles, the

So spake he, nor did the whitearmed goddess Hera disobey him, and she sped down from the hills of Ida to

high Olympus, and went among the gathering of the immortal gods. And she called Apollo without the hall

and Iris, that is the messenger of the immortal gods, and she spake winged words, and addressed them,

saying: "Zeus bids you go to Ida as swiftly as may be, and when ye have gone, and looked on the face of

And these twain came before the face of Zeus the cloud gatherer, and stood there, and he was nowise

displeased at heart when he beheld them, for that speedily they had obeyed the words of his dear wife. And to

Iris first he spake winged words: "Go, get thee, swift Iris, to the prince Poseidon, and tell him all these things,

nor be a false messenger. Command him to cease from war and battle, and to go among the tribes of the gods,

or into the bright sea. But if he will not obey my words, but will hold me in no regard, then let him consider

in his heart and mind, lest he dare not for all his strength to abide me when I come against him, since I deem

So spake he, nor did the windfooted fleet Iris disobey him, but went down the hills of Ida to sacred Ilios.

And as when snow or chill hail fleets from the clouds beneath the stress of the North Wind born in the clear

air, so fleetly she fled in her eagerness, swift Iris, and drew near the renowned Earthshaker and spake to him

the message of Zeus. And he left the host of the Achaians, and passed to the sea, and sank, and sorely they

Then Zeus, the gatherer of the clouds, spake to Apollo, saying: "Go now, dear Phoebus, to Hector of the helm

of bronze. Let glorious Hector be thy care, and rouse in him great wrath even till the Achaians come in their

flight to the ships, and the Hellespont. And from that moment will I devise word and deed wherewithal the

So spake he, nor was Apollo deaf to the word of the Father, but he went down the hills of Ida like a fleet

falcon, the bane of doves, that is the swiftest of flying things. And he found the son of wisehearted Priam,

noble Hector, sitting up, no longer lying, for he had but late got back his life, and knew the comrades around

him, and his gasping and his sweat had ceased, from the moment when the will of aegisbearing Zeus began

to revive him. Then fardarting Apollo stood near him, and spake to him: "Hector, son of Priam, why dost

thou sit fainting apart from the others? Is it perchance that some trouble cometh upon thee?"

Then, with faint breath answered him Hector of the glancing helm: "Nay, but who art thou, best of the gods,

who enquirest of me face to face? Dost thou not know that by the hindmost row of the ships of the Achaians,

Aias of the loud warcry smote me on the breast with a stone, as I was slaying his comrades, and made me

cease from mine impetuous might? And verily I deemed that this very day I should pass to the dead, and the

Then prince Apollo the Fardarter answered him again: "Take courage now, so great an ally hath the son of

Kronos sent thee out of Ida, to stand by thee and defend thee, even Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword, me

who of old defend thee, thyself and the steep citadel. But come now, bid thy many charioteers drive their

swift steeds against the hollow ships, and I will go before and make smooth all the way for the chariots, and

So he spake, and breathed great might into the shepherd of the host, and even as when a stalled horse, full fed

at the manger, breaks his tether and speedeth at the gallop over the plain exultingly, being wont to bathe in

the fairflowing stream, and holds his head on high, and the mane floweth about his shoulders, and he

trusteth in his glory, and nimbly his knees bear him to the haunts and pasture of the mares, even so Hector

BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the Trojans. Fire is thrown on the ship of Protesilaos. 100

lightly moved his feet and knees, urging on his horsemen, when he heard the voice of the god. But as when

hounds and country folk pursue a horned stag, or a wild goat, that steep rock and shady wood save from

them, nor is it their lot to find him, but at their clamour a bearded lion hath shown himself on the way, and

lightly turned them all despite their eagerness, even so the Danaans for a while followed on always in their

companies, smiting with swords and doublepointed spears, but when they saw Hector going up and down

the ranks of men, then were they afraid, and the hearts of all fell to their feet.

Then to them spake Thoas, son of Andraimon, far the best of the Aitolians, skilled in throwing the dart, and

good in close fight, and in council did few of the Achaians surpass him, when the young men were striving in

debate; he made harangue and spake among them: "Alas, and verily a great marvel is this I behold with mine

eyes, how he hath again arisen, and hath avoided the Fates, even Hector. Surely each of us hoped in his heart,

that he had died beneath the hand of Aias, son of Telamon. But some one of the gods again hath delivered

and saved Hector, who verily hath loosened the knees of many of the Danaans, as methinks will befall even

now, for not without the will of loudthundering Zeus doth he rise in the front ranks, thus eager for battle.

But come, as I declare let us all obey. Let us bid the throng turn back to the ships, but let us as many as avow

us to be the best in the host, take our stand, if perchance first we may meet him, and hold him off with

outstretched spears, and he, methinks, for all his eagerness, will fear at heart to enter into the press of the

So spake he, and they heard him eagerly, and obeyed him. They that were with Aias and the prince

Idomeneus, and Teukros, and Neriones, and Meges the peer of Ares, called to all the best of the warriors and

sustained the fight with Hector and the Trojans, but behind them the multitude returned to the ships of the

Now the Trojans drave forward in close ranks, and with long strides Hector led them, while in front of him

went Phoebus Apollo, his shoulders wrapped in cloud, and still he held the fell aegis, dread, circled with a

shaggy fringe, and gleaming, that Hephaistos the smith gave to Zeus, to bear for the terror of men; with this

Now the Argives abode them in close ranks, and shrill the cry arose on both sides, and the arrows leaped

from the bowstrings, and many spears from stalwart hands, whereof some stood fast in the flesh of young

men swift in fight, but many halfway, ere ever they reached the white flesh, stuck in the ground, longing to

glut themselves with flesh. Now so long as Phoebus Apollo held the aegis unmoved in his hands, so long the

darts smote either side amain, and the folk fell. But when he looked face to face on the Danaans of the swift

steeds, and shook the aegis, and himself shouted mightily, he quelled their heart in their breast, and they

forgot their impetuous valour. And as when two wild beasts drive in confusion a herd of kine, or a great flock

of sheep, in the dark hour of black night, coming swiftly on them when the herdsman is not by, even so were

the Achaians terrorstricken and strengthless, for Apollo sent a panic among them, but still gave renown to

And Hector smote his horses on the shoulder with the lash, and called aloud on the Trojans along the ranks.

And they all cried out, and level with his held the steeds that drew their chariots, with a marvellous din, and

in front of them Phoebus Apollo lightly dashed down with his feet the banks of the deep ditch, and cast them

into the midst thereof, making a bridgeway long and wide as is a spearcast, when a man throws to make trial

of his strength. Thereby the Trojans poured forward in their battalions, while in their van Apollo held the

splendid aegis. And most easily did he cast down the wall of the Achaians, as when a boy scatters the sand

beside the sea, first making sand buildings for sport in his childishness, and then again, in his sport,

confounding them with his feet and hands; even so didst thou, archer Apollo, confound the long toil and

BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the Trojans. Fire is thrown on the ship of Protesilaos. 101

So they were halting, and abiding by the ships, calling each to other; and lifting their hands to all the gods did

each man pray vehemently, and chiefly prayed Nestor, the Warden of the Achaians, stretching his hand

towards the starry heaven: "O father Zeus, if ever any one of us in wheatbearing Argos did burn to thee fat

thighs of bull or sheep, and prayed that he might return, and thou didst promise and assent thereto, of these

things be thou mindful, and avert, Olympian, the pitiless day, nor suffer the Trojans thus to overcome the

So spake he in his prayer, and Zeus, the Lord of counsel, thundered loudly, hearing the prayers of the ancient

But the Trojans when they heard the thunder of aegisbearing Zeus, rushed yet the more eagerly upon the

Argives, and were mindful of the joy of battle. And as when a great wave of the wide sea sweeps over the

bulwarks of a ship, the might of the wind constraining it, which chiefly swells the waves, even so did the

Trojans with a great cry bound over the wall, and drave their horses on, and at the hindmost row of the ships

were fighting hand to hand with doublepointed spears, the Trojans from the chariots, but the Achaians

climbing up aloft, from the black ships with long pikes that they had lying in the ships for battle at sea,

Now the Trojans, like ravening lions, rushed upon the ships, fulfilling the behests of Zeus, that ever was

rousing their great wrath, but softened the temper of the Argives, and took away their glory, while he spurred

on the others. For the heart of Zeus was set on giving glory to Hector, the son of Priam, that withal he might

cast fierceblazing fire, unwearied, upon the beaked ships, and so fulfil all the presumptuous prayer of

Thetis; wherefore wisecounselling Zeus awaited, till his eyes should see the glare of a burning ship. For

even from that hour was he to ordain the backward chase of the Trojans from the ships, and to give glory to

the Danaans. With this design was he rousing Hector, Priam's son, that himself was right eager, against the

hollow ships. For short of life was he to be, yea, and already Pallas Athene was urging against him the day of

destiny, at the hand of the son of Peleus. And fain he was to break the ranks of men, trying them wheresoever

he saw the thickest press, and the goodliest harness. Yet not even so might he break them for all his

eagerness. Nay, they stood firm, and embattled like a steep rock and a great, hard by the hoary sea, a rock that

abides the swift paths of the shrill winds, and the swelling waves that roar against it. Even so the Danaans

steadfastly abode the Trojans and fled not away. But Hector shining with fire on all sides leaped on the

throng, and fell upon them, as when beneath the stormclouds a fleet wave reared of the winds falls on a

swift ship, and she is all hidden with foam, and the dread blast of the wind roars against the sail, and the

sailors fear, and tremble in their hearts, for by but a little way are they borne forth from death, even so the

So again keen battle was set by the ships. Thou wouldst deem that unwearied and unworn they met each other

in war, so eagerly they fought. And in their striving they were minded thus; the Achaians verily deemed that

never would they flee from the danger, but perish there, but the heart of each Trojan hoped in his breast, that

they should fire the ships, and slay the heroes of the Achaians. With these imaginations they stood to each

other, and Hector seized the stern of a seafaring ship, a fair ship, swift on the brine, that had borne Protesilaos

to Troia, but brought him not back again to his own country. Now round his ship the Achaians and Trojans

warred on each other hand to hand, nor far apart did they endure the flights of arrows, nor of darts, but

standing hard each by other, with one heart, with sharp axes and hatchets they fought, and with great swords,

and doublepointed spears. And many fair brands, darkscabbarded and hilted, fell to the ground, some from

the hands, some from off the shoulders of warring men, and the black earth ran with blood. But Hector, after

that once he had seized the ship's stern, left not his hold, keeping the ensign in his hands, and he called to the

Trojans: "Bring fire, and all with one voice do ye raise the warcry; now hath Zeus given us the dearest day

of all,to take the ships that came hither against the will of the gods, and brought many woes upon us, by

the cowardice of the elders, who withheld me when I was eager to fight at the sterns of the ships, and kept

back the host. But if even then farseeing Zeus did harm our wits, now he himself doth urge and command us

BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the Trojans. Fire is thrown on the ship of Protesilaos. 102

onwards." So spake he, and they set yet the fiercer on the Argives. And Aias no longer abode their onset, for

he was driven back by the darts, but he withdrew a little,thinking that now he should die,on to the

oarsman's bench of seven feet long, and he left the decks of the trim ship. There then he stood on the watch,

and with his spear he ever drave the Trojans from the ships, whosoever brought unwearied fire, and ever he

shouted terribly, calling to the Danaans: "O friends, Danaan heroes, men of Ares' company, play the man, my

friends, and be mindful of impetuous valour. Do we deem that there be allies at our backs, or some wall

stronger than this to ward off death from men? Verily there is not hard by any city arrayed with towers,

whereby we might defend ourselves, having a host that could turn the balance of battle. Nay, but we are set

down in the plain of the mailed men of Troy, with our backs against the sea, and far off from our own land.

Therefore is safety in battle, and not in slackening from the fight." So spake he, and rushed on ravening for

battle, with his keen spear. And whosoever of the Trojans was coming against the ship with blazing fire, to

pleasure Hector at his urging, him would Aias wound, awaiting him with his long spear, and twelve men in

So they were warring round the welltimbered ship, but Patroklos drew near Achilles, shepherd of the host,

and he shed warm tears, even as a fountain of dark water that down a steep cliff pours its cloudy stream. And

noble swiftfooted Achilles when he beheld him was grieved for his sake, and accosted him, and spake

winged words, saying: "Wherefore weepest thou, Patroklos, like a fond little maid, that runs by her mother's

side, and bids her mother take her up, snatching at her gown, and hinders her in her going, and tearfully looks

at her, till the mother takes her up? like her, Patroklos, dost thou let fall soft tears. Hast thou aught to tell to

the Myrmidons, or to me myself, or is it some tidings out of Phthia that thou alone hast beard? Or dost thou

lament for the sake of the Argives,how they perish by the hollow ships through their own transgression?

But with a heavy groan didst thou speak unto him, O knight Patroklos: "O Achilles, son of Peleus, far the

bravest of the Achaians, be not wroth, seeing that so great calamity has beset the Achaians. For verily all of

them that aforetime were the best are lying among the ships, smitten and wounded. Smitten is the son of

Tydeus, strong Diomedes, and wounded is Odysseus, spearman renowned, and Agamemnon; and smitten is

Eurypylos on the thigh with an arrow. And about them the leeches skilled in medicines are busy, healing their

wounds, but thou art hard to reconcile, Achilles. Never then may such wrath take hold of me as that thou

nursest; thou brave to the hurting of others. What other men later born shall have profit of thee, if thou dost

not ward off base ruin from the Argives? Pitiless that thou art, the knight Peleus was not then thy father, nor

Thetis thy mother, but the grey sea bare thee, and the sheer cliffs, so untoward is thy spirit. But if in thy heart

thou art shunning some oracle, and thy lady mother hath told thee somewhat from Zeus, yet me do thou send

forth quickly, and make the rest of the host of the Myrmidons follow me, if yet any light may arise from me

to the Danaans. And give me thy harness to buckle about my shoulders, if perchance the Trojans may take me

for thee, and so abstain from battle, and the warlike sons of the Achaians may take breath, wearied as they be,

for brief is the breathing in war. And lightly might we that are fresh drive men wearied with the battle back to

So he spake and besought him, in his unwittingness, for truly it was to be his own evil death and fate that he

prayed for. Then to him in great heaviness spake swiftfooted Achilles: "Ah me, Patroklos of the seed of

Zeus, what word hast thou spoken? Neither take I heed of any oracle that I wot of, nor yet has my lady

mother told me somewhat from Zeus, but this dread sorrow comes upon my heart and spirit, from the hour

that a man wishes to rob me who am his equal, and to take away my prize, for that he excels me in power. A

dread sorrow to me is this, after all the toils that my heart hath endured. The maiden that the sons of the

Achaians chose out for me as my prize, and that I won with my spear when I sacked a wellwalled city, her

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 103

has mighty Agamemnon the son of Atreus taken back out of my hands, as though I were but some sojourner

dishonourable. But we will let bygones be bygones. No man may be angry of heart for ever, yet verily I said

that I would not cease from my wrath, until that time when to mine own ships should come the warcry and

the battle. But do thou on thy shoulders my famous harness, and lead the warloving Myrmidons to the fight,

to ward off destruction from the ships, lest they even burn the ships with blazing fire, and take away our

desired return. But when thou hast driven them from the ships, return, and even if the loudthundering lord of

Hera grant thee to win glory, yet long not thou apart from me to fight with the warloving Trojans; thereby

wilt thou minish mine honour. Neither do thou, exulting in war and strife, and slaying the Trojans, lead on

toward Ilios, lest one of the eternal gods from Olympus come against thee; right dearly doth Apollo the

Fardarter love them. Nay, return back when thou halt brought safety to the ships, and suffer the rest to fight

along the plain. For would, O father Zeus, and Athene, and Apollo, would that not one of all the Trojans

might escape death, nor one of the Argives, but that we twain might avoid destruction, that alone we might

So spake they each to other, but Aias no longer abode the onset, for he was overpowered by darts; the counsel

of Zeus was subduing him, and the shafts of the proud Trojans; and his bright helmet, being smitten, kept

ringing terribly about his temples: for always it was smitten upon the fairwrought cheekpieces. Moreover

his left shoulder was wearied, as steadfastly he held up his glittering shield, nor yet could they make him give

ground, as they pressed on with their darts around him. And ever he was worn out with difficult breath, and

much sweat kept running from all his limbs, nor had he a moment to draw breath, so on all sides was evil

Tell me now, ye Muses that have mansions in Olympus, how first fire fell on the ships of the Achaians.

Hector drew near, and the ashen spear of Aias he smote with his great sword, hard by the socket, behind the

point, and shore it clean away, and the son of Telamon brandished in his hand no more than a pointless spear,

And Aias knew in his noble heart, and shuddered at the deeds of the gods, even how Zeus that thundereth on

high did utterly cut off from him avail in war, and desired victory for the Trojans. Then Aias gave back out of

the darts. But the Trojans cast on the swift ship unwearying fire, and instantly the inextinguishable flame

streamed over her: so the fire begirt the stern, whereon Achilles smote his thighs, and spake to Patroklos:

"Arise, Patroklos of the seed of Zeus, commander of the horsemen, for truly I see by the ships the rush of the

consuming fire. Up then, lest they take the ships, and there be no more retreat; do on thy harness speedily,

So spake he, while Patroklos was harnessing him in shining bronze. His goodly greaves, fitted with silver

clasps, he first girt round his legs, and next did on around his breast the welldight starry corslet of the

swiftfooted son of Aiakos. And round his shoulders he cast a sword of bronze, with studs of silver, and next

took the great and mighty shield, and on his proud head set a wellwrought helm with a horsehair crest, and

terribly nodded the crest from above. Then seized he two strong lances that fitted his grasp, only he took not

the spear of the noble son of Aiakos, heavy, and huge, and stalwart, that none other of the Achaians could

wield. And Patroklos bade Automedon to yoke the horses speedily, even Automedon whom most he

honoured after Achilles, the breaker of the ranks of men, and whom he held trustiest in battle to abide his call.

And for him Automedon led beneath the yoke the swift horses, Xanthos and Balios, that fly as swift as the

winds, the horses that the harpy Podarge bare to the West Wind, as she grazed on the meadow by the stream

of Okeanos. And in the sidetraces he put the goodly Pedasos, that Achilles carried away, when he took the

city of Eetion; and being but a mortal steed, he followed with the immortal horses.

Meanwhile Achilles went and harnessed all the Myrmidons in the huts with armour, and they gathered like

ravening wolves with strength in their hearts unspeakable. And among them all stood warlike Achilles urging

on the horses and the targeteers. And he aroused the heart and valour of each of them, and the ranks were yet

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 104

the closer serried when they heard the prince. And as when a man builds the wall of a high house with

closeset stones, to avoid the might of the winds, even so close were arrayed the helmets and bossy shields,

and shield pressed on shield, helm on helm, and man on man, and the horsehair crests on the bright

helmetridges touched each other when they nodded, so close they stood by each other.

And straightway they poured forth like wasps that have their dwelling by the wayside, and that boys are ever

wont to vex, always tormenting them in their nests beside the way in childish sport, and a common evil they

make for many. With heart and spirit like theirs the Myrmidons poured out now from the ships, and a cry

arose unquenchable, and Patroklos called on his comrades, shouting aloud: "Myrmidons, ye comrades of

Achilles son of Peleus, be men, my friends, and be mindful of your impetuous valour, that so we may win

honour for the son of Peleus, that is far the bravest of the Argives by the ships, and whose closefighting

squires are the best. And let wideruling Agamemnon the son of Atreus learn his own blindness of heart, in

So spake he, and aroused each man's heart and courage, and all in a mass they fell on the Trojans, and the

ships around echoed wondrously to the cry of the Achaians. But when the Trojans beheld the strong son of

Menoitios, himself and his squire, shining in their armour, the heart was stirred in all of them, and the

companies wavered, for they deemed that by the ships the swiftfooted son of Peleus had cast away his

wrath, and chosen reconcilement: then each man glanced round, to see where he might flee sheer destruction.

But Patroklos first with a shining spear cast straight into the press, where most men were thronging, even by

the stern of the ship of greathearted Protesilaos, and he smote Pyraichmes, who led his Paionian horsemen

out of Amydon, from the wide water of Axios; him he smote on the right shoulder, and he fell on his back in

the dust with a groan, and his comrades around him, the Paionians, were afraid, for Patroklos sent fear among

them all, when he slew their leader that was ever the best in fight. Then he drove them out from the ships, and

quenched the burning fire. And the halfburnt ship was left there, and the Trojans fled, with a marvellous din,

and the Danaans poured in among the hollow ships, and ceaseless was the shouting. And as when from the

high crest of a great hill Zeus, the gatherer of the lightning, hath stirred a dense cloud, and forth shine all the

peaks, and sharp promontories, and glades, and from heaven the infinite air breaks open, even so the

Danaans, having driven the blazing fire from the ships, for a little while took breath, but there was no pause

in the battle. For not yet were the Trojans driven in utter rout by the Achaians, dear to Ares, from the black

ships, but they still stood up against them, and only perforce gave ground from the ships. But even as robber

wolves fall on the lambs or kids, choosing them out of the herds, when they are scattered on hills by the

witlessness of the shepherd, and the wolves behold it, and speedily harry the younglings that have no heart of

courage,even so the Danaans fell on the Trojans, and they were mindful of illsounding flight, and forgot

But that great Aias ever was fain to cast his spear at Hector of the helm of bronze, but he, in his cunning of

war, covered his broad shoulders with his shield of bulls' hide, and watched the hurtling of the arrows, and

the noise of spears. And verily well he knew the change in the mastery of war, but even so he abode, and was

And as when from Olympus a cloud fares into heaven, from the sacred air, when Zeus spreadeth forth the

tempest, even so from the ships came the warcry and the rout, nor in order due did they cross the ditch

again. But his swiftfooted horses bare Hector forth with his arms, and he left the host of Troy, whom the

delved trench restrained against their will. And in the trench did many swift steeds that draw the car break the

But Patroklos followed after, crying fiercely to the Danaans, and full of evil will against the Trojans, while

they with cries and flight filled all the ways, for they were scattered, and on high the storm of dust was

scattered below the clouds, and the wholehooved horses strained back towards the city, away from the ships

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 105

But even where Patroklos saw the folk thickest in the rout, thither did he guide his horses with a cry, and

under his axletrees men fell prone from their chariots, and the cars were overturned with a din of shattering.

But straight over the ditch, in forward flight, leaped the swift horses. And the heart of Patroklos urged him

against Hector, for he was eager to smite him, but his swift steeds bore Hector forth and away. And even as

beneath a tempest the whole black earth is oppressed, on an autumn day, when Zeus pours forth rain most

vehemently, and all the rivers run full, and many a scaur the torrents tear away, and down to the dark sea they

rush headlong from the hills, roaring mightily, and minished are the works of men, even so mighty was the

Now Patroklos when he had cloven the nearest companies, drave them backward again to the ships, nor

suffered them to approach the city, despite their desire, but between the ships, and the river, and the lofty

wall, he rushed on them, and slew them, and avenged many a comrade slain. There first he smote Pronoos

with a shining spear, where the shield left bare the breast, and loosened his limbs, and he fell with a crash.

Then Thestor the son of Enops he next assailed, as he sat crouching in the polished chariot, for he was struck

distraught, and the reins flew from his hands. Him he drew near, and smote with the lance on the right jaw,

and clean pierced through his teeth. And Patroklos caught hold of the spear and dragged him over the rim of

the car, as when a man sits on a jutting rock, and drags a sacred fish forth from the sea, with line and

glittering hook of bronze; so on the bright spear dragged he Thestor gaping from the chariot, and cast him

down on his face and life left him as he fell. Next, as Euryalos came on, he smote him on the midst of the

head with a stone, and all his head was shattered within the strong helmet, and prone on the earth he fell, and

death that slayeth the spirit overwhelmed him. Next Erymas, and Amphoteros, and Epaltes and Tlepolemos

son of Damastor, and Echios and Pyris, and Ipheus and Euippos, and Polymelos son of Argeas, all these in

turn he brought low to the bounteous earth. But when Sarpedon beheld his comrades with ungirdled doublets,

subdued beneath the hands of Patroklos son of Menoitios, he cried aloud, upbraiding the godlike Lykians:

"Shame, ye Lykians, whither do ye flee? Now be ye strong, for I will encounter this man that I may know

who he is that conquers here, and verily many evils hath he wrought the Trojans, in that he hath loosened the

So spake he, and leaped with his arms from the chariot to the ground. But Patroklos, on the other side, when

he beheld him leaped from his chariot. And they, like vultures of crooked talons and curved beaks, that war

with loud yells on some high cliff, even so they rushed with cries against each other. And beholding then the

son of Kronos of the crooked counsels took pity on them, and he spake to Hera, his sister and wife: "Ah woe

is me for that it is fated that Sarpedon, the bestbeloved of men to me, shall be subdued under Patroklos son

of Menoitios. And in two ways my heart within my breast is divided, as I ponder whether I should catch him

up alive out of the tearful war, and set him down in the rich land of Lykia, or whether I should now subdue

Then the oxeyed lady Hera made answer to him: "Most dread son of Kronos, what word is this thou hast

spoken? A mortal man long doomed to fate dost thou desire to deliver again from death of evil name? Work

thy will, but all we other gods will in no wise praise thee. And another thing I will tell thee, and do thou lay it

up in thy heart; if thou dost send Sarpedon living to his own house, consider lest thereon some other god

likewise desire to send his own dear son away out of the strong battle. For round the great citadel of Priam

war many sons of the Immortals, and among the Immortals wilt thou send terrible wrath. But if he be dear to

thee, and thy heart mourns for him, truly then suffer him to be subdued in the strong battle beneath the hands

of Patroklos son of Menoitios, but when his soul and life leave that warrior, send Death and sweet Sleep to

bear him, even till they come to the land of wide Lykia, there will his kindred and friends bury him, with a

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 106

So spake she, nor did the father of gods and men disregard her. But he shed bloody raindrops on the earth,

honouring his dear son, that Patroklos was about to slay in the deepsoiled land of Troia, far off from his own

country. Now when they were come near each other in onset, there verily did Patroklos smite the renowned

Thrasymelos, the good squire of the prince Sarpedon, on the lower part of the belly, and loosened his limbs.

But Sarpedon missed him with his shining javelin, as he in turn rushed on, but wounded the horse Pedasos on

the right shoulder with the spear, and he shrieked as he breathed his life away, and fell crying in the dust, and

his spirit fled from him. But the other twain reared this way and that, and the yoke creaked, and the reins

were confused on them, when their tracehorse lay in the dust. But thereof did Automedon, the spearman

renowned, find a remedy, and drawing his longedged sword from his stout thigh, he leaped forth, and cut

adrift the horse, with no delay, and the pair righted themselves, and strained in the reins, and they met again

Then again Sarpedon missed with his shining dart, and the point of the spear flew over the left shoulder of

Patroklos and smote him not, but he in turn arose with the bronze, and his javelin flew not vainly from his

hand, but struck Sarpedon even where the midriff clasps the beating heart. And he fell as falls an oak, or a

silver poplar, or a slim pine tree, that on the hills the shipwrights fell with whetted axes, to be timber for

shipbuilding; even so before the horses and chariot he lay at length, moaning aloud, and clutching at the

bloody dust. And as when a lion hath fallen on a herd, and slain a bull, tawny and high of heart, among the

kine of trailing gait, and he perishes groaning beneath the claws of the lion, even so under Patroklos did the

leader of the Lykian shieldmen rage, even in death, and he called to his dear comrade: "Dear Glaukos,

warrior among warlike men, now most doth it behove thee to be a spearman, and a hardy fighter: now let

baneful war be dear to thee, if indeed thou art a man of might. First fare all about and urge on the heroes that

be leaders of the Lykians, to fight for Sarpedon, and thereafter thyself do battle for me with the sword. For to

thee even in time to come shall I be shame and disgrace for ever, all thy days, if the Achaians strip me of

mine armour, fallen in the gathering of the ships. Nay, hold out manfully, and spur on all the host."

Even as he spake thus, the end of death veiled over his eyes and his nostrils, but Patroklos, setting foot on his

breast drew the spear out of his flesh, and the midriff followed with the spear, so that he drew forth together

the spear point, and the soul of Sarpedon; and the Myrmidons held there his panting steeds, eager to fly afar,

Then dread sorrow came on Glaukos, when he heard the voice of Sarpedon, and his heart was stirred, that he

availed not to succour him. And with his hand he caught and held his arm, for the wound galled him, the

wound of the arrow wherewith, as he pressed on towards the lofty wall, Teukros had smitten him, warding off

destruction from his fellows. Then in prayer spake Glaukos to fardarting Apollo: "Hear, O Prince that art

somewhere in the rich land of Lykia, or in Troia, for thou canst listen everywhere to the man that is in need,

as even now need cometh upon me. For I have this stark wound, and mine arm is thoroughly pierced with

sharp pains, nor can my blood be stanched, and by the wound is my shoulder burdened, and I cannot hold my

spear firm, nor go and fight against the enemy. And the best of men has perished, Sarpedon, the son of Zeus,

and he succours not even his own child. But do thou, O Prince, heal me this stark wound, and lull my pains,

and give me strength, that I may call on my Lykian kinsmen, and spur them to the war, and myself may fight

So spake he in his prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Straightway he made his pains to cease, and in the

grievous wound stanched the black blood, and put courage into his heart. And Glaukos knew it within him,

and was glad, for that the great god speedily heard his prayer. First went he all about and urged on them that

were leaders of the Lykians to fight around Sarpedon, and thereafter he went with long strides among the

Trojans, to Polydamas son of Panthoos and noble Agenor, and he went after Aineias, and Hector of the helm

of bronze, and standing by them spake winged words: "Hector, now surely art thou utterly forgetful of the

allies, that for thy sake, far from their friends and their own country, breathe their lives away! but thou carest

not to aid them! Sarpedon lies low, the leader of the Lykian shieldmen, he that defended Lykia by his dooms

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 107

and his might, yea him hath mailed Ares subdued beneath the spear of Patroklos. But, friends, stand by him,

and be angry in your hearts lest the Myrmidons strip him of his harness, and dishonour the dead, in wrath for

the sake of the Danaans, even them that perished, whom we slew with spears by the swift ships."

So spake he, and sorrow seized the Trojans utterly, ungovernable and not to be borne; for Sarpedon was ever

the stay of their city, all a stranger as he was, for many people followed with him, and himself the best

warrior of them all. Then they made straight for the Danaans eagerly, and Hector led them, being wroth for

Sarpedon's sake. But the fierce heart of Patrokloa son of Menoitios urged on the Achaians. And he spake first

to the twain Aiantes that themselves were right eager: "Aiantes, now let defence be your desire, and be such

as afore ye were among men, or even braver yet. That man lies low who first leaped on to the wall of the

Achaians, even Sarpedon. Nay, let us strive to take him, and work his body shame, and strip the harness from

his shoulders, and many a one of his comrades fighting for his sake let us subdue with the pitiless bronze."

So spake he, and they themselves were eager in defence. So on both sides they strengthened the companies,

Trojans and Lykians, Myrmidons and Achaians, and they joined battle to fight around the dead man fallen;

terribly they shouted, and loud rang the harness of men. And as the din ariseth of woodcutters in the glades of

a mountain, and the sound thereof is heard far away, so rose the din of them from the widewayed earth, the

noise of bronze and of welltanned bulls' hides smitten with swords and doublepointed spears. And now not

even a clearsighted man could any longer have known noble Sarpedon, for with darts and blood and dust

was he covered wholly from head to foot. And ever men thronged about the dead, as in a steading flies buzz

around the full milkpails, in the season of spring, when the milk drenches the bowls, even so thronged they

about the dead. Nor ever did Zeus turn from the strong fight his shining eyes, but ever looked down on them,

and much in his heart he debated of the slaying of Patroklos, whether there and then above divine Sarpedon

glorious Hector should slay him likewise in strong battle with the sword, and strip his harness from his

shoulders, or whether to more men yet he should deal sheer labour of war. And thus to him as he pondered it

seemed the better way, that the gallant squire of Achilles, Peleus' son, should straightway drive the Trojans

and Hector of the helm of bronze towards the city, and should rob many of their life. And in Hector first he

put a weakling heart, and leaping into his car Hector turned in flight, and cried on the rest of the Trojans to

flee, for he knew the turning of the sacred scales of Zeus. Thereon neither did the strong Lykians abide, but

fled all in fear, when they beheld their king stricken to the heart, lying in the company of the dead, for many

had fallen above him, when Kronion made fierce the fight. Then the others stripped from the shoulders of

Sarpedon his shining arms of bronze, and these the strong son of Menoitios gave to his comrades to bear to

the hollow ships. Then Zeus that gathereth the clouds spake to Apollo: "Prithee, dear Phoebus, go take

Sarpedon out of range of darts, and cleanse the black blood from him, and thereafter bear him far away, and

bathe him in the streams of the river, and anoint him with ambrosia, and clothe him in garments that wax not

old, and send him to be wafted by fleet convoy, by the twin brethren Sleep and Death, that quickly will set

him in the rich land of wide Lykia. There will his kinsmen and clansmen give him burial, with barrow and

So spake he, nor was Apollo disobedient to his father. He went down the hills of Ida to the dread battle din,

and straight way bore goodly Sarpedon out of the darts, and carried him far away and bathed him in the

streams of the river, and anointed him with ambrosia, and clad him in garments that wax not old, and sent

him to be wafted by fleet convoy, the twin brethren Sleep and Death, that swiftly set him down in the rich

land of wide Lykia. But Patroklos cried to his horses and Automedon, and after the Trojans and Lykians went

he, and so was blindly forgetful, in his witlessness, for if he had kept the saying of the son of Peleus, verily he

should have escaped the evil fate of black death. But ever is the wit of Zeus stronger than the wit of men, so

now he roused the spirit of Patroklos in his breast. There whom first, whom last didst thou slay, Patroklos,

when the gods called thee deathward? Adrestos first, and Autonoos, and Echeklos, and Perimos, son of

Megas, and Epistor, and Melanippos, and thereafter Elasos, and Moulios, and Pylartes; these he slew, but the

others were each man of them fain of flight. Then would the sons of the Achaians have taken highgated

Troy, by the hands of Patroklos, for around and before him he raged with the spear, but that Phoebus Apollo

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 108

stood on the wellbuilded wall, with baneful thoughts towards Patroklos, and succouring the Trojans. Thrice

clomb Patroklos on the corner of the lofty wall, and thrice did Apollo force him back and smote the shining

shield with his immortal hands. But when for the fourth time he came on like a god, then cried fardarting

Apollo terribly, and spake winged words: "Give back, Patroklos of the seed of Zeus! Not beneath thy spear is

it fated that the city of the valiant Trojans shall fall, nay nor beneath Achilles, a man far better than thou."

So spake he, and Patroklos retreated far back, avoiding the wrath of fardarting Apollo. But Hector within

the Skaian gates was restraining his wholehooved horses, pondering whether he should drive again into the

din and fight, or should call unto the host to gather to the wall. While thus he was thinking, Phoebus Apollo

stood by him in the guise of a young man and a strong, Asios, who was the mother's brother of horse taming

Hector, being own brother of Hekabe, and son of Dymas, who dwelt in Phrygia, on the streams of Sangarios.

In his guise spake Apollo, son of Zeus, to Hector: "Hector, wherefore dost thou cease from fight? It doth not

behove thee. Would that I were as much stronger than thou as I am weaker, thereon quickly shouldst thou

stand aloof from war to thy hurt. But come, turn against Patroklos thy stronghooved horses, if per chance

So spake the god, and went back again into the moil of men. But renowned Hector bade wisehearted

Kebriones to lash his horses into the war. Then Apollo went and passed into the press, and sent a dread panic

among the Argives, but to the Trojans and Hector gave he renown. And Hector let the other Argives be, and

slew none of them, but against Patroklos he turned his stronghooved horses, and Patroklos on the other side

leaped from his chariot to the ground, with a spear in his left hand, and in his other hand grasped a shining

jagged stone, that his hand covered. Firmly he planted himself and hurled it, nor long did he shrink from his

foe, nor was his cast in vain, but he struck Kebriones the charioteer of Hector, the bastard son of renowned

Priam, on the brow with the sharp stone, as he held the reins of the horses. Both his brows the stone drave

together, and his bone held not, but his eyes fell to the ground in the dust, there, in front of his feet. Then he,

like a diver, fell from the wellwrought car, and his spirit left his bones. Then taunting him didst thou address

him, knightly Patroklos: "Out on it, how nimble a man, how lightly he diveth! Yea, if perchance he were on

the teeming deep, this man would satisfy many by seeking for oysters, leaping from the ship, even if it were

stormy weather, so lightly now he diveth from the chariot into the plain. Verily among the Trojans too there

So speaking he set on the hero Kebriones with the rush of a lion, that while wasting the cattlepens is smitten

in the breast, and his own valour is his bane, even so against Kebriones, Patroklos, didst thou leap furiously.

But Hector, on the other side, leaped from his chariot to the ground. And these twain strove for Kebriones

like lions, that on the mountain peaks fight, both hungering, both high of heart, for a slain hind. Even so for

Kebriones' sake these two masters of the warcry, Patroklos son of Menoitios, and renowned Hector, were

Hector then seized him by the head, and slackened not hold, while Patroklos on the other side grasped him by

the foot, and thereon the others, Trojans and Danaans, joined strong battle. And as the East wind and the

South contend with one another in shaking a deep wood in the dells of a mountain, shaking beech, and ash,

and smoothbarked cornel tree, that clash against each other their long boughs with marvellous din, and a

noise of branches broken, so the Trojans and Achaians were leaping on each other and slaying, nor had either

side any thought of ruinous flight. And many sharp darts were fixed around Kebriones, and winged arrows

leaping from the bowstring, and many mighty stones smote the shields of them that fought around him. But

he in the whirl of dust lay mighty and mightily fallen, forgetful of his chivalry.

Now while the sun was going about midheaven, so long the darts smote either side, and the host fell, but

when the sun turned to the time of the loosing of oxen, lo, then beyond their doom the Achaians proved the

better. The hero Kebriones drew they forth from the darts, out of the tumult of the Trojans, and stripped the

harness from his shoulders, and with ill design against the Trojans, Patroklos rushed upon them. Three times

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 109

then rushed he on, peer of swift Ares, shouting terribly, and thrice he slew nine men. But when the fourth

time he sped on like a god, thereon to thee, Patroklos, did the end of life appear, for Phoebus met thee in the

strong battle, in dreadful wise. And Patroklos was not ware of him coming through the press, for hidden in

thick mist did he meet him, and stood behind him, and smote his back and broad shoulders with a

downstroke of his hand, and his eyes were dazed. And from his head Phoebus Apollo smote the helmet that

rolled rattling away with a din beneath the hooves of the horses, the helm with upright socket, and the crests

were defiled with blood and dust. And all the longshadowed spear was shattered in the hands of Patroklos,

the spear great and heavy and strong, and sharp, while from his shoulders the tasselled shield with the baldric

And the prince Apollo, son of Zeus, loosed his corslet, and blindness seized his heart and his shining limbs

were unstrung, and he stood in amaze, and at close quarters from behind a Dardanian smote him on the back,

between the shoulders, with a sharp spear, even Euphorbos, son of Panthoos, who excelled them of his age in

casting the spear, and in horsemanship, and in speed of foot. Even thus, verily, had he cast down twenty men

from their chariots, though then first had he come with his car to learn the lesson of war. He it was that first

smote a dart into thee, knightly Patroklos, nor overcame thee, but ran back again and mingled with the

throng, first drawing forth from the flesh his ashen spear, nor did he abide the onset of Patroklos, unarmed as

he was, in the strife. But Patroklos, being overcome by the stroke of the god, and by the spear, gave ground,

and retreated to the host of his comrades, avoiding Fate. But Hector, when he beheld greathearted Patroklos

give ground, being smitten with the keen bronze, came nigh unto him through the ranks, and wounded him

with a spear, in the lowermost part of the belly, and drave the bronze clean through. And he fell with a crash,

and sorely grieved the host of Achaians. And as when a lion hath overcome in battle an untiring boar, they

twain fighting with high heart on the crests of a hill, about a little well, and both are desirous to drink, and the

lion hath by force overcome the boar that draweth difficult breath; so after that he had slain many did Hector

son of Priam take the life away from the strong son of Menoitios, smiting him at close quarters with the

spear; and boasting over him he spake winged words: "Patroklos, surely thou saidst that thou wouldst sack

my town, and from Trojan women take away the day of freedom, and bring them in ships to thine own dear

country: fool! nay, in front of these were the swift horses of Hector straining their speed for the fight; and

myself in wielding the spear excel among the warloving Trojans, even I who ward from them the day of

destiny: but thee shall vultures here devour. Ah, wretch, surely Achilles for all his valour, availed thee not,

who straitly charged thee as thou camest, he abiding there, saying, 'Come not to me, Patroklos lord of steeds,

to the hollow ships, till thou hast torn the gory doublet of manslaying Hector about his breast;' so, surely, he

Then faintly didst thou answer him, knightly Patroklos: "Boast greatly, as now, Hector, for to thee have Zeus,

son of Kronos, and Apollo given the victory, who lightly have subdued me; for themselves stripped my

harness from my shoulders. But if twenty such as thou had encountered me, here had they all perished,

subdued beneath my spear. But me have ruinous Fate and the son of Leto slain, and of men Euphorbos, but

thou art the third in my slaying. But another thing will I tell thee, and do thou lay it up in thy heart: verily

thou thyself art not long to live, but already doth Death stand hard by thee, and strong Fate, that thou art to be

Even as so he spake the end of death overshadowed him. And his soul, fleeting from his limbs, went down to

Then renowned Hector spake to him even in his death: "Patroklos, wherefore to me dolt thou prophesy sheer

destruction? who knows but that Achilles, the child of fairtressed Thetis, will first be smitten by my spear,

So spake he, and drew the spear of bronze from the wound, setting his foot on the dead, and cast him off on

his back from the spear. And straightway with the spear he went after Automedon, the godlike squire of the

BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. 110

swiftfooted Aiakides, for he was eager to smite him; but his swiftfooted immortal horses bare him out of

But Atreus' son, Menelaos dear to Ares, was not unaware of the slaying of Patroklos by the Trojans in the

fray. He went up through the front of the fight harnessed in flashing bronze, and strode over the body as

above a firstborn calf standeth lowing its mother. Thus above Patroklos strode fairhaired Menelaos, and

before him held his spear and the circle of his shield, eager to slay whoever should encounter him. Then was

Panthoos' son of the stout ashen spear not heedless of noble Patroklos as he lay, and he smote on the circle of

the shield of Menelaos, but the bronze spear brake it not, but the point was bent back in the stubborn shield.

And Menelaos Atreus' son in his turn made at him with his bronze spear, having prayed unto father Zeus, and

as he gave back pierced the nether part of his throat, and threw his weight into the stroke, following his heavy

hand; and sheer through the tender neck went the point of the spear. And he fell with a crash, and his armour

rang upon him. In blood was his hair drenched that was like unto the hair of the Graces, and his tresses

Then easily would the son of Atreus have borne off the noble spoils of Panthoos' son, had not Phoebus

Apollo grudged it to him, and aroused against him Hector peer of swift Ares, putting on the semblance of a

man, of Mentes chief of the Kikones. And he spake aloud to him winged words: "Hector, now art thou

hasting after things unattainable, even the horses of wise Aiakides; for hard are they to be tamed or driven by

mortal man, save only Achilles whom an immortal mother bare. Meanwhile hath warlike Menelaos Atreus'

son stridden over Patroklos and slain the best of the Trojans there, even Panthoos' son Euphorbos, and hath

Thus saying the god went back into the strife of men, but dire grief darkened Hectors inmost soul, and then

he gazed searchingly along the lines, and straightway was aware of the one man stripping off the noble arms,

and the other lying on the earth; and blood was flowing about the gaping wound. Then he went through the

front of the fight harnessed in flashing bronze, crying a shrill cry, like unto Hephaistos' flame unquenchable.

Not deaf to his shrill cry was Atreus' son, and sore troubled he spake to his great heart: "Ay me, if I shall

leave behind me these goodly arms, and Patroklos who here lieth for my vengeance' sake, I fear lest some

Danaan beholding it be wroth against me. But if for honour's sake I do battle alone with Hector and the

Trojans, I fear lest they come about me many against one; for all the Trojans is brighthelmed Hector leading

hither. But if I might somewhere find Aias of the loud warcry, then both together would we go and be

mindful of battle even were it against the power of heaven, if haply we might save his dead for Achilles

While thus he communed with his mind and heart, therewithal the Trojan ranks came onward, and Hector at

their head. Then Menelaos gave backward, and left the dead man, turning himself ever about like a

deepwaned lion which men and dogs chase from a fold with spears and cries; and his strong heart within

him groweth chill, and loth goeth he from the steading; so from Patroklos went fairhaired Menelaos, and

turned and stood, when he came to the host of his comrades, searching for mighty Aias Telamon's son. Him

very speedily he espied on the left of the whole battle, cheering his comrades and rousing them to fight, for

great terror had Phoebus Apollo sent on them; and he hasted him to run, and straightway stood by him and

said: "This way, beloved Aias; let us bestir us for the dead Patroklos, if haply his naked corpse at least we

may carry to Achilles, though his armour is held by Hector of the glancing helm."

Thus spake he, and aroused the heart of wise Aias. And he went up through the front of the fight, and with

him fairhaired Menelaos. Now Hector, when he had stripped from Patroklos his noble armour, was dragging

him thence that he might cut off the head from the shoulders with the keen bronze and carry his body to give

to the dogs of Troy. But Aias came anigh, and the shield that he bare was as a tower; then Hector gave back

into the company of his comrades, and sprang into his chariot; and the goodly armour he gave to the Trojans

to carry to the city, to be great glory unto him. But Aias spread his broad shield over the son of Menoitios and

stood as it were a lion before his whelps when huntsmen in a forest encounter him as he leadeth his young.

And by his side stood Atreus' son, Menelaos dear to Ares, nursing great sorrow in his breast.

Then Hector called on the Trojans with a mighty shout; "Trojans and Lykians and Dardanians that fight hand

to hand, be men, my friends, and bethink you of impetuous valour, until I do on me the goodly arms of noble

Thus having spoken went Hector of the glancing helm forth out of the strife of war, and ran and speedily with

fleet feet following overtook his comrades, not yet far off, who were bearing to the city Peleides' glorious

arms. And standing apart from the dolorous battle he changed his armour; his own he gave the warlike

Trojans to carry to sacred Ilios, and he put on the divine arms of Achilles, Peleus' son.

But when Zeus that gathereth the clouds beheld from afar off Hector arming him in the armour of Peleus'

godlike son, he shook his head and spake thus unto his soul: "Ah, hapless man, no thought is in thy heart of

death that yet draweth nigh unto thee; thou doest on thee the divine armour of a peerless man before whom

the rest have terror. His comrade, gentle and brave, thou hast slain, and unmeetly hast stripped the armour

from his head and shoulders; yet now for a while at least I will give into thy hands great might, in

recompense for this, even that nowise shalt thou come home out of the battle, for Andromache to receive

But the armour fitted itself unto Hectors body, and Ares the dread wargod entered into him, and his limbs

were filled within with valour and strength. Then he sped among the noble allies with a mighty cry, and in the

flashing of his armour he seemed to all of them like unto Peleus' greathearted son. And he came to each and

encouraged him with his wordsMesthles and Glaukos and Medon and Thersilochos and Asteropaios and

Deisenor and Hippothoos and Phorkys and Chromios and the augur Ennomosthese encouraged he and

spake to them winged words: "Listen, ye countless tribes of allies that dwell round about. It was not for mere

numbers that I sought or longed when I gathered each of you from your cities, but that ye might zealously

guard the Trojans' wives and infant little ones from the warloving Achaians. For this end am I wearying my

people by taking gifts and food from them, and nursing thereby the courage of each of you. Now therefore let

all turn straight against the foe and live or die, for such is the dalliance of war. And whoso shall drag

Patroklos, dead though he be, among the horsetaming men of Troy, and make Aias yield, to him will I

award half the spoils and keep half myself; so shall his glory be great as mine."

Thus spake he, and they against the Danaans charged with all their weight, levelling their spears, and their

hearts were high of hope to drag the corpse from under Aias, Telamon's son. Fond men! from full many reft

he life over that corpse. And then spake Aias to Menelaos of the loud warcry: "Dear Menelaos, fosterling of

Zeus, no longer count I that we two of ourselves shall return home out of the war. Nor have I so much dread

for the corpse of Patroklos, that shall soon glut the dogs and birds of the men of Troy, as for thy head and

mine lest some evil fall thereon, for all is shrouded by a stormcloud of war, even by Hector, and sheer doom

stareth in our face. But come, call thou to the best men of the Danaans, if haply any hear."

Thus spake he, and Menelaos of the loud warcry disregarded him not, but shouted unto the Danaans, crying

a farheard cry: "O friends, ye leaders and counsellors of the Argives, who by the side of the sons of Atreus,

Agamemnon and Menelaos, drink at the common cost and are all commanders of the host, on whom wait

glory and honour from Zeus, hard is it for me to distinguish each chief amid the presssuch blaze is there of

the strife of war. But let each go forward of himself and be wroth at heart that Patroklos should become a

Thus spake he, and Oileus' son fleet Aias heard him clearly, and was first to run along the mellay to meet

him, and after him Idomeneus, and Idomeneus' brotherinarms, Meriones, peer of the manslaying

wargod. And who shall of his own thought tell the names of the rest, even of all that after these aroused the

Now the Trojans charged forward in close array, and Hector led them. And as when at the mouth of some

heavenborn river a mighty wave roareth against the stream, and arouseth the high cliffs' echo as the salt sea

belloweth on the beach, so loud was the cry wherewith the Trojans came. But the Achaians stood firm around

Menoitios' son with one soul all, walled in with shields of bronze. And over their bright helmets the son of

Kronos shed thick darkness, for in the former time was Menoitios' son not unloved of him, while he was yet

alive and squire of Aiakides. So was Zeus loth that he should become a prey of the dogs of his enemies at

Now first the Trojans thrust back the glancingeyed Achaians, who shrank before them and left the dead, yet

the proud Trojans slew not any of them with spears, though they were fain, but set to hale the corpse. But

little while would the Achaians hold back therefrom, for very swiftly Aias rallied them, Aias the first in

presence and in deeds of all the Danaans after the noble son of Peleus. Right through the fighters in the

forefront rushed he like a wild boar in his might that in the mountains when he turneth at bay scattereth

lightly dogs and lusty young men through the glades. Thus did proud Telamon's son the glorious Aias press

on the Trojan battalions and lightly scatter them, as they had bestrode Patroklos and were full fain to drag

Then would the Trojans in their turn in their weakness overcome have been driven back into Ilios by the

Achaians dear to Ares, and the Argives would have won glory even against the appointment of Zeus by their

power and might. But Apollo himself aroused Aineias, putting on the semblance of Periphas the herald, the

son of Epytos, who grew old with his old father in his heraldship, of friendly thought toward Aineias. In his

similitude spake Apollo, son of Zeus: "Aineias, how could ye ever guard high Ilios if it were against the will

of God? Other men have I seen that trust in their own might and power and valour, and in their host, even

though they have scant folk to lead. But here, albeit Zeus is fainer far to give victory to us than to the

Thus spake he, and Aineias knew fardarting Apollo when he looked upon his face, and spake unto Hector,

shouting loud "Hector and ye other leaders of the Trojans and their allies, shame were this if in our weakness

overcome we were driven back into Ilios by the Achaians dear to Ares. Nay, thus saith a god, who standeth

by my side : Zeus, highest Orderer, is our helper in this fight. Therefore let us go right. onward against the

Thus spake he, and leapt forth far before the fighters in the front. And the Trojans rallied and stood up against

the Achaians. Thus strove they as it had been fire, nor wouldst thou have thought there was still sun or moon,

for over all the battle where the chiefs stood around the slain son of Menoitios they were shrouded in

darkness, while the other Trojans and wellgreaved Achaians fought at ease in the clear air, and piercing

sunlight was spread over them, and on all the earth and hills there was no cloud seen; and they ceased

fighting now sad again, avoiding each other's dolorous darts and standing far apart. But they who were in the

midst endured affliction of the darkness and the battle, and all the best men of them were wearied by the

Thus all day long waxed the mighty fray of their sore strife; and unabatingly ever with the sweat of toil were

the knees and legs and feet of each man and arms anal eyes bedewed as the two hosts did battle around the

brave squire of fleet Aiakides. And as when a man giveth the hide of a great bull to his folk to stretch, all

soaked in fat, and they take and stretch it standing in a circle, and straightway the moisture thereof departeth

and the fat entereth in under the haling of many hands, and it is all stretched throughout,thus they on both

sides haled the dead man this way and that in narrow space, for their hearts were high of hope, the Trojans

that they should drag him to Ilios and the Achaians to the hollow ships; and around him the fray waxed wild,

nor might Ares rouser of hosts nor Athene despise the sight thereof, albeit their anger were exceeding great.

Such was the grievous travail of men and horses over Patroklos that Zeus on that day wrought. But not as yet

knew noble Achilles aught of Patroklos' death, for far away from the swift ships they were fighting beneath

the wall of the men of Troy. Therefore never deemed he in his heart that he was dead, but that he should

come back alive, after that he had touched the gates; for neither that other thought had he any wise, that

Now the rest continually around the dead man with their keen spears made onset relentlessly and slew each

the other. And thus would one speak among the mailclad Achaians: "Friends, it were verily not glorious for

us to go back to the hollow ships; rather let the black earth yawn for us all beneath our feet. Far better were

that straightway for us if we suffer the horsetaming Trojans to hale this man to their city and win renown."

And thus on the other side would one of the greathearted Trojans say: "Friends, though it were our fate that

all together we be slain beside this man, let none yet give backward from the fray."

Thus would one speak, and rouse the spirit of each. So they fought on, and the iron din went up through the

high desert air unto the brazen heaven. But the horses of Aiakides that were apart from the battle were

weeping, since first they were aware that their charioteer was fallen in the dust beneath the hand of

manslaying Hector. Verily Automedon, Diores' valiant son, plied them oft with blows of the swift lash, and

oft with gentle words he spake to them and oft with chiding, yet would they neither go back to the ships at the

broad Hellespont nor yet to the battle after the Achaians, but as a pillar abideth firm that standeth on the tomb

of a man or woman dead, so abode they immovably with the beautiful chariot, abasing their heads unto the

earth. And hot tears flowed from their eyes to the ground as they mourned in sorrow for their charioteer, and

their rich manes were soiled as they drooped from beneath the yokecushion on both sides beside the yoke.

And when the son of Kronos beheld them mourning he had compassion on them, and shook his head and

spake to his own heart: "Ah, hapless pair, why gave we you to king Peleus, a mortal man, while ye are

deathless and ever young? Was it that ye should suffer sorrows among illfated men? For methinketh there is

nothing more piteous than a man among all things that breathe and creep upon the earth. But verily Hector

Priam's son shall not drive you and your deftlywrought car; that will I not suffer. Is it a small thing that he

holdeth the armour and vaunteth himself vainly thereupon? Nay, I will put courage into your knees and heart

that ye may bring Automedon also safe out of the war to the hollow ships. For yet further will I increase

victory to the men of Troy, so that they slay until they come unto the welltimbered ships, and the sun set

Thus saying he breathed good courage into the horses. And they shook to earth the dust from their manes, and

lightly bare the swift car amid Trojans and Achaians. And behind them fought Automedon, albeit in grief for

his comrade, swooping with his chariot as a vulture on wild geese; for lightly he would flee out of the onset

of the Trojans and lightly charge, pursuing them through the thick mellay. Yet could he not slay any man as

he halted to pursue them, for it was impossible that being alone in his sacred car he should at once assail them

with the spear and hold his fleet horses. Then at last espied him a comrade, even Alkimedon son of Laerkes,

son of Haimon, and he halted behind the car and spake unto Automedon: "Automedon, what god hath put

into thy breast unprofitable counsel and taken from thee wisdom, that thus alone thou art fighting against the

Trojans in the forefront of the press? Thy comrade even now was slain, and Hector goeth proudly, wearing on

And Automedon son of Diores answered him, saying: "Alkimedon, what other Achaian hath like skill to

guide the spirit of immortal steeds, save only Patroklos, peer of gods in counsel, while he yet lived? but now

have death and fate overtaken him. But take thou the lash and shining reins, and I will get me down from my,

Thus spake he, and Alkimedon leapt on the fleet warchariot and swiftly took the lash and reins in his hands,

and Automedon leapt down. And noble Hector espied them, and straightway spake unto Aineias as he stood

near: "Aineias, counsellor of mailclad Trojans, I espy here the two horses of fleet Aiakides come forth to

battle with feeble charioteers. Therefore might I hope to take them if thou in thy heart art willing, since they

Thus spake he, and the brave son of Anchises disregarded him not. And they twain went right onward, their

shoulders shielded by oxhides dried and tough, and bronze thick overlaid. And with them went both

Chromios and godlike Aretos, and their hearts were of high hope to slay the men and drive off the

strongnecked horsesfond hope, for not without blood lost were they to get them back from Automedon.

He praying to father Zeus was filled in his inmost heart with valour and strength. And straightway he spake to

Alkimedon, his faithful comrade: "Alkimedon, hold the horses not far from me, but with their very breath

upon my back; for I deem that Hector the son of Priam will not refrain him from his fury until he mount

behind Achilles' horses of goodly manes after slaying us twain, and dismay the ranks of Argive men, or else

Thus said he, and called upon the Aiantes and Menelaos: "Aiantes, leaders of the Argives, and Menelaos, lo

now, commit ye the corpse unto whoso may best avail to bestride it and resist the ranks of men, and come ye

to ward the day of doom from us who are yet alive, for here in the dolorous war are Hector and Aineias, the

best men of the Trojans, pressing hard. Yet verily these issues lie in the lap of the gods: I too will cast my

He said, and poised his farshadowing spear and hurled it, and smote on the circle of the shield of Aretos,

and the shield sustained not the spear, but right through went the bronze, and he forced it into his belly low

down through his belt. And as when a strong man with a sharp axe smiting behind the horns of an ox of the

homestead cleaveth the sinew asunder, and the ox leapeth forward and falleth, so leapt Aretos forward and

fell on his back; and the spear in his entrails very pierc ingly quivering unstrung his limbs. And Hector

hurled at Automedon with his bright spear, but he looked steadfastly on the bronze javelin as it came at him

and avoided it, for he stooped forward, and the long spear fixed itself in the ground behind, and the

javelinbutt quivered, and there dread Ares took away its force. And then had they lashed at each other with

their swords hand to hand, had not the Aiantes parted them in their fury, when they were come through the

mellay at their comrades' call. Before them Hector and Aineias and godlike Chromios shrank backward and

gave ground and left Aretos wounded to the death as he lay. And Automedon, peer of swift Ares, stripped off

the armour of the dead, and spake exultingly: "Verily, I have a little eased my heart of grief for the death of

Thus saying he took up the gory spoils and set them in his car, and gat him thereon, with feet and hands all

Now greathearted Aias and Menelaos were aware of Zeus how he gave the Trojans their turn to victory.

First of these to speak was great Aias son of Telamon: "Ay me, now may any man, even though he be a very

fool, know that father Zeus himself is helping the Trojans. Come, let us ourselves devise some excellent

means, that we may both hale the corpse away and ourselves return home to the joy of our friends, who

grieve as they look hitherward and deem that no longer shall the fury of manslaying Hector's

unapproachable hand refrain itself, but fall upon the black ships. And would there were some comrade to

carry tidings with all speed unto the son of Peleus, since I deem that he hath not even heard the grievous

tidings, how his dear comrade is slain. But nowhere can I behold such an one among the Achaians, for

themselves and their horses likewise are wrapped in darkness. O father Zeus, deliver thou the sons of the

Achaians from the darkness, and make clear sky and vouchsafe sight unto our eyes. In the light be it that thou

Then fairhaired Menelaos departed glancing everywhither, as an eagle which men say hath keenest sight of

all birds under heaven, and though he be far aloft the fleetfooted hare eludeth him not by crouching beneath

a leafy bush, but the eagle swoopeth thereon and swiftly seizeth her and taketh her life. Thus in that hour,

Menelaos fosterling of Zeus, ranged thy shining eyes everywhither through the multitude of the host of thy

comrades, if haply they might behold Nestor's son yet alive. Him quickly he perceived at the left of the whole

battle, heartening his comrades and rousing them to fight. And fairhaired Menelaos came and stood nigh

and said unto him: "Antilochos, fosterling of Zeus, come hither that thou mayest learn woful tidingswould

it had never been. Ere now, I ween, thou too hast known by thy beholding that God rolleth mischief upon the

Danaans, and with the Trojans is victory. And slain is the best man of the Achaians, Patroklos, and great

sorrow is wrought for the Danaans. But run thou to the ships of the Achaians and quickly tell this to Achilles,

if haply he may straightway rescue to his ship the naked corpse: but his armour is held by Hector of the

Thus spake he, and Antilochos had horror of the word he heard. And long time speechlessness possessed him,

and his eyes were filled with tears, and his full voice choked. Yet for all this disregarded he not the bidding of

Menelaos, but set him to run, when he had given his armour to a noble comrade, Laodokos, who close anigh

So him his feet bare out of the battle weeping, to Achilles son of Peleus carrying an evil tale. But thy heart,

Menelaos fosterling of Zeus, chose not to stay to aid the wearied comrades from whom Antilochos departed,

and great sorrow was among the Pylians. But to them Menelaos sent noble Thrasymedes, and himself went

again to bestride the hero Patroklos. And he hasted and stood beside the Aiantes and straightway spake to

them: "So have I sent that man to the swift ships to go to fleetfooted Achilles. Yet deem I not that he will

now come, for all his wrath against noble Hector, for he could not fight unarmed against the men of Troy. But

let us ourselves devise some excellent means, both how we may hale the dead away, and how we ourselves

Then answered him great Aias Telamon's son, saying: "All this hast thou said well, most noble Menelaos. But

do thou and Meriones put your shoulders beneath the dead and lift him and bear him swiftly out of the fray,

while we twain behind you shall do battle with the Trojans and noble Hector, one in heart as we are in name,

Thus spake he, and the others took the dead man in their arms and lifted him mightily on high. But the Trojan

host behind cried aloud when they saw the Achaians lifting the corpse, and charged like hounds that spring in

front of hunteryouths upon a wounded wild boar, and for a while run in haste to rend him, but when he

wheeleth round among them, trusting in his might, then they give ground and shrink back here and there.

Thus for a while the Trojans pressed on with all their power, striking with swords and doubleheaded spears,

but when the Aiantes turned about and halted over against them, then they changed colour, and none dared

Thus fought the rest in the likeness of blazing fire, while to Achilles came Antilochos, a messenger fleet of

foot. Him found he in front of his ships of upright horns, boding in his soul the things which even now were

accomplished. And sore troubled he spake to his great heart: "Ay me, wherefore again are the flowinghaired

Achaians flocking to the ships and flying in rout over the plain? May the gods not have wrought against me

the grevious fears at my heart, even as my mother revealed and told me that while I am yet alive the best man

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. 116

of the Myrmidons must by deed of the men of Troy forsake the light of the sun. Surely now must Menoitios'

valiant son be deadfoolhardy! surely I bade him when he should have beaten off the fire of the foe to come

While thus he held debate in his heart and soul, there drew nigh unto him noble Nestor's son, shedding hot

tears, and spake his grievous tidings: "Ay me, wise Peleus' son, very bitter tidings must thou hear, such as I

would had never been. Fallen is Patroklos, and they are fighting around his body, naked, for his armour is

Thus spake he, and a black cloud of grief enwrapped Achilles, and with both hands he took dark dust and

poured it over his head and defiled his comely face, and on his fragrant doublet black ashes fell. And himself

in the dust lay mighty and mightily fallen, and with his own hands tore and marred his hair. And the

handmaidens, whom Achilles and Patroklos took captive, cried aloud in the grief of their hearts, and ran forth

around valiant Achilles, and all beat on their breasts with their hands, and the knees of each of them were

unstrung. And Antilochos on the other side wailed and shed tears, holding Achilles' hands while he groaned

in his noble heart, for he feared lest he should cleave his throat with the sword. Then terribly moaned

Achilles; and his lady mother heard him as she sate in the depths of the sea beside her ancient sire. And

thereon she uttered a cry, and the goddesses flocked around her, all the daughters of Nereus that were in the

deep of the sea. With these the bright cave was filled, and they all beat together on their breasts, and Thetis

led the lament: "Listen, sister Nereids, that ye all hear and know well what sorrows are in my heart. Ay me

unhappy, ay me that bare to my sorrow the first of men! For after I had borne a son noble and strong, the

chief of heroes, and he shot up like a young branch, then when I had reared him as a plant in a very fruitful

field I sent him in beaked ships to Ilios to fight against the men of Troy; but never again shall I welcome him

back to his home, to the house of Peleus. And while he yet liveth in my sight and beholdeth the light of the

sun, he sorroweth, neither can I help him any whit though I go unto him. But I will go, that I may look upon

my dear child, and learn what sorrow hath come to him though he abide aloof from the war."

Thus spake she and left the cave; and the nymphs went with her weeping, and around them the surge of the

sea was sundered. And when they came to deepsoiled Troyland they went up upon the shore in order,

where the ships of the Myrmidons were drawn up thickly around fleet Achilles. And as he groaned heavily

his lady mother stood beside him, and with a shrill cry clasped the bead of her child, and spake unto him

winged words of lamentation: "My child, why weepest thou? what sorrow hath come to thy heart? Tell it

forth, hide it not. One thing at least hath been accomplished of Zeus according to the prayer thou madest,

holding up to him thy hands, that the sons of the Achaians should all be pent in at the ships, through lack of

Then groaning heavily spake unto her Achilles fleet of foot: "My mother, that prayer truly hath the Olympian

accomplished for me. But what delight have I therein, since my dear comrade is dead, Patroklos, whom I

honoured above all my comrades as it were my very self! Him have I lost, and Hector that slew him hath

stripped from him the armour great and fair, a wonder to behold, that the gods gave to Peleus a splendid gift,

on the day when they laid thee in the bed of a mortal man. Would thou hadst abode among the deathless

daughters of the sea, and Peleus had wedded a mortal bride! But now, that thou mayest have sorrow a

thousand fold in thy heart for a dead son, never shalt thou welcome him back home, since my soul biddeth

me also live no longer nor abide among men, if Hector be not first smitten by my spear and yield his life, and

Then answered unto him Thetis shedding tears: "Shortlived, I ween, must thou be then, my child, by what

Then mightily moved spake unto her Achilles fleet of foot: "Straightway may I die, since I might not succour

my comrade at his slaying. He hath fallen afar from his country and lacked my help in his sore need. Now

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. 117

therefore, since I go not back to my dear native land, neither have at all been succour to Patroklos nor to all

my other comrades that have been slain by noble Hector, but I sit beside my ships a profitless burden of the

earth, I that in war am such an one as is none else of the mailclad Achaians, though in council are others

bettermay strife perish utterly among gods and men, and wrath that stirreth even a wise man to be vexed,

wrath that far sweeter than trickling honey waxeth like smoke in the breasts of men, even as I was wroth even

now against Aga memnon king of men. But bygones will we let be, for all our pain, curbing the heart in our

breasts under necessity. Now go I forth, that I may light on the destroyer of him I loved, on Hector: then will

I accept my death whensoever Zeus willeth to accomplish it and the other immortal gods. For not even the

mighty Herakles escaped death, albeit most dear to Kronian Zeus the king, but Fate overcame him and Hera's

cruel wrath. So also shall I, if my fate hath been fashioned likewise, lie low when I am dead. But now let me

win high renown, let me set some Trojan woman, some deepbosomed daughter of Dardanos, staunching

with both hands the tears upon her tender cheeks and wailing bitterly; yea, let them know that I am come

back, though I tarried long from the war. Hold not me then from the battle in thy love, for thou shalt not

Then Thetis the silverfooted goddess answered him, saying: "Yea verily, my child, no blame is in this, that

thou ward sheer destruction from thy comrades in their distress. But thy fair glittering armour of bronze is

held among the Trojans. Hector of the glancing helm beareth it on his shoulders in triumph, yet not for long, I

ween, shall he glory therein, for death is hard anigh him. But thou, go not yet down into the mellay of war

until thou see me with thine eyes come hither. In the morning will I return, at the coming up of the sun,

Thus spake she and turned to go from her son, and as she turned she spake among her sisters of the sea: "Ye

now go down within the wide bosom of the deep, to visit the Ancient One of the Sea and our father's house,

and tell him all. I am going to high Olympus to Hephaistos of noble skill, if haply he will give unto my son

Thus spake she, and they forthwith went down beneath the surge of the sea. And the silverfooted goddess

So her unto Olympus her feet bore. But the Achaians with terrible cries were fleeing before manslaying

Hector till they came to the ships and to the Hellespont. Nor might the wellgreaved Achaians drag the

corpse of Patroklos Achilles' squire out of the darts, for now again overtook him the host and the horses of

Troy, and Hector son of Priam, in might as it were a flame of fire. Thrice did glorious Hector seize him from

behind by the feet, resolved to drag him away, and mightily called upon the men of Troy. Thrice did the two

Aiantes, clothed on with impetuous might, beat him off from the dead man, but he nathless, trusting in his

might, anon would charge into the press, anon would stand and cry aloud, but he gave ground never a whit.

As when shepherds in the field avail nowise to chase a fiery lion in fierce hunger away from a carcase, so

availed not the two warrior Aiantes to scare Hector son of Priam from the dead. And now would he have won

the body and gained renown unspeakable, had not fleet windfooted Iris come speeding from Olympus with

a message to the son of Peleus to array him, unknown of Zeus and the other gods, for Hera sent her. And she

stood anigh and spake to him winged words: "Rouse thee, son of Peleus, of all men most redoubtable!

Succour Patroklos, for whose body is terrible battle afoot before the ships. There slay they one another, these

guarding the dead corpse, while the men of Troy are fierce to hale him unto windy Ilios, and chiefliest noble

Hector is fain to drag him, and his heart biddeth him fix the head on the stakes of the wall when he hath

sundered it from the tender neck. But arise, lie thus no longer! let awe enter thy heart to forbid that Patroklos

become the sport of dogs of Troy. Thine were the shame if he go down mangled amid the dead."

Then answered her fleetfooted noble Achilles: "Goddess Iris, what god sent thee a messenger unto me?"

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. 118

And to him again spake windfooted fleet Iris: "It was Hera that sent me, the wise wife of Zeus, nor knoweth

the highthroned son of Kronos nor any other of the Immortals that on snowy Olympus have their

And Achilles fleet of foot made answer to her and said: "And how may I go into the fray? The Trojans hold

my arms; and my dear mother bade me forbear to array me until I behold her with my eyes returned, for she

promised to bring fair armour from Hephaistos. Other man know I none whose noble armour I might put on,

save it were the shield of Aias Telamon's son. But himself, I ween, is in the forefront of the press, dealing

Then again spake unto him windfooted fleet Iris: "Well are we also aware that thy noble armour is held

from thee. But go forth unto the trench as thou art and show thyself to the men of Troy, if haply they will

shrink back and refrain them from battle, and the warlike sons of the Achaians take breath."

Thus spake fleetfooted Iris and went her way. But Achilles dear to Zeus arose, and around his strong

shoulders Athene cast her tasselled aegis, and around his head the bright goddess set a crown of a golden

cloud, and kindled therefrom a blazing flame. And as when a smoke issueth from a city and riseth up into the

upper air, from an island afar off that foes beleaguer, while the others from their city fight all day in hateful

war,but with the going down of the sun blaze out the beaconfires in line, and high aloft rusheth up the

glare for dwellers round about to behold, if haply they may come with ships to help in needthus from the

head of Achilles soared that blaze toward the heavens. And he went and stood beyond the wall beside the

trench, yet mingled not among the Achaians, for he minded the wise bidding of his mother. There stood he

and shouted aloud, and afar off Pallas Athene uttered her voice, and spread terror unspeakable among the

men of Troy. Clear as the voice of a clarion when it soundeth by reason of slaughterous foemen that

beleaguer a city, so clear rang forth the voice of Aiakides. And when they heard the brazen voice of Aiakides,

the souls of all of them were dismayed, and the horses of goodly manes were fain to turn the chariots

backward, for they boded anguish in their hearts, And the charioteers were amazed when they saw the

unwearying fire blaze fierce on the head of the greathearted son of Peleus, for the brighteyed goddess

Athene made it blaze. Thrice from over the trench shouted mightily noble Achilles, and thrice were the men

of Troy confounded and their proud allies. Yea there and then perished twelve men of their best by their own

chariot wheels and spears. But the Achaians with joy drew Patroklos forth of the darts and laid him on a litter,

and his dear comrades stood around lamenting him; and among them followed fleetfooted Achilles,

shedding hot tears, for his true comrade he saw lying on the bier, mangled by the keen bronze. Him sent he

forth with chariot and horses unto the battle, but home again welcomed never more.

Then Hera the oxeyed queen sent down the unwearying Sun to be gone unwillingly unto the streams of

Ocean. So the Sun set, and the noble Achaians made pause from the stress of battle and the hazardous war.

But the Achaians all night made moan in lamentation for Patroklos. And first of them in the loud lamentation

was the son of Peleus, laying upon the breast of his comrade his manslaying hands and moaning very sore,

even as a deepbearded lion whose whelps some staghunter hath snatched away out of a deep wood; and the

lion coming afterward grieveth and through many glens he rangeth on the track of the footsteps of the man, if

anywhere he might find him, for most bitter anger seizeth him;thus Achilles moaning heavily spake among

the Myrmidons: "Ay me, vain verily was the word I uttered on that day when I cheered the hero Menoitios in

his halls and said that I would bring back to Opoeis his son in glory from the sack of Ilios with the share of

spoil that should fall unto him. Not all the purposes of men doth Zeus accomplish for them. It is appointed

that both of us redden the same earth with our blood here in Troyland, for neither shall the old knight Peleus

welcome me back home within his halls, nor my mother Thetis, but even here shall earth keep hold on me.

Yet now, O Patroklos, since I follow thee under earth, I will not hold thy funeral till I have brought hither the

armour and the head of Hector, thy highhearted slayer, and before thy pyre I will cut the throats of twelve

noble sons of the men of Troy, for mine anger thou art slain. Till then beside the beaked ships shalt thou lie as

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. 119

thou art, and around thee deepbosomed women, Trojan and Dardanian, shall mourn thee weeping night and

day, even they whom we toiled to win by our strength and, our long spears when we sacked rich cities of

Thus spake noble Achilles, and bade his comrades set a great tripod on the fire, that with all speed they might

wash from Patroklos the bloody gore. So they set a tripod of ablution on the burning fire, and poured therein

water and took wood and kindled it beneath; and the fire wrapped the belly of the tripod, and the water grew

hot. And when the water boiled in the bright bronze, then washed they him and anointed with olive oil, and

filled his wounds with fresh ointment, and laid him on a bier and covered him with soft cloth from head to

foot, and thereover a white robe. Then all night around Achilles fleet of foot the Myrmidons made lament and

Meanwhile Zeus spake unto Hera his sister and wife: "Thou hast accomplished this, O Hera, oxeyed queen,

thou hast aroused Achilles fleet of foot. Verily of thine own children must the flowinghaired Achaians be."

Then answered unto him Hera the oxeyed queen: "Most dread son of Kronos, what is this word thou hast

said? Truly even a man, I ween, is to accomplish what he may for another man, albeit he is mortal and hath

not wisdom as we. How then was I who avow me the first of goddesses both by birth and for that I am called

thy wife, and thou art king among all Immortalshow was I not in mine anger to devise evil against the men

So debated they on this wise with one another. But Thetis of the silver feet came unto the house of

Hephaistos, imperishable, starlike, far seen among the dwellings of Immortals, a house of bronze, wrought by

the crookfooted god himself. Him found she sweating in toil and busy about his bellows, for he was forging

tripods twenty in all to stand around the wall of his stablished hall, and beneath the base of each he had set

golden wheels, that of their own motion they might enter the assembly of the gods and again return unto his

house, a marvel to look upon. Thus much were they finished that not yet were away from the fire, and

gathered all his gear wherewith he worked into a silver chest; and with a sponge he wiped his face and hands

and sturdy neck and shaggy breast, and did on his doublet, and took a stout staff and went forth limping; but

there were handmaidens of gold that moved to help their lord, the semblances of living maids. In them is

understanding at their hearts, in them are voice and strength, and they have skill of the immortal gods. These

moved beneath their lord, and he gat him haltingly near to where Thetis was, and set him on a bright seat, and

clasped her hand in his and spake and called her by her name: "Wherefore, longrobed Thetis, comest thou to

our house, honoured that thou art and dear? No frequent comer art thou hitherto. Speak what thou hast at

heart; my soul is fain to accomplish it; if accomplish it I can, and if it be appointed for accomplishment."

Then answered unto him Thetis shedding tears: "Hephaistos, hath there verily been any of all goddesses in

Olympus that hath endured so many grievous sorrows at heart as are the woes that Kronian Zeus hath laid

upon me above all others? He chose me from among the sisters of the sea to enthrall me to a man, even

Peleus Aiakos' son, and with a man I endured wedlock sore against my will. Now lieth he in his halls for

spent with grievous age, but other griefs are mine. A son he gave me to bear and nourish, the chief of heroes,

and he shot up like a young branch. Like a plant in a very fruitful field I reared him and sent him forth on

beaked ships to Ilios to fight against the men of Troy, but never again shall I welcome him back to his home

within the house of Peleus. And while he yet liveth in my sight and beholdeth the light of the sun, he

sorroweth, neither can I help him any whit though I go unto him. The maiden whom the sons of the Achaians

chose out to be his prize, her hath the lord Agamemnon taken back out of his hands. In grief for her wasted he

his heart, while the men of Troy were driving the Achaians on their ships, nor suffered them to come forth.

And the elders of the Argives entreated him, and told over many noble gifts. Then albeit himself he refused to

ward destruction from them, he put his armour on Patroklos and sent him to the war, and much people with

him. All day they fought around the Skaian gates and that same day had sacked the town, but that when now

Menoitios' valiant son had wrought much harm, Apollo slew him in the forefront of the battle, and gave glory

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. 120

unto Hector. Therefore now come I a suppliant unto thy knees, if haply thou be willing to give my

shortlived son shield and helmet, and goodly greaves fitted with anklepieces, and cuirass. For the armour

that he had erst, his trusty comrade lost when he fell beneath the men of Troy; and my son lieth on the earth

Then made answer unto her the lame god of great renown: "Be of good courage, let not these things trouble

thy heart. Would that so might I avail to hide him far from dolorous death, when dread fate cometh upon him,

as surely shall goodly armour be at his need, such as all men afterward shall marvel at, whatsoever may

Thus saying he left her there and went unto his bellows and turned them upon the fire and bade them work.

And the bellows, twenty in all, blew on the crucibles, sending deft blasts on every side, now to aid his labour

and now anon howsoever Hephaistos willed and the work went on. And he threw bronze that weareth not into

the fire, and tin and precious gold and silver, and next he set on an anvilstand a great anvil, and took in his

First fashioned he a shield great and strong, adorning it all over, and set thereto a shining rim, triple,

brightglancing, and therefrom a silver baldric. Five were the folds of the shield itself; and therein fashioned

There wrought he the earth, and the heavens, and the sea, and the unwearying sun, and the moon waxing to

the full, and the signs every one wherewith the heavens are crowned, Pleiads and Hyads and Orion's might,

and the Bear that men call also the Wain, her that turneth in her place and watcheth Orion, and alone hath no

Also he fashioned therein two fair cities of mortal men. In the one were espousals and marriage feasts, and

beneath the blaze of torches they were leading the brides from their chambers through the city, and loud arose

the bridal song. And young men were whirling in the dance, and among them flutes and viols sounded high;

and women standing each at her door were marvelling. But the folk were gathered in the assembly place; for

there a strife was arisen, two men striving about the bloodprice of a man slain; the one claimed to pay full

atonement, expounding to the people, but the other denied him and would take naught. And the folk were

cheering both, as they took part on either side. And heralds kept order among the folk, while the elders on

polished stones were sitting in the sacred circle, and holding in their hands staves from the loud voiced

heralds. Then before the people they rose up and gave judgment each in turn. And in the midst lay two talents

But around the other city were two armies in siege with glittering arms. And two counsels found favour

among them, either to sack the town or to share all with the townsfolk even whatsoever substance the fair city

held within. But the besieged were not yet yielding, but arming for an ambushment. On the wall there stood

to guard it their dear wives and infant children, and with these the old men; but the rest went forth, and their

leaders were Ares and Pallas Athene, both wrought in gold, and golden was the vesture they had on. Goodly

and great were they in their armour, even as gods, far seen around, and the folk at their feet were smaller.

And when they came where it seemed good to them to lay ambush, in a river bed where there was a common

wateringplace of herds, there they set them, clad in glittering bronze. And two scouts were posted by them

afar off to spy the coming of flocks and of oxen with crooked horns. And presently came the cattle, and with

them two herdsmen playing on pipes, that took no thought of the guile. Then the others when they beheld

these ran upon them and quickly cut off the herds of oxen and fair flocks of white sheep, and slew the

shepherds withal. But the besiegers, as they sat before the speechplaces [from which the orators spoke] and

heard much din among the oxen, mounted forthwith behind their highstepping horses, and came up with

speed. Then they arrayed their battle and fought beside the river banks, and smote one another with

bronzeshod spears. And among them mingled Strife and Tumult, and fell Death, grasping one man alive

BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. 121

freshwounded, another without wound, and dragging another dead through the mellay by the feet; and the

raiment on her shoulders was red with the blood of men. Like living mortals they hurled together and fought,

Furthermore he set in the shield a soft freshploughed field, rich tilth and wide, the third time ploughed; and

many ploughers therein drave their yokes to and fro as they wheeled about. Whensoever they came to the

boundary of the field and turned, then would a man come to each and give into his hands a goblet of sweet

wine, while others would be turning back along the furrows, fain to reach the boundary of the deep tilth. And

the field grew black behind and seemed as it were aploughing, albeit of gold, for this was the great marvel

Furthermore he set therein the demesneland of a king, where hinds were reaping with sharp sickles in their

hands. Some armfuls along the swathe were falling in rows to the earth, whilst others the sheafbinders were

binding in twisted bands of straw. Three sheafbinders stood over them, while behind boys gathering corn

and bearing it in their arms gave it constantly to the binders; and among them the king in silence was standing

at the swathe with his staff, rejoicing in his heart. And henchmen apart beneath an oak were making ready a

feast, and preparing a great ox they had sacrificed; while the women were strewing much white barley to be a

Also he set therein a vineyard teeming plenteously with clusters, wrought fair in gold; black were the grapes,

but the vines hung throughout on silver poles. And around it he ran a ditch of cyanus, and round that a fence

of tin; and one single pathway led to it, whereby the vintagers might go when they should gather the vintage.

And maidens and striplings in childish glee bare the sweet fruit in plaited baskets. And in the midst of them a

boy made pleasant music on a cleartoned viol, and sang thereto a sweet Linossong [probably a lament for

departing summer] with delicate voice; while the rest with feet falling together kept time with the music and

Also he wrought therein a herd of kine with upright horns, and the kine were fashioned of gold and tin, and

with lowing they hurried from the byre to pasture beside a murmuring river, beside the waving reed. And

herdsmen of gold were following with the kine, four of them, and nine dogs fleet of foot came after them. But

two terrible lions among the foremost kine had seized a loudroaring bull that bellowed mightily as they

haled him, and the dogs and the young men sped after him. The lions rending the great bull's hide were

devouring his vitals and his black blood; while the herdsmen in vain tarred on their fleet dogs to set on, for

they shrank from biting the lions but stood hard by and barked and swerved away.

Also the glorious lame god wrought therein a pasture in a fair glen, a great pasture of white sheep, and a

Also did the glorious lame god devise a dancingplace like unto that which once in wide Knosos Daidalos

wrought for Ariadne of the lovely tresses. There were youths dancing and maidens of costly wooing, their

hands upon one another's wrists. Fine linen the maidens had on, and the youths wellwoven doublets faintly

glistening with oil. Fair wreaths had the maidens, and the youths daggers of gold hanging from silver

baldrics. And now would they run round with deft feet exceeding lightly, as when a potter sitting by his

wheel that fitteth between his hands maketh trial of it whether it run: and now anon they would run in lines to

meet each other. And a great company stood round the lovely dance in joy; and through the midst of them,

Also he set therein the great might of the River of Ocean around the uttermost rim of the

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Now when he had wrought the shield great and strong, then wrought he him a corslet brighter than a flame of

fire, and he wrought him a massive helmet to fit his brows, goodly and graven, and set thereon a crest of gold,

So when the renowned lame god had finished all the armour, he took and laid it before the mother of

Achilles. Then she like a falcon sprang down from snowy Olympus, bearing from Hephaistos the glittering

Now Morning saffronrobed arose from the streams of Ocean to bring light to gods and men, and Thetis

came to the ships, bearing his gift from the god. Her dear son she found fallen about Patroklos and uttering

loud lament; and round him many of his company made moan. And the bright goddess stood beside him in

their midst, and clasped her hand in his and spake and called upon his name: "My child, him who lieth here

we must let be, for all our pain, for by the will of gods from the beginning was he brought low. But thou take

from Hephaistos arms of pride, arms passing goodly, such as no man on his shoulders yet hath borne."

Thus spake the goddess and in front of Aehifies laid the arms, and they rang all again in their glory. And awe

fell on all the Myrmidons, nor dared any to gaze thereon, for they were awestricken. But when Achilles

looked thereon, then came fury upon him the more, and his eyes blazed terribly forth as it were a flame

beneath their lids: glad was he as he held in his hands that splendid gift of a god. But when he had satisfied

his soul in gazing on the glory of the arms, straightway to his mother spake he winged words: "My mother,

the arms the god has given are such as it beseemeth that the work of Immortals should be, and that no mortal

man should have wrought. Now therefore will I arm me in them, but I have grievous fear lest meantime on

the gashed wounds of Menoitios' valiant son flies light and breed worms therein, and defile his corpsefor

Then answered him Thetis, goddess of the silver feet: "Child, have no care for this within thy mind. I will see

to ward from him the cruel tribes of flies which prey on men slain in fight: for even though he lie till a whole

year's course be run, yet his flesh shall be sound continually, or better even than now. But call thou the

Achaian warriors to the place of assembly, and unsay thy wrath against Agamemnon shepherd of the host,

Thus saying she filled him with adventurous might, while on Patroklos she shed ambrosia and red nectar

But noble Achilles went down the beach of the sea, crying his terrible cry, and roused the Achaian warriors.

And they who before were wont to abide in the circle of the ships, and they who were helmsmen and kept the

steerage of the ships, or were stewards there and dealt out food, even these came then to the place of

assembly, because Achilles was come forth, after long ceasing from grievous war. Limping came two of

Ares' company, Tydeus' son staunch in fight and noble Odysseus, each leaning on his spear, for their wounds

were grievous still; and they went and sate them down in the forefront of the assembly. And last came

Agamemnon king of men, with his wound upon him, for him too in the stress of battle Kooen Antenor's son

had wounded with his bronzetipped spear. But when all the Achaians were gathered, then uprose

fleetfooted Achilles and spake in their midst: "Son of Atreus, was this in any wise the better way for both

thee and me, what time with grief at our hearts we waxed fierce in souldevouring strife for the sake of a

girl? Would that Artemis had slain her with her arrow at the ships, on the day whereon I took her to me, when

I had spoiled Lyrnessos; so should not then so many Achaians have bitten the wide earth beneath their

enemies' hands, by reason of my exceeding wrath. It hath been well for Hector and the Trojans, but the

BOOK XIX How Achilles and Agamemnon were reconciled before the assembly of the Achaians, and Achilles went forth with them to battle. 123

Achaians I think shall long remember the strife that was betwixt thee and me. But bygones will we let be, for

all our pain, and curb under necessity the spirit within our breasts. I now will stay my anger: it beseems me

not implacably for ever to be wroth; but come rouse speedily to the fight the flowinghaired Achaians, that I

may go forth against the men of Troy and put them yet again to the proof, if they be fain to couch hard by the

ships. Methinks that some among them shall be glad to rest their knees when they are fled out of the fierce

He spake, and the wellgreaved Achaians rejoiced that the greathearted son of Peleus had made

renouncement of his wrath. Then among them spake Agamemnon king of men, speaking from the place

where he sat, not arisen to stand forth in their midst: "O Danaan friends and heroes, men of Ares' company,

seemly is it to listen to him who standeth up to speak, nor behoveth it to break in upon his words: even

toward a skilled man that were hard. For amid the uproar of many men how should one listen, or yet speak?

even the clearestvoiced speech is marred. To the son of Peleus I will declare myself, but ye other Argives

give heed, and each mark well my word. Oft have the Achaians spoken thus to me, and upbraided me; but it

is not I who am the cause, but Zeus and Destiny and Erinys that walketh in the darkness, who put into my

soul fierce madness on the day when in the assembly I, even I, bereft Achilles of his meed. What could I do?

it is God who accomplisheth all. Eldest daughter of Zeus is Ate who blindeth all, a power of bane: delicate

are her feet, for not upon the earth she goeth, but walketh over the heads of men, making men fall; and

entangleth this one or that. Ye even Zeus was blinded upon a time, he who they say is greatest among gods

and men; yet even him Hera with a female wile deceived, on the day when Alkmene in faircrowned Thebes

was to bring forth the strength of Herakles. For then proclaimed he solemnly among the gods: 'Here me ye

all, both gods and goddesses, while I utter the council of my soul within my heart. This day shall Eileithuia,

the help of travailing women, bring to the light a man who shall be lord over all that dwell round about,

among the raise of men who are sprung of me by blood.' And to him in subtlety queen Hera spake: 'Though

wilt play the cheat and not accomplish thy word. Come now, Olympian, swear me a firm oath that verily and

indeed shall that man be lord over all that dwell round about, who this day shall fall between a woman's feet,

even he among all men who are of the lineage of thy blood.' So spake she, and Zeus no wise perceived her

subtlety but sware a mighty oath, and therewith was he sore blinded. For Hera darted from Olympus' peak

and came swiftly to Achaian Argus, were she knew was the stately wife of Sthenelos son of Perseus, who was

also great with child, and her seventh month had come. Her son Hera brought to the light, though his tale of

months was untold, but she stayed Alkmene's bearing and kept the Eileithuiai from her aid. Then she brought

the tidings herself and to Kronos' son Zeus she spake: 'Father Zeus of the bright lightning, a word will I speak

to thee for my heed. Today is born a man of valor who shall rule among the Archives, Eurystheus, son of

Sthenelos the son of Perseus, of thy lineage; not unmeet is it that he be lord among Argives.' She said, but

sharp pain smote him in the depths of his soul, and straightway he seized Ate by her brighthaired head in the

anger of his soul, and sware a mighty oath that never again to Olympus and the starry heaven should Ate

come, who blindeth all alike. He said, and whirling her in his hand flung her from the starry heaven, and

quickly came she down among the works of men. Yet ever he groaned against her when he beheld his

beloved son in cruel travail at Eurystheus' hest. Thus also I, what time great Hector of the glancing helm was

slaying Argives at the sterns of our ships, could not be unmindful of Ate, who blinded me at the first. But

since thus blinded was I, and Zeus bereft me of my wit, fain am I to make amends, and recompense manifold

for the wrong. Only arise thou to the battle and rouse the rest of the host. Gifts am I ready to offer, even all

that noble Odysseus went yesterday to promise in thy hut. So, if thou wilt, stay awhile, though eager, from

battle, and squires shall take the gifts from my ship and carry them to thee, that thou mayest see that what I

Then answered him Achilles swift of foot: "Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, for the gifts,

to give them as it beseemeth, if so thou wilt, or to withhold, is in thy choice. But now let us bethink us of

battle with all speed; this is no time to dally here with subtleties, for a great work is yet undone. Once more

must Achilles be seen in the forefront of the battle, laying waste with his brazen spear the battalions of the

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Then Odysseus of many counsels answered him and said: "Nay yet, for all thy valour, godlike Achilles, not

against Ilios lead thou the sons of Achaians fasting to fight the men of Troy, since not of short spell shall the

battle be, when once the ranks of men are met, and God shall breathe valour into both. But bid the Achaians

taste at the swift ships food and wine; for thence is vigour and might. For no man fasting from food shall be

able to fight with the foe all day till the going down of the sun; for though his spirit be eager for battle yet his

limbs unaware grow weary, and thirst besetteth him, and hunger, and his knees in his going fail. But the man

who having his fill of food and wine fighteth thus all day against the enemy, his heart is of good cheer within

him, nor anywise tire his limbs, ere all give back from battle. So come, disperse the host and bid them make

ready their meal. And the gifts let Agamemnon king of men bring forth into the midst of the assembly, that

all Achaians may behold them with their eyes, and thou be glad at heart. And let him swear to thee an oath,

standing in the midst of the Argives, that he hath never gone up into the damsel's bed or lain with her, [O

prince, as is the wont of man with woman]; and let thine own spirit be placable within thy breast. Then let

him make thee a rich feast of reconcilement in his hut, that thou have nothing lacking of thy right. And thou,

son of Atreus, toward others also shalt be more righteous herafter; for no shame it is that a man that is a king

Then to him spake Agamemnon king of men: "Son of Laertes, I rejoice to listen to thy speech; for rightfully

hast thou told over all. And the oath I am willing to swear, yea my heart biddeth it, nor will I forswear myself

before God. Let Achilles abide for a space, eager for battle though he be, and all ye others abide together,

until the gifts come forth from my hut, and we make faithful oath with sacrifice. But thee thyself I thus

charge and bid. Choose thee young men, princes of the Achaian folk, and bear my gifts from my ship, even

all that we promised yesterday to Achilles, and take with thee the women. And let Talthybios speedily make

me ready a boarswine in the midst of the wide Achaian host, to sacrifice to Zeus and to the Sun."

And to him in answer swiftfooted Achilles spake: "Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, at

some other time were it even better ye should be busied thus, when haply there shall be some pause of war,

and the spirit within my breast shall be less fierce. But now they lie mangled on the fieldeven they whom

Hector son of Priam slew, when Zeus gave him gloryand ye call men to their food. Verily for my part I

would bid the sons of the Achaians to fight now unfed and fasting, and with the setting sun make ready a

mighty meal, when we shall have avenged the shame. Till then down my throat at least nor food nor drink

shall go, since my comrade is dead, who in my hut is lying mangled by the sharp spear, with his feet toward

the door, and round him our comrades mourn, wherefore in my heart to no thought of those matters, but of

Then answered him Odysseus of many counsels: "O Achilles, Peleus' son, mightiest of Achaians far, better

and mightier not a little art thou than I with the spear, but in counsel I may surpass thee greatly, since I was

born first and know more things: wherefore let thy heart endure to listen to my speech. Quickly have men

surfeit of battle, of that wherein the sword streweth most straw yet is the harvest scantiest, [i.e., in a pitched

battle there is little plunder, the hope of which might help to sustain men's efforts in storming a town] when

Zeus inclineth his balance, who is disposer of the wars of men. But it cannot be that the Achaians fast to

mourn a corpse; for exceeding many and thick fall such on every day; when then should there be rest from

toil? Nay, it behoveth to bury him who is dead, steeling our hearts, when once we have wept him for a day;

but such as are left alive from hateful war must take thought of meat and drink, that yet more against our foes

we may fight relentlessly ever, clad in unyielding bronze. Then let none of the host hold back awaiting other

summons; this is the summons, and ill shall it be for whoso is left behind at the Argive ships; but all together

He spoke, and took with him the sons of noble Nestor, and Meges son of Phyleus, and Thoas, and Meriones,

and Lykomedes son of Kreiontes, and Melanippos. And they went on their way to the hut of Agamemnon,

Atreus' son. Forthwith as the word was spoken so was the deed done. Seven tripods they bare from the hut, as

he promised him, and twenty bright caldrons, and twelve horses, and anon they led forth women skilled in

BOOK XIX How Achilles and Agamemnon were reconciled before the assembly of the Achaians, and Achilles went forth with them to battle. 125

goodly arts, seven, and the eighth was fairfaced Briseis. Then Odysseus, having weighed ten talents of gold

in all, led the way, and with him young men of the Achaians bare the gifts. These they set in the midst of the

place of assembly, and Agamemnon rose up, and beside that shepherd of the host stood Talthybios, whose

voice was like a god's, and held a boar between his hands. And the son of Atreus drawing with his hands his

knife, which ever hung beside the mighty scabbard of his sword, cut off the first hairs from the boar, and

lifting up his hands he prayed to Zeus, and all the Argives sat silent in their places, duly hearkening to the

king. And he prayed aloud, looking up to the wide heaven: "Be Zeus before all witness, highest and best of

the gods, and Earth, and Sun, and Erinyes, who under earth take vengeance upon men, whosoever

forsweareth himself, that never have I laid hand on the damsel Briseis, neither to lie with her nor anywise

else, but she has abode untouched within my huts. And if aught that I swear be false, may the gods give me

all sorrows manifold, that they send on him who sinneth against them in his oath."

He said, and cut the boar's throat with the pitiless knife. And the body Taithybios whirled and threw into the

great wash of the hoary sea, to be the food of fishes; but Achilles arose up and spake in the midst of the

warrior Argives: "Father Zeus, sore madness dealest thou verily to men. Never could the son of Atreus have

stirred the soul within my breast, nor led off the damsel implacably against my will, had not Zeus willed that

on many of the Achaians death should come. But now go forth to your meal, that we may join battle

Thus he spake and dispersed the assembly with all speed. The rest were scattered each to his own ship, but

the greathearted Myrmidons took up the gifts, and bare them to the ship of godlike Achilles. And they laid

them in the huts and set the women there, and gallant squires drave the horses among their troop.

But Briseis that was like unto golden Aphrodite, when she beheld Patroklos mangled by the keen spear, fell

about him and made shrill lament, and tore with her hands her breast and tender neck, and beautiful face. And

she spake amid her weeping, that woman like unto goddesses: "Patroklos, dearest to my hapless heart, alive I

left thee when I left this hut, but now, O prince of the people, I am come back to find thee dead; thus evil ever

followeth evil in my lot. My husband, unto whom my father and lady mother gave me, I beheld before our

city mangled with the keen spear, and my three brothers whom my own mother bore, my near and dear, who

all met their day of doom. But thou, when swift Achilles slew my husband and wasted godlike Mynes' city,

wouldest ever that I should not even weep, and saidest that thou wouldst make me godlike Achilles' wedded

wife, and that ye would take me in your ships to Phthia and make me a marriage feast among the Myrmidons.

Thus spake she weeping, and thereon the women wailed, in semblance for Patroklos, but each for her own

woe. But round Achilles gathered the elders of the Achaians, praying him that he would eat; but he denied

them with a groan: "I pray you, if any kind comrade will hearken to me, bid me not sate my heart with meat

and drink, since terrible grief is come upon me. Till the sun go down I will abide, and endure continually

He spoke, and his speech made the other chiefs depart, but the two sons of Atreus stayed, and noble

Odysseus, and Nestor and Idomeneus and Phoinox, ancient knight, soothing him in his exceeding sorrow, but

he could no whit be soothed until he had entered the mouth of bloody war. And bethinking him he sighed

very heavily and spake aloud: "Thou too, O hapless, dearest of my friends, thyself wouldst verily of yore set

forth in out hut with ready speed a savoury meal, what time the Achaians hasted to wage against the

horsetaming Trojans dolorous war. But now thou liest mangled, and my heart will none of meat and drink,

that stand within, for desire of thee. Nought worse than this could I endure, not though I should hear of my

father's death, who now I ween in Phthia is shedding big tears for lack of a son so dear, even me that in an

alien land for sake of baleful Helen do battle with the men of Troy; nor though it were my beloved son who is

reared for me in Skyros (if still at least is godlike Neoptolemos alive). For hitherto had my soul within me

trusted that I alone should perish far from horsepasturing Argos, here in the Trojan land, but that thou

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shouldest return to Phthia, so that thou mightest take me the child in thy swift black ship from Skyros and

show him everythingmy substance and servants, and highroofed mighty hall. For Peleus I ween already

must be dead and gone, or else in feeble life he hath sorrow of age, and of waiting ever for bitter news of me,

Thus spake he weeping, and the elders mourned with him, bethinking them what each had left at home. And

when the son of Kronos beheld them sorrowing he pitied them, and forthwith to Athene spake he winged

words: "My child, thou hast then left utterly the man of thy heart. Hath Achilles then no longer a place within

thy thought? He before the steepprowed ships sits mourning his dear comrade; the rest are gone to their

meal, but he is fasting and unfed. But go, distil into his breast nectar and pleasant ambrosia, that no pains of

Thus saying he sped forward Athene who before was fain. And she, like a falcon widewinged and

shrillvoiced, hurled herself forth from heaven through the upper air. So while the Achaians were arming

presently throughout the camp, she in Achilles' breast distilled nectar and pleasant ambrosia, that grievous

hunger might not assail his knees, and then herself was gone to the firm house of her mighty father. Then the

Achaians poured forth from the swift ships. As when thick snowflakes flutter down from Zeus, chill beneath

the blast of Boreas born in the upper air, so thick from the ships streamed forth bright glittering helms and

bossy shields, strongplaited cuirasses and ashen spears. And the sheen thereof went up to heaven and all the

earth around laughed in the flash of bronze, and there went a sound beneath the feet of the men, and in the

midst of them noble Achilles harnessed him. His teeth gnashed together, and his eyes blazed as it were the

flame of a fire, for into his heart was intolerable anguish entered in. Thus wroth against the men of Troy he

put on the gift of the god, which Hephaistos wrought him by his art. First on his legs he set the fair greaves

fitted with silver anklepieces, and next he donned the cuirass about his breast. Then round his shoulders he

slung the bronze sword silverstudded; then lastly he took the great and strong shield, and its brightness

shone afar off as the moon's. Or as when over the sea there appeareth to sailors the brightness of a burning

fire, and it burneth on high among the mountains in some lonely steadingsailors whom stormblasts bear

unwilling over the sea, the home of fishes, afar from them they love: so from Achilles' goodly welldight

shield the brightness thereof shot up toward heaven. And he lifted the stout helmet and set it on his head, and

like a star it shone, the horsehair crested helmet, and around it waved plumes of gold that Hephaistos had set

thick about the crest. Then noble Achilles proved him in his armour to know whether it fitted unto him, and

whether his glorious limbs ran free; and it became to him as it were wings, and buoyed up the shepherd of

And forth from its stand he drew his father's spear, heavy and great and strong: that spear could none other of

the Achaians wield, but Achilles alone awaited to wield it, the Pelian ashen spear that Cheiron gave to his

father dear, from a peak of Pelion, to be the death of warriors. And Automedon and Alkimos went about to

yoke the horses, and put on them fair breaststraps, and bits within their jaws, and stretched the reins behind

to the firmbuilt chariot. Then Automedon took the bright lash, fitted to his hand, and sprang up behind the

horses, and after him mounted Achilles armed, effulgent in his armour like bright Hyperion. And terribly he

called upon the horses of his sire: "Xanthos and Balios, famed children of Podarge, in other sort take heed to

bring your charioteer safe back to the Danaan host, when we have done with battle, and leave him not as ye

Then the horse Xanthos of glancing feet made answer unto him from beneath the yoke;and he bowed with

his head, and all his mane fell from the yokecushion beside the yoke and touched the ground;for the

whitearmed goddess Hera gave him speech: "Yea verily for this hour, dread Achilles, we will still bear thee

safe, yet is thy death day nigh at hand, neither shall we be cause thereof, but a mighty god, and forceful Fate.

For not through sloth or heedlessness of ours did the men of Troy from Patrokios' shoulders strip his arms,

but the best of the gods, whom brighthaired Leto bore, slew him in the forefront of the battle, and to Hector

gave renown. We even with the wind of Zephyr, swiftest, they say, of all winds, well might run; nathless to

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Now when he had thus spoken the Erinyes stayed his voice. And sore troubled did fleetfooted Achilles

answer him: "Xanthos, why prophesiest thou my death? no wise behoveth it thee. Well know I of myself that

it is appointed me to perish here, far from my father dear and mother; howbeit anywise I will not refrain till I

So by the beaked ships around thee, son of Peleus, hungry for war, the Achaians armed; and over against

But Zeus bade Themis call the gods to council from many. folded Olympus' brow; and she ranged all about

and bade them to the house of Zeus. There was no River came not up, save only Ocean, nor any nymph, of all

that haunt fair thickets and springs of rivers and grassy watermeadows. And they came to the house of Zeus

who gathereth the clouds, and sat them down in the polished colonnades which Hephaistos in the cunning of

Thus gathered they within the doors of Zeus; nor was the Earthshaker heedless of the goddess' call, but from

the salt sea came up after the rest, and set him in the midst, and inquired concerning the purpose of Zeus:

"Wherefore, O Lord of the bright lightning, hast thou called the gods again to council? Say, ponderest thou

somewhat concerning the Trojans and Achaians? for lo, the war and the fighting of them are kindled very

And Zeus, who gathered the clouds, answered him, saying: "Thou knowest, O Earthshaker, the purpose

within my breast, wherefor I gathered you hither; even in their perishing have I regard unto them. But for me

I will abide here, sitting within a fold of Olympus, where I will gladden my heart with gazing; but go all ye

forth that ye come among the Trojans and Achaians and succour these or those, howsoever each of you hath a

mind. For if Achilles alone shall fight against the Trojans, not even a little while shall they hold back the son

of Peleus, the fleet of foot. Nay, but even aforetime they trembled when they looked upon him; now therefore

that his wrath for his friend is waxen terrible I fear me lest he overleap the bound of fate, and storm the wall."

Thus spake the son of Kronos, and roused unabating war. For on this side and on that the gods went forth to

war: to the company of the ships went Hera, and Pallas Athene, and Poseidon, Earthenfolder, and the Helper

Hermes, proeminent in subtle thoughts; and with these went Hephaistos in the greatness of his strength,

halting, but his shrunk legs moved nimbly under him: but to the Trojans went Ares of the glancing helm, and

with him Phoebus of the unshorn hair, and archer Artemis, and Leto and Xanthos and laughterloving

Now for so long as gods were afar from mortal men, so long waxed the Achaians glorious, for that Achilles

was come forth among them, and his long ceasing from grim battle was at an end. And the Trojans were

smitten with sore trembling in the limbs of every one of them, in terror when they beheld the son of Peleus,

fleet of foot, blazing in his arms, peer of manslaying Ares. But when among the mellay of men the

Olympians were come down, then leapt up in her might Strife, rouser of hosts, then sent forth Athene a cry,

now standing by the hollowed trench without the wall, and now on the echoing shores she shouted aloud.

And a shout uttered Ares against her, terrible as the blackness of the storm, now from the height of the city to

So urged the blessed gods both hosts to battle, then themselves burst into fierce war. And terribly thundered

the father of gods and men from heaven above; and from beneath Poseidon made the vast earth shake and the

steep mountain tops. Then trembled all the spurs of manyfountained Ida, and all her crests, and the city of

the Trojans, and the ships of the Achaians. And the Lord of the Underworld, Aiedoneus, had terror in hell,

and leapt from his throne in that terror and cried aloud, lest the world be cloven above him by Poseidon,

Shaker of earth, and his dwellingplace be laid bare to mortals and immortalsgrim halls, and vast, and

lothly to the gods. So loud the roar rose of that battle of gods. For against King Poseidon stood Phoebus

Apollo with his winged arrows, and against Enyalios stood Athene, brighteyed goddess, and against Hera

she of the golden shafts and echoing chase, even archer Artemis, sister of the Fardarter; and against Leto the

strong Helper Hermes, and against Hephaistos the great deepeddying River, whom gods call Xanthos and

Thus gods with gods were matched. Meanwhile Achilles yearned above all to meet Hector, son of Priam, in

the fray; for with that blood chiefliest his spirit bade him sate Ares, stubborn lord of war. But straightway

Apollo, rouser of hosts, moved Aineias to go to meet the son of Peleus, and filled him with brave spirit: and

he made his own voice like the voice of Lykaon the son of Priam; in his semblance spake Apollo, son of

Zeus: "Aineias, counsellor of Trojans, where now are thy threats wherewith thou didst boast to the Trojan

lords over thy wine, saying thou wouldest stand up in battle against Achilles, Peleus' son?"

And to him Aineias answered and said: "Son of Priam, why biddest thou me thus face the fierce son of Peleus

in battle, though I be not fain thereto? Not for the first time now shall I match me with Achilles, fleet of foot;

once before drave he me with his spear from Ida, when he harried our kine and wasted Lyrnessos and

Pedasos; but Zeus delivered me out of his hand and put strength into my knees that they were swift. Else had

I fallen beneath the hands of Achilles, and of Athene who went before and gave him light, and urged him to

slay Leleges and Trojans with his spear of bronze. Therefore it is impossible for man to face Achilles in fight,

for that ever some god is at his side to ward off death. Ay, and at any time his spear flieth straight, neither

ceaseth till it have pierced through flesh of man. But if God once give us fair field of battle, not lightly shall

And to him in answer spake Apollo son of Zeus: "Yea, hero, pray thou too to the everliving gods; for thou

too, men say, wast born of Aphrodite daughter of Zeus, and Achilles' mother is of less degree among the

gods. For thy mother is child of Zeus, his but of the Ancient One of the Sea. Come, bear up thy unwearying

spear against him, let him no wise turn thee back with revilings and bitter words."

He said, and breathed high spirit into the shepherd of the host, and he went onward through the forefront of

the fighting, harnessed in flashing bronze. But whitearmed Hera failed not to discern Anchises' son as he

went through the press of men to meet the son of Peleus, and gathering the gods about her she spake among

them thus: "Consider ye twain, Poseidon and Athene, within your hearts, what shall come of these things that

are done. Here is Aineias gone forth harnessed in flashing bronze, to meet the son of Peleus, and it is Phoebus

Apollo that hath sent him. Come then, be it ours to turn him back straightway; or else let some one of us

stand likewise beside Achilles and give him mighty power, so that he fail not in his spirit, but know that they

who love him are the best of the Immortals, and that they who from of old ward war and fighting from the

Trojans are vain as wind. All we from Olympus are come down to mingle in this fight that he take no hurt

among the Trojans on this dayafterward he shall suffer whatsoever things Fate span for him with her

thread, at his beginning, when his mother bare him. If Achilles learn not this from voice divine, then shall he

be afraid when some god shall come against him in the battle; for gods revealed are hard to look upon."

Then to her made answer Poseidon, Shaker of the earth: "Hera, be not fierce beyond wisdom; it behoveth thee

not. Not fain am I at least to match gods with gods in strife. Let us go now into some high place apart and

seat us there to watch, and battle shall be left to men. Only if Ares or Phoebus Apollo fall to fighting, or put

constraint upon Achilles and hinder him from fight, then straightway among us too shall go up the battlecry

of strife; right soon, methinks, shall they hie them from the issue of the fray back to Olympus to the company

Thus spake the bluehaired god, and led the way to the mounded wall of heavensprung Herakles, that lofty

wall built him by the Trojans and Pallas Athene, that he might escape the monster and be safe from him, what

time he should make his onset from the beach to the plain. There sate them down Poseidon and the other

gods, and clothed their shoulders with impenetrable cloud. And they of the other part sat down on the brows

of Kallikolon around thee, Archer Phoebus, and Ares waster of cities. Thus they on either side sat devising

counsels, but shrank all from falling to grievous war, and Zeus from his high seat commanded them.

Meanwhile the whole plain was filled with men and horses and ablaze with bronze; and the earth rang with

the feet of them as they rushed together in the fray. Two men far better than the rest were meeting in the

midst between the hosts, eager for battle, Aineias, Anchises' son, and noble Achilles. First came on Aineias

threateningly, tossing his strong helm; his rapid shield he held before his breast, and brandished his bronze

spear. And on the other side the son of Peleus rushed to meet him like a lion, a ravaging lion whom men

desire to slay, a whole tribe assembled: and first he goeth his way unheeding, but when some warrior youth

hath smitten him with a spear, the he gathereth himself openmouthed, and foam cometh forth about his

teeth, and his stout spirit groaneth in his heart, and with his tail he scourgeth either side his ribs and flanks

and goadeth himself on to fight, and glaring is borne straight on them by his passion, to try whether he shall

slay some man of them, or whether himself shall perish in the forefront of the throng: thus was Achilles

driven of his passion and valiant spirit to go forth to meet Aineias great of heart. And when they were come

near against each other, then first to Aineias spake fleetfooted noble Achilles: "Aineias, wherefore hast thou

so far come forward from the crowd to stand against me: doth thy heart bid thee fight with me in hope of

holding Priam's honour and lordship among the horsetaming Trojans? Nay, though thou slay me, not for that

will Priam lay his kingdom in thy hands, for he hath sons, and is sound and of unshaken mind. Or have the

Trojans allotted thee some lot of ground more choice than all the rest, fair land of tilth and orchard, that thou

mayest dwell therein, if thou slay me? But methinks thou wilt find the slaying hard; for once before, I ween,

have I made thee flee before my spear. Host thou forgotten the day when thou wert alone with the kine, and I

made thee run swiftfooted down Ida's steeps in haste?then didst thou not look behind thee in thy flight.

Thence fleddest thou to Lernessos, but I wasted it, having fought against it with the help of Athene and of

father Zeus, and carried away women captive, bereaving them of their day of freedom: only thee Zeus

shielded, and other gods. But not this time, methinks, shall they shield thee, as thou imaginest in thy heart:

therefore I bid thee go back into the throng and come not forth against me, while as yet thou art unhurtafter

Then to him in answer again Aineias spake: "Son of Peleus, think not with words to affright me as a child,

since I too well know myself how to speak taunts and unjust speech. We know each other's race and lineage

in that we have heard the fame proclaimed by mortal men, but never hast thou set eyes on my parents, or I on

thine. Thou, they say, art son of nobie Peleus, and of Thetis of the fair tresses, the daughter of the sea: the sire

I boast is Anchises great of heart, and my mother is Aphrodite. Of these shall one pair or the other mourn

their dear son today; for verily not with idle words shall we two satisfy our strife and depart out of the battle.

But, if thou wilt, learn also this, that thou mayest well know our lineage, known to full many men: First Zeus

the cloudgatherer begat Dardanos, and he stablished Dardania, for not yet was holy Ilios built upon the plain

to be a city of mortal men, but still they dwelt on slopes of manyfountained Ida. Then Dardanos begat a son,

king Erichthonios, who became richest of mortal men. Three thousand mares had he that pastured along the

marsh meadow, rejoicing in their tender foals. Of them was Boreas enamoured as they grazed, and in

semblance of a darkmaned horse he covered them: then they having conceived bare twelve fillies. These

when they bounded over Earth the graingiver would run upon the topmost ripened ears of corn and break

them not; and when they bounded over the broad backs of the sea they would run upon the crests of the

breakers of the hoary brine. Then Erichthonios begat Tros to be load over the Trojans, and to Tros three noble

sons were born, Ilos and Assarakos and godlike Ganymedes, who became the most beautiful of mortal men.

Him the gods caught up to be cupbearer to Zeus, for sake of his beauty, that he might dwell among

immortals. Then Ilos again begat a son, noble Laomedon, and Laomedon begat Tithonos and Priam and

Lamppos and Klytios and Hiketaon, of the stock of Ares. And Assarakos begat Kapys, and Kapys Anchises,

"Lo then of this blood and lineage declare I myself unto thee. But for valour, Zeus increaseth it in men or

minisheth it according as he will, for he is lord of all. But come, let us talk thus together no longer like

children, standing in mid onset of war. For there are revilings in plenty for both of us to uttera

hundredthwarted ship would not suffice for the load of them. Glib is the tongue of man, and many words are

therein of every kind, and wide is the range of his speech hither and thither. Whatsoever word thou speak,

such wilt thou hear in answer. But what need that we should bandy strife and wrangling each against each.

Not by speech shalt thou turn me from the battle that I desire, until we have fought together, point to point:

come then, and straightway we will each try the other with bronzeheaded spears."

He said, and against that other's dread and mighty shield hurled his great spear, and the shield rang loud

beneath the spearpoint. And the son of Peleus held away the shield from him with his stout hand, in fear, for

he thought that the farshadowing spear of Aineias great of heart would lightly pierce it throughfond man,

and knew not in his mind and heart that not lightly do the glorious gifts of gods yield to force of mortal men.

So did not the great spear of wise Aineias pierce that shield, for the gold resisted it, even the gift of the god.

Yet through two folds he drave it, but three remained, for five folds had the lame god welded, two bronze,

Then Achilles in his turn hurled his farshadowing spear, and smote upon the circle of the shield of Aineias,

beneath the edge of the rim, where the bronze ran thinnest round, and the bullhide was thinnest thereon; and

right through sped the Pelian ashen spear, and the shield cracked under it. And Aineias crouched and held up

the shield away from him in dread; and the spear flew over his back and fixed itself in the earth, having

divided asunder the two circles of the sheltering shield. And having escaped the long spear he stood still, and

a vast anguish drowned his eyes, affrighted that the spear was planted by him so nigh. But Achilles drew his

sharp sword and furiously made at him, crying his terrible cry: then Aineias grasped in his hand a stone (a

mighty deed) such as two men, as men now are, would not avail to lift, but he with ease wielded it all alone.

Then would Aineias have smitten him with the stone as he charged, either on helm or shield, which had

warded from him bitter death, and then would the son of Peleus have closed and slain him with his sword,

had not Poseidon, Shaker of earth, marked it with speed, and straightway spoken among the immortal gods:

"Alas, woe is me for Aineias great of heart, who quickly will go down to Hades slain by the son of Peleus, for

that he will obey the words of Apollo the fardarter, fond man, but nowise shall the god help him from

grievous death. But wherefore now is he to suffer ill in his innocence, causelessly for others' wickedness, yet

welcome ever are his offerings to the gods who inhabit the spacious heaven? Come, let us guide him out of

death's way, lest the son of Kronos be wroth, if Achilles slay him; for it is appointed to him to escape, that the

race of Dardanos perish not without seed or sign, even Dardanos whom the son of Kronos loved above all the

children born to him from the daughters of men. For the race of Priam hath Zeus already hated. But thus shall

the might of Aineias reign among the Trojans, and his children's children, who shall be born in the aftertime."

And him then answered Hera the oxeyed queen: "Shaker of earth, thyself with thine own mind take counsel,

whether thou wilt save Aineias, or leave him [to be slain, brave though he be, by Achilles, Peleus' son]. For

by many oaths among all the Immortals have we two sworn, even Pallas Athene and I, never to help the

Trojans from their evil day, not even when all Troy shall burn in the burning of fierce fire, and they that burn

Now when Poseidon Shaker of earth heard that, he went up amid the battle and the clash of spears, and came

where Aineias and renowned Achilles were. Then presently he shed mist over the eyes of Achilles, Peleus'

son, and drew the bronzeheaded ashen spear from the shield of Aineias great of heart, and set it before

Achilles' feet, and lifted Aineias and swung him high from off the earth. Over many ranks of warriors, of

horses many, sprang Aineias soaring in the hand of the god, and lighted at the farthest verge of the battle of

many onsets, where the Kaukones were arraying them for the fight. Then hard beside him came Poseidon,

Shaker of earth, and spake aloud to him winged words: "Aineias, what god is it that biddeth thee fight

infatuate against Peleus' vehement son, who is both a better man than thou and dearer to Immortals? Rather

withdraw thee whensoever thou fallest in with him, lest even contrary to thy fate thou enter the house of

Hades. But when Achilles shall have met his death and doom, then be thou of good courage to fight among

He spoke, and left him there, when he had shown him all these things. Then quickly from Achilles' eyes he

purged the magic mist; and he stared with wide eyes, and in trouble spake unto his proud soul: "Ha! verily a

great marvel behold I here with mine eyes. My spear lieth here upon the ground, nor can I anywise see the

man at whom I hurled it with intent to slay him. Truly then is Aineias likewise dear to the immortal gods,

howbeit I deemed that his boosting thereof was altogether vanity. Away with him! not again will he find heart

to make trial of me, now that once more he has escaped death to his joy. But come, I will call on the warlike

He said, and leapt along the lines, and called upon each man: "No longer stand afar from the men of Troy,

noble Achaians, but come let man match man and throw his soul into the fight. Hard is it for me, though I be

strong, to assail so vast a folk and fight them all: not even Ares, though an immortal god, nor Athene, could

plunge into the jaws of such a fray and toil therein. But to my utmost power with hands and feet and strength

no whit, I say, will I be slack, nay, never so little, but right through their line will I go forward, nor deem I

Thus spake he urging them. But to the Trojans glorious Hector called aloud, and proclaimed that he would go

forth against Achilles: "Highhearted Trojans, fear not Peleus' son. I too in words could fight even

Immortals, but with the spear it were hard, for they are stronger far. Neither shall Achilles accomplish all his

talk, but part thereof he is to accomplish, and part to break asunder in the midst. And against him will I go

forth, though the hands of him be even as fire, yea though his hands be as fire and his fierceness as the

Thus spake he urging them, and the Trojans raised their spears for battle; and their fierceness was mingled

confusedly, and the battlecry arose. Then Phoebus Apollo stood by Hector and spake to him: "Hector, no

longer challenge Achilles at all before the lines, but in the throng await him and from amid the roar of the

Thus spake he, and Hector again fell back into the crowd of men, for he was amazed when he heard the sound

But Achilles sprang in among the Trojans, his heart clothed with strength, crying his terrible cry, and first he

took Iphition, Otrynteus' valiant son, a leader of much people, born of a Naiad nymph to Otrynteus waster of

cities, beneath snowy Tmolos, in Hyde's rich domain. Him as he came right on did goodly Achilles smite

with his hurled spear, down through the midst of his head, and it was rent asunder utterly. And he fell with a

crash, and goodly Achilles exulted over him; "here is thy death, thy birth was on the Gygaian lake, where is

Thus spake he exultant, but darkness fell upon the eyes of Iphition: him the chariots of the Achaians clave

with their tires asunder in the forefront of the battle, and over him Achilles pierced in the temples, through his

bronzecheeked helmet, Demoleon, brave stemmer of battle, Antenor's son. No stop made the bronze helmet,

but therethrough sped the spearhead and clave the bone, and the brain within was all scattered: that stroke

made ending of his zeal. Then Hippodamas, as he leapt from his chariot and fled before him, Achilles

wounded in the back with his spear: and he breathed forth his spirit with a roar, as when a dragged bull

roareth that the young men drag to the altar of the Lord of Helike; for in such hath the Earthshaker his

delight: thus roared Hippodamas as from his bones fled forth his haughty spirit. But Achilles with his spear

went on after godlike Polydoros, Priam's son. Him would his sire continually forbid to fight, for that among

his children he was youngest born and best beloved, and overcame all in fleetness of foot. Just then in boyish

folly, displaying the swiftness of his feet, he was rushing through the forefighters, until he lost his life. Him

in the midst did fleetfooted noble Achilles smite with a javelin, in his back as he darted by, where his belt's

golden buckles clasped, and the breast and back plates overlapped: and right through beside the navel went

the spearhead, and he fell on his knee with a cry, and dark cloud covered him round about, and he clasped

Then when Hector saw his brother Polydoros clasping his bowels with his hands, and sinking to the earth, a

mist fell over his eyes, nor longer might he endure to range so far apart, but he came up against Achilles

brandishing his sharp spear, and like flame of fire. And Achilles when he saw him, sprang up, and spake

exultingly: "Behold the man who hath deepest stricken into my soul, who slew my dearprized friend; not

He said, and looking grimly spake unto goodly Hector: "Come thou near, that the sooner thou mayest arrive

Then to him, unterrified, said Hector of the glancing helm: "Son of Peleus, think not with words to affright

me as a child, since I too know myself how to speak taunts and unjust speech. And I know that thou art a man

of might, and a far better man than I. Yet doth this issue lie in the lap of the gods, whether I though weaker

shall take thy life with my hurled spear, for mine too hath been found keen ere now."

He said, and poised his spear and hurled it, and Athene with a breath turned it back from glorious Achilles,

breathing very lightly; and it came back to goodly Hector, and fell there before his feet. Then Achilles set

fiercely upon him, eager to slay him, crying his terrible cry. But Apollo caught Hector up, very easily, as a

god may, and hid him in thick mist. Thrice then did fleetfooted noble Achilles make onset with his spear of

bronze, and thrice smote the thick mist. [But when the fourth time he had come godlike on,] then with dread

shout he spake to him winged words: "Dog, thou art now again escaped from death; yet came ill very nigh

thee; but now hath Phoebus Apollo saved thee, to whom thou must surely pray when thou goest forth amid

the clash of spears. Verily I will slay thee yet when I meet thee hereafter, if any god is helper of me too. Now

Thus speaking he pierced Dryops in the midst of his neck with his spear, and he fell down before his feet. But

he left him where he lay, and hurled at Demuchos Philetor's son, a good man and a tall, and stayed him with a

stroke upon his knees; then smote him with his mighty sword and reft him of life. Then springing on

Laogonos and Dardanos, sons of Bias, he thrust both from their chariot to the ground, one with a spearcast

smiting and the other in close battle with his sword. Then Tros, Alastor's sonhe came and clasped his

knees to pray him to spare him, and let him fo alive, and slay him not, having compassion on his like age,

fond fool, and knew not that he might not gain his prayers; for nowise soft of heart or tender was that man,

but of fierce moodwith his hands he touched Achilles' knees, eager to entreat him, but he smote him in the

liver with his sword, and his liver fell from him, and black blood therefrom filled his bosom, and he swooned,

and darkness covered his eyes. Then Achilles came near and struck Mulios in the ear, and right through the

other ear went the bronze spearhead. Then he smote Agenor's son Echeklos on the midst of the head with

his hilted sword, and all the sword grew hot thereat with blood; and dark death seized his eyes, and forceful

fate. Then next Deukalion, just where the sinews of the elbow join, there pierced he him through the forearm

with his bronze spearhead; so abode he with his arm weighed down, beholding death before him; and

Achilles smiting the neck with his sword swept far both head and helm, and the marrow rose out of the

backbone, and the corpse lay stretched upon the earth. Then went he onward after Peires' noble son,

Rhigmos, who had come from deepsoiled Thrace: him in the midst he smote with his hurled javelin, and the

point fixed in his lung, and he fell forth of his chariot. And Areithoos his squire, as he turned the horses

round, he pierced in the back with his sharp spear, and thrust him from the car, and the horse ran wild with

As through deep glens rageth fierce fire on some parched mountainside, and the deep forest burneth, and the

wind driving it whirleth every way the flame, so raged he every way with his spear, as it had been a god,

pressing hard on the men he slew; and the black earth ran with blood. For even as when one yoketh

widebrowed bulls to tread white barley in a stablished threshingfloor, and quickly is it trodden out beneath

the feet of the loudlowing bulls, thus beneath greathearted Achilles his wholehooved horses trampled

corpses and shields together; and with blood all the axletree below was sprinkled and the rims that ran around

the car, for blooddrops from the horses' hooves splashed them, and blooddrops from the tires of the

wheels. But the son of Peleus pressed on to win him glory, flecking with gore his irresistible hands.

But when now they came unto the ford of the fairflowing river, even eddying Xanthos, whom immortal

Zeus begat, there sundering them he chased the one part to the plain toward the city, even where the Achaians

were flying in affright the day before, when glorious Hector was in his furythither poured some in flight,

and Hera spread before them thick mist to hinder them :but half were pent into the deepflowing silver

eddied river, and fell therein with a mighty noise, and the steep channel sounded, and the banks around rang

loudly; for with shouting they swam therein hither and thither whirled round the eddies. And as when at the

rush of fire locusts take wing to fly unto a river, and the unwearying fire flameth forth on them with sudden

onset, and they huddle in the water; so before Achilles was the stream of deepeddying Xanthos filled with

Then the seed of Zeus left behind him his spear upon the bank, leant against tamarisk bushes, and leapt in, as

it were a god, keeping his sword alone, and devised grim work at heart, and smote as he turned him every

way about: and their groaning went up ghastly as they were stricken by the sword, and the water reddened

with blood. As before a dolphin of huge maw fly other fish and fill the nooks of some fairhavened bay, in

terror, for he devoureth amain whichsoever of them he may catch; so along the channels of that dread stream

the Trojans crouched beneath the precipitous sides. And when his hands were weary of slaughter he chose

twelve young men alive out of the river, an atonement for Patroklos, Menoitios' son that was dead. These

brought he forth amazed like fawns, and bound behind them their hands with wellcut thongs, which they

themselves wore on their pliant doublets, and gave them to his comrades to lead down to the hollow ships.

There met he a son of Dardanid Priam, in flight out of the river, Lykaon, whom once himself he took and

brought unwilling out of his father's orchard, in a night assault; he was cutting with keen bronze young shoots

of a wild fig tree, to be handrails of a chariot; but to him an unlookedfor bane came goodly Achilles. And

at that time he sold him into wellpeopled Lemnos, sending him on ship board, and the son of Jason gave a

price for him; and thence a guest friend freed him with a great ransom, Eetion of Imbros, and sent him to

goodly Arisbe; whence flying secretly he came to his father's house. Eleven days he rejoiced among his

friends after he was come from Lemnos, but on the twelfth once more God brought him into the hands of

Achilles, who was to send him to the house of Hades though nowise fain to go. Him when fleetfooted noble

Achilles saw bare of helm and shield, neither had he a spear, but had thrown all to the ground; for he sweated

grievously as he tried to flee out of the river, and his knees were failing him for weariness: then in wrath

spake Achilles to his great heart: "Ha! verily great marvel is this that I behold with my eyes. Surely then will

the proud Trojans whom I have slain rise up again from beneath the murky gloom, since thus hath this man

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 134

come back escaped from his pitiless fate, though sold into goodly Lemnos, neither hath the deep of the hoary

sea stayed him, that holdeth many against their will. But come then, of our spear's point shall he taste, that I

may see and learn in my mind whether likewise he shall come back even from beneath, or whether the

Thus pondered he in his place; but the other came near amazed, fain to touch his knees, for his soul longed

exceedingly to flee from evil death and black destruction. Then goodly Achilles lifted his long spear with

intent to smite him, but he stooped and ran under it and caught his knees; and the spear went over his back

and stood in the ground, hungering for flesh of men. Then Lykaon besought him, with one hand holding his

knees, while with the other he held the sharp spear and loosed it not, and spake to him winged words: "I cry

thee mercy, Achilles; have thou regard and pity for me: to thee, O fosterling of Zeus, am I in the bonds of

suppliantship. For at thy table first I tasted meal of Demeter on the day when thou didst take me captive in the

wellordered orchard, and didst sell me away from my father and my friends unto goodly Lemnos, and I

fetched thee the price of a hundred oxen. And now have I been ransomed for thrice that, and this is my

twelfth morn since I came to Ilios after much pain. Now once again hath ruinous fate delivered me unto thy

hands; surely I must be hated of father Zeus, that he hath given me a second time unto thee; and to short life

my mother bare me, Laothoe, old Altes' daughterAltes who ruleth among the warloving Leleges, holding

steep Pedasos on the Satnioeis. His daughter Priam had to wife, with many others, and of her were we two

born, and thou wilt butcher both. Him among the foremost of the footsoldiers didst thou lay low, even

godlike Polydoros, when thou smotest him with they sharp spear: and now will it go hard with me here, for

no hope have I to escape thy hands, since God hath delivered me thereunto. Yet one thing will I tell thee, and

do thou lay it to heart: slay me not, since I am not of the same mother as Hector, who slew thy comrade the

Thus spake to him the noble son of Priam, beseeching him with words, but he heard a voice implacable:

"Fond fool, proffer me no ransom, nor these words. Until Patroklos met his fated day, then was it welcomer

to my soul to spare the men of Troy, and many I took alive and sold beyond the sea: but now there is none

shall escape death, whomsoever before Ilios God shall deliver into my handsyes, even among all Trojans,

but chiefest among Priam's sons. Ay, friend, thou too must die: why lamentest thou? Patroklos is dead, who

was better far than thou. Seest thou not also what manner of man am I for might and goodliness? and a good

man was my father, and a goddess mother bare me. Yet over me too hang death and forceful fate. There

cometh morn or eve or some noonday when my life too some man shall take in battle, whether with spear he

Thus spake he, and the other's knees and heart were unstrung. He let go Achilles' spear, and sat with both

hands outspread. But Achilles drew his sharp sword and smote on the collarbone beside the neck, and all the

twoedged sword sank into him, and he lay stretched prone upon the earth, and blood flowed dark from him

and soaked the earth. Him seized Achilles by the foot and sent him down the stream, and over him exulting

spake winged words: "There lie thou among the fishes, which shall lick off thy wound's blood heedlessly, nor

shall thy mother lay thee on a bed and mourn for thee, but Skamandros shall bear thee on his eddies into the

broad bosom of the sea. Leaping along the wave shall many a fish dart up to the dark ripple to eat of the

white flesh of Lykaon. So perish all, until we reach the citadel of sacred Ilios, ye flying and I behind

destroying. Nor even the River, fairflowing, silvereddied, shall avail you, to whom long time forsooth ye

sacrifice many bulls, and among his eddies throw wholehooved horses down alive. For all this yet shall ye

die the death, until ye pay all for Patroklos' slaying and the slaughter of Achaians whom at the swift ships ye

Thus spake he, but the River waxed ever more wroth in his heart, and sought in his soul how he should stay

goodly Achilles from his work, and ward destruction from the Trojans. Meanwhile the son of Peleus with his

farshadowing spear leapt, fain to slay him, upon Asteropaios son of Pelegon, whom wideflowing Axios

begat of Periboia eldest of the daughters of Akessamenos. Upon him set Achilles, and Asteropaios stood

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 135

against him from the river, holding two spears; for Xanthos put courage into his heart, being angered for the

slaughtered youths whom Achilles was slaughtering along the stream and had no pity on them. Then when

the twain were come nigh in onset on each other, unto him first spake fleetfooted noble Achilles: "Who and.

whence art thou of men, that darest to come against me? Illfated are they whose children match them with

And to him, made answer Pelegon's noble son: "Highhearted son of Peleus, why askest thou my lineage? I

come from deepsoiled Paionia, a land far off, leading Paionian men with their long spears, and this now is

the eleventh morn since I am come to Ilios. My lineage is of wideflowing Axios, who begat Pelegon famous

Thus spake he in defiance, and goodly Achilles lifted the Pelian ash: but the warrior Asteropaios hurled with

both spears together, for he could use both hands alike, and with the one spear smote the shield, but pierced it

not right through, for the gold stayed it, the gift of a god; and with the other he grazed the elbow of Achilles'

right arm, and there leapt forth dark blood, but the point beyond him fixed itself in the earth, eager to batten

on flesh. Then in his turn Achilles hurled on Asteropaios his straightflying ash, fain to have slain him, but

missed the man and struck the high bank, and quivering half its length in the bank he left the ashen spear.

Then the son of Peleus drew his sharp sword from his thigh and leapt fiercely at him, and he availed not to

draw with his stout hand Achilles' ashen shaft from the steep bank. Thrice shook he it striving to draw it

forth, and thrice gave up the strain, but the fourth time he was fain to bend and break the ashen spear of the

seed of Aiakos, but ere that Achilles closing on him reft him of life with his sword. For in the belly he smote

him beside the navel, and all his bowels gushed out to the earth, and darkness covered his eyes as he lay

gasping. Then Achilles trampling on his breast stripped off his armour and spake exultingly: "Lie there! It is

hard to strive against children of Kronos' mighty son, even though one be sprung from a Rivergod. Thou

truly declarest thyself the seed of a wideflowing River, but I avow me of the linkage of great Zeus. My sire

is a man ruling many Myrmidons, Peleus the son of Aiakos, and Aiakos was begotten of Zeus. As Zeus is

mightier than seawardmurmuring rivers, so is the seed of Zeus made mightier than the seed of a river. Nay,

there is hard beside thee a great river, if he may anywise avail; but against Zeus the son of Kronos it is not

possible to fight. For him not even king Acheloios is match, nor yet the great strength of deepflowing

Ocean, from whom all rivers flow and every sea, and all springs and deep wells: yea, even he hath fear of the

He said, and from the steep bank drew his bronze spear, and left there Asteropaios whom he had slain, lying

in the sands, and the dark water flooded him. Around him eels and fishes swarmed, tearing and gnawing the

fat about his kidneys. But Achilles went on after the charioted Paiones who still along the eddying river

huddled in fear, when they saw their best man in the stress of battle slain violently by the hands and the

sword of the son of Peleus. There slew he Thersilochos and Mydon and Astypylos and Mnesos and Thrasios

and Ainios and Ophelestes; and more yet of the Paiones would swift Achilles have slain, had not the

deepeddying River called unto him in wrath, in semblance of a man, and from an eddy's depth sent forth a

voice: "O Achilles, thy might and thy evil work are beyond the measure of men; for gods themselves are ever

helping thee. If indeed the son of Kronos hath delivered thee all the Trojans to destroy, at least drive them

forth from me and do thy grim deeds on the plain, for filled with dead men is my. pleasant bed, nor can I pour

my stream to the great sea, being choked with dead, and thou slayest ruthlessly. Come then, let be; I am

And to him answered Achilles fleet of foot: "So be it, heavensprung Skamandros, even as thou biddest. But

the proud Trojans I will not cease from slaying until I have driven them into their city, and have made trial

Thus saying, he set upon the Trojans, like a god. Then unto Apollo spake the deepeddying River: "Out on it,

lord of the silver bow, child of Zeus, thou hast not kept the ordinance of Kronos' son, who charged thee

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 136

straitly to stand by the Trojans and to help them, until eve come with light latesetting, and darken the

He said, and spearfamed Achilles sprang from the bank and leapt into his midst; but he rushed on him in a

furious wave, and stirred up all his streams in tumult, and swept down the many dead who lay thick in him,

slain by Achilles; these out to land he cast with bellowing like a bull, and saved the living under his fair

streams, hiding them within eddies deep and wide. But terribly around Achilles arose his tumultuous wave,

and the stream smote violently against his shield, nor availed he to stand firm upon his feet. Then he grasped

a tall fairgrown elm, and it fell uprooted and tore away all the bank, and reached over the fair river bed with

its thick shoots, and stemmed the River himself, falling all within him: and Achilles, struggling out of the

eddy, made haste to fly over the plain with his swift feet, for he was afraid. But the great god ceased not, but

arose upon him with darkness on his crest, that he might stay noble Achilles from slaughter, and ward

destruction from the men of Troy. And the son of Peleus rushed away a spear's throw, with the swoop of a

black eagle, the mighty hunter, strongest at once and swiftest of winged birds. Like him he sped, and on his

breast the bronze rang terribly as he fled from beneath the onset, and behind him the River rushed on with a

mighty roar. As when a fieldwaterer from a dark spring leadeth water along a bed through crops and garden

grounds, a mattock in his hands, casting forth hindrances from the ditch, and as it floweth all pebbles are

swept down, and swiftly gliding it murmureth down a sloping place, and outrunneth him that is its

guide:thus ever the river wave caught up Achilles for all his speed; for gods are mightier than men. For

whensoever fleetfooted noble Achilles struggled to stand against it, and know whether all immortals be

upon him who inhabit spacious heaven, then would a great wave of the heavensprung River beat upon his

shoulders from above, and he sprang upward with his feet, sore vexed at heart; and the River was wearying

his knees with violent rush beneath, devouring the earth from under his feet. Then the son of Peleus cried

aloud, looking up to the broad heaven: "Zeus, Father, how doth none of the gods take it on him in pity to save

me from the River! after that let come to me what may. None other of the inhabitants of Heaven is chargeable

so much, but only my dear mother, who beguiled me with false words, saying that under the wall of the

mailclad men of Troy I must die by the swift arrows of Apollo. Would that Hector had slain me, the best of

men bred here: then brave had been the slayer, and a brave man had he slain. But now by a sorry death am I

doomed to die, pent in this mighty river, like a swineherd boy whom a torrent sweepeth down as he essayeth

Thus spake he, and quickly Poseidon and Athene came near and stood beside him, in the likeness of men, and

taking his hands in theirs pledged him in words. And the first that spake was Poseidon, Shaker of the earth:

"Son of Peleus, tremble not, neither be afraid; such helpers of thee are we from the gods, approved of Zeus,

even Pallas Athene and I, for to be vanquished of a river is not appointed thee, but he will soon give back,

and thou wilt thyself perceive it: but we will give thee wise counsel, if thou wilt obey it; hold not thy hand

from hazardous battle until within Ilios' famous walls thou have pent the Trojan host, even all that flee before

thee. But do thou, when thou hast taken the life of Hector, go back unto the ships; this glory we give unto

They having thus spoken departed to the immortals, but he toward the plainfor the bidding of gods was

strong upon himwent onward; and all the plain was filled with waterflood, and many beautiful arms and

corpses of slain youths were drifting there. So upward sprang his knees as he rushed against the stream right

on, nor stayed him the wideflowing River, for Athene put great strength in him. Neither did Skamandros

slacken his fierceness, but yet more raged against the son of Peleus, and he curled crestwise the billow of his

stream, lifting himself on high, and on Simoeis he called with a shout: "Dear brother, the strength of this man

let us both join to stay, since quickly he will lay waste the great city of king Priam, and the Trojans abide not

in the battle. Help me with speed, and fill thy streams with water from thy springs, and urge on all thy

torrents, and raise up a great wave, and stir huge roaring of treestumps and stones, that we may stay the

fierce man who now is lording it, and deeming himself match for gods. For neither, I ween, will strength avail

him nor comeliness anywise, nor that armour beautiful, which deep beneath the flood shall be o'erlaid with

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 137

slime, and himself I will wrap him in my sands and pour round him countless shingle without stint, nor shall

the Achaians know where to gather his bones, so vast a shroud of silt will I heap over them. Where he dieth

there shall be his tomb, neither shall he have need of any barrow to be raised, when the Achaians make his

He said, and rushed in tumult on Achilles, raging from on high, thundering with foam and blood and bodies

of dead men. Then did a dark wave of the heavensprung River stand towering up and overwhelm the son of

Peleus. But Hera cried aloud in terror of Achilles, lest the great deepeddying River sweep him away, and

straightway she called to Hephaistos, her dear son: "Rise, lame god, O my son; it was against thee we thought

that eddying Xanthos was matched in fight. Help with all speed, put forth large blast of flame. Then will I go

to raise a strong storm out of the sea of the west wind and the white south which shall utterly consume the

dead Trojans and their armour, blowing the angry flame. Thou along Xanthos' banks burn up his trees and

wrap himself in fire, nor let him anywise turn thee back by soft words or by threat, nor stay thy rageonly

Thus spake she, and Hephaistos made ready fierceblazing fire. First on the plain fire blazed, and burnt the

many dead who lay there thick, slain by Achilles; and all the plain was parched and the bright water stayed.

And as when in late summer the north wind swiftly parcheth a new watered orchard, and he that tilleth it is

glad, thus was the whole plain parched, and Hephaistos consumed the dead; then against the river he turned

his gleaming flame. Elms burnt and willow trees and tamarisks, and lotos burnt and rush and galingale which

round the fair streams of the river grew in multitude. And the eels and fishes beneath the eddies were

afflicted, which through the fair streams tumbled this way and that, in anguish at the blast of crafty

Hephaistos. And the strong River burned, and spake and called to him by name: "Hephaistos, there is no god

can match with thee, nor will I fight thee thus ablaze with fire. Cease strife, yea, let noble Achilles drive the

Trojans forthwith out of their city; what have I to do with strife and succour?"

Thus spake he, burnt with fire, for his fair streams were bubbling. And as a cauldron boileth within, beset

with much fire, melting the lard of some fatted hog spurting up on all sides, and logs of firewood lie

thereunder,so burned his fair streams in the fire, and the water boiled. He had no mind to flow, but

refrained him, for the breath of cunning Hephaistos violently afflicted him. Then unto Hera, earnestly

beseeching her,' he spake winged words: "Hera, wherefore hath thy son assailed my stream to vex it above

others? I am less chargeable than all the rest that are helpers of the Trojans. But lo, I will give over, if thou

wilt, and let thy son give over too. And I further will swear even this, that never will I ward the day of evil

from the Trojans, not even when all Troy is burning in the blaze of hungry fire, and the warlike sons of

Then when the whitearmed goddess Hera heard his speech, straightway she spake unto Hephaistos her dear

son: "Hephaistos, hold, famed son; it befitteth not thus for mortals' sake to do violence to an immortal god."

Thus said she and Hephaistos quenched the fierceblazing fire, and the wave once more rolled down the fair

So when the rage of Xanthos was overcome, both ceased, for Hera stayed them, though in wrath. But among

the other gods fell grievous bitter strife, and their hearts were carried diverse in their breasts. And they

clashed together with a great noise, and the wide earth groaned, and the clarion of great Heaven rang around.

Zeus heard as he sate upon Olympus, and his heart within him laughed pleasantly when he beheld that strife

of gods. Then no longer stood they asunder, for Ares piercer of shields began the battle and first made for

Athene with his bronze spear, and spake a taunting word: "Wherefore, O dogfly, dost thou match gods with

gods in strife, with stormy daring, as thy great spirit moveth thee? Rememberest thou not how thou movedst

Diomedes Tydeus' son to wound me, and thyself didst take a visible spear and thrust it straight at me and

pierce through my fair skin? Therefore deem I now that thou shalt pay me for all that thou hast done."

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 138

Thus saying he smote on the dread tasselled aegis that not even the lightning of Zeus can overcomethereon

smote bloodstained Ares with his long spear. But she, giving back, grasped with stout hand a stone that lay

upon the plain, black, rugged, huge, which men of old time set to be the landmark of a field; this hurled she,

and smote impetuous Ares on the neck, and unstrung his limbs. Seven roods he covered in his fall, and soiled

his hair with dust, and his armour rang upon him. And Pallas Athene laughed, and spake to him winged

words exultingly: "Fool, not even yet hast thou learnt how far better than thou I claim to be, that thus thou

matchest thy might with mine. Thus shalt thou satisfy thy mother's curses, who deviseth mischief against thee

in her wrath, for that thou hast left the Achaians and givest the proud Trojan's aid."

Thus having said she turned from him her shining eyes. Him did Aphrodite daughter of Zeus take by the hand

and lead away, groaning continually, for scarce gathered he his spirit back to him. But when the whitearmed

goddess Hera was aware of them, straightway she spake unto Athene winged words: "Out on it, child of

aegisbearing Zeus, maiden invincible, lo there the dogfly is leading Ares destroyer of men out of the fray of

She said, and Athene sped after her with heart exultant, and made at her and smote her with stout hand upon

the breast, and straightway her knees and heart were unstrung. So they twain lay on the bounteous earth, and

she spake winged words exultingly: "Such let all be who give the Trojans aid when they fight against the

mailed Argives. Be they even so bold and brave as Aphrodite when she came to succour Ares and defied my

might. Then should we long ago have ceased from war, having laid waste the stablished citadel of Ilios."

[She said, and the whitearmed goddess Hera smiled.] Then to Apollo spake the earthshaking lord:

"Phoebus, why stand we apart? It befitteth not after the rest have begun: that were the more shameful if

without fighting we should go to Olympus to the bronzethresholded house of Zeus. Begin, for thou art

younger; it were not meet for me, since I was born first and know more. Fond god, how foolish is thy heart!

Thou rememberest not all the ills we twain alone of gods endured at Ilios, when by ordinance of Zeus we

came to proud Laomedon and served him through a year for promised recompense, and he laid on us his

commands. I round their city built the Trojans a wall, wide and most fair, that the city might be unstormed,

and thou Phoebus, didst herd shambling crookhorned kine among the spurs of woody manyfolded Ida. But

when the joyous seasons were accomplishing the term of hire, then redoubtable Laomedon robbed us of all

hire, and sent us off with threats. He threatened that he would bind together our feet and hands and sell us

into faroff isles, and the ears of both of us he vowed to shear off with the sword. So we went home with

angry hearts, wroth for the hire he promised and gave us not. To his folk not thou showest favour, nor

essayest with us how the proud Trojans may be brought low and perish miserably with their children and

Then to him answered King Apollo the Fardarter: "Shaker of the earth, of no sound mind wouldst thou

repute me if I should fight against thee for the sake of pitiful mortals, who like unto leaves now live in

glowing life, consuming the fruit of the earth, and now again pine into death. Let us with all speed cease from

Thus saying he turned away, for he felt shame to deal in blows with his father's brother. But his sister

upbraided him sore, the queen of wild beasts, huntress Artemis, and spake a taunting word: "So then thou

fleest, Fardarter, hast quite yielded to Poseidon the victory, and given him glory for naught! Fond god, why

bearest thou an ineffectual bow in vain? Let me not hear thee again in the halls of our sire boast as before

Thus spake she, but fardarting Apollo answered her not. But angrily the noble spouse of Zeus [upbraided

the Archer Queen with taunting words:] "How now art thou fain, bold vixen, to set thyself against me? Hard

were it for thee to match my might, bowbearer though thou art, since against women Zeus made thee a lion,

and giveth thee to slay whomso of them thou wilt. Truly it is better on the mountains to slay wild beasts and

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 139

deer than to fight amain with mightier than thou. But if thou wilt, try war, that thou mayest know well how

She said, and with her left hand caught both the other's hands by the wrist, and with her right took the bow

from off her shoulders, and therewith, smiling, beat her on the ears as she turned this way and that; and the

swift arrows fell out of her quiver. And weeping from before her the goddess fled like a dove that from before

a falcon flieth to a hollow rock, a cleftfor she was not fated to be caught;thus Artemis fled weeping, and

left her bow and arrows where they lay. Then to Leto spake the Guide, the slayer of Argus: "Leto, with thee

will I no wise fight; a grievous thing it is to come to blows with wives of cloudgathering Zeus; but boast to

thy heart's content among the immortal gods that thou didst vanquish me by might and main."

Thus said he, and Leto gathered up the curved bow and arrows fallen hither and thither amid the whirl of

dust: so taking her daughter's bow she went back. And the maiden came to Olympus, to the

bronzethresholded house of Zeus, and weeping set herself on her father's knee, while round her her divine

vesture quivered: and her father, Kronos' son, took her to him and asked of her, laughing gently: "Who of the

inhabitants of heaven, dear child, hath dealt with thee thus [hastily, as though thou hadst been doing some

And to him in answer spake the faircrowned queen of the echoing chase: "It was thy wife that buffeted me,

father, the whitearmed Hera, from whom are strife and contention come upon the immortals."

Thus talked they unto one another. Then Phoebus Apollo entered into sacred Ilios, for he was troubled for the

wall of the wellbuilded city, lest the Danaans waste it before its hour upon that day. But the other

everliving gods went to Olympus, some angry and some greatly truimphing, and sat down beside Zeus who

Now Achilles was still slaying the Trojans, both themselves and their wholehooved horses. And as when a

smoke goeth up to the broad heaven, when a city burneth, kindled by the wrath of gods, and causeth toil to

all, arid griefs to many, thus caused Achilles toil and griefs to the Trojans. And the old man Priam stood on

the sacred tower, and was aware of dread Achilles, how before him the Trojans thronged in rout, nor was any

succour found of them. Then with a cry he went down from the tower, to rouse the gallant warders along the

walls: "Hold open the gates in your hands until the folk come to the city in their rout, for closely is Achilles

chasing themnow trow I there will be deadly deeds. And when they are gathered within the wall and are

taking breath, then again shut back the gatewings firmly builded; for I fear lest that murderous man spring

Thus spake he, and they opened the gates and thrust back the bolts; and the gates flung back gave safety.

Then Apollo leapt forth to the front that he might ward destruction from the Trojans. They straight for the

city and the high wall were fleeing, parched with thirst and dustgrimed from the plain, and Achilles chased

them vehemently with his spear, for strong frenzy possessed his heart continually, and he thirsted to win him

renown. Then would the sons of the Achaians have taken highgated Troy, had not Phoebus Apollo aroused

goodly Agenor, Antenor's son, a princely man and strong. In his heart he put good courage, and himself stood

by his side that he might ward off the grievous visitations of death, leaning against the oak, and he was

shrouded in thick mist. So when Agenor was aware of Achilles waster of cities, he halted, and his heart much

wavered as he stood; and in trouble he spake to his great heart: "Ay me, if I flee before mighty Achilles, there

where the rest are driven terrorstruck, nathless will he overtake me and slaughter me as a coward. Or what if

I leave these to be driven before Achilles the son of Peleus, and flee upon my feet from the wall by another

way to the Ileian plain, until I come to the spurs of Ida, and hide me in the underwood? So then at evening,

having bathed in the river and refreshed me of sweat, I might return to Ilios. Nay, why doth my heart debate

thus within me? Lest he might be aware of me as I get me from the city for the plain, and speeding after

overtake me with swift feet; then will it no more be possible to avoid the visitation of death, for he is

BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. 140

exceeding mighty above all mankind. What then if in front of the city I go forth to meet him? Surely his flesh

too is penetrable by sharp bronze, and there is but one life within, and men say he is mortal, howbeit Zeus the

Thus saying, he gathered himself to await Achilles, and within him his stout heart was set to strive and fight.

As a leopardess goeth forth from a deep thicket to affront a huntsman, nor is afraid at heart, nor fleeth when

she heareth the bay of hounds; for albeit the man first smite her with thrust or throw, yet even pierced through

with the spear she ceaseth not from her courage until she either grapple or be slain, so noble Antenor's son,

goodly Agenor, refused to flee till he should put Achilles to the proof, but held before him the circle of his

shield, and aimed at him with his spear, and cried aloud: "Doubtless thou hopest in thy heart, noble Achilles,

on this day to sack the city of the proud men of Troy. Fond man, there shall many woful things yet be

wrought before it, for within it we are many men and staunch, who in front of our parents dear and wives and

sons keep Ilios safe; but thou shalt here meet death, albeit so redoubtable and bold a man of war."

He said, and hurled his sharp spear with weighty hand, and smote him on the leg beneath the knee, nor

missed his mark, and the greave of newwrought tin rang terribly on him; but the bronze bounded back from

him it smote, nor pierced him, for the god's gift drave it back. Then the son of Peleus in his turn made at

godlike Agenor, but Apollo suffered him not to win renown, but caught away Agenor, and shrouded him in

thick mist, and sent him in peace to be gone out of the war. Then by wile kept the son of Peleus away from

the folk, for in complete semblance of Agenor himself he stood before the feet of Achilles, who hasted to run

upon him and chase him. And while he chased him over the wheatbearing plain, edging him toward the

deepeddying river Skamandros, as he ran but a little in front of him (for by wile Apollo beguiled him that he

kept ever hoping to overtake him in the race), meantime the other Trojans in common rout came gladly unto

their fastness, and the city was filled with the throng of them. Neither had they heart to await one another

outside the city and wall, and to know who might have escaped and who had perished in the fight, but

impetuously they poured into the city, whomsoever of them his feet and knees might save.

Thus they throughout the city, scared like fawns, were cooling their sweat and drinking and slaking their

thirst, leaning on the fair battlements, while the Achaians drew near the wall, setting shields to shoulders. But

Hector deadly fate bound to abide in his place, in front of Ilios and the Skaian gates. Then to the son of

Peleus spake Phoebus Apollo: "Wherefore, son of Peleus, pursuest thou me with swift feet, thyself being

mortal and I a deathless god? Thou hast not even yet known me, that I am a god, but strivest vehemently.

Truly thou regardest not thy task among the affliction of the Trojans whom thou affrightedst, who now are

gathered into the city, while thou heat wandered hither. Me thou wilt never slay, for I am not subject unto

Then mightily moved spake unto him Achilles fleet of foot: "Thou hast baulked me, Fardarter, most

mischievous of all the gods, in that thou hast turned me hither from the wall: else should full many yet have

bitten the dust or ever within Ilios had they come. Now hast thou robbed me of great renown, and lightly hast

saved them, because thou hadst no vengeance to fear thereafter. Verily I would avenge me on thee, had I but

Thus saying toward the city he was gone in pride of heart, rushing like some victorious horse in a chariot, that

runneth lightly at full speed over the plain; so swiftly plied Achilles his feet and knees. Him the old man

Priam first beheld as he sped across the plain, blazing as the star that cometh forth at harvesttime, and plain

seen his rays shine forth amid the host of stars in the darkness of night, the star whose name men call Orion's

Dog. Brightest of all is he, yet for an evil sign is he set, and bringeth much fever upon hapless men. Even so

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. 141

on Achilles' breast the bronze gleamed as he ran. And the old man cried aloud and beat upon his head with

his hands, raising them on high, and with a cry called aloud beseeching his dear son; for he before the gates

was standing, all hot for battle with Achilles. And the old man spake piteously unto him, stretching forth his

hands: "Hector, beloved son, I pray thee await not this man alone with none beside thee, lest thou quickly

meet thy doom, slain by the son of Peleus, since he is mightier far, a merciless man. Would the gods loved

him even as do I! then quickly would dogs and vultures devour him on the fieldthereby would cruel pain

go from my heartthe man who hath bereft me of many valiant sons, slaying them and selling them captive

into faroff isles. Ay even now twain of my children, Lykaon and Polydoros, I cannot see among the Trojans

that throng into the fastness, sons whom Laothoe bare me, a princess among women. If they be yet alive amid

the enemy's host, then will we ransom them with bronze and gold, for there is store within, for much goods

gave the old man famous Altes to his child. If they be dead, then even in the house of Hades shall they be a

sorrow to my soul and to their mother, even to us who gave them birth, but to the rest of the folk a briefer

sorrow, if but thou die not by Achilles' hand. Nay, come within the wall, my child, that thou preserve the men

and women of Troy, neither give great triumph to the son of Peleus, and be thyself bereft of sweet life. Have

compassion also on me, the helpless one, who still can feel, illfated; whom the father, Kronos' son, will

bring to naught by a grievous doom in the path of old age, having seen full many ills, his sons perishing and

his daughters carried away captive, and his chambers laid waste and infant children hurled to the ground in

terrible war, and his sons' wives dragged away by the ruinous hands of the Achaians. Myself then last of all at

the street door will ravening dogs tear, when some one by stroke or throw of the sharp bronze hath bereft my

limbs of lifeeven the dogs I reared in my halls about my table and to guard my door, which then having

drunk my blood, maddened at heart shall lie in the gateway. A young man all beseemeth, even to be slain in

war, to be torn by the sharp bronze and lie on the field; though he be dead yet is all honourable to him,

whate'er be seen: but when dogs defile the hoary head and hoary beard of an old man slain, this is the most

Thus spake the old man, and grasped his hoary hairs, plucking them from his head, but he persuaded not

Hector's soul Then his mother in her turn wailed tearfully, loosening the folds of her robe, while with the

other hand she showed her breast; and through her tears spake to him winged words: "Hector, my child, have

regard unto this bosom and pity me, if ever I gave thee consolation of my breast. Think of it, dear child, and

from this side the wall drive back the foe, nor stand in front to meet him. He is merciless; if he slay thee it

will not be on a bed that I or thy wife shall bewail thee, my own dear child, but far away from us by the ships

Thus they with wailing spake to their dear son, beseeching him sore, yet they persuaded not Hector's soul, but

he stood awaiting Achilles as he drew nigh in giant might. As a serpent of the mountains upon his den

awaiteth a man, having fed on evil poisons, and fell wrath hath entered into him, and terribly he glared as he

coileth himself about his den, so Hector with courage unquenchable gave not back, leaning his shining shield

against a jutting tower. Then sore troubled he spake to his great heart: "Ay me, if I go within the gates and

walls, Polydamas will be first to bring reproach against me, since he bade me lead the Trojans to the city

during this ruinous night, when noble Achilles arose. But I regarded him not, yet surely it had been better far.

And now that I have undone the host by my wantonness, I am ashamed before the men of Troy and women of

trailing robes, lest at any time some worse man than I shall say: 'Hector by trusting his own might undid the

host.' So will they speak; then to me would it be better far to face Achilles and either slay him and go home,

or myself die gloriously before the city. Or what if I lay down my bossy shield and my stout helm, and lean

my spear against the wall, and go of myself to meet noble Achilles and promise him that Helen, and with her

all possessions that Alexandros brought in hollow ships to Troy, the beginning of strife, we will give to the

Sons of Atreus to take away, and therewithal to divide in half with the Achaians all else that this city holdeth:

and if thereafter I obtain from the Trojans an oath of the Elders that they will hide nothing but divide all in

twain [whatever wealth the pleasant city hold within]? But wherefore doth my heart debate thus? I might

come unto him and he would not pity or regard me at all, but presently slay me unarmed as it were but a

woman, if I put off my armour. No time is it now to dally with him from oaktree or from rock, like youth

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. 142

with maiden, as youth and maiden hold dalliance one with another. Better is it to join battle with all speed: let

Thus pondered he as he stood, but nigh on him came Achilles, peer of Enyalios warrior of the waving helm,

brandishing from his right shoulder the Pelian ash, his terrible spear; and all around the bronze on him flashed

like the gleam of blazing fire or of the Sun as he ariseth. And trembling seized Hector as he was aware of

him, nor endured he to abide in his place, but left the gates behind him and fled in fear. And the son of Peleus

darted after him, trusting in his swift feet. As a falcon upon the mountains, swiftest of winged things,

swoopeth fleetly after a trembling dove; and she before him fleeth, while he with shrill screams hard at hand

still darteth at her, for his heart urgeth him to seize her; so Achilles in hot haste flew straight for him, and

Hector fled beneath the Trojans' wall, and plied swift knees. They past the watchplace and windwaved

wild figtree sped ever, away from under the wall, along the waggontrack, and came to the two

fairflowing springs, where two fountains rise that feed deepeddying Skamandros. The one floweth with

warm water, and smoke goeth up therefrom around as it were from a blazing fire, while the other even in

summer floweth forth like cold hail or snow or ice that water formeth. And there beside the springs are broad

washingtroughs hard by, fair troughs of stone, where wives and fair daughters of the men of Troy were wont

to wash bright raiment, in the old time of peace, before the sons of the Achaians came. Thereby they ran, he

flying, he pursuing. Valiant was the flier but far mightier he who fleetly pursued him. For not for beast of

sacrifice or for an oxhide were they striving, such as are prizes for men's speed of foot, but for the life of

horsetaming Hector was their race. And as when victorious wholehooved horses run rapidly round the

turningpoints, and some great prize lieth in sight, be it a tripod or a woman, in honour of a man that is dead,

so thrice around Priam's city circled those twain with flying feet, and all the gods were gazing on them. Then

among them spake first the father of gods and men: "Ay me, a man beloved I see pursued around the wall.

My heart is woe for Hector, who hath burnt for me many thighs of oxen amid the crests of manyfolded Ida,

and other times on the cityheight; but now is goodly Achilles pursuing him with swift feet round Priam's

town. Come, give your counsel, gods, and devise whether we shall save him from death or now at last slay

Then to him answered the brighteyed goddess Athene: "O Father, Lord of the bright lightning and the dark

cloud, what is this thou hast said? A man that is a mortal, doomed long ago by fate, wouldst thou redeem

And unto her in answer spake cloudgathering Zeus: "Be of good cheer, Tritoborn, dear child: not in full

earnest speak I, and I would fain be kind to thee. Do as seemeth good to thy mind, and draw not back."

Thus saying he roused Athene, that already was set thereon, and from the crests of Olympus she darted down.

But after Hector sped fleet Achilles chasing him vehemently. And as when on the mountains a hound hunteth

the fawn of a deer, having started it from its covert, through glens and glades, and if it crouch to baffle him

under a bush, yet scenting it out the hound runneth constantly until he find it; so Hector baffled not Peleus'

fleetfooted son. Oft as he set him. self to dart under the wellbuilt walls over against the Dardanian gates, if

haply from above they might succour him with darts, so oft would Achilles gain on him and turn him toward

the plain, while himself he sped ever on the cityside. And as in a dream one faileth in chase of a flying man,

the one faileth in his flight and the other in his chaseso failed Achilles to overtake him in the race, and

Hector to escape. And thus would Hector have avoided the visitation of death, had not this time been utterly

the last wherein Apollo came nigh to him, who nerved his strength and his swift knees. For to the host did

noble Achilles sign with his head, and forbade them to hurl bitter darts against Hector, lest any smiting him

should gain renown, and he himself come second. But when the fourth time they had reached the springs,

then the Father hung his golden balances, and set therein two lots of dreary death, one of Achilles, one of

horsetaming Hector, and held them by the midst and poised. Then Hector's fated day sank down, and fell to

the house of Hades, and Phoebus Apollo left him. But to Peleus' son came the brighteyed goddess Athene,

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. 143

and standing near spake to him winged words: "Now verily, glorious Achilles dear to Zeus, I have hope that

we twain shall carry off great glory to the ships for the Achaians, having slain Hector, for all his thirst for

fight. No longer is it possible for him to escape us, not even though fardarting Apollo should travail sore,

grovelling before the Father, aegisbearing Zeus. But do thou now stand and take breath, and I will go and

Thus spake Athene, and he obeyed, and was glad at heart, and stood leaning on his bronzepointed

ashenspear. And she left him and came to noble Hector, like unto Deiphobos in shape and in strong voice,

and standing near spake to him winged words: "Dear brother, verily fleet Achilles doth thee violence, chasing

thee round Priam's town with swift feet: but come let us make a stand and await him on our defence."

Then answered her great Hector of the glancing helm: "Deiphobos, verily aforetime wert thou far dearest of

my brothers, but now methinks I shall honour thee even more, in that thou hast dared for my sake, when thou

Then to him again spake the brighteyed goddess Athene: "Dear brother, of a truth my father and lady

mother and my comrades around besought me much, entreating me in turn, to tarry there, so greatly do they

all tremble before him; but my heart within was sore with dismal grief. And now fight we with straightset

resolve and let there be no sparing of spears, that we may know whether Achilles is to slay us and carry our

bloody spoils to the hollow ships, or whether he might be vanquished by thy spear."

Thus saying Athene in her subtlety led him on. And when they were come nigh in onset on one another, to

Achilles first spake great Hector of the glancing helm: "No longer, son of Peleus, will I fly thee, as before I

thrice ran round the great town of Priam, and endured not to await thy onset. Now my heart biddeth me stand

up against thee; I will either slay or be slain. But come hither and let us pledge us by our gods, for they shall

be best witnesses and beholders of covenants: I will entreat thee in no outrageous sort, if Zeus grant me to

outstay thee, and if I take thy life, but when I have despoiled thee of thy glorious armour, O Achilles, I will

But unto him with grim gaze spake Achilles fleet of foot: "Hector, talk not to me, thou madman, of

covenants. As between men and lions there is no pledge of faith, nor wolves and sheep can be of one mind,

but imagine evil continually against each other, so is it impossible for thee and me to be friends, neither shall

be any pledge between us until one or other shall have fallen and glutted with blood Ares, the stubborn god of

war. Bethink thee of all thy soldiership: now behoveth it thee to quit thee as a good spearman and valiant man

of war. No longer is there way of escape for thee, but Pallas Athene will straightway subdue thee to my spear;

and now in one hour shalt thou pay back for all my sorrows for my friends whom thou hast slain in the fury

He said, and poised his farshadowing spear and hurled. And noble Hector watched the coming thereof and

avoided it; for with his eye on it he crouched, and the bronze spear flew over him, and fixed itself in the

earth; but Pallas Athene caught it up and gave it back to Achilles, unknown of Hector shepherd of hosts. Then

Hector spake unto the noble son of Peleus: "Thou hast missed, so no wise yet, godlike Achilles, has thou

known from Zeus the hour of my doom, though thou thoughtest it. Cunning of tongue art thou and a deceiver

in speech, that fearing thee I might forget my valour and strength. Not as I flee shalt thou plant thy spear in

my reins, but drive it straight through my breast as I set on thee, if God hath given thee to do it. Now in thy

turn avoid my spear of bronze. O that thou mightst take it all into thy flesh! Then would the war be lighter to

He said, and poised his longshadowed spear and hurled it, and smote the midst of the shield of Peleus' son,

and missed him not: but far from the shield the spear leapt back. And Hector was wroth that his swift weapon

had left his hand in vain, and he stood downcast, for he had no second ashen spear. And he called with a loud

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. 144

shout to Deiphobos of the white shield, and asked of him a long spear, but he was no wise nigh. Then Hector

knew he truth in his heart, and spake and said: "Ay me, now verily the gods have summoned me to death. I

deemed the warrior Deiphobos was by my side, but he is within the wall, and it was Athene who played me

false. Now therefore is evil death come very nigh me, not far off, nor is there way of escape. This then was

from of old the pleasure of Zeus and of the fardarting son of Zeus, who yet before were fain to succour me:

but now my fate hath found me. At least let me not die without a struggle or ingloriously, but in some great

Thus saying he drew his sharp sword that by his flank hung great and strong, and gathered himself and

swooped like a soaring eagle that darteth to the plain through the dark clouds to seize a tender lamb or

crouching hare. So Hector swooped, brandishing his sharp sword. And Achilles made at him, for his heart

was filled with wild fierceness, and before his breast he made a covering with his fair graven shield, and

tossed his bright fourplated helm; and round it waved fair golden plumes [that Hephaistos had set thick

about the crest.]. As a star goeth among stars in the darkness of night, Hesperos, fairest of all stars set in

heaven, so flashed there forth a light from the keen spear Achilles poised in his right hand, devising mischief

against noble Hector, eyeing his fair flesh to find the fittest place. Now for the rest of him his flesh was

covered by the fair bronze armour he stripped from strong Patroklos when he slew him, but there was an

opening where the collar bones coming from the shoulders clasp the neck, even at the gullet, where

destruction of life cometh quickliest; there, as he came on, noble Achilles drave at him with his spear, and

right through the tender neck went the point. Yet the bronzeweighted ashen spear clave not the windpipe, so

that he might yet speak words of answer to his foe. And he fell down in the dust, and noble Achilles spake

exultingly: "Hector, thou thoughtest, whilst thou wert spoiling Patroklos, that thou wouldst be safe, and didst

reck nothing of me who was afar, thou fool. But away among the hollow ships his comrade, a mightier far,

even I, was left behind, who now have unstrung thy knees. Thee shall dogs and birds tear foully, but his

Then with faint breath spake unto him Hector of the glancing helm: "I pray thee by thy life and knees and

parents leave me not for dogs of the Achaians to devour by the ships, but take good store of bronze and gold,

gifts that my father and lady mother shall give to thee, and give them home my body back again, that the

But unto him with grim gaze spake Achilles fleet of foot: "Entreat me not, dog, by knees or parents. Would

that my heart's desire could so bid me myself to carve and eat raw thy flesh, for the evil thou hast wrought

me, as surely is there none that shall keep the dogs from thee, not even should they bring ten or twenty fold

ransom and here weigh it out, and promise even more, not even were Priam Dardanos' son to bid pay thy

weight in gold, not even so shall thy lady mother lay thee on a bed to mourn her son, but dogs and birds shall

Then dying spake unto him Hector of the glancing helm: "Verily I know thee and behold thee as thou art, nor

was I destined to persuade thee; truly thy heart is iron in thy breast. Take heed now lest I draw upon thee

wrath of gods, in the day when Paris and Phoebus Apollo slay thee, for all thy valour, at the Skaian gate."

He ended, and the shadow of death came down upon him, and his soul flew forth of his limbs and was gone

to the house of Hades, wailing her fate, leaving her vigour and youth. Then to the dead man spake noble

Achilles: "Die: for my death, I will accept it whensoever Zeus and the other immortal gods are minded to

He said, and from the corpse drew forth his bronze spear, and set it aside, and stripped the bloody armour

from the shoulders. And other sons of Achaians ran up around, who gazed upon the stature and marvellous

goodliness of Hector. Nor did any stand by but wounded him, and thus would many a man say looking

toward his neighbour: "Go to, of a truth far easier to handle is Hector now than when he burnt the ships with

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. 145

blazing fire." Thus would many a man say, and wound him as he stood hard by. And when fleet noble

Achilles had despoiled him, he stood up among the Achaians and spake winged words: "Friends, chiefs and

counsellors of the Argives, since the gods have vouchsafed us to vanquish this man who hath done us more

evil than all the rest together, come let us make trial in arms round about the city, that we may know

somewhat of the Trojans' purpose, whether since he hath fallen they will forsake the citadel, or whether they

are minded to abide, albeit Hector is no more. But wherefore doth my heart debate thus? There lieth by the

ships a dead man unbewailed, unburied, Patroklos; him will I not forget, while I abide among the living and

my knees can stir. Nay if even in the house of Hades the dead forget their dead, yet will I even there be

mindful of my dear comrade. But come, ye sons of the Achaians, let us now, singing our song of victory, go

back to the hollow ships and take with us our foe. Great glory have we won; we have slain the noble Hector,

He said, and devised foul entreatment of noble Hector. The tendons of both feet behind he slit from heel to

anklejoint, and thrust therethrough thongs of oxhide, and bound him to his chariot, leaving his head to

trail. And when he had mounted the chariot and lifted therein the famous armour, he lashed his horses to

speed, and they nothing loth flew on. And dust rose around him that was dragged, and his dark hair flowed

loose on either side, and in the dust lay all his once fair head, for now had Zeus given him over to his foes to

Thus was his head all grimed with dust. But his mother when she beheld her son, tore her hair and cast far

from her her shining veil, and cried aloud with an exceeding bitter cry. And piteously moaned his father, and

around them the folk fell to crying and moaning throughout the town. Most like it seemed as though all

beetling Ilios were burning utterly in fire. Scarcely could the folk keep back the old man in his hot desire to

get him forth of the Dardanian gates. For he besought them all, casting himself down in the mire, and calling

on each man by his name: "Hold, friends, and though you love me leave me to get me forth of the city alone

and go unto the ships of the Achaians. Let me pray this accursed horrorworking man, if haply he may feel

shame before his agefellows and pity an old man. He also hath a father such as I am, Peleus, who begat and

reared him to be a bane of Trojansand most of all to me hath he brought woe. So many sons of mine hath

he slain in their floweryet for all my sorrow for the rest I mourn them all less than this one alone, for

whom my sharp grief will bring me down to the house of Hadeseven Hector. Would that he had died in my

arms; then would we have wept and wailed our fill, his mother who bore him to her ill hap, and I myself."

Thus spake he wailing, and all the men of the city made moan with him. And among the women of Troy,

Hekabe led the wild lament: "My child, ah, woe is me! wherefore should I live in my pain, now thou art dead,

who night and day wert my boast through the city, and blessing to all, both men and women of Troy

throughout the town, who hailed thee as a god, for verily an exceeding glory to them wert thou in thy

Thus spake she wailing. But Hector's wife knew not as yet, for no true messenger had come to tell her how

her husband abode without the gates, but in an inner chamber of the lofty house she was weaving a double

purple web, and broidering therein manifold flowers. Then she called to her goodlyhaired handmaids

through the house to set a great tripod on the fire, that Hector might have warm washing when he came home

out of the battle fond heart, and was unaware how, far from all washings, brighteyed Athene had slain him

by the hand of Achilles. But she heard shrieks and groans from the battlements, and her limbs reeled, and the

shuttle fell from her hands to earth. Then again among her goodlyhaired maids she spake: "Come two of ye

this way with me that I may see what deeds are done. It was the voice of my husband's noble mother that I

heard, and in my own breast my heart leapeth to my mouth and my knees are numbed beneath me: surely

some evil thing is at hand against the children of Priam. Would that such word might never reach my ear! yet

terribly I dread lest noble Achilles have cut off bold Hector from the city by himself and chased him to the

plain and ere this ended his perilous pride that possessed him, for never would he tarry among the throng of

BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. 146

Thus saying she sped through the chamber like one mad, with beating heart, and with her went her

handmaidens. But when she came to the battlements and the throng of men, she stood still upon the wall and

gazed, and beheld him dragged before the city:swift horses dragged him recklessly toward the hollow

ships of the Achaians. Then dark night came on her eyes and shrouded her, and she fell backward and gasped

forth her spirit. From off her head she shook the bright attiring thereof, frontlet and net and woven band, and

veil, the veil that golden Aphrodite gave her on the day when Hector of the glancing helm led her forth of the

house of Eetion, having given bridegifts untold. And around her thronged her husband's sisters and his

brothers' wives, who held her up among them, distraught even to death. But when at last she came to herself

and her soul returned into her breast, then wailing with deep sobs she spake among the women of Troy: "O

Hector, woe is me! to one fate then were we both born, thou in Troy in the house of Priam, and I in Thebe

under woody Plakos, in the house of Eetion, who reared me from a little oneillfated sire of cruelfated

child. Ah, would he have begotten me not. Now thou to the house of Hades beneath the secret places of the

earth departest, and me in bitter mourning thou leavest a widow in thy halls: and thy son is but an infant

childson of unhappy parents, thee and menor shalt thou profit him, Hector, since thou art dead, neither

he thee. For even if he escape the Achaians' woful war, yet shall labour and sorrow cleave unto him hereafter,

for other men shall seize his lands. The day of orphanage sundereth a child from his fellows, and his head is

bowed down ever, and his cheeks are wet with tears. And in his need the child seeketh his father's friends,

plucking this one by cloak and that by coat, and one of them that pity him holdeth his cup a little to his

mouth, and moisteneth his lips, but his palate he moisteneth not. And some child unorphaned thrusteth him

from the feast with blows and taunting words, 'Out with thee! no father of thine is at our board.' Then

weeping to his widowed mother shall he return, even Astyanax, who erst upon his father's knee ate only

marrow and fat flesh of sheep; and when sleep fell on him and he ceased from childish play, then in bed in his

nurse's arms he would slumber softly nested, having satisfied his heart with good things; but now that he hath

lost his father he will suffer many ills, Astyanaxthat name the Trojans gave him, because thou only wet the

defence of their gates and their long walls. But now by the beaked ships, far from thy parents, shall coiling

worms devour thee when the dogs have had their fill, as thou liest naked; yet in these halls lieth raiment of

thine, delicate and fair, wrought by the hands of women. But verily all these will I consume with burning

fireto thee no profit, since thou wilt never lie therein, yet that his be honour to thee from the men and the

Thus they throughout the city made moan: but the Achaians when they were come to the ships and to the

Hellespont were scattered each to his own ship: only the Myrmidons Achilles suffered not to be scattered, but

spake among his comrades whose delight was in war: "Fleethorsed Myrmidons, my trusty comrades, let us

not yet unyoke our wholehooved steeds from their cars, but with horses and chariots let us go near and

mourn Patroklos, for such is the honour of the dead. Then when we have our fill of grievous wailing, we will

He said, and they with one accord made lamentation, and Achilles led their mourning. So thrice around the

dead they drave their wellmaned steeds, moaning; and Thetis stirred among them desire of wailing.

Bedewed were the sands with tears, bedewed the warriors' arms; so great a lord of fear they sorrowed for.

And Peleus' son led their loud wail, laying his manslaying hands on his comrade's breast: "All hail,

Patroklos, even in the house of Hades; for all that I promised thee before am I accomplishing, seeing I have

dragged hither Hector to give raw unto dogs to devour, and twelve noble children of the Trojans to slaughter

He said, and devised foul entreatment of noble Hector, stretching him prone in the dust beside the bier of

Menoitios' son. And the rest put off each his glittering bronze arms, and unyoked their highneighing horses,

and sate them down numberless beside the ship of fleetfooted Aiakides, and he gave them ample funeral

feast. Many sleek oxen were stretched out, their throats cut with steel, and many sheep and bleating goats,

and many whitetusked boars well grown in fat were spitted to singe in the flame of Hephaistos; so on all

But the fleetfooted prince, the son of Peleus, was brought to noble Agamemnon by the Achaian chiefs,

hardly persuading him thereto, for his heart was wroth for his comrade. And when they were come to

Agamemnon's hut, forthwith they bade clearvoiced heralds set a great tripod on the fire, if haply they might

persuade the son of Peleus to wash from him the bloody gore. But he denied them steadfastly, and sware

moreover an oath: "Nay, verily by Zeus, who is highest and best of gods, not lawful is it that water should

come nigh my head or ever I shall have laid Patroklos on the fire, and heaped a barrow, and shaved my hair,

since never again shall second grief thus reach my heart, while I remain among the living. Yet now for the

present let us yield us to our mournful meal: but with the morning, O king of men Agamemnon, rouse the

folk to bring wood and furnish all that it beseemeth a dead man to have when he goeth beneath the misty

gloom, to the end that untiring fire may burn him quickly from sight, and the host betake them to their work."

Thus spake he, and they listened readily to him and obeyed, and eagerly making ready each his meal they

supped, and no lack had their soul of equal feast. But when they had put off from them the desire of meat and

drink, the rest went down each man to his tent to take his rest, but the son of Peleus upon the beach of the

sounding sea lay groaning heavily, amid the host of Myrmidons, in an open place, where waves were

breaking on the shore. Now when sleep took hold on him, easing the cares of his heart, deep sleep that fell

about him, (for sore tired were his glorious knees with onset upon Hector toward windy Ilios), then came

there unto him the spirit of hapless Patroklos, in all things like his living self, in stature, and fair eyes, and

voice, and the raiment of his body was the same; and he stood above Achilles' head and spake to him: "Thou

sleepest, and hast forgotten me, O Achilles. Not in my life wast thou ever unmindful of me, but in my death.

Bury me with all speed, that I pass the gates of Hades. Far off the spirits banish me, the phantoms of men

outworn, nor suffer me to mingle with them beyond the River, but vainly I wander along the widegated

dwelling of Hades. Now give me, I pray pitifully of thee, thy hand, for never more again shall I come back

from Hades, when ye have given me my due of fire. Never among the living shall we sit apart from our dear

comrades and take counsel together, but me hath the harsh fate swallowed up which was appointed me even

from my birth. Yea and thou too thyself, Achilles peer of gods, beneath the wall of the noble Trojans art

doomed to die. Yet one thing will I say, and charge thee, if haply thou wilt have regard thereto. Lay not my

bones apart from thine, Achilles, but together, even as we were nurtured in your house, when Menoitios

brought me yet a little one from Opoeis to your country by reason of a grievous manslaying, on the day

when I slew Amphidamas' son, not willing it, in childish wrath over the dice. Then took me the knight Peleus

into his house and reared me kindly and named me thy squire: so therefore let one coffer hide our bones [a

Then made answer unto him Achilles fleet of foot: "Wherefore, O my brother, hast thou come hither, and

chargest me everything that I should do? Verily I will accomplish all, and have regard unto thy bidding. But

stand more nigh me; for one moment let us throw our arms around each other, and take our fill of dolorous

He spake, and reached forth with his hands, but clasped him not; for like a vapour the spirit was gone beneath

the earth with a faint shriek. And Achilles sprang up marvelling, and smote his hands together, and spake a

word of woe: "Ay me, there remaineth then even in the house of Hades a spirit and phantom of the dead,

albeit the life be not anywise therein: for all night long hath the spirit of hapless Patroklos stood over me,

wailing and making moan, and charged me everything that I should do, and wondrous like his living self it

Thus said he, and stirred in all of them yearning to make lament; and rosyfingered Morn shone forth on

them while they still made moan around the piteous corpse. Then lord Agamemnon sped mules and men from

all the huts to fetch wood; and a man of valour watched thereover, even Meriones, squire of kindly

Idomeneus. And they went forth with wood cutting axes in their hands and wellwoven ropes, and before

them went the mules, and uphill and downhill and sideways and across they went. But when they came to the

spurs of manyfountained Ida, straightway they set them lustily to hew highfoliaged oaks with the

longedged bronze, and with loud noise fell the trees. Then splitting them asunder the Achaians bound them

behind the mules, and they tore up the earth with their feet as they made for the plain through the thick

underwood. And all the woodcutters bare logs; for thus bade Meriones, squire of kindly Idomeneus. And on

the Shore they threw them down in line, where Achilles purposed a mighty tomb for Patroklos and for

Then when they had laid down all about great piles of wood, they sate them down all together and abode.

Then straightway Achilles bade the warlike Myrmidons gird on their arms and each yoke the horses to his

chariot; and they arose and put their armour on, and mounted their chariots, both fighting men and

charioteers. In front were the men in chariots, and a cloud of footmen followed after, numberless; and in the

midst his comrades bare Patroklos. And they heaped all the corpse with their hair that they cut off and threw

thereon; and behind did goodly Achilles bear the head, sorrowing; for a noble comrade was he speeding forth

And when they came to the place where Achilles had bidden them, they set down the dead, and piled for him

abundant wood. Then fleetfooted noble Achilles bethought him of one thing more: standing apart from the

pyre he shore off a golden lock, the lock whose growth he nursed to offer unto the River Spercheios, and sore

troubled spake be, looking forth over the winedark sea: "Spercheios, in other wise vowed my father Peleus

unto thee that I returning thither to my native land should shear my hair for thee and offer a holy hecatomb,

and fifty rams should sacrifice there above thy springs, where is the sacred close and altar burning spice. So

vowed the old man, but thou hast not accomplished him his desire. And now since I return not to my dear

Thus saying he set the hair in the hands of his dear comrade, and stirred in all of them yearning to make

lament. And so would the light of the sun have gone down on their lamentation, had not Achilles said quickly

to Agamemnon as be stood beside him: "Son of Atreusfor to thy words most will the host of the Achaians

have regardof lamentation they may sate them to the full. But now disperse them from the burning and bid

them make ready their meal, and we to whom the dead is dearest will take pains for these things; yet let the

Then when Agamemnon king of men heard that, he forthwith dispersed the host among the trim ships, but the

nearest to the dead tarried there and piled the wood, and made a pyre a hundred feet this way and that, and on

the pyre's top set the corpse, with anguish at their hearts. And many lusty sheep and shambling crookhorned

oxen they flayed and made ready before the pyre; and taking from all of them the fat, great hearted Achilles

wrapped the corpse therein from head to foot, and heaped the flayed bodies round. And he set therein

twohandled jars of honey and oil, leaning them against the bier; and four strongnecked horses he threw

swiftly on the pyre, and groaned aloud. Nine housedogs had the dead chief: of them did Achilles slay twain

and throw them on the pyre. And twelve valiant sons of greathearted Trojans he slew with the swordfor

he devised mischief in his heart and he set to the merciless might of the fire, to feed thereon. Then moaned he

aloud, and called on his dear comrade by his name: "All hail to thee, O Patroklos, even in the house of Hades,

for all that I promised thee before am I now accomplishing. Twelve valiant sons of greathearted Trojans,

behold these all in company with thee the fire devoureth: but Hector son of Priam will I nowise give to the

Thus spake he threatening, but no dogs might deal with Hector, for day and night Aphrodite daughter of Zeus

kept off the dogs, and anointed him with rosesweet oil ambrosial that Achilles might not tear him when he

dragged him. And over him Phoebus Apollo brought a dark cloud from heaven to earth and covered all that

place whereon the dead man lay, lest meanwhile the sun's strength shrivel his flesh round about upon his

But the pyre of dead Patroklos kindled not. Then fleetfooted noble Achilles had a further thought: standing

aside from the pyre he prayed to the two Winds of North and West, and promised them fair offerings, and

pouring large libations from a golden cup besought them to come, that the corpses might blaze up speedily in

the fire, and the wood make haste to be enkindled. Then Iris, when she heard his prayer, went swiftly with the

message to the Winds. They within the house of the gusty West Wind were feasting all together at meat,

when Iris sped thither, and halted on the threshold of stone. And when they saw her with their eyes, they

sprang up and called to her every one to sit by him. But she refused to sit, and spake her word: "No seat for

me; I must go back to the streams of Ocean, to the Ethiopians' land where they sacrifice hecatombs to the

immortal gods, that I too may feast at their rites. But Achilles is praying the North Wind and the loud West to

come, and promising them fair offerings, that ye may make the pyre be kindled whereon lieth Patroklos, for

She having thus said departed, and they arose with a mighty sound, rolling the clouds before them. And

swiftly they came blowing over the sea, and the wave rose beneath their shrill blast; and they came to

deepsoiled Troy, and fell upon the pile, and loudly roared the mighty fire. So all night drave they the flame

of the pyre together, blowing shrill; and all night fleet Achilles, holding a twohandled cup, drew wine from

a golden bowl, and poured it forth and drenched the earth, calling upon the spirit of hapless Patroklos. As a

father waileth when he burneth the bones of his son, newmarried, whose death is woe to his hapless parents,

so wailed Achilles as he burnt the bones of his comrade, going heavily round the burning pile, with many

But at the hour when the Morning star goeth forth to herald light upon the earth, the star that saffronmantled

Dawn cometh after, and spreadeth over the salt sea, then grew the burning faint, and the flame died down.

And the Winds went back again to betake them home over the Thracian main, and it roared with a violent

swell. Then the son of Peleus turned away from the burning and lay down wearied, and sweet sleep leapt on

him. But they who were with Atreus' son gathered all together, and the noise and clash of their approach

aroused him; and he sate upright and spake a word to them: "Son of Atreus and ye other chiefs of the

Achaians, first quench with gleaming wine all the burning so far as the fire's strength hath reached, and then

let us gather up the bones of Patroklos, Menoitios' son, singling them well, and easy are they to discern, for

he lay in the middle of the pyre, while the rest apart at the edge burntconfusedly, horses and men. And his

bones let us put within a golden urn, and doublefolded fat, until that I myself be hidden in Hades. But no

huge barrow I bid you toil to raisea seemly one, no more: then afterward do ye Achaians build it broad and

Thus spake he, and they hearkened to the fleetfooted son of Peleus. First quenched they with gleaming wine

the burning so far as the flame went, and the ash had settled deep: then with lamentation they gathered up the

white bones of their gentle comrade into a golden urn and doublefolded fat, and placed the urn in the hut

and covered it with a linen veil. And they marked the circle of the barrow, and set the foundations thereof

around the pyre, and straightway heaped thereon a heap of earth. Then when they had heaped up the barrow

they were for going back. But Achilles stayed the folk in that place, and made them sit in wide assembly, and

from his ships he brought forth prizes, caldrons and tripods, and horses and mules and strong oxen, and

First for fleet chariotracers he ordained a noble prize, a woman skilled in fair handiwork for the winner to

lead home, and an eared tripod that held twoandtwenty measures; these for the first man; and for the

second he ordained a sixyearold mare unbroke with a mule foal in her womb; and for the third he gave a

goodly caldron yet untouched by fire, holding four measures, bright as when first made; and for the fourth he

ordained two talents of gold; and for the fifth a twohandled urn untouched of fire, Then he stood up and

spake a word among the Argives: "Son of Atreus and ye other wellgreaved Achaians, for the chariotracers

these prizes lie awaiting them in the lists. If in some other's honour we Achaians were now holding our

games, it would be I who should win the first prize and bear it to my hut; for ye know how far my pair of

horses are first in excellence, for they are immortal and Poseidon gave them to my father Peleus, and he again

to me. But verily I will abide, I and my wholehooved horses, so glorious a charioteer have they lost, and one

so kind, who on their manes full often poured smooth oil, when he had washed them in clear water. For him

they stand and mourn, and their manes are trailing on the ground, and there stand they with sorrow at their

hearts. But ye others throughout the host get ye to your places, whosoever of the Achalans hath trust in his

Thus spake the son of Peleus, and the fleet chariotracers were gathered. First of all arose up Eumelos king

of men, Admetos' son, a skilful charioteer; and next to him arose Tydeus' son, valiant Diomedes, and yoked

his horses of the breed of Tros, which on a time he seized from Aineias, when Apollo saved their lord. And

after him arose Atreus' son, fairhaired heavensprung Menelaos, and yoked him a swift pair Aithe,

Agamemnon's mare, and his own horse Podargos. Her unto Agamemnon did Anchises' son Echepolos give in

fee, that he might escape from following him to windy Ilios and take his pleasure at home; for great wealth

had Zeus given him, and he dwelt in Sikyon of spacious lawns: so Menelaos yoked her, and she longed

exceedingly for the race. And fourth, Antilochos made ready his fairmaned horses, even the noble son of

Nestor, highhearted king, who was the son of Neleus; and fleet horses bred at Pylos drew his car. And his

father standing by his side spake counselling him to his profit, though himself was well advised: "Antilochos,

verily albeit thou art young, Zeus and Poseidon have loved thee and taught thee all skill with horses;

wherefore to teach thee is no great need, for thou well knowest how to wheel round the post; yet are thy

horses very slow in the race: therefore methinks there will be sad work for thee. For the horses of the others

are fleeter, yet the men know not more cunning than thou hast. So come, dear son, store thy mind with all

manner of cunning, that the prize escape thee not. By cunning is a woodman far better than by force; by

cunning doth a helmsman on the winedark deep steer his swift ship buffeted by winds; by cunning hath

charioteer the better of charioteer. For whoso trusting in his horses and car alone wheeleth heedlessly and

wide at either end, his horses swerve on the course, and he keepeth them not in hand. But whoso is of crafty

mind, though he drive worse horses, he ever keeping his eye upon the post turneth closely by it, neither is

unaware how far at first to force his horses by the oxhide reins, but holdeth them safe in hand and watcheth

the leader in the race. Now will I tell thee a certain sign, and it shall not escape thee. A fathom's height above

the ground standeth a withered stump, whether of oak or pine: it decayeth not in the rain, and two white

stones on either side thereof are fixed at the joining of the track, and all round it is smooth driving ground.

Whether it be a monument of some man dead long ago, or have been made their goal in the race by ancient

men, this now is the mark fixed by fleetfooted Achilles. Wherefore do thou drive close and bear thy horses

and chariot hard thereon, and lean thy body on the wellknit car slightly to their left, and call upon the

offhorse with voice and lash, and give him rein from thy hand. But let the near horse hug the post so that the

nave of the wellwrought wheel seem to graze ityet beware of touching the stone, lest thou wound the

horses and break the chariot; so would that be triumph to the rest and reproach unto thyself. But, dear son, be

wise and on thy guard; for if at the turningpost thou drive past the rest, there is none shall overtake thee

from behind or pass thee by, not though he drave the goodly Arion in pursuit, the fleet horse of Adrastos, of

Thus spake Neleian Nestor and sate him down again in his place, when he had told his son the sum of every

And Meriones was the fifth to make ready his sleekcoated steeds. Then went they up into their chariots, and

cast in the lots: and Achilles shook them, and forth leapt the lot of Antilochos Nestor's son, and the next lot

had lord Eumelos, and next to him the son of Atreus, spearfamed Menelaos, and next to him drew Meriones

his place; then lastly Tydeides, far the best of all, drew his lot for his chariot's place. Then they stood side by

side, and Achilles showed to them the turning post, far off in the smooth plain; and beside it he placed an

umpire, godlike Phoinix, his father's follower, that he might note the running and tell the truth thereof.

Then all together lifted the lash above their steeds, and smote them with the reins, and called on them eagerly

with words: and they forthwith sped swiftly over the plain, leaving the ships behind; and beneath their breasts

stood the rising dust like a cloud or whirlwind, and their manes waved on the blowing wind. And the chariots

ran sometimes on the bounteous earth, and other whiles would bound into the air. And the drivers stood in the

cars, and the heart of every man beat in desire of victory, and they called every man to his horses, that flew

But when the fleet horses were now running the last part of the course, back toward the grey sea, then was

manifest the prowess of each, and the horses strained in the race; and presently to the front rushed the fleet

mares of Pheres' grandson, and next to them Diomedes' stallions of the breed of Tros, not far apart, but hard

anigh, for they seemed ever as they would mount Eumelos' car, and with their breath his back was warm and

his broad shoulders, for they bent their heads upon him as they flew along. Thus would Tydeus' son have

either outstripped the other or made it a dead heat, had not Phoebus Apollo been wroth with him and smitten

from his hand the shining lash. Then from his eyes ran tears of anger, for that he saw the mares still at speed,

even swiftlier than before, while his own horses were thrown out, as running without spur. But Athene was

not unaware of Apollo's guile against Tydeides, and presently sped after the shepherd of hosts, and gave him

back the lash, and put spirit into his steeds. Then in wrath after the son of Admetos was the goddess gone,

and brake his steeds' yoke, and the mares ran sideways off the course, and the pole was twisted to the ground.

And Eumelos was hurled out of the car beside the wheel, and his elbows and mouth and nose were flayed,

and his forehead bruised above his eyebrows; and his eyes filled with tears and his lusty voice was choked.

Then Tydeides held his wholehooved horses on one side, darting far out before the rest, for Athene put spirit

into his steeds and shed glory on himself. Now next after him came goldenhaired Menelaos Atreus' son. But

Antilochos called to his father's horses: "Go ye too in, strain to your fleetest pace. Truly I nowise bid you

strive with those, the horses of wise Tydeides, unto which Athene hath now given speed, and shed glory on

their charioteer. But overtake Atreides' horses with all haste, and be not outstripped by them, lest Aithe that is

but a mare pour scorn on you. Why are ye outstripped, brave steeds? Thus will I tell you, and verily it shall be

brought to passye will find no tendance with Nestor shepherd of hosts, but straightway he will slay you

with the edge of the sword if through heedlessness we win but the worse prize. Have after them at your

utmost speed, and I for my part will devise a plan to pass them in the strait part of the course, and this shall

Thus spake he, and they fearing the voice of the prince ran swiftlier some little while; and presently did the

good warrior Antilochos espy a strait place in a sunk part of the way. There was a rift in the earth, where

torrent water gathered and brake part of the track away, and hollowed all the place; there drave Menelaos,

shunning the encounter of the wheels. But Antilochos turned his wholehooved horses out of the track, and

followed him a little at one side. And the son of Atreus took alarm and shouted to Antilochos: "Antilochos,

thou art driving recklesslyhold in thy horses! The road is straitened, soon thou mayest pass me in a wider

Thus spake he, but Antilochos drave even fiercelier than before, plying his lash, as though he heard him not.

As far as is the range of a disk swung from the shoulder when a young man hurleth it, making trial of his

force, even so far ran they on; then the mares of Atreus' son gave back, for he ceased of himself to urge them

on, lest the wholehooved steeds should encounter on the track, and overset the wellknit cars, and the

drivers fall in the dust in their zeal for victory. So upbraiding Antilochos spake goldenhaired Menelaos:

"Antilochos, no mortal man is more malicious than thou. Go thy mad way, since falsely have we Achaians

called thee wise. Yet even so thou shalt not bear off the prize unchallenged to an oath."

Thus saying he called aloud to his horses: "Hold ye not back nor stand still with sorrow at heart. Their feet

Thus spake he, and they fearing the voice of the prince sped faster on, and were quickly close upon the

Now the Argives sitting in concourse were gazing at the horses, and they came flying amid their dust over the

plain. And the first aware of them was Idomeneus, chief of the Cretans, for he was sitting outside the

concourse in the highest place of view, and when he heard the voice of one that shouted, though afar off, he

knew it; and he was aware of a horse showing plainly in the front, a chestnut all the rest of him, but in the

forehead marked with a white star round like the moon. And he stood upright and spoke among the Argives:

"Friends, chiefs, and counsellors of the Argives, is it I alone who see the horses, or do ye also? A new pair

seem to me now to be in front, and a new charioteer appeareth; the mares which led in the outward course

must have been thrown out there in the plain. For I saw them turning first the hither post, but now can see

them nowhere, though my eyes are gazing everywhere along the Trojan plain. Did the reins escape the

charioteer so that he could not drive aright round the post and failed in the turn? There, methinks, must he

have been cast forth, and have broken his chariot, and the mares must have left the course, in the wildness of

their heart. But stand up ye too and look, for myself I discern not certainly, but the first man seemeth to me

one of Aitolian race, and he ruleth among Argives, the son of horsetaming Tydeus, stalwart Diomedes."

Then fleet Aias Oileus' son rebuked him in unseemly sort: "Idomeneus, why art thou a braggart of old? As

yet far off the highstepping mares are coursing over the wide plain. Neither art thou so far the youngest

among the Argives, nor do thy eyes look so far the keenliest from thy head, yet continually braggest thou. It

beseemeth thee not to be a braggart, for there are here better men. And the mares leading are they that led

Then wrathfully in answer spake the chief of Cretans: "Aias, master of railing, illcounselled, in all else art

thou behind other Argives, for thy mind is unfriendly. Come then let us wager a tripod or caldron, and make

Agamemnon Atreus' son our umpire, which mares are leading, that thou mayest pay and learn."

Thus said he, and straightway fleet Aias Oileus' son arose angrily to answer with harsh words: and strife

between the twain would have gone further, had not Achilles himself stood up and spake a word: "No longer

answer each other with harsh words, Aias and Idomeneus, ill words, for it beseemeth not. Surely ye are

displeased with any other who should do thus. Sit ye in the concourse and keep your eyes upon the horses;

soon they in zeal for victory will come hither, and then shall ye know each of you the Argives' horses, which

He said, and the son of Tydeus came driving up, and with his lash smote now and again from the shoulder,

and his horses were stepping high as they sped swiftly on their way. And sprinklings of dust smote ever the

charioteer, and his chariot overlaid with gold and tin ran behind his fleetfooted steeds, and small trace was

there of the wheeltires behind in the fine dust, as they flew speeding on. Then he drew up in the mid

concourse, and much sweat poured from the horses' heads and chests to the ground. And Diomedes leapt to

earth from the shining car, and leant his lash against the yoke. Then stalwart Sthenelos tarried not, but

promptly took the prize, and gave to his proud comrades the woman to lead and the eared tripod to bear

And next after him drave Neleian Antilochos his horses, by craft, not swiftness, having passed by Menelaos;

yet even now Menelaos held his swift steeds hard anigh. As far as a horse is from the wheel, which draweth

his master, straining with the car over the plainhis hindmost tailhairs touch the tire, for the wheel runneth

hard anigh nor is much space between, as he speedeth far over the plainby so much was Menelaos behind

highborn Antilochos, howbeit at first be was a whole diskcast behind, but quickly he was catching

Antilochos up, for the high mettle of Agamemnon's mare, sleekcoated Aithe, was rising in her. And if yet

further both had had to run he would have passed his rival nor left it even a dead heat. But Meriones, stout

squire of Idomeneus, came in a spearthrow behind famous Menelaos, for tardiest of all were his

sleekcoated horses, and slowest he himself to drive a chariot in the race. Last of them all came Admetos'

son, dragging his goodly car driving his steeds in front. Him when fleetfooted noble Achilles beheld he

pitied him, and he stood up and spake winged words among the Argives: "Last driveth his wholehooved

horses the best man of them all. But come let us give him a prize, as is seemly, prize for the second place, but

Thus spake he, and all applauded that he bade. And he would have given him the mare, for the Achaians

applauded, had not Antilochos, son of greathearted Nestor; risen up and answered Peleian Achilles on

behalf of his right: "O Achilles, I shall be sore angered with thee if thou accomplish this word, for thou art

minded to take away my prize, because thou thinkest of how his chariot and fleet steeds miscarried, and

himself withal, good man though he be. Nay, it behoved him to pray to the Immortals, then would he not

have come in last of all in the race. But if thou pitiest him and he be dear to thy heart, there is much gold in

thy hut, bronze is there and sheep, handmaids are there and wholehooved horses. Thereof take thou and

give unto him afterward even a richer prize, or even now at once, that the Achaians may applaud thee. But the

Thus spake he, and fleetfooted noble Achilles smiled, pleased with Antilochos, for he was his dear comrade;

and spake in answer to him winged words: "Antilochos, if thou wouldst have me give Eumelos some other

thing beside from out my house, that also will I do. I will give unto him a breastplate that I took from

Asteropaios, of bronze, whereon a casting of bright tin is overlaid, and of great worth will it be to him." He

said, and bade his dear comrade Automedon bring it from the hut, and he went and brought it. [Then he

But Menelaos also arose among them, sore at heart, angered exceedingly against Antilochos; and the herald

set the staff in his hand, and called for silence among the Argives; then spake among them that godlike man:

"Antilochos, who once wert wise, what thing is this thou hast done? Thou hast shamed my skill and made my

horses fail, thrusting thine own in front that are far worse. Come now, ye chiefs and counsellors of the

Argives, give judgment between us both, and favour neither: lest some one of the mailclad Achalans say at

any time: 'By constraining Antilochos through false words hath Menelaos gone off with the mare, for his

horses were far worse, howbeit he hath advantage in rank and power.' Nay, I myself will bring the issue

about, and I deem that none other of the Danaans shall reproach me, for the trial shall be just. Antilochos,

fosterling of Zeus, come thou hither and as it is ordained stand up before thy horses and chariot and take in

thy hand the pliant lash wherewith thou dravest erst, and touching thy horses swear by the Enfolder and

Then answered him wise Antilochos: "Bear with me now, for far younger am I than thou, king Menelaos, and

thou art before me and my better. Thou knowest how a young man's transgressions come about, for his mind

is hastier and his counsel shallow. So let thy heart suffer me, and I will of myself give to thee the mare I have

taken. Yea, if thou shouldst ask some other greater thing from my house, I were fain to give it thee

straightway, rather than fall for ever from my place in thy heart, O fosterling of Zeus, and become a sinner

Thus spake greathearted Nestor's son, and brought the mare and put her in the hand of Menelaos. And his

heart was gladdened as when the dew cometh upon the ears of ripening harvestcorn, what time the fields are

bristling. So gladdened was thy soul, Menelaos, within thy heart. And he spake unto Antilochos and uttered

winged words: "Antilochos, now will I of myself put away mine anger against thee, since no wise formerly

wert thou flighty or lightminded, howbeit now thy reason was overcome of youthfulness. Another time be

loth to outwit better men. Not easily should another of the Achaians have persuaded me, but thou hast

suffered and toiled greatly, and thy brave father and brother, for my sake: therefore will I hearken to thy

prayer, and will even give unto thee the mare, though she is mine, that these also may know that my heart

He said, and gave the mare to Noemon Antilochos' comrade to lead away, and then took the shining caldron.

And Meriones took up the two talents of gold in the fourth place, as he had come in. So the fifth prize was

left unclaimed, a twohandled cup; to Nester gave Achilles this, bearing it to him through the concourse of

Argives, and stood by him and said: "Lo now for thee too, old man, be this a treasure, a memorial of

Patroklos' burying; for no more shalt thou behold him among the Argives. Now give I thee this prize unwon,

for not in boxing shalt thou strive, neither wrestle, nor enter on the javelin match, nor race with thy feet; for

Thus saying he placed it in his hand, and Nestor received it gladly, and spake unto him winged words: "Ay,

truly all this, my son, thou hast meetly said; for no longer are my limbs, friend, firm, nor my feet, nor do my

arms at all swing lightly from my shoulders either side. Would that my youth were such and my force so firm

as when the Epeians were burying lord Amarynkes at Buprasion, and his sons held the king's funeral games.

Then was no man found like me, neither of the Epeians nor of the Pylians themselves or the greathearted

Aitolians. In boxing I overcame Klytomedes, son of Enops, and in wrestling Ankaios of Pleuron, who stood

up against me, and in the footrace I outran Iphiklos, a right good man, and with the spear outthrew Phyleus

and Polydoros; only in the chariotrace the two sons of Aktor beat me [by crowding their horses in front of

me, jealous for victory, because the chief prizes were left at home.] Now they were twinsone ever held the

reins, the reins he ever held, the other called on the horses with the lash. Thus was I once, but now let

younger men join in such feats; I must bend to grievous age, but then was I of mark among heroes. But come

hold funeral for thy comrade too with with games. This gift do I accept with gladness, and my heart rejoiceth

that thou rememberest ever my friendship to thee(nor forget I thee)and the honour wherewith it is meet

that I be honoured among the Achaians. And may the gods for this grant thee due grace."

Thus spake he, and Peleides was gone down the full concourse of Achaians, when he had hearkened to all the

thanks of Neleus' son. Then he ordained prizes of the violent boxing match; a sturdy mule he led forth and

tethered amid the assembly, a sixyear mule unbroken, hardest of all to break; and for the loser set a

twohandled cup. Then he stood up and spake a word among the Argives: "Son of Atreus and ye other well

greaved Achaians, for these rewards we summon two men of the best to lift up their hands to box amain. He

to whom Apollo shall grant endurance to the end, and all the Achaians acknowledge it, let him take the sturdy

mule and return with her to his hut; and the loser shall take with him the twohandledcup."

Thus spake he, and forthwith arose a man great and valiant and skilled in boxing, Epeios son of Panopeus,

and laid his hand on the sturdy mule and said aloud: "Let one come nigh to bear off the twohandled cup; the

mule I say none other of the Achaians shall take for victory with his fists, for I claim to be the best man here.

Sufficeth it not that I fall short of you in battle? Not possible is it that in all arts a man be skilled. Thus

proclaim I, and it shall be accomplished: I will utterly bruise mine adversary's flesh and break his bones, so

let his friends abide together here to bear him forth when vanquished by my hands."

Thus spake he, and they all kept deep silence. And alone arose against him Euryalos, a godlike man, son of

king Mekisteus the son of Talaos, Mekisteus, who came on a time to Thebes when Oedipus had fallen, to his

burial, and there he overcame all the sons of Kadmos. Thus Tydeides famous with the spear made ready

Euryalos for the fight, cheering him with speech, and greatly desired for him victory. And first he cast about

him a girdle, and next gave him wellcut thongs of the hide of an ox of the field. And the two boxers being

girt went into the midst of the ring, and both lifting up their stalwart hands fell to, and their hands joined

battle grievously. Then was there terrible grinding of teeth, and sweat flowed from all their limbs. And noble

Epeios came on, and as the other spied for an opening, smote him on the cheek, nor could he much more

stand, for his limbs failed straightway under him. And as when beneath the North Wind's ripple a fish leapeth

on a tanglecovered beach, and then the black wave hideth it, so leapt up Euryalos at that blow. But

greathearted Epeios took him in his hands and set him upright, and his dear comrades stood around him, and

led him through the ring with trailing feet, spitting out clotted blood, drooping his head awry, and they set

him down in his swoon among them and themselves went forth and fetched the twohandled cup.

Then Peleus' son ordained straightway the prizes for a third contest, offering them to the Danaans, for the

grievous wrestling match: for the winner a great tripod for standing on the fire, prized by the Achaians among

them at twelve oxens' worth; and for the loser he brought a woman into the midst, skilled in manifold work,

and they prized her at four oxen. And he stood up and spake a word among the Argives: "Rise, ye who will

Thus said he, and there arose great Aias son of Telamon, and Odysseus of many wiles stood up, the

craftyminded. And the twain being girt went into the midst of the ring, and clasped each the other in his

arms with stalwart hands, like gable rafters of a lofty house which some famed craftsman joineth, that he may

baffle the wind's force. And their backs creaked, gripped firmly under the vigorous hands, and sweat ran

down in streams, and frequent weals along their ribs and shoulders sprang up, red with blood, while ever they

strove amain for victory, to win the wrought tripod. Neither could Odysseus trip Aias and bear him to the

ground, nor Aias him, for Odysseus' strength withheld him. But when they began to irk the wellgreaved

Achaians, then said to Odysseus great Aias, Telamon's son: "Heavensprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of

Having thus said he lifted him, but Odysseus was not unmindful of his craft. He smote deftly from behind the

hollow of Aias' knee, and loosed his limbs, and threw him down backward, and Odysseus fell upon his chest,

and the folk gazed and marvelled. Then in his turn muchenduring noble Odysseus tried to lift, and moved

him a little from the ground, but lifted him not, so he crooked his knee within the other's, and both fell on the

ground nigh to each other, and were soiled with dust, And now starting up again a third time would they have

wrestled, had not Achilles himself arisen and held them back: "No longer press each the other, nor wear you

out with pain. Victory is with both; take equal prizes and depart, that other Achaians may contend."

Thus spake he, and they were fain to hear and to obey, and wiped the dust from them and put their doublets

Then straightway the son of Peleus set forth other prizes for fleetness of foot; a mixingbowl of silver,

chased; six measures it held, and in beauty it was far the best in all the earth, for artificers of Sidon wrought it

cunningly, and men of the Phoenicians brought it over the misty sea, and landed it in harbour, and gave it a

gift to Thoas; and Euneos son of Jason gave it to the hero Patroklos a ransom for Lykaon Priam's son. Now

this cup did Achilles set forth as a prize in honour of his friend, for whoso should be fleetest in speed of foot.

For the second he set an ox great and very fat, and for the last prize half a talent of gold. And he stood up and

Thus spake he, and straightway arose fleet Aias Oileus' son, and Odysseus of many wiles, and after them

Nestor's son Antilochos, for he was best of all the youth in the footrace. Then they stood side by side, and

Achilles showed to them the goal. Right eager was the running from the start, but Oileus' son forthwith shot

to the front, and close behind him came noble Odysseus, as close as is a weavingrod to a fairgirdled

woman's breast when she pulleth it deftly with her hands, drawing the spool along the warp, and holdeth the

rod nigh her breast so close ran Odysseus behind Aias and trod in his footsteps or ever the dust had settled

there, and on his head fell the breath of noble Odysseus as he ran ever lightly on, and all the Achaians

applauded his struggle for the victory and called on him as he laboured hard. But when they were running the

last part of the course, forthwith Odysseus prayed in his soul to brighteyed Athene: "Hearken, goddess,

Thus prayed he, and Pallas Athene hearkened to him, and made his limbs feel light, both feet and hands. But

when they, were now nigh darting on the prize, then Aias slipped as he ran, for Athene marred his race,

where filth was strewn from the slaughter of loudbellowing oxen that fleet Achilles slew in honour of

Patroklos: and Aias' mouth and nostrils were filled with that filth of oxen. So muchenduring noble

Odysseus, as he came in first, took up the mixingbowl, and famous Aias took the ox. And he stood holding

in his hand the horn of the ox of the field, sputtering away the filth, and spake among the Argives: "Out on it,

it was the goddess who marred my running, she who from of old like a mother standeth by Odysseus' side

So spake he, but they all laughed pleasantly to behold him. Then Antilochos smiling bore off the last prize,

and spake his word among the Argives: "Friends, ye will all bear me witness when I say that even herein also

the immortals favour elder men. For Aias is a little older than I, but Odysseus of an earlier generation and

earlier race of men. A green old age is his, they say, and hard were it for any Achaian to rival him in speed,

Thus spake he, and gave honour to the fleet son of Peleus. And Achilles answered him and said: "Antilochos,

not unheeded shall thy praise be given; a halftalent of gold I will give thee over and above." He said, and set

Then Peleus' son brought and set in the ring a farshadowing spear and a chaldron that knew not the fire, an

ox's worth, embossed with flowers; and men that were casters of the javelin arose up. There rose Atreus' son

wideruling Agamemnon, and Meriones, Idomeneus' brave squire. And swiftfooted noble Achilles spake

among them: "Son of Atreus, for that we know how far thou excellest all, and how far the first thou art in the

might of thy throw, take thou this prize with thee to the hollow ships, and to the hero Meriones let us give the

Thus spake he, nor disregarded him Agamemnon king of men. So to Meriones he gave the spear of bronze,

Then the assembly was broken up, and the tribes were scattered to betake them each to their own swift ships.

The rest bethought them of supper and sweet sleep to have joy thereof; but Achilles wept, remembering his

dear comrade, nor did sleep that conquereth all take hold on him, but he kept turning him to this side and to

that, yearning for Patroklos' manhood and excellent valour, and all the toils he achieved with him and the

woes he bare, cleaving the battles of men and the grievous waves. As he thought thereon be shed big tears,

now lying on his side, now on his back, now on his face; and then anon he would arise upon his feet and roam

wildly beside the beach of the salt sea. Nor would he be unaware of the Dawn when she arose over the sea

and shores. But when he had yoked the swift steeds to his car he would bind Hector behind his chariot to drag

him withal; and having thrice drawn him round the barrow of the dead son of Menoitios he rested again in his

hut, and left Hector lying stretched on his face in the dust. But Apollo kept away all defacement from his

flesh, for he had pity on him even in death, and covered him all with his golden aegis, that Achilles might not

Thus Achilles in his anger entreated noble Hector shamefully; but the blessed gods when they beheld him

pitied him, and urged the clearsighted slayer of Argus to steal the corpse away. So to all the others seemed it

good, yet not to Hera or Poseidon or the brighteyed Maiden, but they continued as when at the beginning

sacred Ilios became hateful to them, and Priam and his people, by reason of the sin of Alexandros in that he

contemned those goddesses when they came to his steading, and preferred her who brought him deadly

lustfulness. But when the twelfth morn from that day arose, then spake among the Immortals Phoebus

Apollo: "Hard of heart are ye, O gods, and cruel Hath Hector never burnt for you thighbones of

unblemished bulls and goats? Now have ye not taken heart to rescue even his corpse for his wife to look upon

and his mother and his child and his father Priam and his people, who speedily would burn him in the fire and

make his funeral. But fell Achilles, O gods, ye are fain to abet, whose mind is nowise just nor the purpose in

his breast to be turned away, but he is cruelly minded as a lion that in great strength and at the bidding of his

proud heart goeth forth against men's flocks to make his meal; even thus Achilles hath cast out pity, neither

hath he shame, that doth both harm and profit men greatly. It must be that many a man lose even some dearer

one than was this, a brother of the same womb born or perchance a son; yet bringeth he his wailing and

lamentation to an end, for an enduring soul have the Fates given unto men. But Achilles after bereaving noble

Hector of his life bindeth him behind his horses and draggeth him around the tomb of his dear comrade: not,

verily, is that more honourable or better for him. Let him take heed lest we wax wroth with him, good man

Then in anger spake unto him whitearmed Hera: "Even thus mightest thou speak, O Lord of the silver bow,

if ye are to give equal honour to Achilles and to Hector. Hector is but a mortal and was suckled at a woman's

breast, but Achilles is child of a goddess whom I myself bred up and reared and gave to a man to be his wife,

even to Peleus who was dearest of all men to the Immortals' heart. And all ye gods came to her bridal, and

thou among them wert feasting with thy lyre, O lover of ill company, faithless ever."

Then to her in answer spake Zeus who gathereth the clouds: "Hera, be not wroth utterly with the gods: for

these men's honour is not to be the same, yet Hector also was dearest to the gods of all mortals that are in

Ilios. So was he to me at least, for nowise failed he in the gifts I loved. Never did my altar lack seemly feast,

drinkoffering and the steam of sacrifice, even the honour that falleth to our due. But verily we will say no

more of stealing away brave Hector, for it cannot be hidden from Achilles, for his mother abideth ever nigh to

him night and day. But I were fain that some one of the gods would call Thetis to come near to me, that I may

speak unto her a wise word, so that Achilles may take gifts from Priam and give Hector back." Thus spake

he, and airyfooted Iris sped forth upon the errand and between Samothrace and rocky Imbros leapt into the

black sea, and the waters closed above her with a noise. And she sped to the bottom like a weight of lead that

mounted on horn of a fieldox goeth down bearing death to ravenous fishes. And she found Thetis in a

hollow cave; about her sat gathered other goddesses of the seas and she in their midst was wailing for the fate

of her noble son who must perish in deepsoiled Troy, far from his native land. And standing near,

fleetfooted Iris spake to her: "Rise, Thetis; Zeus of immortal counsels calleth thee."

And to her made answer Thetis the silverfooted goddess: "Wherefore biddeth me that mighty god? I shrink

from mingling among the Immortals, for I have countless woes at heart. Yet go I, nor shall his word be in

Thus having said the noble goddess took to her a darkhued robe, no blacker raiment was there found than

that. Then she went forth, and windfooted swift Iris led the way before her, and around them the surge of

the sea was sundered. And when they had come forth upon the shore they sped up to heaven, and found the

farseeing son of Kronos, and round him sat gathered all the other blessed gods that are for ever. Then she sat

down beside father Zeus, and Athene gave her place. And Hera set a fair golden cup in her hand and cheered

her with words, and Thetis drank, and gave back the cup. Then began speech to them the father of gods and

men: "Thou art come to Olympus, divine Thetis, in thy sorrow, with violent grief at thy heart; I know it of

myself. Nevertheless will I tell thee wherefore I called thee hither. Nine days hath dispute arisen among the

Immortals concerning the corpse of Hector and Achilles waster of cities. Fain are they to send clearsighted

Hermes to steal the body away, but now hear what glory I accord herein to Achilles, that I may keep through

times to come thy honour and good will. Go with all speed to the host and bear to thy son my bidding. Say to

him that the gods are displeased at him, and that I above all Immortals am wroth, because with furious heart

be holdeth Hector at the beaked ships and hath not given him back, if haply he may fear me and give Hector

back. But I will send Iris to greathearted Priam to bid him go to the ships of the Achaians to ransom his dear

Thus spake he, and Thetis the silverfooted goddess was not disobedient to his word, and sped darting upon

her way down from the peaks of Olympus. And she came to her son's hut; there found she him making

grievous moan, and his dear comrades round were swiftly making ready and furnishing their early meal, and

a sheep great and fleecy was being sacrificed in the hut. Then his ladymother sate her down close beside

him, and stroked him with her hand and spake to him by his name: "My child, how long with lamentation and

woe wilt thou devour thine heart, taking thought of neither food nor rest? good were even a woman's

embrace, for not long shalt thou be left alive to me; already death and forceful fate are standing nigh thee. But

hearken forthwith unto me, for I am the messenger of Zeus to thee. He saith that the gods are displeased at

thee, and that himself above all Immortals is wroth, because with furious heart thou holdest Hector at the

beaked ships and hast not given him back. But come restore him, and take ransom for the dead."

Then to her in answer spake fleetfooted Achilles: "So be it: whoso bringeth ransom let him take back the

So they in the assembly of the ships, mother and son, spake to each other many winged words. But the son of

Kronos thus bade Iris go to holy Ilios: "Go forth, fleet Iris, leave the abode of Olympus and bear my message

within Ilios to great. hearted Priam that he go to the ships of the Achaians and ransom his dear son and carry

gifts to Achilles that may gladden his heart; let him go alone, and no other man of the Trojans go with him.

Only let some elder herald attend on him to guide the mules and smoothwheeled waggon and carry back to

the city the dead man whom noble Achilles slew. Let not death be in his thought nor any fear; such guide will

we give unto him, even the slyer of Argus who shall lead him until his leading bring him to Achilles. And

when he shall have led him within the hut, neither shall Achilles himself slay him nor suffer any other herein,

for not senseless is he or unforeseeing or wicked, but with all courtesy he will spare a suppliant man."

Thus spake he, and airyfooted Iris sped forth upon the errand. And she came to the house of Priam, and

found therein crying and moan. His children sitting around their father within the court were bedewing their

raiment with their tears, and the old man in their midst was close wrapped all over in his cloak; and on his

head and neck was much mire that he had gathered in his hands as he grovelled upon the earth. And his

daughters and his sons' wives were wailing throughout the house, bethinking them of all those valiant men

who had lost their lives at the hands of the Argives and were lying low. And the messenger of Zeus stood

beside Priam and spake softly unto him, and trembling came upon his limbs: "Be of good cheer in thy heart,

O Priam son of Dardanos, and be not dismayed for anything, for no evil come I hither to forebode to thee, but

with good will. I am the messenger of Zeus to thee, who, though he be afar off, hath great care. and pity for

thee. The Olympian biddeth thee ransom noble Hector and carry gifts to Achilles that may gladden his heart:

go thou alone, let none other of the Trojans go with thee. Only let some elder herald attend on thee to guide

the mules and the smoothwheeled waggon to carry back to the city the dead man whom noble Achilles slew.

Let not death be in thy thought, nor any fear; such guide shall go with thee, even the slayer of Argus, who

shall lead thee until his leading bring thee to Achilles. And when he shall have led thee into the hut, neither

shall Achilles himself slay thee, nor suffer any other herein, for not senseless is he or unforeseeing or wicked,

Thus having spoken fleet Iris departed from him; and he bade his sons make ready the smoothwheeled mule

waggon, and bind the wicker carriage thereon. And himself he went down to his fragrant chamber, of cedar

wood, highroofed, that held full many jewels: and to Hekabe his wife he called and spake: "Lady, from Zeus

hath an Olympian messenger come to me, that I go to the ships of the Achaians and ransom my dear son, and

carry gifts to Achilles that may gladden his heart. Come tell me how seemeth it to thy mind, for of myself at

least my desire and heart bid me mightily to go thither to the ships and enter the wide camp of the Achaians."

Thus spake he, but his wife lamented aloud and made answer to him: "Woe is me, whither is gone thy mind

whereby aforetime thou wert famous among stranger men and among them thou rulest? How art thou fain to

go alone to the ships of the Achaians, to meet the eyes of the man who hath slain full many of thy brave sons?

of iron verily is thy heart. For if he light on thee and behold thee with his eyes, a savage and illtrusted man

is this, and he will not pity thee, neither reverence thee at all. Nay, now let us sit in the hall and make lament

afar off. Even thus did forceful Fate erst spin for Hector with her thread at his beginning when I bare him,

even I, that he should glut fleetfooted dogs, far from his parents, in the dwelling of a violent man whose

inmost vitals I were fain to fasten and feed upon; then would his deeds against my son be paid again to him,

for not playing the coward was he slain of him, but championing the men and deepbosomed women of

The to her in answer spake the old man godlike Priam: "Stay me not, for I am fain to go, neither be thyself a

bird of ill boding in my halls, for thou wilt not change my mind. Were it some other and a child of earth that

bade me this, whether some seer or of the priests that divine from sacrifice, then would we declare it false and

have no part therein; but now, since I have heard the voice of the goddess myself and looked upon her face, I

will go forth, and her word shall not be void. And if it be my fate to die by the ships of the mailclad

Achaians, so would I have it; let Achilles slay me with all speed, when once I have taken in my arms my son,

He spake, and opened fair lids of chests wherefrom he chose twelve very goodly women's robes and twelve

cloaks of single fold and of coverlets a like number and of fair sheets, and of doublets thereupon. And he

weighed and brought forth talents of gold ten in all, and two shining tripods and four caldrons, and a goblet

exceeding fair that men of Thrace had given him when he went thither on an embassy, a chattel of great price,

yet not that even did the old man grudge from his halls, for he was exceeding fain at heart to ransom his dear

son. Then he drave out all the Trojans from the colonnade, chiding them with words of rebuke: "Begone, ye

that dishonour and do me shame! Have ye no mourning of your own at home that ye come to vex me here?

Think ye it a small thing that Zeus Kronos' son hath given me this sorrow, to lose him that was the best man

of my sons? Nay, but ye too shall feel it, for easier far shall ye be to the Achaians to slay now he is dead. But

for me, ere I behold with mine eyes the city sacked and wasted, let me go down into the house of Hades."

He said, and with his staff chased forth the men, and they went forth before the old man in his haste. Then he

called unto his sons, chiding Helenos and Paris and noble Agathon and Pammon and Antiphonos, and Polites

of the loud warcry, and Deiphobos and Hippothoos and proud Dios; nine were they whom the old man

called and bade unto him: "Haste ye, ill sons, my shame; would that ye all in Hector's stead had been slain at

the swift ships! Woe is me all unblest, since I begat sons the best men in wide Troyland, but none of them is

left for me to claim, neither godlike Mestor, nor Troilos with his chariot of war, nor Hector who was a god

among men, neither seemed he as the son of a mortal man but of a god:all these hath Ares slain, and here

are my shames all left to me, falsetongued, lightheeled, the heroes of dance, plunderers of your own

people's sheep and kids. Will ye not make me ready a wain with all speed, and lay all these thereon, that we

Thus spake he, and they fearing their father's voice brought forth the smoothrunning mule chariot, fair and

new, and bound the body thereof on the frame; and from its peg they took down the mule yoke, a boxwood

yoke with knob well fitted with guidingrings; and they brought forth the yokeband of nine cubits with the

yoke. The yoke they set firmly on the polished pole on the rest at the end thereof, and slipped the ring over

the upright pin, which with three turns of the band they lashed to the knob, and then belayed it close round

the pole and turned the tongue thereunder. Then they brought from the chamber and heaped on the polished

wain the countless ransom of Hector's head, and yoked stronghooved harness mules, which on a time the

Mysians gave to Priam, a splendid gift. But to Priam's car they yoked the horses that the old man kept for his

Thus in the high palace were Priam and the herald letting yoke their cars, with wise thoughts at their hearts,

when nigh came Hekabe sore at heart, with honeysweet wine in her right hand in a golden cup that they

might make libation ere they went. And she stood before the horses and spake a word to Priam by name: "Lo

now make libation to father Zeus and pray that thou mayest come back home from among the enemy, since

thy heart speedeth thee forth to the ships, though fain were I thou wentest not. And next pray to Kronion of

the Stormcloud, the gods of Ida, that beholdeth all Troyland beneath, and ask of him a bird of omen, even

the swift messenger that is dearest of all birds to him and of mightiest strength, to appear upon thy right, that

seeing the sign with thine own eyes thou mayest go in trust thereto unto the ships of the fleethorsed

Danaans. But if farseeing Zeus shall not grant unto thee his messenger, I at least shall not bid thee on to go

Then answered and spake unto her godlike Priam: "Lady, I will not disregard this hest of thine, for good it is

Thus spake the old man, and bade a housedame that served him pour pure water on his hands; and she came

near to serve him with water in a ewer to wash withal. And when he had washed his hands he took a goblet

from his wife: then he stood in the midst of the court and prayed and poured forth wine as he looked up to

heaven, and spake a word aloud: "Father Zeus that bearest sway from Ida, most glorious and most great, grant

that I find welcome and pity under Achilles' roof, and send a bird of omen, even the swift messenger that is

dearest of all birds to thee and of mightiest strength, to appear upon the right, that seeing this sign with mine

Thus spake he praying, and Zeus of wise counsels hearkened unto him, and straightway sent forth an eagle,

surest omen of winged birds, the dusky hunter called of men the Black Eagle. Wide as the door, well locking,

fitted close, of some rich man's highroofed hall, so wide were his wings either way; and he appeared to them

speeding on the right hand above the city. And when they saw the eagle they rejoiced and all their hearts were

Then the old man made haste to go up into his car, and drave forth from the doorway and the echoing portico.

In front the mules drew the fourwheeled wain, and wise Idaios drave them; behind came the horses which

the old man urged with the lash at speed along the city: and his friends all followed lamenting loud as though

he were faring to his death. And when they were come down from the city and were now on the plain, then

went back again to Ilios his sons and marriage kin. But the two coming forth upon the plain were not

unbeheld of farseeing Zeus. But he looked upon the old man and had compassion on him, and straightway

spake unto Hermes his dear son: "Hermes, since unto thee especially is it dear to companion men, and thou

hearest whomsoever thou wilt, go forth and so guide Priam to the hollow ships of the Achaians that no man

behold or be aware of him, among all the Danaans' host, until he come to the son of Peleus."

Thus spake he, and the Messenger, the slayer of Argus, was not disobedient unto his word. Straightway

beneath his feet he bound on his fair sandals, golden, divine, that bare him over wet sea and over the

boundless land with the breathings of the wind. And he took up his wand wherewith he entranceth the eyes of

such men as he will, and others he likewise waketh out of sleep: this did the strong slayer of Argus take in his

hand, and flew. And quickly came he to Troyland and the Hellespont, and went on his way in semblance as

a young man that is a prince, with the new down on his chin, as when the youth of men is the comeliest.

Now the others, when they had driven beyond the great barrow of Ilios, halted the mules and horses at the

river to drink; for darkness was come down over the earth. Then the herald beheld Hermes from hard by, and

marked him, and spake and said to Priam: "Consider, son of Dardanos; this is matter of prudent thought. I see

a man, methinks we shall full soon be rent in pieces. Come, let us flee in our chariot, or else at least touch his

Thus spake he, and the old man was confounded, and he was dismayed exceedingly, and the hair on his pliant

limbs stood up, and he stood still amazed. But the Helper came nigh of himself and took the old man's hand,

and spake and questioned him: "Whither, father, dost thou thus guide these horses and mules through the

divine night, when other mortals are asleep? Hadst thou no fear of the fiercebreathing Achaians, thy bitter

foes that are hard anigh thee? If one of them should espy thee carrying such treasures through the swift black

night, what then would be thy thought? Neither art thou young thyself, and thy companion here is old, that ye

should make defence against a man that should assail thee first. But I will no wise harm thee, yea I will keep

And to him in answer spake the old man, godlike Priam: "Even so, kind son, are all these things as thou

sayest. Nevertheless hath some god stretched forth his hand even over me in that he hath sent a wayfarer such

as thou to meet me, a bearer of good luck, by the nobleness of thy form and semblance; and thou art wise of

And to him again spake the Messenger, the slayer of Argus: "All this, old sire, hast thou verily spoken aright.

But come say this and tell me truly whether thou art taking forth a great and goodly treasure unto alien men,

where it may abide for thee in safety, or whether by this ye are all forsaking holy Ilios in fear; so far the best

man among you hath perished, even thy son; for of battle with the Achaians abated he never a jot."

And to him in answer spake the old man, godlike Priam, "Who art thou, noble sir, and of whom art born? For

And to him again spake the Messenger, the slayer of Argus: "Thou art proving me, old sire, in asking me of

noble Hector. Him have I full oft seen with mine eyes in glorious battle, and when at the ships he was slaying

the Argives he drave thither, piercing them with the keen bronze, and we stood still and marvelled thereat, for

Achilles suffered us not to fight, being wroth against Atreus' son. His squire am I, and came in the same

wellwrought ship. From the Myrmidons I come, and my father is Polyktor. Wealthy is he, and an old man

even as thou, and six other sons hath he, and I am his seventh. With the others I cast lots, and it fell to me to

fare hither with the host. And now am I come from the ships to the plain, for at daybreak the glancingeyed

Achaians will set the battle in array around the town. For it chafeth them to be sitting here, nor can the

And the old man, godlike Priam, answered him, saying: "If verily thou art a squire of Achilles Peleus' son,

come tell me all the truth, whether still my son is by the ships, or whether ere now Achilles hath riven him

Then to him again spake the Messenger the slayer of Argus: "Old sire, not yet have dogs or birds devoured

him, but there lieth he still by Achilles' ship, even as he fell, among the huts, and the twelfth morn now hath

risen upon him, nor doth his flesh corrupt at all, neither worms consume it, such as devour men slain in war.

Truly Achilles draggeth him recklessly around the barrow of his dear comrade so oft as divine day dawneth,

yet marreth he him not; thou wouldst marvel if thou couldst go see thyself how dewy fresh he lieth, and is

washed clean of blood, nor anywhere defiled; and all his wounds wherewith he was stricken are closed;

howbeit many of thy son, though he be but a dead corpse, for they held him dear at heart."

Thus spake he, and the old man rejoiced, and answered him, saying: "My son, it is verily a good thing to give

due offerings withal to the Immortals, for never did my childif that child indeed I hadforget in our halls

the gods who inhabit Olympus. Therefore have they remembered this for him, albeit his portion is death. But

come now take from me this goodly goblet, and guard me myself and guide me, under Heaven, that I may

Then spake unto him again the Messenger the slayer of Argus: "Thou art proving me, old sire, who am

younger than thou, but thou wilt not prevail upon me, in that thou biddest me take gifts from thee without

Achilles' privity. I were afraid and shamed at heart to defraud him, lest some evil come to pass on me

hereafter. But as thy guide I would go even unto famous Argos, accompanying thee courteously in swift ship

Thus spake the Helper, and leaping on the chariot behind the horses he swiftly took lash and reins into his

hand, and breathed brave spirit into horses and mules. But when they were come to the towers and trench of

the ships, there were the sentinels just busying them about their supper. Then the Messenger, the slayer of

Argus, shed sleep upon them all, and straightway opened the gates and thrust back the bars, and brought

within Priam and the splendid gifts upon his wain. And they came to the lofty hut of the son of Peleus, which

the Myrmidons made for their king and hewed therefor timber of the pine, and thatched it with downy

thatchingrush that they mowed in the meadows, and around it made for him their lord a great court with

closeset palisades; and the door was barred by a single bolt of pine that three Achaians wont to drive home,

and three drew back that mighty barthree of the rest, but Achilles by himself would drive it home. Then

opened the Helper Hermes the door for the old man, and brought in the splendid gifts for Peleus' fleetfooted

son, and descended from the chariot to the earth and spake aloud: "Old sire, I that have come to thee am an

immortal god, even Hermes, for my father sent me to companion thee on. thy way. But now will I depart

from thee nor come within Achilles' sight; it were cause of wrath that an immortal god should thus show

favour openly unto mortals. But thou go in and clasp the knees of Peleus' son and entreat him for his father's

sake and his mother's of the lovely hair and for his child's sake that thou mayest move his soul."

Thus Hermes spake, and departed unto high Olympus. But Priam leapt from the car to the earth, and left

Idaios in his place; he stayed to mind the horses and mules; but the old man made straight for the house

where Achilles dear to Zeus was wont to sit. And therein he found the man himself, and his comrades sate

apart: two only, the hero Automedon and Alkimos, of the stock of Ares, were busy in attendance; and he was

lately ceased from meat, even from eating and drinking: and still the table stood beside him. But they were

unaware of great Priam as he came in, and so stood he anigh and clasped in his hands the knees of Achilles,

and kissed his hands, terrible, manslaying, that slew many of Priam's sons. And as when a grievous curse

cometh upon a man who in his own country hath slain another and escapeth to a land of strangers, to the

house of some rich man, and wonder possesseth them that look on himso Achilles wondered when he saw

godlike Priam, and the rest wondered likewise, and looked upon one another. Then Priam spake and entreated

him, saying: "Bethink thee, O Achilles like to gods, of thy father that is of like years with me, on the grievous

pathway of old age. Him haply are the dwellers round about entreating evilly, nor is there any to ward from

him ruin and bane. Nevertheless while he heareth of thee as yet alive he rejoiceth in his heart, and hopeth

withal day after day that he shall see his dear son returning from Troyland. But I, I am utterly unblest, since

I begat sons the best men in wide Troyland, but declare unto thee that none of them is left. Fifty I had, when

the sons of the Achaians came; nineteen were born to me of one mother, and concubines bare the rest within

my halls. Now of the more part had impetuous Ares unstrung the knees, and he who was yet left and guarded

city and men, him slewest thou but now as he fought for his country, even Hector. For his sake come I unto

the ships of the Achaians that I may win him back from thee, and I bring with me untold ransom. Yea, fear

thou the gods, Achilles, and have compassion on me, even me, bethinking thee of thy father. Lo, I am yet

more piteous than he, and have braved what none other man on earth hath braved before, to stretch forth my

Thus spake he, and stirred within Achilles desire to make lament for his father. And he touched the old man's

hand and gently moved him back. And as they both bethought them of their dead, so Priam for manslaying

Hector wept sore as he was fallen before Achilles' feet, and Achilles wept for his own father, and now again

for Patroklos, and their moan went up throughout the house. But when noble Achilles had satisfied him with

lament, and the desire thereof departed from his heart and limbs, straightway he sprang from his seat and

raised the old man by his hand, pitying his hoary head and hoary beard, and spake unto him winged words

and said: "Ah hapless! many ill things verily thou hast endured in thy heart. How durst thou come alone to

the ships of the Achaians and to meet the eyes of the man who hath slain full many of the brave sons? of iron

verily is thy heart. But come then set thee on a seat, and we will let our sorrows lie quiet in our hearts for all

our pain, for no avail cometh of chill lament. This is the lot the gods have spun for miserable men, that they

should live in pain; yet themselves are sorrowless. For two urns stand upon the floor of Zeus filled with his

evil gifts, and one with blessings. To whomsoever Zeus whose joy is in the lightning dealeth a mingled lot,

that man chanceth now upon ill and now again on good, but to whom he giveth but of the bad kind him he

bringeth to scorn, and evil famine chaseth him over the goodly earth, and he is a wanderer honoured of

neither gods nor men. Even thus to Peleus gave the gods splendid gifts from his birth, for he excelled all men

in good fortune and wealth, and was king of the Myrmidons, and mortal though he was the gods gave him a

goddess to be his bride. Yet even on him God brought evil, seeing that there arose to him no offspring of

princely sons in his halls, save that he begat one son to an untimely death. Neither may I tend him as he

groweth old, since very far from my country I am dwelling in Troyland, to vex thee and thy children. And

of thee, old sire, we have heard how of old time thou wert happy, even how of all that Lesbos, seat of Makar,

boundeth to the north thereof and Phrygia farther up and the vast Hellespontof all these folk, men say, thou

wert the richest in wealth and in sons, but after that the Powers of Heaven brought this bane on thee, ever are

battles and manslayings around thy city. Keep courage, and lament not unabatingly in thy heart. For nothing

wilt thou avail by grieving for thy son, neither shalt thou bring him back to life or ever some new evil come

Then made answer unto him the old man, godlike Priam: "Bid me not to a seat, O fosterling of Zeus, so long

as Hector lieth uncared for at the huts, but straightway give him back that I may behold him with mine eyes;

and accept thou the great ransom that we bring. So mayest thou have pleasure thereof, and come unto thy

Then fleetfooted Achilles looked sternly upon him and said: "No longer chafe me, old sire; of myself am I

minded to give Hector back to thee, for there came to me a messenger from Zeus, even my mother who bare

me, daughter of the Ancient One of the Sea. And I know, O Priam, in my mind, nor am unaware that some

god it is that hath guided thee to the swift ships of the Achaians. For no mortal man, even though in prime of

youth, would dare to come among the host, for neither could he escape the watch, nor easily thrust back the

bolt of our doors. Therefore now stir my heart no more amid my troubles, lest I leave not even thee in peace,

old sire, within my hut, albeit thou art my suppliant, and lest I transgress the commandment of Zeus."

Thus spake he, and the old man feared, and obeyed his word. And the son of Peleus leapt like a lion through

the door of the house, not alone, for with him went two squires, the hero Automedon and Alkimos, they

whom above all his comrades Achilles honoured, save only Patroklos that was dead. They then loosed from

under the yoke the horses and mules, and led in the old man's crierherald and set him on a chair, and from

the wain of goodly felloes they took the countless ransom set on Hector's head. But they left two robes and a

wellspun doublet, that Achilles might wrap the dead therein when he gave him to be carried home. And he

called forth handmaids and bade them wash and anoint him when they had borne him apart, so that Priam

should not look upon his son, lest he should not refrain the wrath at his sorrowing heart when he should look

upon his son, and lest Achilles' heart be vexed thereat and he slay him and transgress the commandment of

Zeus. So when the handmaids had washed the body and anointed it with oil, and had thrown over it a fair

robe and a doublet, then Achilles himself lifted it and laid it on a bier, and his comrades with him lifted it on

to the polished waggon. Then he groaned aloud and called on his dear comrade by his name: "Patroklos, be

not vexed with me if thou hear even in the house of Hades that I have given back noble Hector unto his dear

father, for not unworthy is the ransom he hath given me, whereof I will deal to thee again thy rightful share."

Thus spake noble Achilles, and went back into the hut, and sate him down on the cunninglywrought couch

whence he had arisen by the opposite wall, and spake a word to Priam: "Thy son, old sire, is given back as

thou wouldest and lieth on a bier, and with the break of day thou shalt see him thyself as thou carriest him.

But now bethink we us of supper. For even fairhaired Niobe bethought her of meat, she whose twelve

children perished in her halls, six daughters and six lusty sons. The sons Apollo, in his anger against Niobe,

slew with arrows from his silver bow, and the daughters archer Artemis, for that Niobe matched herself

against faircheeked Leto, saying that the goddess bare but twain but herself many children: so they though

they were but twain destroyed the other all. Nine days they lay in their blood, nor was there any to bury them,

for Kronion turned the folk to stones. Yet on the tenth day the gods of heaven buried them, and she then

bethought her of meat, when she was wearied out with weeping tears. And somewhere now among the cliffs,

on the lonely mountains, even on Sipylos, where they say are the couchingplaces of nymphs that dance

around Acheloos, there she, albeit a stone, broodeth still over her troubles from the gods. But come let us too,

noble father, take thought of meat, and afterward thou shalt mourn over thy dear son as thou carriest him to

Thus spake fleet Achilles, and sprang up, and slew a pure white sheep, and his comrades skinned and made it

ready in seemly fashion, and divided it cunningly and pierced it with spits, and roasted it carefully and drew

all off. And Automedon took bread and served it on a table in fair baskets, while Achilles dealt out the flesh.

And they stretched forth their hands to the good cheer lying ready before them. But when they had put off the

desire of meat and drink, then Priam son of Dardanos marvelled at Achilles to see how great he was and how

goodly, for he was like a god to look upon. And Achilles marvelled at Priam son of Dardanos, beholding his

noble aspect and hearkening to his words. But when they had gazed their fill upon one another, then first

spake the old man, godlike Priam, to Achilles:. "Now presently give me whereon to lie, fosterling of Zeus,

that of sweet sleep also we may now take our fill at rest: for never yet have mine eyes closed beneath their

lids since at thy hands my son lost his life, but I continually mourn and brood over countless griefs,

grovelling in the courtyardclose amid the mire. Now at last have I tasted bread and poured bright wine down

He said, and Achilles bade his comrades and handmaids to set a bedstead beneath the portico, and to cast

thereon fair shining rugs and spread coverlets above and thereon to lay thick mantles to be a clothing over all.

And the maids went forth from the inner hail with torches in their hands, and quickly spread two beds in

haste. Then with bitter meaning [in his reference to Agamemnon] said fleetfooted Achilles unto Priam: "Lie

thou without, dear sire, lest there come hither one of the counsellors of the Achaians, such as ever take

counsel with me by my side, as custom is. If any of such should behold thee through the swift black night,

forthwith he might haply tell it to Agamemnon shepherd of the host, and thus would there be delay in giving

back the dead. But come say this to me and tell it true, how many days' space thou art fain to make funeral for

noble Hector, so that for so long I may myself abide and may keep back the host."

And the old man, godlike Priam, answered him, saying: "If thou art verily willing that I accomplish noble

Hector's funeral, by doing as thou sayest, O Achilles, thou wilt do me grace. For thou knowest how we are

pent within the city, and wood from the mountain is far to fetch, and the Trojans are much in fear. Nine days

will we make moan for him in our halls, and on the tenth we will hold funeral and the folk shall feast, and on

the eleventh we will make, a barrow over him, and on the twelfth we will do battle if need be."

Then again spake the fleet noble Achilles unto him, saying: "All this, O ancient Priam, shall be as thou

biddest; for I will hold back the battle even so long a time as thou tellest me."

Thus speaking he clasped the old man's right hand at the wrist, lest he should be anywise afraid at heart. So

they in the forepart of the house laid them down, Priam and the herald, with wise thoughts at their hearts, but

Achilles slept in a recess of the firmwrought hut, and beside him lay faircheeked Briseis.

Now all other gods and warriors lords of chariots slumbered all night, by soft sleep overcome. But not on the

Helper Hermes did sleep take hold as he sought within his heart how he should guide forth king Priam from

the ships unespied of the trusty sentinels. And he stood above his head and spake a word to him: "Old sire, no

thought then hast thou of any evil, seeing thou yet sleepest among men that are thine enemies, for that

Achilles spared thee. Truly now hast thou won back thy dear son, and at great price. But for thy life will thy

sons thou hast left behind be offering threefold ransom, if but Agamemnon Atreus' son be aware of thee, and

Thus spake he, and the old man feared, and roused the herald. And Hermes yoked the horses and mules for

them, and himself drave them lightly through the camp, and none was aware of them.

But when they came to the ford of the fairflowing river, [even eddying Xanthos, begotten of immortal

Zeus,] then Hermes departed up to high Olympus, and Morning of the saffron robe spread over all the earth.

And they with wail and moan drave the horses to the city, and the mules drew the dead. Nor marked them any

man or fairgirdled woman until Kassandra, peer of golden Aphrodite, having gone up upon Pergamos, was

aware of her dear father as he stood in the car, and the herald that was crier to the town. Then beheld she him

that lay upon the bier behind the mules, and thereat she wailed and cried aloud throughout all the town: "O

men and women of Troy, come ye hither and look upon Hector, if ever while he was alive ye rejoiced when

Thus spake she, nor was man or woman left within the city, for upon all came unendurable grief. And near

the gates they met Priam bringing home the dead. First bewailed him his dear wife and lady mother, as they

cast them on the fairwheeled wain and touched his head; and around them stood the throng and wept. So all

day long unto the setting of the sun they had lamented Hector in tears without the gate, had not the old man

spoken from the car among the folk: "Give me place for the mules to pass through; hereafter ye shall have

Thus spake he, and they parted asunder and gave place to the wain. And the others when they had brought

him to the famous house, laid him on a fretted bed, and set beside him minstrel leaders of the dirge, who

wailed a mournful lay, while the women made moan with them. And among the women whitearmed

Andromache led the lamentation, while in her hands she held the head of Hector slayer of men: "Husband,

thou art gone young from life, and leavest me a widow in thy halls. And the child is yet but a little one, child

of illfated parents, thee and me; nor methinks shall he grow up to manhood, for ere then shall this city be

utterly destroyed. For thou art verily perished who didst watch over it, who guardedst it and keptest safe its

noble wives and infant little ones. These soon shall be voyaging in the hollow ships, yea and I too with them,

and thou, my child, shalt either go with me unto a place where thou shalt toil at unseemly tasks, labouring

before the face of some harsh lord, or else some Achaian will take thee by the arm and hurl thee from the

battlement, a grievous death, for that he is wroth because Hector slew his brother or father or son, since full

many of the Achaians in Hector's hands have bitten the firm earth. For no light hand had thy father in the

grievous fray. Therefore the folk lament him throughout the city, and woe unspeakable and mourning hast

thou left to thy parents, Hector, but with me chiefliest shall grievous pain abide. For neither didst thou stretch

thy hands to me from a bed in thy death, neither didst speak to me some memorable word that I might have

Thus spake she wailing, and the women joined their moan. And among them Hekabe again led the loud

lament: "Hector, of all my children far dearest to my heart, verily while thou wert alive dear wert thou to the

gods, and even in thy doom of death have they had care for thee. For other sons of mine whom he took

captive would fleet Achilles sell beyond the unvintaged sea unto Samos and Imbros and smoking Lemnos,

but when with keenedged bronze he had bereft thee of thy life he was fain to drag thee oft around the tomb

of his comrade, even Patroklos whom thou slewest, yet might he not raise him up thereby. But now all dewy

and fresh thou liest in our halls, like one on whom Apollo, lord of the silver bow, hath descended and slain

Thus spake she wailing, and stirred unending moan. Then thirdly Helen led their sore lament: "Hector, of all

my brethren of Troy far dearest to my heart! Truly my lord is godlike Alexandros who brought me to

Troylandwould I had died ere then. For this is now the twentieth year since I went thence and am gone

from my own native land, but never yet heard I evil or despiteful word from thee; nay, if any other haply

upbraided me in the palacehalls, whether brother or sister of thine or brother's fairrobed wife, or thy

motherbut thy father is ever kind to me as he were my ownthen wouldst thou soothe such with words

and refrain them, by the gentleness of thy spirit and by thy gentle words. Therefore bewail I thee with pain at

heart, and my hapless self with thee, for no more is any left in wide Troyland to be my friend and kind to

Thus spake she wailing, and therewith the great multitude of the people groaned. But the old man Priam

spake a word among the folk: "Bring wood, men of Troy, unto the city, and be not anywise afraid at heart of

a crafty ambush of the Achaians; for this message Achilles gave me when he sent me from the black ships,

Thus spake he, and they yoked oxen and mules to wains, and quickly then they flocked before the city. So

nine days they gathered great store of wood. But when the tenth morn rose with light for men, then bare they

forth brave Hector, weeping tears, and on a lofty pyre they laid the dead man, and thereon cast fire.

But when the daughter of Dawn, rosyfingered Morning, shone forth, then gathered the folk around glorious

Hector's pyre. First quenched they with bright wine all the burning, so far as the fire's strength went, and then

his brethren and comrades gathered his white bones lamenting, and big tears flowed down their cheeks. And

the bones they took and laid in a golden urn, shrouding them in soft purple robes, and straightway laid the urn

in a hollow grave and piled thereon great closeset stones, and heaped with speed a barrow, while watchers

were set everywhere around, lest the wellgreaved Achaians should make onset before the time. And when

they had heaped the barrow they went back, and gathered them together and feasted right well in noble feast

3. Rendered by Andrew Lang, M.A., Walter Leaf, Litt.D., And Ernest Myers, M.A., page = 4

5. BOOK I. How Agamemnon and Achilles fell out at the siege of Troy; and Achilles withdrew himself from battle, and won from Zeus a pledge that his wrong should be avenged on Agamemnon and the Achaians. , page = 6

6. BOOK II. How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of the Achaians and the Trojans. , page = 14

7. BOOK III. How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris. And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy. , page = 25

8. BOOK IV. How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief captains to battle. , page = 31

9. BOOK V How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene. , page = 38

10. BOOK VI How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to Andromache his wife. , page = 46

11. BOOK VII Of the single combat between Alas and hector, and of the burying of the dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships. , page = 50

12. BOOK VIII How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to the Trojans. , page = 55

13. BOOK IX How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and how Achilles denied him. , page = 60

14. BOOK X How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king. , page = 66

15. BOOK XI Despite the glorious deeds of Agamemnon, the Trojans press hard on the Achaians, and the beginning of evil comes on Patroklos. , page = 74

16. BOOK XII How the Trojans and allies broke within the wall of the Achaians. , page = 81

17. BOOK XIII Poseidon stirreth up the Achaians to defend the ships. The valour of Idomeneus. , page = 86

18. BOOK XIV How Sleep and Hera beguiled Zeus to slumber on the heights of Ida, and Poseidon spurred on the Achaians to resist Hector, and how Hector was wounded. , page = 97

19. BOOK XV Zeus awakening, biddeth Apollo revive Hector, and restore the fortunes of the Trojans. Fire is thrown on the ship of Protesilaos. , page = 102

20. BOOK XVI How Patroklos fought in the armour of Achilles, and drove the Trojans from the ships, but was slain at last by Hector. , page = 106

22. BOOK XVIII How Achilles grieved for Patroklos, and how Thetis asked for him new armour of Hephaistos; and of the making of the armour. , page = 119

23. BOOK XIX How Achilles and Agamemnon were reconciled before the assembly of the Achaians, and Achilles went forth with them to battle. , page = 126

25. BOOK XXI. How Achilles fought with the River, and chased the men of Troy within their gates. , page = 137

26. BOOK XXII How Achilles fought with Hector, and slew him, and brought his body to the ships. , page = 144

28. BOOK XXIV. How the body of Hector was ransomed, and of his funeral. , page = 160