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Section XXI BOOK THE TWENTY-FIRST.
ARGUMENT. Having divided the Trojan army, Achilles drives
one part towards the city, and the other into the Xanthus, where he takes twelve youths
alive, in order to sacrifice them at the tomb of Patroclus. He then slays Lycaon and Asteropæus,
deriding the river-god, Xanthus, as unable to aid his friends. The river endeavours to
overwhelm him by the aid of Simoïs, but Vulcan defends him from the danger. Single combats
of the gods then follow, but they afterwards retire to Olympus. Apollo then leads Achilles
away, assuming the form of Agenor, and the Trojans are thus enabled to regain the city.
But when they at last reached the course of the fairly-flowing river, the eddying Xanthus,
which immortal Jove begat; there separating them, he pursued some indeed through the plain
towards the city, by the [same] way that the Greeks, on the preceding day, being astounded,
had fled, when illustrious Hector raged. By that way were they poured forth terrified;
but Juno expanded a dense cloud before them, to check them: but the other half were rolled
into the deep-flowing river, with silver eddies. But they fell in with a great noise; and the
deep streams resounded, and the banks around murmured; but they, with clamour, swam here
and there, whirled about in the eddies. As when locusts, driven by the force of fire,
fly into the air, to escape to a river, but the indefatigable fire, suddenly kindled,
blazes, and they fall, through terror into the water: thus, by Achilles, was the resounding
river of deep-eddied Xanthus filled promiscuously with horses and men. But the Jove-sprung [hero]
left his spear upon the banks, leaning against a tamarisk; and he leaped in, like unto a
god, having only his sword, and meditated destructive deeds in his mind. And he smote
on all sides, and a shocking lamentation arose of those who were stricken by the sword, and
the water was reddened with blood. And, as when the other fish, flying from a mighty
dolphin, fill the inmost recesses of a safe-anchoring harbour, frightened; for he totally devours
whatever he can catch; so the Trojans hid themselves in caves along the streams of the
terrible river. But he, when he was wearied as to his hands, slaying, chose twelve youths
alive out of the river, a penalty for dead Patroclus, the son of Menœtius. These he
led out [of the river], stupified, like fawns. And he bound their hands behind them with well-cut
straps, which they themselves bore upon their twisted tunics; and gave them to his companions
to conduct to the hollow ships. But he rushed on again, desiring to slay.
Then did he encounter the son of Dardanian Priam, Lycaon, escaping from the river, whom
he himself had formerly led away, taking him unwilling from his father's farm, having come
upon him by night: but he, with the sharp brass, was trimming a wild fig-tree of its
tender branches, that they might become the cinctures of a chariot. But upon him came
noble Achilles, an unexpected evil; and then, conveying him in his ships, he sold him into
well-inhabited Lemnos; but the son of Jason gave his price. And from thence his guest,
Imbrian Eëtion, ransomed him, and gave him many things, and sent him to noble Arisbe;
whence, secretly escaping, he reached his father's house. Returning from Lemnos, for
eleven days he was delighted in his soul, with his friends; but on the twelfth the deity
again placed him in the hands of Achilles, who was about to send him into the [habitation]
of Hades, although not willing to go. But when swift-footed, noble Achilles perceived
him naked, without helmet and shield, neither had he a spear, for all these, indeed, he
had thrown to the ground, for the sweat overcame him, flying from the river, and fatigue subdued
his limbs beneath; but [Achilles] indignant, thus addressed his own great-hearted soul:
"O gods! surely I perceive this, a great marvel, with mine eyes. Doubtless the magnanimous
Trojans whom I have slain will rise again from the murky darkness, as now this man has
returned, escaping the merciless day, having been sold in sacred Lemnos; nor has the depth
of the sea restrained him, which restrains many against their will. But come now, he
shall taste the point of my spear, that I may know in my mind, and learn, whether he
will in like manner return thence, or whether the fruitful earth will detain him, which
detains even the mighty." Thus he pondered, remaining still; but near
him came Lycaon, in consternation, anxious to touch his knees; for he very much wished
in his mind to escape evil death and black fate. Meanwhile noble Achilles raised his
long spear, desiring to wound him; but he ran in under it, and, stooping, seized his
knees, but the spear stuck fixed in the earth over his back, eager to be satiated with human
flesh. But he, having grasped his knees with one hand, supplicated him, and with the other
held the sharp spear, nor did he let it go; and, supplicating, addressed to him winged
words: "O Achilles, embracing thy knees, I supplicate thee; but do thou respect and pity
me. I am to thee in place of a suppliant, to be revered, O Jove-nurtured one! For with
thee I first tasted the fruit of Ceres on that day when thou tookest me in the well-cultivated
field, and didst sell me, leading me away from my father and friends, to sacred Lemnos;
and I brought thee the price of a hundred oxen. But now will I redeem myself, giving
thrice as many. This is already the twelfth morning to me since I came to Troy, having
suffered much, and now again pernicious fate has placed me in thy hands. Certainly I must
be hated by father Jove, who has again given me to thee. For my mother Laothoë, the daughter
of aged Altes, brought forth short-lived me, of Altes, who rules over the warlike Lelegans,
possessing lofty Padasus, near the Satnio: and Priam possessed his daughter, as well
as many others; but from her we two were born, but thou wilt slay both. Him, godlike Polydorus,
thou hast subdued already among the foremost infantry, when thou smotest him with the sharp
spear, and now will evil be to me here; for I do not think that I shall escape thy hands,
since a deity has brought me near thee. Yet another thing will I tell thee, and do thou
store it in thy mind. Do not slay me, for I am not of the same womb with Hector, who
killed thy companion, both gentle and brave." Thus then, indeed, the noble son of Priam
addressed him, supplicating with words; but he heard a stern reply.
"Fool, talk not to me of ransom, nor, indeed, mention it. Before Patroclus fulfilled the
fatal day, so long to me was it more agreeable in my mind to spare the Trojans, and many
I took alive and sold. But now there is not [one] of all the Trojans, whom the deity shall
put into my hands before Ilium, who shall escape death; but above all of the sons of
Priam. But die thou also, my friend; why weepest thou thus? Patroclus likewise died, who was
much better than thou. Seest thou not how great I am? both fair and great; and I am
from a noble sire, and a goddess mother bore me; but Death and violent Fate will come upon
thee and me, whether [it be] morning, evening, or mid-day; whenever any one shall take away
my life with a weapon, either wounding me with a spear, or with an arrow from the string."
Thus he spoke; but his knees and dear heart were relaxed. He let go the spear, indeed,
and sat down, stretching out both hands. But Achilles, drawing his sharp sword, smote [him]
at the clavicle, near the neck. The two-edged sword penetrated totally, and he, prone upon
the ground, lay stretched out, but the black blood flowed out, and moistened the earth.
Then Achilles, seizing him by the foot, threw him into the river, to be carried along, and,
boasting, spoke winged words: "Lie there now with the fishes, which, without concern, will
lap the blood of thy wound; nor shall thy mother weep, placing thee upon the funeral
couch, but the eddying Scamander shall bear thee into the wide *** of the ocean. Some
fish, bounding through the wave, will escape to the dark ripple, in order that he may devour
the white fat of Lycaon. Perish [ye Trojans], till we attain to the city of sacred Ilium,
you flying, and I slaughtering in the rear: nor shall the wide-flowing, silver-eddying
river, profit you, to which ye have already sacrificed many bulls, and cast solid-hoofed
steeds alive into its eddies. But even thus shall ye die an evil death, until ye all atone
for the death of Patroclus, and the slaughter of the Greeks, whom ye have killed at the
swift ships, I being absent."
Thus he spoke; but the River was the more enraged at heart, and revolved in his mind
how he might make noble Achilles cease from labour, and avert destruction from the Trojans.
But meanwhile the son of Peleus, holding his long-shadowed spear, leaped upon Asteropæus,
son of Pelegon, desirous to kill him whom the wide-flowing Axius begat, and Peribœa,
eldest of the daughters of Accessamenus; for with her had the deep-eddying river been mingled.
Against him Achilles rushed; but he, [emerging] from the river, stood opposite, holding two
spears; for Xanthus had placed courage in his mind, because he was enraged on account
of the youths slain in battle, whom Achilles had slain in the stream, nor pitied them.
But when they were now near, advancing towards each other, him first swift-footed, noble
Achilles addressed: "Who, and whence art thou of men, thou who darest to come against me?
Truly they are the sons of unhappy men who encounter my might." Him again the illustrious
son of Pelegon addressed: "O magnanimous son of Peleus, why dost thou ask my race? I am
from fruitful Pæonia, being far off, leading the long-speared Pæonian heroes; and this
is now the eleventh morning to me since I came to Troy. But my descent is from the wide-flowing
Axius, who pours the fairest flood upon the earth, he who begat Pelegon, renowned for
the spear; who, men say, begat me. But now, O illustrious Achilles, let us fight."
Thus he spake, threatening: but noble Achilles raised the Pelian ash; but the hero Asteropæus
[took aim] with both spears at the same time, for he was ambidexter. With the one spear
he struck the shield, nor did it pierce the shield completely through; for the gold restrained
it, the gift of a god; and the other slightly wounded him upon the elbow of the right arm;
and the black blood gushed out: but the [spear passing] over him, was fixed in the earth,
longing to satiate itself with his body. But second Achilles hurled his straight-flying
ashen spear at Asteropæus, anxiously desiring to slay him. From him indeed he erred, and
struck the lofty bank, and drove the ashen spear up to the middle in the bank. Then the
son of Peleus, drawing his sharp sword from his thigh, eagerly leaped upon him; but he
was not able to pluck out, with his strong hand, the ashen spear of Achilles, from the
bank. Thrice, indeed, he shook it, desiring to pluck it out, and thrice he failed in strength.
And the fourth time he had determined in his mind, bending, to snap the ashen spear of
Æacides; but Achilles first, close at hand, took away his life with the sword; for he
smote him upon the belly at the navel, and all his bowels were poured out upon the ground,
and darkness veiled him, dying, as to his eyes. Then Achilles, leaping upon his breast,
despoiled him of his arms, and boasting, spoke: "Lie so: it is a difficult thing for thee,
though descended from a River, to contend with the sons of the most mighty Saturnian
[Jove]. Thou saidst thou wert of the race of a wide-flowing River, but I boast myself
to be of the race of mighty Jove. The hero ruling over many Myrmidons begat me, Peleus,
son of Æacus; but Æacus was from Jove; wherefore Jove is more powerful than Rivers flowing
into the sea, and the race of Jove again is more powerful than that of a river. Besides,
a very great River is at hand to thee, if it can aught defend thee; but it is not lawful
to fight with Jove, the son of Saturn. With him neither does king Acheloüs vie, nor the
mighty strength of deep-flowing Oceanus, from which flow all rivers, and every sea, and
all fountains, and deep wells; but even he dreads the bolt of the great Jove, and the
dreadful thunder, when it bellows from heaven." He said, and plucked his brazen spear from
the bank. But him he left there, after he had taken away his life, lying in the sand,
and the dark water laved him. About him, indeed, the eels and fishes were busied, eating [and]
nibbling the fat around his kidneys. But he (Achilles) hastened to go against the Pæonian
equestrian warriors, who were already turned to flight beside the eddying river, when they
saw the bravest in the violent conflict bravely subdued by the hands and sword of the son
of Peleus. Then he slew Thersilochus, Mydon, Astypylus, Mnesus, Thrasius, Ænius, and Ophelestes.
And now had swift Achilles slain even more Pæonians, had not the deep-eddying River,
enraged, addressed him, likening itself to a man, and uttered a voice from its deep vortex:
"O Achilles, thou excellest, it is true, in strength, but thou doest unworthy acts above
[others], for the gods themselves always aid thee. If indeed the son of Saturn has granted
to thee to destroy all the Trojans, at least having driven them from me, perform these
arduous enterprises along the plain. For now are my agreeable streams full of dead bodies,
nor can I any longer pour my tide into the vast sea, choked up by the dead; whilst thou
slayest unsparingly. But come, even cease—a stupor seizes me—O chieftain of the people."
But him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed: "These things shall be as thou
desirest, O Jove-nurtured Scamander. But I will not cease slaughtering the treaty-breaking
Trojans, before that I enclose them in the city, and make trial of Hector, face to face,
whether he shall slay me, or I him."
Thus speaking, he rushed upon the Trojans like unto a god; and the deep-eddying River
then addressed Apollo: "Alas! O god of the silver bow, child of Jove, thou hast not observed
the counsels of Jove, who very much enjoined thee to stand by and aid the Trojans, till
the late setting evening sun should come, and overshadow the fruitful earth."
He spoke, and spear-renowned Achilles leaped into the midst, rushing down from the bank.
But he (the River) rushed on, raging with a swoln flood, and, turbid, excited all his
waves. And it pushed along the numerous corpses, which were in him in abundance, whom Achilles
had slain. These he cast out, roaring like a bull, upon the shore; but the living he
preserved in his fair streams, concealing them among his mighty deep gulfs. And terrible
around Achilles stood the disturbed wave, and the stream, falling upon his shield, oppressed
him, nor could he stand steady on his feet. But he seized with his hands a thriving, large
elm; and it, falling from its roots, dislodged the whole bank, and interrupted the beautiful
streams with its thick branches, and bridged over the river itself, falling completely
in. Then leaping up from the gulf, he hastened to fly over the plain on his rapid feet, terrified.
Nor yet did the mighty god desist, but rushed after him, blackening on the surface, that
he might make noble Achilles cease from toil, and avert destruction from the Trojans. But
the son of Peleus leaped back as far as is the cast of a spear, having the impetuosity
of a dark eagle, a hunter, which is at once the strongest and the swiftest of birds. Like
unto it he rushed, but the brass clanked dreadfully upon his breast; but he, inclining obliquely,
fled from it, and it, flowing from behind, followed with a mighty noise. As when a ditch-worker
leads a stream of water from a black-flowing fountain through plantations and gardens,
holding a spade in his hands, and throwing out the obstructions from the channel; all
the pebbles beneath are agitated as it flows along, and, rapidly descending, it murmurs
down a sloping declivity, and outstrips even him who directs it: so the water of the river
always overtook Achilles, though being nimble; for the gods are more powerful than mortals.
As often as swift-footed, noble Achilles attempted to oppose it, and to know whether all the
immortals who possess the wide heaven put him to flight, so often did a great billow
of the river, flowing from Jove, lave his shoulders from above; whilst he leaped up
with his feet, sad in mind, and the rapid stream subdued his knees under him, and withdrew
the sand from beneath his feet. But Pelides groaned, looking toward the wide heaven: "O
father Jove, how does none of the gods undertake to save me, miserable, from the river! Hereafter,
indeed, I would suffer anything. But no other of the heavenly inhabitants is so culpable
to me as my mother, who soothed me with falsehoods, and said that I should perish by the fleet
arrows of Apollo, under the wall of the armed Trojans. Would that Hector had slain me, who
here was nurtured the bravest; then a brave man would he have slain, and have despoiled
a brave man. But now it is decreed that I be destroyed by an inglorious death, overwhelmed
in a mighty river, like a swine-herd's boy, whom, as he is fording it, the torrent overwhelms
in wintry weather."
Thus he spoke; but Neptune and Minerva, very quickly advancing, stood near him (but in
body they had likened themselves to men), and, taking his hand in their hands, strengthened
him with words. But to them earth-shaking Neptune began discourse: "O son of Peleus,
neither now greatly fear, nor yet be at all dismayed; so great allies from among the gods
are we to thee, Jove approving it, I and Pallas Minerva, so that it is not decreed that thou
shouldst be overcome by a river. It, indeed, shall soon cease, and thou thyself shalt see
it. But let us prudently suggest, if thou be obedient, not to stop thy hands from equally
destructive war, before thou shalt have enclosed the Trojan army within the renowned walls
of Troy, whoever, indeed, can escape: but do thou, having taken away the life of Hector,
return again to the ships; for we grant to thee to bear away glory."
They indeed having thus spoken, departed to the immortals. But he proceeded towards the
plain (for the command of the gods strongly impelled him), and it was all filled with
the overflowed water. Much beautiful armour and corpses of youths slain in battle, floated
along; but his knees bounded up against the course of it rushing straight forward; for
Minerva had put great strength into him. Nor did Scamander remit his strength, but was
the more enraged with the son of Peleus. And he swelled the wave of the stream, and, shouting,
animated Simoïs: "O dear brother, let us both, at least, restrain the force of the
man, since he will quickly destroy the great city of king Priam, for the Trojans resist
him not in battle. But aid me very quickly, and fill thy streams of water from thy fountains,
and rouse all thy rivulets, raise a great wave, and stir up a mighty confusion of stems
and stones, that we may restrain this furious man, who now already is victorious, and is
bent on deeds equal to the gods. For I think that neither his strength will defend him,
nor his beauty at all, nor those beautiful arms, which shall lie everywhere in the very
bottom of my gulf, covered with mud. Himself also will I involve in sand, pouring vast
abundant silt around him; nor shall the Greeks know where to gather his bones, so much slime
will I spread over him. And there forthwith shall be his tomb, nor shall there be any
want to him of entombing, when the Greeks perform his obsequies."
He spoke, and raging aloft, turbid, he rushed upon Achilles, murmuring with foam, with blood,
and with dead bodies. Immediately the purple water of the Jove-descended river being raised
up, stood, and seized the son of Peleus. But Juno cried aloud, fearing for Achilles, lest
the mighty deep-eddying river should sweep him away; and immediately addressed Vulcan,
her beloved son: "Arise, Vulcan, my son; for we supposed that eddying Xanthus was equally
matched in battle against thee; but give aid with all haste, and exhibit thy abundant flame.
But I will go to excite a severe storm of Zephyrus, and rapid Notus from the sea, which
bearing a destructive conflagration, may consume the heads and armour of the Trojans. Do thou,
therefore, burn the trees upon the banks of Xanthus, and hurl at himself with fire, nor
let him at all avert thee by kind words or threats: neither do thou previously restrain
thy might; but when I, shouting, shall give the signal, then restrain thy indefatigable
fire." Thus she spoke; but Vulcan darted forth his
fierce-burning fire. First, indeed, he kindled a fire in the plain, and burned many dead
bodies, which were in abundance, over it, whom Achilles had slain; so that the whole
plain was dried up, and the clear water restrained. And as when an autumnal north wind immediately
dries a newly-watered garden, and gratifies him whoever cultivates it, so was the whole
plain dried, and it consumed the dead; whereupon he turned his all-resplendent flame against
the river. The elms were burned up, and the willows and tamarisks; the lotus was consumed,
and the rushes and reeds, which grew in great abundance round the beautiful streams of the
river. Harassed were the eels and the fishes, which through the whirlpools, [and] which
through the fair streams dived here and there, exhausted by the breath of the various artificer
Vulcan. The might of the river was burnt up, and he spake, and addressed him: "None of
the gods, O Vulcan, can oppose thee on equal terms, nor can I contend with thee, thus burning
with fire. Cease from combat, and let noble Achilles instantly expel the Trojans from
their city; what have I to do with contest and assistance?"
He spoke, scorched; and his fair streams boiled up. As a caldron pressed by much fire, glows,
bubbling up within on all sides, while melting the fat of a delicately-fed sow, whilst the
dry wood lies beneath it; so were his fair streams dried up with fire, and the water
boiled; nor could he flow on, but was restrained, and the vapour [raised] by the might of crafty
Vulcan harassed him. At length, supplicating much, he addressed to Juno winged words: "O
Juno, why does thy son press upon my stream, to annoy [me] beyond others? nor truly am
I so much to blame as all the others, as many as are assistants to the Trojans, But I will,
however, desist, if thou biddest it; and let him also cease; and I moreover will swear
this, that I never will avert the evil day from the Trojans, not even when all burning
Troy shall be consumed with destructive fire, and the warlike sons of the Greeks shall burn
it." But when the white-armed goddess Juno heard
this, she straightway addressed her beloved son Vulcan: "Vulcan, my illustrious son, abstain;
for it is not fitting thus to persecute an immortal god for the sake of mortals."
Thus she spoke; and Vulcan extinguished his glowing fire, and the refluent water immediately
lowered its fair streams. But when the might of Xanthus was subdued, then indeed they rested;
for Juno restrained herself, though enraged. Among the other gods, however, grievous, troublesome
contention fell out, and the inclination in their minds was borne in opposite directions.
They engaged with a great tumult, and the wide earth re-echoed, and the mighty heaven
resounded around. And Jove heard it, sitting upon Olympus, and his heart laughed with joy,
when he beheld the gods engaging in contest. Then they did not long stand apart; for shield-piercing
Mars began, and rushed first against Minerva, holding his brazen spear, and uttered an opprobrious
speech: "Why thus, O most impudent, having boundless audacity, dost thou join the gods
in battle? Has thy great soul incited thee? Dost thou not remember when thou didst urge
Diomede, the son of Tydeus, to strike me? And taking the spear thyself, thou didst direct
it right against me, and didst lacerate my fair flesh. Now, therefore, I think that I
will chastise thee, for all that thou hast done against me."
So saying, he struck [her] on the fringed ægis, horrible, which not even the thunderbolt
of Jove will subdue; on it gore-tainted Mars smote her with the long spear. But she, retiring,
seized in her stout hand a stone lying in the plain, black, rugged, and great, which
men of former days had set to be the boundary of a field. With this she struck fierce Mars
upon the neck, and relaxed his knees. Seven acres he covered, falling; as to his hair
he was defiled with dust; and his armour rang round him. But Pallas Minerva laughed, and,
boasting over him, addressed to him winged words: "Fool, hast thou not yet perceived
how much I boast myself to be superior, that thou opposest thy strength to me? Thus indeed
dost thou expiate the Erinnys of thy mother, who designs mischiefs against thee, enraged
because thou hast deserted the Greeks, and dost aid the treaty-breaking Trojans."
Thus having spoken, she turned back her bright eyes. But Venus, the daughter of Jove, taking
him by the hand, led him away, groaning very frequently; but he with difficulty collected
his spirit. But when the white-armed goddess Juno perceived him, immediately to Minerva
she addressed winged words: "Alas! O child of aegis-bearing Jove, invincible, see how
again she, most impudent, leads man-slaughtering Mars through the tumult, from the glowing
battle. But follow." Thus she spoke; but Minerva rushed after,
and rejoiced in her mind; and springing upon her, smote her with her stout hand on the
breast, and dissolved her knees and dear heart. Then both of them lay upon the fruitful earth;
but she, boasting over them, spoke winged words: "Would that all, as many as are allies
to the Trojans, when they fight against the armed Greeks, were so bold and daring, as
Venus came an assistant to Mars, to oppose my strength; then had we long since ceased
from battle, having overthrown the well-built city of Ilium."
Thus she spoke; but the white-armed goddess Juno smiled. And the earth-shaking king addressed
Apollo: "Phoebus, why do we two stand apart? Nor is it becoming, since the others have
begun. This would be disgraceful, if we return without fight to Olympus, and to the brazen-floored
mansion of Jove. Commence, for thou art younger by birth; for it would not be proper for me,
since I am elder, and know more things. Fool, since thou possessest a senseless heart; nor
dost at all remember those things, how many evils we suffered round Ilium, when we alone
of the gods, coming from Jove to haughty Laomedon, laboured for a year for a stipulated hire,
and he, commanding, gave orders? I indeed built a city and wall for the Trojans, extensive
and very beautiful, that the city might be impregnable; whilst thou, O Phoebus, didst
feed, his stamping-footed, curved-horned oxen, among the lawns of many-valed, *** Ida.
But when now the jocund Hours had brought round the period of payment, then did violent
Laomedon forcibly defraud us both of all reward, and having threatened, dismissed us. And beside,
he threatened that he would bind our feet and hands from above, and sell us into distant
islands; and affirmed that he would cut off the ears of both with the brass: but we immediately
returned back with indignant mind, enraged on account of the rewards which, having promised,
he did not make good. Is it for this thou dost now gratify the people? Why dost thou
not strive along with us, that the treaty-breaking Trojans may basely perish from the root, with
their children and modest wives?"
But him the far-darting king, Apollo, in turn addressed: "O Neptune, thou wouldst not say
that I am prudent, if I should now contend with thee, for the sake of miserable mortals,
who, like the leaves, are at one time very blooming, feeding on the fruit of the soil
and at another again, perish without life. Rather let us cease from combat as soon as
possible; and let them decide the matter themselves." Thus having spoken, he turned himself back;
for he was afraid to come to strife of hands with his uncle. But him his sister, rustic
Diana, the mistress of wild beasts, harshly rebuked, and uttered this upbraiding speech:
"Fliest thou, Far-darter? and hast thou yielded the whole victory to Neptune? and dost thou
give easy glory to him? O Fool, why in vain dost thou hold an useless bow? No longer now
shall I hear thee boasting in the halls of our sire, as formerly amongst the immortal
gods, that thou wouldst fight in opposition to Neptune."
Thus she spoke; but her the far-darting Apollo by no means addressed. But the venerable spouse
of Jove, enraged, rebuked [her] who rejoices in arrows, with reproaching words: "How darest
thou now, fearless wretch, stand against me? A difficult match am I for thee to be opposed
to my strength, although thou art a bow-bearer; for Jove has made thee a lioness among women,
and suffered thee to kill whatever woman thou wilt. Certainly it is better to slay wild
beasts among the mountains, or rustic stags, than to fight bravely with thy betters. But
if thou desirest to have a knowledge of battle, come on, that thou mayest well know how much
the better I am; since thou opposest strength to me."
She spoke, and with her left hand seized both her (Diana's) hands at the wrist, and with
her right plucked the bow from her shoulders. Smiling, she beat her about the ears with
it, while she writhed herself; and the fleet arrows fell out [of her quiver, as she moved].
Then the goddess fled, weeping, like a dove which flies from a hawk to a hollow rock,
her hiding-place, (for neither was it fated that she should be taken by it;) so she fled,
weeping, and left her arrows there.
But the messenger [Mercury], the slayer of Argos, addressed Latona: "O Latona, I will
by no means fight with thee; for difficult indeed would it be to combat with the wives
of cloud-compelling Jove; but rather, very forward among the immortal gods, boast that
thou hast conquered me by violent force." Thus indeed he spoke; but Latona collected
together the bent bow and the arrows which had fallen here and there amid the whirl of
dust. She, having taken the arrows, followed her daughter. But the daughter had arrived
at Olympus, and at the brazen-floored palace of Jove, and had sat down at the knees of
her father, weeping, whilst her ambrosial robe trembled around; and her the Saturnian
father drew towards him, and, sweetly smiling, interrogated her: "Which now of the heavenly
inhabitants, my dear child, has rashly done such things to thee, as if having done some
evil openly?" But him the fair-crowned mistress of the chase
addressed in turn: "Thy spouse, the white-armed Juno, has injured me, O father, from whom
contention and strife await the immortals."
Thus they indeed spoke such things with one another. But Phoebus Apollo came to sacred
Ilium; for the wall of the well-built city was a care to him, lest the Greeks, contrary
to fate, should overthrow it that day. The other ever-existing gods, however, repaired
to Olympus, some indeed indignant, but others greatly boasting. And they sat down beside
their father, the collector of dark clouds: but Achilles slew at once the Trojans themselves,
and their solid-hoofed steeds. And as when a smoke, ascending from a burning city, reaches
the wide heaven, but the wrath of the gods has excited it; it creates toil to all, and
sends griefs upon many; so did Achilles cause toil and griefs to the Trojans.
Meanwhile aged Priam stood upon a lofty tower, and observed huge Achilles: but by him the
routed Trojans were easily thrown into confusion, nor was there any might in them. Then groaning,
he descended from the tower to the ground, in order to direct the illustrious guards
at the gates along the wall: "Hold the gates open in your hands until the people, flying,
come into the city, for Achilles is at hand routing them. Now I think that destructive
deeds will be. But, as soon as they revive, hemmed in within the wall, put to again the
well-fitted doors, for I tremble lest this destructive man rush within the wall."
Thus he spoke; but they opened the gates and pushed back the bolts; and they being opened,
afforded safety. But Apollo leaped out to meet them, that he might avert destruction
from the Trojans. Then they, parched with thirst, and covered with dust, fled from the
plain directly towards the city and the lofty wall; but he furiously pursued with his spear;
for fierce madness constantly possessed his heart, and he burned to bear away glory. Then
indeed the sons of the Greeks had taken lofty-gated Troy, had not Phoebus Apollo excited noble
Agenor, a hero, the son of Antenor, both blameless and brave. And into his heart he threw courage,
and he himself stood beside him, leaning against a beech-tree, that he might avert the heavy
hands of death; but he was overshadowed by much darkness. But he, when he perceived Achilles,
the destroyer of cities, stood still, and much his heart was darkened as he remained;
and sighing, he thus addressed his own great-hearted soul: "Alas, me! if indeed I fly from terrible
Achilles, in the way by which the others, routed, are flying, even thus will he seize
me, and will slay me unwarlike; but if I suffer these to be thrown into confusion by Achilles,
the son of Peleus, and fly in another direction on my feet from the wall through the Ilian
plain, until I reach the lawns of Ida, and enter its thickets; then indeed, having bathed
myself at evening in the river, I may return back to Troy, cleansed from sweat. But why
does my mind commune these things? Truly he may observe me departing from the city towards
the plain, and, quickly pursuing, may overtake me on his swift feet; then will it no longer
be possible to escape Death and Fate; for he is very powerful beyond all men. But if
I go against him in front of the city—for his body also is without doubt vulnerable
by the sharp brass, there is one soul in it, and men say that he is mortal; although Jove,
the son of Saturn, affords him glory." So saying, gathering himself up, he awaited
Achilles; and his valiant heart within him burned to combat and to fight. As a panther
advances from a deep thicket against a huntsman, nor is aught troubled in mind, nor put to
flight, although it hears the yelling; and although anticipating it, he may have wounded,
or stricken it, nevertheless, although pierced with a spear, it desists not from the combat,
till either it be engaged in close fight, or be subdued. Thus noble Agenor, the son
of renowned Antenor, would not fly till he had made trial of Achilles; but, on the contrary,
held before him his shield, equal on all sides, and took aim at him with his spear, and shouted
aloud: "Certainly now thou art great in hopes in thy mind, O illustrious Achilles, that
thou wilt this day devastate the city of the magnanimous Trojans. Fool! certainly many
griefs will be effected over it, for in it we are numerous and valiant men, who will
defend Ilium for our beloved parents, our wives, and our children. But thou shalt here
fulfil thy destiny, although being so terrible, and a daring warrior."
He spoke, and hurled the sharp javelin from his heavy hand, and struck him in the shin
below the knee, nor missed: but the greave of newly-wrought tin around [it] horribly
resounded; and the brazen weapon recoiled from it stricken, nor penetrated: for the
gifts of the god prevented it. Then the son of Peleus next attacked godlike Agenor; nor
did Apollo permit him to obtain glory; but snatched him away, and covered him with much
haze; and sent him to return peacefully from the battle.
But he by a stratagem averted the son of Peleus from the people; for the Far-darter, having
likened himself in every respect to Agenor, stood before his feet; and he hastened to
pursue him with his feet. Whilst he was pursuing him, running before at a small interval, over
the corn-bearing plain, turned towards the deep-eddying river Scamander; (for Apollo
beguiled him by deceit, so that he always expected to overtake him on his feet;) meanwhile
the other Trojans being routed, came delighted in a crowd to the city; and the city was full
of them shut in. Nor did they any longer dare to wait for each other without the city and
the wall, and to inquire who had escaped, and who had fallen in the battle; but gladly
they were poured into the city, whomsoever of them the feet and knees preserved.
End of BOOK THE TWENTY-FIRST.
BOOK THE TWENTY-SECOND. ARGUMENT.
Hector persists in remaining outside the walls, despite the entreaties of his father. He flies
thrice round Troy, fights, and is slain by Achilles, who drags his body to the fleet
at the wheels of his chariot. The lamentations of his wife and parents follow.
Thus they, indeed, driven by fright through the city, like fawns, were refreshing themselves
from sweat, and were drinking and allaying their thirst, leaning against the handsome
battlements; but the Greeks were coming near the wall, resting their shields upon their
shoulders. But Hector his destructive fate fettered to remain there, before Ilium and
the Scæan gates. And Phœbus Apollo thus addressed the son of Peleus: "Why, O son of
Peleus, dost thou pursue me, an immortal god, with swift feet, thyself being a mortal? Nor
yet hast thou at all discovered that I am a god; but thou incessantly ragest. For certainly
the labour of the Trojans is not now a care to thee, whom thou hast routed, and who are
now enclosed within their city, while thou art turned aside hither. Neither canst thou
slay me, since I am not mortal." But him swift-footed Achilles, greatly indignant,
addressed: "Thou hast injured me, O Far-darter, most destructive of all gods, having now turned
me away hither from the wall; certainly many had now seized the earth with their teeth,
before they had arrived at Ilium. But now hast thou deprived me of great glory, and
hast preserved them easily, for thou didst not at all dread vengeance after. Certainly
I would punish thee, if the power at least were mine."
Thus saying, he went towards the city greatly elate, hastening like a steed which bears
away the prize, with his chariot, which striving hard, runs swiftly over the plain. So Achilles
briskly moved his feet and his knees. But him aged Priam first beheld with his eyes,
rushing over the plain, all shining like a star which rises in autumn; and its resplendent
rays shine among many stars in the depth of the night, which by name they call the dog
of Orion. Very bright indeed is this, but it is a baleful sign, and brings violent heat
upon miserable mortals. So shone the brass round the breast of him running. But the old
man groaned, and smote his head with his hands, raising them on high, and, groaning, he cried
out greatly, supplicating his dear son. But he stood before the Scæan gates, insatiably
eager to fight with Achilles; but the old man piteously addressed him, stretching out
his hands: "O Hector, do not, my beloved son, await this man alone, without others; lest
that thou shouldst speedily draw on fate, subdued by the son of Peleus; since he is
much more powerful. Cruel! would that he were [only] as dear to the gods as he is to me;
quickly then would the dogs and vultures devour him lying low; surely sad grief would then
depart from my heart. He who has made me deprived of many and brave sons, slaying, and selling
them into far-distant islands. For even now the Trojans being shut up in the city, I cannot
see my two sons, Lycaon and Polydorus, whom Laothoë bore to me, queen among women. But
if indeed they live at the camp, surely we will afterwards redeem them with brass and
with gold; for it is within; for aged Altes, renowned by fame, gave many things to his
daughter. But if they are already dead, and in the mansions of Hades, grief will be to
my soul, and to their mother, we who gave them birth. But to the other people the grief
will be shorter, if thou shouldst not die, subdued by Achilles. But come inside the wall,
O my son, that thou mayest save the Trojan men and women, nor afford great glory to the
son of Peleus, and thou thyself be deprived of thy dear life. Moreover, pity me, wretched,
yet still preserving my senses, unhappy, whom the Saturnian sire will destroy by grievous
fate, upon the threshold of old age, having seen many evils, my sons slain, my daughters
dragged captives, their chambers plundered, and my infant children dashed upon the earth
in dire hostility, and my daughters-in-law torn away by the pernicious hands of the Greeks.
And myself perhaps the last—the raw-devouring dogs, whom I have nourished in my palaces,
the attendants of my table, the guards of my portals, will tear at the entrance of the
gates, after some one, having stricken or wounded me with the sharp brass, shall take
away my soul from my limbs; and who, drinking my blood, will lie in the porch, infuriated
in mind. To a young man, indeed, slain in battle, lacerated with the sharp brass, it
is altogether becoming to lie, for all things are honourable to him dead, whatever may appear;
but when dogs dishonour the grey head, the hoary beard, and privy members of an old man
slain, that is indeed most pitiable among wretched mortals."
The old man spoke, and tore out the hoary locks with his hands, plucking them from his
head; nor did he persuade the mind of Hector. But his mother, then on the other side, wailing,
shed tears, laying bare her ***, whilst with the other hand she laid forth her breast;
and shedding tears, addressed to him winged words: "O Hector, my son, reverence these
things, and pity me myself. If ever I afforded thee the grief-lulling breast, remember these
things, O dear son; and being within the wall, repel [this] hostile man; nor stand a foremost
adversary to him. Wretched one! for if he shall slay thee, neither shall I mourn thee
on the couch, my dear offspring, whom I myself brought forth, nor will thy rich-dowered wife;
but far away from us both, the swift dogs will devour thee at the ships of the Greeks."
Thus weeping, they twain addressed their dear son, supplicating him much; nor did they persuade
the mind of Hector; but he awaited huge Achilles, coming near. And as a fierce serpent at its
den, fed on evil poisons, awaits a man, but direful rage enters it, and it glares horribly,
coiling itself around its den; so Hector, possessing inextinguishable courage, retired
not, leaning his splendid shield against a projecting tower; but, indignant, he thus
addressed his own great-hearted soul: "Ah me, if indeed I enter the gates and the wall,
Polydamas will first cast reproach upon me, he who advised me to lead the Trojans towards
the city in this disastrous night, when noble Achilles arose to battle. But I did not obey;
certainly it would have been much better. And now, since by my injurious obstinacy I
have destroyed the people, I fear the Trojan men, and the long-robed Trojan women, lest
some one inferior to me should say, 'Hector, relying on his own strength, has destroyed
the people.' Thus will they say; but it would have been far better for me, slaying Achilles
in the encounter, to return, or gloriously to be slain by him for the city. But if now
I shall lay down my bossed shield and stout helmet, and, resting my spear against the
wall, I myself going, shall come before renowned Achilles, and promise that we will give to
the Atrides to lead away Helen, and all the numerous possessions along with her, whatever
Paris brought to Troy in his hollow barks, and who was the origin of the contention,
and at the same time that we will divide others, as many as this city contains, among the Greeks,—but
again I should exact an oath from the elders of the Trojans, that they would conceal nothing,
but divide all things into two portions, whatever treasure this delightful city contains within
it. Yet why does my soul discuss such things? [I dread] lest I, going, should reach him,
but he pity me not, nor at all respect me, but slay me, being thus naked, as a woman,
after I have put off my armour. Nor, indeed, is it now allowed to converse with him from
an oak, or from a rock, as a *** and a youth; a *** and youth converse with one
another. But it is better to engage him in strife; that as soon as possible we may know
to which, indeed, the Olympian [Jove] will give glory."
Thus he pondered, remaining; but near him came Achilles, like unto the helmet-shaking
warrior, Mars, brandishing upon his right shoulder the dreadful Pelian ash; but the
brass shone around, like unto the splendour either of a blazing fire, or of the rising
sun. Then, as tremor seized Hector, he perceived him, nor could he remain there any longer,
but he left the gates behind him, and fled affrighted; but the son of Peleus rushed on,
trusting to his swift feet. As a falcon in the mountains, the swiftest of birds, easily
dashes after a timid pigeon; she, indeed, flies away obliquely; but he, close at hand,
shrilly screaming, frequently assails, and his spirit orders him to seize her: thus,
eager, he flew right on; but Hector fled in terror under the wall of the Trojans, and
moved his fleet limbs. Then they rushed by the prospect-ground and the wind-waving fig-tree,
always under the wall along the public way, and reached the two fair-flowing springs,
where the two springs of the eddying Scamander rise. The one, indeed, flows with tepid water,
and a steam arises from it around, as of burning fire; whilst the other flows forth in the
summer time, like unto hail, or cold snow, or ice from water. There, at them, are the
wide, handsome stone basins, where the wives and fair daughters of the Trojans used to
wash their splendid garments formerly in time of peace, before the sons of the Greeks arrived.
In this direction they ran past [the one] flying, but the other pursuing from behind.
A brave man, indeed, fled before, but a much braver swiftly pursued him; since they did
not seek to obtain a victim or a bull's hide, such as are the rewards of men for speed,
but they ran for the life of horse-breaking Hector. And as when prize-winning solid-hoofed
steeds ran very swiftly round the course, and a great reward is proposed, either a tripod,
or a woman [in honour] of a deceased hero; so they thrice made the circuit of the city
of Priam with their swift feet: and all the gods beheld. Then to them the father of men
and gods commenced an address: "Alas! certainly I behold with mine eyes a beloved hero pursued
round the wall; and my heart is grieved on account of Hector, who has sacrificed many
thighs of oxen to me, upon the tops of many-valed Ida, and at other times again in the highest
[places of] the city; but now, indeed, noble Achilles pursues him, on swift feet, around
the city of Priam. But come, deliberate, O ye gods, and consider, whether we shall preserve
him from death, or shall subdue him now, being brave [at the hands of] Achilles, the son
of Peleus." But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva then
addressed: "O father, hurler of the white thunder, [collector] of dark clouds, what
a word hast thou spoken! Dost thou wish to liberate from sad death a man, being mortal,
long ago destined to fate? Do it: but all we, the other gods, will not assent to thee."
Her, then, the cloud-compelling Jupiter, answering, addressed: "Take courage, Tritonia, beloved
child: I by no means speak with serious mind, but I wish to be mild to thee. Do as is the
inclination, nor delay at all." Thus speaking, he incited Minerva, already
prepared; and, springing forth, she descended down from the heights of Olympus.
But swift Achilles pursued Hector, incessantly pressing upon him. And as when a dog pursues
the fawn of a deer in the mountains, having roused it from its lair, through both glens
and thickets; and, although panic-stricken, it crouches down beneath a brake; yet tracking
it, he runs continually on until he finds it; so Hector eluded not the swift-footed
son of Peleus. As often as he would rush against the Dardanian gates, towards under the well-built
towers, if perchance they might aid him with missile weapons from above, so often, previously
anticipating him, he turned him away towards the plain; whilst he himself always flew on
the side of the city. And as in a dream one cannot pursue a fugitive; neither can the
one escape the other, nor the other pursue: so the one could not overtake the other in
his speed, nor the other escape him. But how, then, could Hector have escaped the fates
of death, if Apollo had not, for the very last time, met him, who aroused for him his
courage and swift knees? But noble Achilles nodded to the people with his head, nor permitted
them to cast their bitter weapons at Hector, lest some one, wounding him, should obtain
the glory, and he himself come second. But when for the fourth time they arrived at the
fountains, then, indeed, the Sire raised aloft his golden scales, and placed in them the
two fates of death, bearing long sleep, this of Achilles, but that of horse-breaking Hector.
Holding them by the middle, he poised them, and the fatal day of Hector inclined and sunk
to Hades; but Phœbus Apollo left him. Then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva approached
the son of Peleus, and, standing near, addressed to him winged words: "Now, O illustrious Achilles,
dear to Jove, I hope that we two shall bear back great glory to the Greeks at the ships,
having slain Hector, although being insatiate of war. Now, certainly, it is no longer possible
for him to escape us, not even if far-darting Apollo should toil much, throwing himself
at the feet of the ægis-bearing father Jove. But do thou now stand and revive; but I, approaching
with thee, will persuade him to engage thee face to face."
Thus spoke Minerva; but he obeyed, and rejoiced in his mind; and stood, leaning upon his ashen,
brass-pointed spear. But she then left him, and overtook noble Hector, likening herself
to Deïphobus, unwearied in her body and voice; and, standing near, she addressed to him winged
words: "O brother dear, certainly swift Achilles now greatly presses on thee, pursuing thee
with rapid feet round the city of Priam. But come now, let us stand, and, awaiting, repulse
him." But her mighty crest-tossing Hector in turn
addressed: "Deïphobus, surely thou wert ever before by far the dearest to me of my brothers,
the sons whom Hecuba and Priam produced. But now I think in my mind that I honour thee
still more, since thou hast dared for my sake, when thou dost behold [me] with thine eyes,
to come out of the city; while others remain within."
But him the azure-eyed goddess Minerva in turn addressed: "My brother dear, my father
and venerable mother indeed greatly supplicated me, by turn embracing my knees and my companions
around, to remain there (so much do all tremble with fear); but my mind within was harassed
with sad grief. But now let us forthwith eagerly engage, nor let there any longer be a sparing
of our spears, that we may know whether Achilles, having slain us both, shall bear our bloody
spoils to the hollow barks, or be subdued by thy spear."
Thus having spoken, Minerva also with deception led on. But when they were near advancing
towards each other, him mighty crest-tossing Hector first addressed: "No longer, O son
of Peleus, will I fly thee as before. Thrice have I fled round the great city of Priam,
nor ever dared to await thee coming on; but now my mind urges me to stand against thee:
certainly I shall slay, or be slain. But come, let us attest the gods; for they will be the
best witnesses and observers of agreements. For neither will I cruelly insult thee, if
indeed Jove shall give me the victory, and I take away thy life; but after I shall despoil
thy beautiful armour, O Achilles, I will give back thy body to the Greeks; and so also do
thou." But him swift-footed Achilles sternly regarding,
addressed: "Talk not to me of covenants, O most cursed Hector. As there are not faithful
leagues between lions and men, nor yet have wolves and lambs an according mind, but ever
meditate evils against each other; so it is not possible for thee and me to contract a
friendship, nor shall there at all be leagues between us,—first shall one, falling, satiate
the invincible warrior Mars with his blood. Call to mind all thy valour; now it is very
necessary for thee to be both a spearman and a daring warrior. Nor is there any longer
any escape for thee, for Pallas Minerva at once subdues thee beneath my spear, and thou
shalt now pay for all the accumulated sorrows of my companions, whom thou hast slain, raging
with the spear."
He spoke, and brandishing it, sent forth his long-shadowed spear, and illustrious Hector,
seeing it opposite, avoided it; for, looking before him, he sunk down, and the brazen spear
passed over him, and was fixed in the earth. But Pallas Minerva plucked it out, and gave
it back to Achilles, and escaped the notice of Hector, the shepherd of the people. Then
Hector addressed the illustrious son of Peleus: "Thou hast erred, O godlike Achilles, nor
art thou yet acquainted with my fate from Jove; certainly thou didst say so, but thou
art a prater, and very subtle in words, in order that, dreading thee, I may be forgetful
of my strength and courage. But not in my back, whilst flying, shalt thou thrust thy
spear, but shalt drive it through my breast, rushing right on, if God grants this to thee.
But now in turn avoid my brazen spear! would that thou mightst now receive it all in thy
body. Then truly would the war become lighter to the Trojans, thou being slain; for thou
art the greatest bane to them." He spoke, and, brandishing, sent forth his
long-shadowed spear, and struck the centre of Pelides' shield, nor missed; but the spear
was repelled far away from the shield. But Hector was enraged because his swift weapon
had fled in vain from his hand; and stood dejected, for he had not another ashen spear.
Then he called upon the white-shielded Deïphobus, greatly shouting, [and] he asked him for a
long spear; but he was not near him; and Hector perceived in his mind, and said: "Alas! without
doubt, now the gods have summoned me to death. For I indeed thought the hero Deïphobus was
by my side; but he is within the wall, and Minerva has deceived me. But now is evil death
near me, nor far away, neither is there escape. Certainly this long since was more agreeable
to Jove and to the far-darting son of Jove, who formerly, propitious, preserved me; but
now, on the contrary, Fate overtakes me. Nevertheless I will not perish cowardly and ingloriously
at least, but having done some great deed to be heard of even by posterity."
Thus having spoken, he drew his sharp sword, which hung below his loins, both huge and
strong, and, with collected might, rushed forward, like a lofty-soaring eagle, which
swoops to the plain through the gloomy clouds, about to *** either a tender lamb, or a
timid hare; thus Hector rushed forward, brandishing his sharp sword. Achilles also rushed on,
and filled his soul with fierce rage. He sheltered his breast in front with his shield, beautiful,
curiously wrought and nodded with his shining helmet, four-coned; but the beautiful golden
tufts, which Vulcan had diffused in great abundance round the cone, were shaken. As
the star Hesperus, which is placed the brightest star in heaven, proceeds amongst other stars
in the unseasonable time of night, so it shone from the well-sharpened spear which Achilles,
designing mischief to noble Hector, brandished in his right hand, eyeing his fair person,
where it would best yield. But the beautiful brazen armour, of which he had despoiled great
Patroclus, having slain him, covered the rest of his body so much; yet did there appear
[a part] where the collar-bones separate the neck from the shoulders, and where the destruction
of life is most speedy. There noble Achilles, eager, drove into him with the spear, and
the point went out quite through his tender neck. However the ash, heavy with brass, did
not cut away the windpipe, so that, answering in words, he could address him. But he fell
in the dust, and noble Achilles vaunted over him: "Hector, thou didst once suppose, when
spoiling Patroclus, that thou be safe, nor dreaded me, being absent. Fool! for I apart,
a much braver avenger of him, was left behind at the hollow ships, I who have relaxed thy
knees. The dogs, indeed, and birds shall dishonourably tear thee, but the Greeks shall perform his
funeral rites." But him crest-tossing Hector, growing languid,
then addressed: "I supplicate thee by thy soul, thy knees, thy parents, suffer not the
dogs to tear me at the ships of the Greeks; but do thou indeed receive brass in abundance,
and gold, which my father and venerable mother will give thee; and send my body home, that
the Trojans and wives of the Trojans may make me, dead, partaker of a funeral pyre."
But him swift-footed Achilles, sternly regarding, addressed;
"Dog, supplicate me not by my knees, nor by my parents; for would that my might and mind
in any manner urge me myself, tearing thy raw flesh to pieces, to devour it, such things
hast thou done to me. So that there is not any one who can drive away the dogs from thy
head, not even if they should place ten-fold and twenty-times such ransoms, bringing them
hither, and even promise others; not even if Dardanian Priam should wish to compensate
for thee with gold: not even thus shall thy venerable mother lament [thee] whom she has
borne, having laid thee upon a bier, but dogs and fowl shall entirely tear thee in pieces."
But him crest-tossing Hector, dying, addressed: "Surely well knowing thee, I foresaw this,
nor was I destined to persuade thee; for truly within thee there is an iron soul. Reflect
now, lest to thee I be some cause of the wrath of the gods, on that day when Paris and Phœbus
Apollo shall kill thee, though being brave, at the Scæan gates."
As he spoke thus, the end of death overshadowed him; and his soul flying from his limbs, descended
to Hades, bewailing its destiny, relinquishing vigour and youth. But him, although dead,
noble Achilles addressed: "Die: but I will then receive my fate whensoever Jove may please
to accomplish it, and the other immortal gods." He spoke, and plucked the spear from the corpse;
and then laid it aside, but he spoiled the bloody armour from his shoulders. But the
other sons of the Greeks ran round, who also admired the stature and wondrous form, of
Hector; nor did any stand by without inflicting a wound. And thus would some one say, looking
to his neighbour: "Oh, strange! surely Hector is now much more gentle to be touched, than
when he burned the ships with glowing fire."
Thus would some one say, and, standing by, would wound him. But swift-footed Achilles,
after he had despoiled him, standing amongst the Greeks, spoke winged words: "O friends,
leaders and princes of the Greeks, since the gods have granted us to subdue this hero,
he who did as many mischiefs, as did not all the others together; come! let us make trial
round the city with our arms, that we may learn concerning the Trojans, what mind they
have; whether they are about to desert the citadel, he being slain, or intend to remain,
Hector being no more. But why does my mind within me deliberate these things? Patroclus
lies at the ships, an unwept, unburied corse; and him I shall never forget, as long as I
am amongst the living, and my dear knees move for me; and though they forget the dead in
Hades, yet will I remember my beloved comrade even there. But come now, ye youths of the
Greeks, singing a pæan, let us return to the hollow ships, and let us bring him; we
bear back great glory: we have slain noble Hector, whom the Trojans, throughout the city,
worshipped as a god." He spoke, and was meditating unseemly deeds
against noble Hector. He perforated the tendons of both his feet behind, from the heel to
the instep, and fastened in them leather thongs, and bound him from the chariot; but left his
head to be trailed along. Then ascending his chariot, and taking up the splendid armour,
he lashed (the horses) to go on, and they, not unwilling, flew. But the dust arose from
him while trailed along, and his azure locks around approached [the ground], and his entire
head, once graceful, lay in the dust; for Jupiter had then granted to his enemies, to
dishonour him in his own father-land. Thus indeed his whole head was denied with dust;
but his mother plucked out her hair, and cast away her shining veil, and wept very loudly,
having beheld her son. And his dear father groaned piteously, and all the people around
were occupied in wailing and lamentation through the city; and it was very like to this, as
if all Ilium, from its summit, were smouldering in fire. With difficulty indeed did the people
detain the old man, indignant with grief anxious to rush out from the Dardanian gates: for
rolling in the mud, he was supplicating all, addressing each man by name: "Desist, my friends,
and permit me alone, grieved as I am, going out of the city, to approach the ships of
the Greeks. I will supplicate this reckless, violent man, if perchance he may respect my
time of life, and have compassion on my old age; for such is his father Peleus to him,
he who begat and nurtured him a destruction to the Trojans; but particularly to me above
all has he caused sorrows. For so many blooming youths has he slain to me, for all of whom
I do not lament so much, although grieved, as for this one, Hector, keen grief for whom
will bear me down even into Hades. Would that he had died in my hands; for thus we should
have been satisfied, weeping and lamenting, both his unhappy mother who bore him, and
I myself." Thus he spoke, weeping, but the citizens also groaned. But among the Trojan
dames, Hecuba began her continued lamentation: "O my son, why do wretched I live, having
suffered grievous things, thou being dead? Thou who by night and day wast my boast throughout
the town, and an advantage to the Trojan men and women throughout the city, who received
thee as a god. For assuredly thou wast a very great glory to them when alive now, on the
contrary, death and fate possess thee." Thus she spoke, weeping; but the wife of Hector
had not yet learned anything: no certain messenger going, informed her that her husband had remained
without the gates; but she was weaving a web in a retired part of her lofty house; double,
splendid, and was spreading on it various painted works. And she had ordered her fair-haired
attendants through the palace, to place a large tripod on the fire, that there might
be a warm bath for Hector, returning from the battle. Foolish! nor knew she that, far
away from baths, azure-eyed Minerva had subdued him by the hands of Achilles. But she heard
the shriek and wailing from the tower, and her limbs were shaken, and the shuttle fell
from her to the ground; and immediately she addressed her fair-haired attendants: "Come
hither, let two follow me, that I may see what deeds have been done. I heard the voice
of my venerable mother-in-law, and to myself the heart within my breast leaps up to my
mouth, and the limbs under me are benumbed. Surely some evil is now near the sons of Priam.
O that the word may be [far] from my ear! I dread lest brave Achilles, having already
cut off noble Hector alone from the city, may drive him towards the plain, and even
now have made him desist from the fatal valour which possessed him; for he never remained
among the throng of warriors, but leaped out far before, yielding in his valour to none."
Thus having spoken, she rushed through the palace like unto one deranged, greatly palpitating
in heart; and her attendants went along with her. But when she reached the tower and the
crowd of men, she stood looking round over the wall, and beheld him dragged before the
city; but the fleet steeds drew him ruthlessly towards the ships of the Greeks. Then gloomy
night veiled her over her eyes, and she fell backwards, and breathed out her soul in a
swoon. But from her head fell the beautiful head-gear, the garland, the net, and the twisted
fillet, and the veil which golden Venus had given to her on that day when crest-tossing
Hector led her from the palace of Eëtion, after he had presented many marriage-gifts.
Around her in great numbers stood her sisters-in-law and sisters, who supported her amongst them,
seized with stupor unto death. But when she again revived, and her soul was collected
in her breast, sobbing at intervals, she spoke among the Trojan dames: "Hector, O wretched
me! then we were both born to a like fate, thou indeed in Troy, in the mansion of Priam,
but I in Thebe, beneath *** Placus, in the palace of Eëtion; who, himself ill-fated,
reared me, ill-fated, being yet a little child;—would that he had not begotten me! Now, however,
thou goest to the mansions of Hades beneath the recesses of the earth, but leavest me,
in hateful grief, a widow in the dwelling; and thy boy, yet such an infant, to whom thou
and I unfortunate gave birth; nor wilt thou be an advantage to him, O Hector, for thou
art dead; nor he to thee. For even if he shall escape the mournful war of the Greeks, still
will labour and hardship ever be to him hereafter; for others will deprive him of his fields
by changing the landmarks. But the bereaving day renders a boy destitute of his contemporaries;
he is ever dejected, and his cheeks are bedewed with tears. The boy in want shall go to the
companions of his father, pulling one by the cloak, another by the tunic; and some of these
pitying, shall present him with a very small cup; and he shall moisten his lips, but not
wet his palate. Him also some one, enjoying both [parents], shall push away from the banquet,
striking him with his hands, and reviling him with reproaches: 'A murrain on thee! even
thy father feasts not with us.' Then shall the boy Astyanax return weeping to his widowed
mother,—he who formerly, indeed, upon the knees of his own father, ate marrow alone,
and the rich fat of sheep; but when sleep came upon him, and he ceased childishly crying,
used to sleep on couches in the arms of a nurse, in a soft bed, full as to his heart
with delicacies. But now, indeed, Astyanax, whom the Trojans call by surname (because
thou alone didst defend their gates and lofty walls for them), shall suffer many things,
missing his dear father. But now shall the crawling worms devour thee, naked, at the
curved ships, far away from thy parents, after the dogs shall have satiated themselves: but
thy robes, fine and graceful, woven by the hands of women, lie in thy palaces. Truly
all these will I consume with burning fire, being of no use to thee, for thou wilt not
lie on them; but let them be a glory [to thee] before the Trojans and the Trojan dames."
Thus she spoke, weeping, and the females also mourned.
BOOK THE TWENTY-SECOND.
BOOK THE TWENTY-THIRD. ARGUMENT.
Achilles, admonished in a dream by the ghost of his friend, celebrates the funeral of Patroclus.
Thus they indeed were mourning through the city; but the Greeks, as soon as they reached
the ships and the Hellespont, were separated each to his own ship. But Achilles did not
permit the Myrmidons to be dispersed, but he spoke amongst his warlike companions [thus]:
"Ye swift-horsed Myrmidons, comrades dear to me, let us not yet loose the solid-hoofed
steeds from under our chariots, but with the very horses and chariots, going near, let
us bewail Patroclus; for this is the honour of the dead. But when we have indulged sad
lamentation, unyoking our steeds, we will all sup here."
Thus he spoke; but they mourned in a body; and Achilles led the way. Thrice they drove
their fair-maned steeds around the body, grieving; and among them Thetis kindled a longing for
lamentation. Moistened were the sands, and moistened were the arms of the men with tears;
for so brave a master of the flight they longed. But among them the son of Peleus led the abundant
lamentation, laying his man-slaughtering hands upon the breast of his companion: "Hail! O
Patroclus, even in the dwellings of Hades; for now shall I accomplish all those things
which formerly I promised, that having dragged Hector hither, I would give him to the dogs
to be devoured raw; and that before thy pile I would cut the necks of twelve illustrious
sons of the Trojans, enraged on account of thee slain."
He spoke, and meditated unworthy deeds against noble Hector, having stretched him prone in
the dust before the bier of Menœtiades; but they each stripped off his brazen, glittering
armour, and unyoked their high-sounding steeds. They sat also in crowds at the ship of swift-footed
Æacides; but he afforded to them an agreeable funeral feast. Many white bulls were stretched
around by the axe, having their throats cut, and many sheep and bleating goats. Many white-tusked
swine also, abounding in fat, were extended for roasting in the flame of Vulcan; and on
every side around the dead body flowed abundant blood. But the chiefs of the Greeks led the
king, the swift-footed son of Peleus, to noble Agamemnon, hardly persuading him enraged at
heart on account of his companion. But when advancing they reached the tent of Agamemnon,
he straightway ordered the clear-voiced heralds to place a large tripod on the fire, if he
could persuade the son of Peleus to wash away the bloody gore. But he sternly refused, and
besides swore an oath: "No, by Jove, who is both the supreme and the best of gods, it
is not lawful that ablutions should come near my head, before I place Patroclus on the pile,
and have thrown up a mound, and shorn my hair; for not to such a degree will sorrow a second
time invade my heart, whilst I am among the living. But nevertheless let us now yield
to the loathsome banquet. But on the morrow, O king of men, Agamemnon, give orders to bring
wood, and dispose it so as is proper that a dead body enjoying it, should descend beneath
the obscure darkness; so that the indefatigable fire may consume him very quickly from our
eyes, and the people may return to their occupations." Thus he spoke; but they indeed readily listened
to him, and obeyed. Then they, each sedulously preparing supper, feasted; nor did their mind
lack aught of an equal feast. But when they had dismissed the desire of food and drink,
some departed in order to lie down, each to his tent. But the son of Peleus, on the contrary,
amid his many Myrmidons, lay near the shore of the far-sounding sea, heavily moaning,
in a clear spot, where the waves plashed against the shore; when sweet sleep, diffused around,
took possession of him, relaxing the cares of his mind; for he was very much fatigued
as to his fair knees, chasing Hector at wind-swept Ilium. But to him came the spirit of wretched
Patroclus, like unto him in all things, as to bulk, and beautiful eyes, and his voice;
and like garments also were around his body; and he stood over his head, and addressed
him: "Sleepest thou, O Achilles, and art thou forgetful of me? Thou didst not indeed neglect
me when alive, but [now that I am] dead. Bury me, that I may as soon as possible pass the
gates of Hades. The spirits, the images of the deceased, drive me far away, nor by any
means permit me to be mingled with them beyond the river; but thus I do wander round the
ample-gated dwelling of Hades. But give me thy hand, I beseech thee, for I shall not
again return from Hades after thou hast made me a partaker of the fire. For by no means
shall we, being alive, sitting apart from our dear companions, deliberate counsels;
but the hateful fate which befel me when born, has snatched me away. And to thyself also,
O godlike Achilles, thy fate is to perish beneath the wall of the noble Trojans. But
another thing I bid, and will command, O Achilles, if thou wilt obey, not to lay my bones apart
from thine; but as we were nurtured together in thy palaces, when Menœtius led me from
Opus, a little boy, to thy home, on account of a melancholy homicide, on that day when,
imprudent, I slew the son of Amphidamas, not wishing it, enraged about the dice: then Peleus
received me in his abode, carefully reared me, and named me thy attendant. So may the
same tomb contain our bones, the golden vase which thy venerable mother gave thee."
But him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed: "Why, O venerable friend, hast
thou come to me, and commandest each of these things to me? Yet will I readily accomplish
all these things for thee, and obey as thou commandest. But stand nearer to me, that embracing
each other even for a little while, we may indulge in sad lamentation."
Thus then having spoken, he stretched out with his friendly arms, nor caught him; for
the spirit went gibbering beneath the earth, like smoke. Then Achilles sprang up astonished,
and clapped together his hands, and spoke this doleful speech: "Alas! there is indeed
then, even in the dwellings of Hades, a certain spirit and image, but there is no body in
it at all; for all night the spirit of miserable Patroclus stood by me, groaning and lamenting,
and enjoined to me each particular, and was wonderfully like unto himself."
Thus he spoke; and excited among them all a longing for lamentation; and rosy-fingered
Morn appeared to them while weeping around the miserable corpse. But king Agamemnon incited
everywhere from the tents both mules and men to bring wood; and for this a brave man was
roused, Meriones, the servant of valour-loving Idomeneus. And they went, holding in their
hands wood-lopping axes and well-twisted ropes; and before them went the mules. They passed
over many ascents, descents, and straight ways and crossways. But when they reached
the forests of many-rilled Ida, hastening, they cut down the towering oaks with the keen-edged
brass. These greatly resounding, fell; and the Greeks then splitting them, tied [them]
upon the mules, but they pained the ground with their hoofs, eager to reach the plain
through the close thickets. But all the wood-cutters carried trunks of trees, for so Meriones,
the servant of valour-loving Idomeneus, ordered; and afterwards threw them in order upon the
shore, where Achilles designed a mighty tomb for Patroclus, and for himself.
But when they had thrown on all sides immense quantities of wood, remaining there in a body,
they sat down; but Achilles immediately ordered the warlike Myrmidons to gird on the brass,
and to yoke each his horses to his chariot; but they arose, and were arrayed in their
armour. And both the combatants and the charioteers ascended their chariots; the cavalry indeed
first, but a cloud of infantry followed after in myriads; and in the midst his companions
bore Patroclus. They covered all the dead body over with hair, which, cutting off, they
threw upon it; but noble Achilles held his head behind, grieving, for he was sending
a blameless companion to Hades.
But they, when they reached the place where Achilles pointed out to them, laid him down;
and immediately heaped on abundant wood for him. Then again swift-footed Achilles remembered
another thing. Standing apart from the pile, he cut off his yellow hair, which he had nurtured,
blooming, for the river Sperchius; and, moaning, he spake, looking upon the dark sea: "In vain,
O Sperchius, did my father Peleus vow to thee, that I, returning to my dear native land,
should there cut off my hair for thee, and offer a sacred hecatomb; and besides, that
I would in the same place sacrifice fifty male sheep at the fountains, where are a grove
and fragrant altar to thee. Thus the old man spake, but thou hast not fulfilled his will.
And now, since I return not to my dear fatherland, I will give my hair to the hero Patroclus,
to be borne [with him]." Thus saying, he placed his hair in the hands of his dear companion;
and excited amongst them all a longing for weeping. And the light of the sun had certainly
set upon them, mourning, had not Achilles, standing beside, straightway addressed Agamemnon:
"O son of Atreus (for to thy words the people of the Greeks most especially hearken), it
is possible to satiate oneself even with weeping; but now do thou dismiss them from the pile,
and order them to prepare supper. We, to whom the corpse is chiefly a care, will labour
concerning these things; but let the chiefs remain with us."
But when the king of men, Agamemnon, heard this, he immediately dispersed the people
among the equal ships; but the mourners remained there, and heaped up the wood. They formed
a pile a hundred feet this way and that, and laid the body upon the summit of the pile,
grieving at heart.
Many fat sheep, and stamping-footed, bent-horned oxen, they skinned and dressed before the
pile; from all of which magnanimous Achilles, taking the fat, covered over the dead body
[with it] from head to feet, and heaped around the skinned carcases. Leaning towards the
bier, he likewise placed vessels of honey and oil, and, sighing deeply, hastily threw
upon the pyre four high-necked steeds. There were nine dogs, companions at the table of
the [departed] king, and, slaying two of them, he cast them upon the pile; also twelve gallant
sons of the magnanimous Trojans, slaying them with the brass; and he designed evil deeds
in his mind. Next he applied to it the iron strength of fire, that it might feed upon
it: then he groaned aloud, and addressed his beloved companion by name: "Hail! O Patroclus,
even in the dwellings of Hades: for I now fulfil all things which I formerly promised
thee; twelve brave sons of the magnanimous Trojans, all these, along with thee, shall
the fire consume; but I will not suffer Hector, the son of Priam, to be devoured by fire,
but by the dogs." Thus he spoke, threatening; but about him
the dogs were not busied; for Venus, the daughter of Jove, drove off the dogs both days and
nights, and anointed him with a rosy unguent, ambrosial, that he might not lacerate him
dragging him along. Over him also Phœbus Apollo drew a dark cloud from heaven to the
plain, and overshadowed the whole space, as much as the dead body occupied, lest the influence
of the sun should previously dry the body all around, with the nerves and limbs.
Yet the pile of dead Patroclus burnt not. Then again noble Achilles meditated other
things. Standing apart from the pile, he prayed to two winds, Boreas and Zephyrus, and promised
fair sacrifices; and, pouring out many libations with a golden goblet, he supplicated them
to come, that they might burn the body with fire as soon as possible, and the wood might
hasten to be burned. But swift Iris, hearing his prayers, went as a messenger to the winds.
They, indeed, together at home with fierce-breathing Zephyrus, were celebrating a feast, when Iris,
hastening, stood upon the stone threshold. But when they beheld her with their eyes,
they rose up, and invited her to him, each of them. But she, on the contrary, refused
to sit down, and spoke [this] speech: "No seat [for me]; for I return again to the flowings
of the ocean, to the land of the Æthiopians, where they sacrifice hecatombs to the immortals,
that now I, too, may have a share in their offerings. But Achilles now supplicates Boreas,
and sonorous Zephyrus, to come, that ye may kindle the pile to be consumed, on which lies
Patroclus, whom all the Greeks bewail." She, indeed, thus having spoken, departed;
but they hastened to go with a great tumult, driving on the clouds before them. Immediately
they reached the sea, blowing, and the billow was raised up beneath their sonorous blast:
but they reached the very fertile Troad, and fell upon the pile, and mightily resounded
the fiercely-burning fire. All night, indeed, did they together toss about the blaze of
the pyre, shrilly blowing; and all night swift Achilles, holding a double cup, poured wine
upon the ground, drawing it from a golden goblet, and moistened the earth, invoking
the manes of wretched Patroclus. And as a father mourns, consuming the bones of his
son, a bridegroom who, dying, has afflicted his unhappy parents, so mourned Achilles,
burning the bones of his companion, pacing pensively beside the pile, groaning continually.
But when Lucifer arrived, proclaiming light over the earth, after whom saffron-vested
Morn is diffused over the sea, then the pyre grew languid, and the flame decayed; and the
Winds departed again, to return home through the Thracian sea; but it (the sea) groaned
indeed, raging with swelling billow. But Pelides, going apart from the pile, reclined
fatigued, and upon him fell sweet sleep. The others, however, were assembling in crowds
round the son of Atreus, the noise and tumult of whom, approaching, awoke him; and, being
raised up, he sat, and addressed them: "O son of Atreus, and ye other chiefs of the
Greeks, first, indeed, extinguish the whole pile, as much as the fire has seized, with
dark wine; and then let us collect the bones of Patroclus, the son of Menœtius, well discriminating
them (for they are readily distinguished; for he lay in the centre of the pyre, but
the others, both horses and men, were burned promiscuously at the extremity), and let us
place them in a golden vessel, and with a double [layer of] fat, till I myself be hidden
in Hades. And I wish that a tomb should be made, not very large, but of such a size as
is becoming; but do ye, O Achæans, hereafter, make it both broad and lofty, you who may
be left behind me at the many-benched barks." Thus he spoke; and they obeyed the swift-footed
son of Peleus. First of all, indeed, they totally extinguished the pyre with dark wine,
as much as the fire had invaded, and the deep ashes fell in; and, weeping, they collected
the white bones of their mild companion into a golden vessel, and a double [layer of] fat;
then, laying them in the tent, they covered them with soft linen. Next they marked out
the area for the tomb, and laid the foundations around the pile; and immediately upraised
a mound of earth; and, heaping up the tomb, returned. But Achilles detained the people
there, and made the wide assembly sit down; but from the ships he brought forth prizes,
goblets, tripods, horses, mules, and sturdy heads of oxen, and slender-waisted women,
and hoary iron. First he staked as prizes for swift-footed steeds, a woman to be borne
away, faultless, skilled in works, as well as a handled tripod of two-and-twenty measures,
for the first; but for the second he staked a mare six years old, unbroken, pregnant with
a young mule; for the third he staked a fireless tripod, beautiful, containing four measures,
yet quite untarnished; for the fourth he staked two talents of gold; and for the fifth he
staked a double vessel, untouched by the fire. Erect he stood, and spoke this speech to the
Greeks: "O son of Atreus, and ye other well-greaved Greeks, these prizes lie in the circus, awaiting
the charioteers. If now, indeed, in honour of another, we Grecians were contending, then
truly would I, receiving, bear the first [prizes] to my tent. For ye know how much my steeds
surpass in excellence; for they are both immortal, and Neptune gave them to my father Peleus,
who, again, delivered them to me. But nevertheless I and my solid-hoofed steeds will remain apart
[from the contest]; because they have lost the excellent might of such a charioteer,
who very often poured the moist oil over their manes, having washed them with limpid water.
They, indeed, standing, lament him, but their manes hang down upon the ground, and they
stand, grieved at heart. However, do ye others through the army prepare, whoever of the Greeks
confides in his steeds and well-fastened chariots." Thus spoke the son of Peleus; but the swift
charioteers arose. But, far the first, arose Eumelus, king of men, the dear son of Admetus,
who surpassed in equestrian skill. After him arose the son of Tydeus, valiant Diomede,
and led under the yoke the horses of Tros, which he formerly took from Æneas; but Apollo
preserved himself alive; next to whom arose the most noble son of yellow-haired Atreus,
Menelaus, and led beneath the yoke fleet steeds, Agamemnon's mare Æthe, and his own stallion,
Podargus. Her Echepolus, the son of Anchises, had presented as a gift to Agamemnon, that
he need not follow him to wind-swept Ilium, but staying there might be delighted; for
Jove had given him great wealth, and he dwelt in wise Sicyon. Her, persevering in the race,
he led under the yoke. But Antilochus, the fourth, harnessed his beautiful-maned steeds
(the illustrious son of the magnanimous king Nestor, the son of Neleus), and swift-footed
Pelian-born steeds drew his chariot for him; but his father, standing near, spoke for his
good, advising him, though himself prudent: "O Antilochus, assuredly indeed both Jove
and Neptune have loved thee, although being young, and have taught thee all kinds of equestrian
exercise; wherefore there is no great need to instruct thee. For thou knowest how to
turn the goals with safety; but thy horses are very slow to run, wherefore I think that
disasters may happen. Their horses, indeed, are more fleet, but they themselves know not
how to manoeuvre better than thou thyself. But come now, beloved one, contrive every
manner of contrivance in thy mind, lest the prizes by any chance escape thee. By skill
is the wood-cutter much better than by strength; and, again, by skill the pilot directs upon
the dark sea the swift ship, tossed about by the winds; and by skill charioteer excels
charioteer. One man who is confident in his steeds and chariot, turns imprudently hither
and thither over much [ground], and his steeds wander through the course, nor does he rein
them in. But he, on the contrary, who is acquainted with stratagem [though] driving inferior steeds,
always looking at the goal, turns it close, nor does it escape him in what manner he may
first turn [the course] with his leathern reins; but he holds on steadily, and watches
the one who is before him. But I will show thee the goal, easily distinguished, nor shall
it escape thy notice. A piece of dry wood, as much as a cubit, stands over the ground,
either of oak or of larch, which is not rotted by rain; and two white stones are placed on
either side, in the narrow part of the way; but the racecourse around is level: either
it is the monument of some man long since dead, or perhaps it has been a goal in the
time of former men, and now swift-footed noble Achilles has appointed it the goal. Approaching
this very closely, drive thy chariot and horses near; but incline thyself gently towards the
left of them (the steeds), in the well-joined chariot-seat; and, cheering on the right-hand
horse, apply the whip, and give him the rein with thy hands. Let thy left-hand horse, however,
be moved close to the goal, so that the nave of the well-made wheel may appear to touch,
the top [of the post]; but avoid to touch upon the stone, lest thou both wound thy horses,
and break thy chariot in pieces, and be a joy to the others, and a disgrace to thyself.
But, my beloved son, mind to be on thy guard; for if at the goal thou couldst pass by in
the course, there will not be one who could overtake thee in pursuit, nor pass thee by;
not if behind he drives noble Arion, the swift steed of Adrastus, which was from a god in
race; or those of Laomedon, which, excellent, have here been reared."
Thus speaking, Neleian Nestor sat down again in his own place, when he had mentioned the
most important points of each matter to his son; and Meriones, fifth, harnessed his beautiful-maned
steeds. Then they ascended their chariots, and cast lots into [the helmet]. Achilles
shook, and the lot of Antilochus, son of Nestor, leaped forth; after him king Eumelus was allotted;
but after him spear-renowned Menelaus, son of Atreus, and Meriones was allotted to drive
after him. But the son of Tydeus, by far the bravest, was allotted to drive his coursers
last. Then they stood in order; and Achilles pointed out the goals, far off in the level
plain; and near it placed godlike Phoenix as an umpire, the armour-bearer of his own
sire, that he might attend to the race, and report the truth.
Then they all at once raised their lashes over their steeds, and struck them with the
reins, and cheered them on with words incessantly; but they rapidly flew over the plain, far
away from the ships, swiftly, and beneath their *** the excited dust stood up, raised
like a cloud or a whirlwind; whilst their manes were tossed about by the breath of the
wind. Sometimes, indeed, the chariots approached the fruitful earth, and at others bounded
aloft; but the drivers stood erect in their chariots, and the heart of each of them, eager
for victory, palpitated: and each animated his own steeds, but they flew along, stirring
up dust from the plain. But when now the fleet steeds were performing the last course, back
towards the hoary deep, then appeared the excellence of each, and the course was immediately
extended to the horses; and then the swift-footed steeds of the son of Pheres swiftly bore him
away. The male Trojan steeds of Diomede, however, bore [themselves] next to them; nor were they
at all far distant, but very near; for they always seemed as if about to mount into the
chariot. And with their breathing the back and broad shoulders of Eumelus were warmed;
for they flew along, leaning their heads over him. And certainly he had either passed, or
made [the victory] doubtful, had not Phœbus Apollo been enraged with the son of Tydeus,
and accordingly shaken out of his hands the shining lash. Then from the eyes of him indignant
tears poured, because indeed he beheld the others now going much swifter, whilst his
[steeds] were injured, running without a goad. Neither did Apollo, fraudulently injuring
Tydides, escape the notice of Minerva, but she very quickly overtook the shepherd of
the people, and gave him his lash, and put vigour into his steeds. And to the son of
Admetus, the goddess, indignant, advanced, and broke for him his horse-yoke; and so his
mares ran on both sides out of the way, and the pole was dashed upon the ground. He himself
was thrown from the driving-seat close by the wheel, and was lacerated all round in
his arms, his mouth, and nostrils, and his forehead was bruised near the eyebrows; but
his eyes were filled with tears, and his liquid voice was clogged. Then Diomede passing by,
directed his hollow-hoofed steeds, bounding far before the others; for Minerva had put
vigour into his steeds, and given him glory. But after him, however, the son of Atreus,
yellow-haired Menelaus, drove; but Antilochus cheered on the steeds of his father: "Push
on! and exert yourselves, both of you, as fast as possible. I indeed do not order you
to contend with the steeds of warlike Diomede, to which Minerva has now given speed, and
given glory to him; but quickly overtake the horses of Atrides, nor be left behind, lest
Æthe, being a mare, shed disgrace upon you both. Why should ye be left inferior, O best
[of steeds]? For thus I tell you, and it shall surely be accomplished; attention will not
be paid to you by Nestor, the shepherd of the people, but he will immediately slay you
with the sharp brass, if we, remiss, bear off the less worthy prize. But follow, and
hasten as fast as possible. These things will I myself manage and look to, to pass him by
in the narrow way; nor shall it escape me." Thus he spoke; but they, dreading the threat
of their master, ran faster for a short time: but immediately then warlike Antilochus perceived
the narrow of the hollow way. It was a fissure of the earth, where the wintry torrent collected,
had broken away [part] of the road, and gullied the whole place; thither drove Menelaus, avoiding
the clash of wheels. But Antilochus, deviating, guided his solid-hoofed horses out of the
way, and turning aside, pursued him a little. But the son of Atreus feared, and shouted
to Antilochus: "Antilochus, rashly art thou driving thy horses; but check thy steeds for
the road is narrow, and thou wilt soon drive past in a wider lest thou damage both [of
us], running foul of [my] chariot." Thus he spoke; but Antilochus drove even much faster,
urging [them] on with the lash, like unto one not hearing. As far as is the cast of
a quoit, hurled from the shoulder, which a vigorous youth has thrown, making experiments
of his youthful strength; so far they ran abreast; but those of Atrides fell back: for
he himself voluntarily ceased to drive, lest the solid-hoofed steeds should clash in the
road, and overturn the well-joined chariots, and they themselves should fall in the dust,
while contending for the victory. And him yellow-haired Menelaus, chiding, addressed:
"O Antilochus, no other mortal is more pernicious than thou. Avaunt! for we Greeks untruly said
that thou wast prudent. Yet not even thus shalt thou bear away the prize without an
oath." Thus saying, he cheered on his steeds, and spoke to them: "Be not kept back, nor
stand, grieving in your hearts: sooner will the feet and knees grow weary to them than
to you; for they are both deprived of vigour." Thus he spoke; but they, dreading the exhortation
of their master, ran more fleetly, and became very near the others. But the Greeks sitting
in assembly, beheld the steeds, and they flew along, raising dust over the plain. Then first
Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, distinguished the horses; for he sat outside the circus,
very high up, on an observatory; and hearing him, being far off, encouraging [his steeds],
knew him. He also perceived a remarkable steed outstripping, which in every other part indeed
was chesnut, but in its forehead was a white round spot, like the moon. And he stood erect,
and delivered this speech amongst the Greeks: "O friends, leaders and chieftains of the
Greeks, do I alone recognize the horses, or do ye also? Different steeds indeed appear
to me to be foremost, and there seems a different charioteer; but those [mares] which hitherto
were successful, are probably hurt upon the plain somewhere: for surely I first saw them
turning round the goal, but now I can no longer see them, although my eyes survey the Trojan
plain as I gaze around. Surely the reins have fled the charioteer, and he could not rein
well round the goal, and did not succeed in turning. There I imagine he fell out, and
at the same time broke his chariot, whilst they (the mares) bolted, when fury seized
their mind. But do ye also, standing up, look, for I cannot well distinguish; it appears
to me to be an Ætolian hero by birth, and [who] rules amongst the Argives, the son of
horse-breaking Tydeus, gallant Diomede." But him swift Ajax, the son of Oïleus, bitterly
reproached: "Idomeneus, why dost thou prate endlessly? Those high-prancing mares run over
the vast plain afar. Neither art thou so much the youngest amongst the Greeks, nor do thine
eyes see most sharply from thy head: but thou art always prating with words. Nor is it at
all necessary for thee to be a prater, for others better than thou are present. For the
mares of Eumelus are still foremost, which were so before, and he himself is advancing,
holding the reins." But him the leader of the Cretans, indignant,
answered in turn: "Ajax, best at abuse, reviler, but in all other things thou art inferior
to the Greeks, because thy temper is morose; come now, let us stake a tripod or a goblet,
and let us both appoint Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, arbiter, which horses are foremost;
that paying, thou mayest learn."
Thus he spoke; but swift Ajax, son of Oïleus, immediately rose to reply in harsh words.
And now doubtless the strife would have proceeded farther to both, had not Achilles himself
risen up, and spoke: "No longer now, O Ajax and Idomeneus, hold altercation in evil, angry
words, for it is not fitting, and ye also would blame another, whoever should do such
things; but, sitting down in the circus, look towards the steeds, which themselves will
soon arrive, contending for victory; and then will ye know, each of you, the horses of the
Greeks, which are second, and which first." Thus he spoke; but the son of Tydeus came
very near, pursuing, and always drove on [his horses] with the lash across the shoulders;
whilst the steeds were raised up aloft into the air, quickly completing their course,
and the drops of dust kept always bespattering their charioteer. The chariot, adorned with
gold and tin, rolled on close to the swift-footed steeds; nor was there a deep trace of the
tires behind in the fine dust, but they, hastening, flew. But he stood in the midst of the circus,
and much perspiration exuded from the steeds, from their necks and chest to the ground.
But he himself leaped to the ground from his all-shining chariot, and rested his scourge
against the yoke; nor was gallant Sthenelus dilatory, but he eagerly seized the prize,
and gave the woman to his magnanimous companions to escort, and the handled tripod to bear
away; whilst he himself unyoked the steeds. Next to him Nelcian Antilochus drove his steeds,
outstripping Menelaus by stratagem, not indeed by speed. Yet even thus Menelaus drove his
swift horses near; but as far as a horse is distant from the wheel, which, exerting its
speed with the chariot, draws its master through the plain, and the extreme hairs of its tail
touch the wheel-tire, but it rolls very near, nor is there much space between, while it
runs over the vast plain; so far was illustrious Menelaus left behind by Antilochus: although
at first he was left behind as much as the cast of a quoit, yet he quickly overtook him;
for the doughty strength of Agamemnon's mare, the beautiful-maned Æthe, was increased.
And if the course had been still longer to both, he would surely have passed him by,
nor left it doubtful. Meriones again, the good attendant of Idomeneus, was left behind
a spear's throw by the illustrious Menelaus, for his fair-maned steeds were the slowest,
and he himself least skilful in driving a chariot in the contest. But the son of Admetus
came last of others, dragging his beauteous chariot, driving his steeds before him. But
him swift-footed, noble Achilles seeing, pitied, and standing amongst the Greeks, spoke [to
him] winged words: "The best man drives his solid-hoofed steeds the last. But come, let
us give him, as is right, the second prize; and let the son of Tydeus bear away the first."
Thus he spoke; and all approved as he ordered. And now truly he had given the mare to him
(for the Greeks approved it), had not Antilochus, the son of magnanimous Nestor, rising up,
replied to Achilles, the son of Peleus, on the question of justice: "O Achilles, I shall
be very indignant with thee, if thou fulfillest this promise; for thou art about to deprive
me of my reward, considering these things, that his chariot and fleet steeds were injured,
he himself being skilful; but he should have prayed to the immortals, then would he by
no means have come up driving the last. But if thou pitiest him, and it be agreeable to
thy mind, thou hast much gold and brass in thy tent, and cattle and maidens, and solid-hoofed
steeds are thine. Taking from these, give him afterwards even a greater reward, or even
now forthwith, that the Greeks may applaud thee. This, however, I will not resign, but
let him of the warriors strive for her, whoever wishes to contend with me in strength of hands."
Thus he spoke; and swift-footed, noble Achilles smiled, favouring Antilochus, for he was a
dear companion to him; and, answering, addressed to him winged words: "O Antilochus, since
thou now biddest me give something else to Eumelus from my house, this will I indeed
accomplish. I will give him the corslet which I took from Asteropæus, brazen, around which
there is entwined a rim of shining tin; and it is of great value."
He spoke; and ordered his dear comrade, Automedon, to bear it from the tent: and he went and
brought it to him; then he placed it in the hands of Eumelus, and he received it rejoicing.
But Menelaus also arose amongst them, grieving in his mind, vehemently enraged with Antilochus.
Then a herald placed the sceptre in his hands, and ordered the Greeks to be silent; and then
the godlike hero spoke: "O Antilochus, hitherto prudent, what hast thou done? Thou hast disgraced
my skill, and injured my steeds, driving thine before them, which indeed are greatly inferior.
But come, ye leaders and chiefs of the Greeks, judge between us both, and not for favour;
lest some one of the brazen-mailed Greeks should say: 'Menelaus having overcome Antilochus
by falsehoods, came off, leading the mare [as a prize], for his steeds were very inferior,
but he himself superior in skill and strength.' But come, I myself will decide, and I think
that no other of the Greeks will blame me, for it will be just."
"O Antilochus, nurtured of Jove, come hither, I pray, as it is just, standing before thy
horses and chariot, and holding in thy hands the pliant lash with which thou didst formerly
drive, touching thy steeds, swear by earth-encompassing Neptune, that thou didst not willingly impede
my chariot by stratagem."
But him prudent Antilochus in turn answered: "Have patience now, since I am much younger
than thou, O king Menelaus, and thou art older and superior. Thou knowest of what sort are
the errors of a youth; for his mind is indeed more volatile, and his counsel weak. Therefore
let thy heart endure, and I myself will give thee the steed which I have received. And
if indeed thou demandest anything else greater from my house, I should be willing to give
it immediately rather than fall for ever, O Jove-nurtured, from thy good opinion, and
be sinful towards the gods." He spoke; and the son of magnanimous Nestor,
leading the mare, placed it in the hands of Menelaus; but his mind was cheered as the
dew [is diffused] over the ears of growing corn, when the fields are bristling. Thus
indeed, O Menelaus, was thy soul in thy breast cheered; and speaking, he addressed to him
winged words: "Antilochus, now indeed will I cease being enraged with thee, for formerly
thou wert neither foolish nor volatile; though now youth has subdued reason. Avoid a second
time overreaching thy superiors; for not another man of the Greeks would have easily appeased
me. But thou hast already suffered much, and accomplished many deeds, as well as thy good
father and brother, for my sake: therefore will I be persuaded by thee, supplicating,
and will give the mare also, although being mine; that these too may perceive that my
soul is never overbearing or unrelenting." He spoke, and gave the steed to Noëmon, the
comrade of Antilochus, to lead away; and then he received the shining goblet [himself].
But Meriones, the fourth, took up the two talents of gold, in which order he drove;
but the fifth prize was left, which Achilles, bearing through the assembly of the Greeks,
gave to Nestor, and standing by him, said: "Receive now, and let this be a keepsake to
thee, a memorial of the burial of Patroclus; for never more shalt thou behold him among
the Greeks. I give this prize to thee even thus; for thou indeed wilt not fight with
the cæstus, nor wrestle, nor engage in the contest of hurling the javelin, nor run on
the feet, for grievous old age now oppresses thee."
Thus speaking, he placed it in his hands; but he rejoicing, accepted it, and addressing
him, spoke in winged words: "Assuredly, O my son, thou hast spoken all these things
aright; for no longer are my limbs firm, my friend, nor my feet, nor yet do my hands move
pliant on each side from my shoulders. Would that I were as young, and my strength was
firm to me, as when the Epeans buried king Amarynceus at Byprasium, and his sons staked
the prizes of the king. There no man was equal to me, neither of the Epeans, nor of the Pelians
themselves, nor of the magnanimous Ætolians. In the cæstus I conquered Clytomedes, the
son of Enops; and in wrestling, Ancæus, the Pleuronian, who rose up against me; and on
foot I outstripped Iphiclus, though being excellent; and with the spear hurled beyond
Phyleus and Polydorus. The two sons of Actor drove by me by their steeds only, exceeding
me in number, envying me the victory, for the greatest rewards were left for that contest.
But they were two; the one indeed steadily directed the reins, whilst the other urged
on with the lash. Thus I formerly was, but now let younger men undertake such deeds,
as it becomes me to obey sad old age, though I then excelled amongst heroes. But go, and
celebrate thy comrade's obsequies with games. This, indeed, I willingly accept, and my soul
rejoices that thou art ever mindful of me; nor am I forgotten by thee, with what honour
it becomes me to be honoured among the Greeks. And for these things may the gods give thee
a proper return." Thus he spoke; but the son of Peleus went
through the great assemblage of the Greeks, when he had heard all the praise of Nestor.
Then he proposed prizes for a laborious boxing-match. Leading a mule, patient of toil, six years
old, unbroken, which is most difficult to be tamed, he tied it in the circus; and for
the conquered again he staked a two-handled cup: then he stood up, and spoke amongst the
Greeks: "O ye sons of Atreus, and other well-greaved Greeks, we invite two men, who are very expert,
raising their hands aloft, to strike for these with the fist. But to whom Apollo indeed may
give victory, and all the Greeks approve, leading away the mule, patient of labour,
let him conduct it to his tent; but the vanquished shall bear away a double cup."
Thus he spoke; and immediately arose a man brave and great, skilled in the art of boxing,
Epëus, son of Panopeus; and grasping the patient-toiling mule, said: "Let him draw
near, whosoever will bear away the double cup; but I think that no other of the Greeks
having conquered in boxing, will lead away the mule; for I boast myself to be the best
man. Is it not enough that I am inferior in battle? For it is by no means possible for
a man to be skilled in every work. For thus I tell you, and it shall be accomplished,
I will utterly fracture his body, and also break his bones. And let his friends remain
here assembled, who may carry him away vanquished by my hands."
Thus he spoke; but they were all mute, in silence. But Euryalus alone stood up against
him, a godlike hero, son of king Mecisteus, a descendant of Talaïon, who formerly came
to Thebes to the funeral of the deceased Œdipus, and there vanquished all the Cadmeans. About
him the spear-renowned son of Tydeus was busied, encouraging him with words, for he greatly
wished victory to him. And first he threw around him his girdle, and then gave him the
well-cut thongs [made of the hide] of a rustic ox. But they twain, having girded themselves,
proceeded into the middle of the circus, and both at the same time engaged, with their
strong hands opposite, raising [them up], and their heavy hands were mingled. Then a
horrid crashing of jaws ensued, and the sweat flowed on all sides from their limbs. Then
noble Epëus rushed in, and smote him upon the cheek, while looking round, nor could
he stand any longer; but his fair limbs tottered under him. And as when, from beneath the surface,
rippled by the north wind, a fish leaps out upon the weedy shore, and the dark billow
covers it, so he, stricken, sprang up. But magnanimous Epëus, taking [him] in his hands,
lifted him up; and his dear comrades stood around, who conducted him through the circus
on tottering feet, spitting out clotted gore, [and] drooping his head on each side; and
then, leading, placed him among them, insensible, while they, departing, received the double
cup. But the son of Peleus quickly staked other
third prizes for laborious wrestling, exhibiting [them] to the Greeks; for the conqueror, indeed,
a large tripod, ready for the fire, which the Greeks estimated amongst themselves at
twelve oxen; and for the conquered person he placed a female in the midst. She understood
various works, and they reckoned her at four oxen. But he stood up, and spoke this speech
among the Greeks: "Arise, ye who will make trial of this contest." Thus he spoke; but
then arose mighty Telamonian Ajax, and wise Ulysses stood up, skilled in stratagems. But
these two, having girded themselves, advanced into the midst of the circus, and grasped
each other's arms with their strong hands, like the rafters of a lofty dome, which a
renowned architect has fitted, guarding off the violence of the winds. Then their backs
creaked, forcibly dragged by their powerful hands, and the copious sweat poured down;
and thick welds, purple with blood, arose upon their sides and shoulders. Yet always
eagerly they sought desired victory, for the sake of the well-made tripod. Neither could
Ulysses trip, nor throw him to the ground, nor could Ajax him, for the valiant might
of Ulysses hindered him. But when at length they were wearying the well-greaved Greeks,
then mighty Telamonian Ajax addressed him: "O most noble son of Laërtes, Ulysses of
many wiles, either lift up me, or I thee, and all these things will be a care to Jove."
So saying, he lifted him up: but yet was not Ulysses unmindful of a stratagem. Aiming at
his ham, he struck him behind, and relaxed his limbs, and threw him on his back; but
Ulysses fell upon his breast; then the people admiring gazed, and were stupified. Next noble,
much-enduring Ulysses, lifted him in turn, and moved him a little from the ground, nor
did he lift him up completely; but he bent his knee; and both fell upon the ground near
to each other, and were defiled with dust. And, getting up, they had surely wrestled
for the third time, had not Achilles himself stood up and restrained them: "No longer contend,
nor exhaust yourselves with evils; for there is victory to both: so depart, receiving equal
rewards, in order that the other Greeks also may contend." Thus he spoke; but they indeed
heard him willingly, and obeyed; and, wiping off the dust, put on their tunics. But the
son of Peleus immediately staked other rewards of swiftness, a wrought silver cup, which
contained, indeed, six measures, but in beauty much excelled [all] upon the whole earth,
for the ingenious Sidonians had wrought it cunningly, and Phœnician men had carried
it over the shadowy sea, and exposed it for sale in the harbours, and presented it as
a gift to Thoas. Euneus, son of Jason, however, had given it to the hero Patroclus, as a ransom
for Lycaon, son of Priam. This also Achilles offered as a new prize, to be contended for,
in honour of his companion, whoever should be the nimblest on swift feet; for the second,
again, he proposed an ox, large and luxuriant in fat; and for the last he staked half a
talent of gold. But he stood upright, and spoke amongst the Greeks: "Arise, ye who will
make trial of this contest also." Thus he spoke; and immediately swift Ajax, son of
Oïleus, arose, and much-enduring Ulysses; and after them Antilochus, son of Nestor;
for he, indeed, excelled all the youths in fleetness. But they stood in order, and Achilles
pointed out the goal; and their course was stretched out from the goal. Then swiftly
leaped forth the son of Oïleus; but very close after him rushed noble Ulysses; as when
a shuttle is at the breast of a well-girdled dame, which she throws very skilfully with
her hands, drawing out the woof, [and inserting them] into the warp, and holds it near her
breast: so ran Ulysses near him; and with his feet trod on his footsteps behind, before
the dust was shed over them. But noble Ulysses, constantly running swiftly, exhaled his breath
upon his head; and all the Greeks shouted to him, eager for victory, and encouraged
him, hastening rapidly. But when they were now completing their last course, Ulysses
forthwith prayed in his mind to azure-eyed Minerva: "Hear, O goddess, come a propitious
assistant to my feet." Thus he spoke, praying; but Pallas Minerva heard him; and she made
his limbs nimble, his feet and his hands above. But when they were just about to fly in upon
the prize, then Ajax slipped, while running (for Minerva did the mischief), where the
dung of the deep-lowing slaughtered oxen was around, which swift-footed Achilles had slain
in honour of Fatroclus. Then much-enduring, noble Ulysses took up the goblet, as he came
running the first; and illustrious Ajax received the ox. But he stood, holding the horn of
the rustic ox in his hands; and, spitting out the dung, spoke amongst the Greeks: "Alas!
surely a goddess injured my feet, who ever of old stands by Ulysses as a mother, and
assists him." Thus he spoke; and they all then laughed heartily
at him. But Antilochus next bore away the last prize, smiling, and spoke among the Greeks:
"I will tell you all, my friends, though now knowing it, that even still the immortals
honour the aged. For Ajax, indeed, is a little older than I am: but he is of a former generation,
and former men; and they say that he is of crude old age, and it is difficult for the
Greeks to contend in swiftness with him, except for Achilles."
Thus he spoke; and praised the swift-footed son of Peleus. But Achilles, answering, addressed
him with words: "Thy praise, O Antilochus, shall not be spoken in vain, but for thee
I will add half a talent of gold." So saying, he placed it in his hands; and
he, rejoicing, received it. But the son of Peleus, bearing into the circus, laid down
a long spear, and a shield, and helmet, the arms of Sarpedon, which Patroclus had stripped
him of; and stood upright, and spoke amongst the Greeks: "We invite two warriors, whoever
are bravest, having put; on these arms, [and] seizing the flesh-rending brass, to make trial
of each other before the host for these. Whoever shall be the first to wound the fair flesh,
and touch the entrails through the armour and black blood, to him, indeed, will I give
this silver-studded, beautiful Thracian sword, which I formerly took from Asteropæus. But
let both bear away these arms in common, and before them I will place a splendid banquet
in my tents." Thus he spoke; but then arose mighty Telamonian
Ajax, and the son of Tydeus, valiant Diomede rose up. But they, after they had armed apart
on either side from the ground, both came together into the midst, eager to fight, looking
dreadfully; and stupor possessed all the Greeks. But when approaching each other, they were
near, thrice indeed they rushed on, and thrice made the attack hand to hand. Then Ajax, indeed,
pierced through his shield, equal on all sides, nor reached the flesh; for the corslet inside
protected him. But next the son of Tydeus, with the point of his shining spear, endeavoured
to reach the neck, over his great shield. And then, indeed, the Greeks, fearing for
Ajax, desired them, ceasing, to take up equal rewards. The hero, however, gave the great
sword to Diomede, bearing it both with the sheath and the well-cut belt.
Then the son of Peleus deposited a rudely-molten mass of iron, which the great might of Eëtion
used formerly to hurl. But when swift-footed, noble Achilles slew him, he brought this also,
with other possessions, in his ships. Then he stood up, and spoke amongst the Greeks:
"Arise, you who will make trial of this contest also. Even if his rich fields be of very far
and wide extent, using this he will have it even for five revolving years; for indeed
neither will his shepherd nor his ploughman go into the city wanting iron, but [this]
will furnish it." Thus he spoke; then up arose warlike Polypœtes,
and the valiant might of godlike Leonteus arose; also Telamonian Ajax, and noble Epëus
arose. Then they stood in order; but noble Epëus seized the mass, and, whirling it round,
threw it; but all the Greeks laughed at him. Next Leonteus, a branch of Mars, threw second;
but third, mighty Telamonian Ajax hurled with his strong hand, and cast beyond the marks
of all. But when now warlike Polypœtes had seized the mass, as far as a cow-herdsman
throws his crook, which, whirled around, flies through the herds of oxen, so far, through
the whole stadium, did he cast beyond; but they shouted aloud; and the companions of
brave Polypœtes, rising up, bore away the prize of the king to the hollow ships.
Next, for the archers, he staked iron fit for making arrows, and laid down ten battle-axes,
and also ten demi-axes. He also set upright the mast of an azure-prowed vessel, afar upon
the sands; from [this] he fastened a timid dove by a slender cord, by the foot, at which
he ordered [them] to shoot: "Whosoever indeed shall strike the timid dove, taking up all
the battle-axes, may bear [them] to his tent; but whosoever shall hit the cord, missing
the bird (for he is inferior), let him bear off the demi-axes."
Thus he spoke; but then up rose the might of king Teucer, and up rose Meriones, the
active attendant of Idomeneus; and taking the lots, they shook them in a brazen helmet.
But Teucer was appointed first by lot; and straightway he shot an arrow strenuously,
nor did he vow to sacrifice a celebrated hecatomb of firstling lambs to king [Apollo]. He missed
the bird indeed, because Apollo envied him this, but he hit the string with which the
bird was fastened, close to its foot; and the bitter arrow cut the cord quite through.
Then indeed the bird ascended towards heaven, but the cord was sent down towards the earth:
and the Greeks shouted applause. But Meriones, hastening, snatched the bow from his hand;
and now held the arrow for a long time, as he had directed it; and immediately vowed
to sacrifice to far-darting Apollo a noble hecatomb of firstling lambs. But he saw the
timid dove on high beneath the clouds, which, as she was turning round, he hit in the middle
under the wing, and the arrow pierced quite through. And it indeed again was fixed in
the ground at the foot of Meriones: but the bird, alighting upon the mast of the azure-beaked
galley, drooped its neck, and its close wings were at the same time expanded. And swift
its soul flitted from its members, and it fell far from [the mast]; but the people wondering,
beheld, and were stupified. Then Meriones took up all the ten battle-axes, and Teucer
carried off the demi-axes to the hollow barks. Then the son of Peleus indeed, bearing it
into the circus, staked a long spear, and also a caldron, untouched by fire, worth an
ox, adorned with flowers; and immediately the spearmen arose. The son of Atreus rose
up, wide-ruling Agamemnon, and Meriones, the expert attendant of Idomeneus; whom also swift-footed,
noble Achilles addressed: "O son of Atreus, for we know how much thou dost surpass all,
as well as how much thou excellest in strength and in the javelin, wherefore thou indeed
mayest repair to the hollow barks, possessing this reward; but let us give the spear to
the hero Meriones, if, truly, thou dost thus wish it in thy mind; for I on my part advise
it." Thus he spoke; nor did the king of men, Agamemnon,
disobey; but he gave the brazen spear to Meriones; and the hero himself gave the very splendid
prize to the herald Talthybius. End of BOOK THE TWENTY-THIRD.
BOOK THE TWENTY-FOURTH. ARGUMENT.
Jove orders Thetis to go to Achilles, and demand the restoration of Hector's body. Mercury
is also sent to Priam, whom he guides in safety through the Grecian camp, to the tent of Achilles.
A pathetic interview follows, and Priam ransoms the body of his son, and obtains a twelve
days' truce, during which he performs his funeral obsequies.
The assembly was dissolved, and the people were dispersed, to go each to their hollow
barks. They indeed took care to indulge in the banquet and sweet slumber; but Achilles
wept, remembering his dear companion, nor did all-subduing sleep possess him, but he
was rolled here and there, longing for the vigour and valiant might of Patroclus. And
whatever things he had accomplished with him, and hardships he had suffered, both [encountering]
the battles of heroes, and measuring the grievous waves, remembering these things, he shed the
warm tear, lying at one time upon his sides, at others again on his back, and at other
times on his face; but again starting up, he wandered about in sadness along the shore
of the sea; nor did Morn, appearing over the sea and the shores, escape his notice. But
he, when he had harnessed his fleet steeds to his chariot, bound Hector to be dragged
after his chariot; and having drawn him thrice around the tomb of the dead son of Menœtius,
again rested in his tent; and left him there, having stretched him on his face in the dust.
But Apollo kept off all pollution from his body, pitying the hero, although dead; and
encircled him with the golden ægis, lest that, dragging, he might lacerate him.
Thus he indeed, raging, was insulting noble Hector, but the blessed gods, looking towards
him, commiserated, and incited the watchful slayer of Argus to steal him away. Now, to
all the rest it was certainly pleasing, but by no means so to Juno, to Neptune, nor to
the azure-eyed maid; but they were obstinate, for sacred Ilium was odious to them from the
first, and Priam and his people, on account of the infatuation of Paris, who had insulted
the goddesses, when they came to his cottage, and preferred her who gratified his destructive
***. But when the twelfth morning from that had arisen, then indeed Phœbus Apollo spoke
amongst the immortals: "Cruel ye are, O gods, [and] injurious. Has not Hector indeed formerly
burned for you the thighs of bulls and chosen goats? whom now, although being dead, ye will
not venture to take away for his wife, and mother, his son, and his father Priam, and
the people to behold; who would quickly burn him with fire, and perform his funeral rites.
But ye wish to bestow favour, O gods, upon destructive Achilles, to whom there is neither
just disposition, nor flexible feelings in his breast; who is skilled in savage deeds,
as a lion, which, yielding to the impulse of his mighty strength and haughty soul, attacks
the flocks of men, that he may take a repast. Thus has Achilles lost all compassion, nor
in him is there sense of shame, which greatly hurts and profits men. For perhaps some one
will lose another more dear, either a brother, or a son; yet does he cease weeping and lamenting,
for the Destinies have placed in men an enduring mind. But this man drags godlike Hector around
the tomb of his dear companion, binding him to his chariot, after he has taken away his
dear life; yet truly this is neither more honourable, nor better for him. [Let him beware]
lest we be indignant with him, brave as he is, because, raging, he insults even the senseless
clay." But him the white-armed Juno, indignant, addressed:
"This truly might be our language, O God of the silver bow, if now thou assignest equal
honour to Achilles and to Hector. Hector indeed is a mortal, and sucked a woman's breast;
but Achilles is the offspring of a goddess, whom I myself both nurtured and educated,
and gave as a wife to the hero Peleus, who is dear to the immortals in their heart: and
ye were all present at the nuptials, O gods; and thou didst feast amongst them, holding
thy lyre, O companion of the evil, ever faithless." But her cloud-compelling Jove, answering,
addressed: "O Juno, be not now completely enraged with the gods; for their honour shall
not be at all equal: but Hector also was the dearest of mortals to the gods, of [those]
who are in Ilium; for thus was he to me; for never did he miss [offering] pleasing gifts.
For never did my altar lack the fitting banquet, or incense, or odour: for this honour are
we allotted. Yet let us forego to steal away bold Hector; (nor is it at all practicable
without the knowledge of Achilles;) for he is ever by him both by night and day, like
as a mother. But let some of the gods call Thetis near me, that to her I may tell prudent
advice, in order that Achilles may receive gifts from Priam, and ransom Hector."
Thus he spoke; but Iris, swift as the whirlwind, rose up, about to bear his message. Half way
between Samos and rugged Imbrus she plunged into the dark sea, and the ocean groaned.
She sank to the bottom like unto a leaden ball, which, [placed] along the horn of a
wild bull, entering, descends, bearing death to the raw-devouring fishes. But she found
Thetis in her hollow cave, and the other sea goddesses sat around her, assembled together;
she indeed, in the midst, lamented the fate of her own blameless son, who was about to
perish in fertile Troy, far away from his native land. But her swift-footed Iris, standing
near, addressed: "Rise, O Thetis; Jove, skilled in imperishable counsels, calls thee."
Her then the silver-footed goddess Thetis answered: "Why does that mighty god call me?
I am ashamed to mix with the immortals, for I have innumerable griefs in my soul. Yet
must I go; for the word which he utters will not be in vain."
Thus having spoken, the divine one of goddesses took her dark robe, than which no garment
is blacker. And she set out to go, whilst wind-footed, fleet Iris led the way; and the
water of the sea retired on each side of them. Next ascending the shore, they were impelled
up to heaven. They found the far-sounding son of Saturn; and all the other blessed immortal
gods sat assembled around him; but she then sat down beside father Jove, and Minerva gave
place to her. Then Juno placed a beautiful golden goblet in her hand, and consoled her
with words; and Thetis having drunk, returned it. But to them the father of men and gods
began discourse: "Thou hast come to Olympus, although sad, O goddess Thetis, having in
thy mind a grief not to be forgotten; and I know it. Yet even thus will I speak, and
on this account have I called thee hither. Nine days has a contest already been excited
amongst the immortals respecting the body of Hector, and Achilles the destroyer of cities,
and they have urged the watchful slayer of Argus to steal him. But I bestow this glory
on Achilles, securing for the future thy respect and love. Descend very speedily to the camp,
and give orders to thy son. Tell him that the gods are offended, and that I am angry
above all the immortals, because with infuriated mind he detains Hector at the crooked barks,
nor has released him: if perchance he will revere me, and restore Hector. Meanwhile I
will despatch Iris to magnanimous Priam, that, going to the ships of the Greeks, he may ransom
his beloved son, and carry offerings to Achilles, which may melt his soul."
Thus he spoke; nor did the silver-footed goddess Thetis disobey; but, rushing impetuously,
she descended down from the tops of Olympus. Then she came to the tent of her son, and
found him within, moaning continually, whilst around him his dear comrades were busily occupied,
and prepared a feast, for a great thick-fleeced sheep had been slaughtered by them in the
tent. But his venerable mother sat down very near him, and caressed him with her hand,
and spoke, and addressed him: "O my son, how long, grieving and bewailing, wilt thou afflict
thine heart, being not at all mindful of either food or bed? But it is good to be mingled
in love with a woman; for thou shalt not live long for me, but Death and stern Fate already
stand near thee. But quickly attend to me, for I am a messenger to thee from Jove. He
says that the gods are angry with thee, and that he himself above all the immortals is
enraged, because with furious mind thou detainest Hector at the hollow ships, nor dost release
him. But come, release him, and receive ransoms for the dead body."
But her swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed: "Let him approach hither, who may
bear the ransoms, and bear away the body, if indeed the Olympian himself now commands
it with a serious mind." Thus they indeed, the mother and the son, amongst the assemblage
of the ships, spoke many winged words to each other; but the son of Saturn impelled Iris
towards sacred Ilium: "Go quickly, fleet Iris, having left the seat of Olympus, order magnanimous
Priam to ransom his dear son to Ilium, going to the ships of the Greeks; and to carry gifts
to Achilles, which may appease his mind, alone; nor let another man of the Trojans go with
him. Let some aged herald accompany him, who may guide his mules and well-wheeled chariot,
and may bear back to the city the dead body which noble Achilles has slain; nor let death
at all be a cause of anxiety to his mind, nor at all a terror; such a conductor, the
slayer of Argus, will we give to him, who shall lead him, until, directing, he shall
place him beside Achilles. But when he shall have conducted him into the tent of Achilles,
he will not kill him himself, and he will ward off all others; for he is neither imprudent,
nor rash, nor profane; but will very humanely spare a suppliant man."
Thus he spoke; but wind-footed Iris rushed on, about to carry her message. She came to
[the palace] of Priam, and found wailing and lamentation. His sons, sitting around their
father within the hall, were drenching their robes with tears; whilst the old man sat in
the midst, covered entirely with a cloak; but much filth was around upon the head and
neck of the aged man, which, while rolling [on the ground], he had abundantly collected
with his own hands. But his daughters and daughters-in-law throughout the dwelling lamented,
remembering those who, many and brave, lay, having lost their lives by the hands of the
Greeks. Then the ambassadress of Jove stood beside Priam, and addressed him in an under-tone;
and tremor seized him as to his limbs: "Take courage, O Dardanian Priam, in thy mind, nor
fear at all; for indeed I come not hither boding evil to thee, but meditating good;
for I am an ambassadress from Jove to thee, who, though being far off, greatly cares for
and pities thee. The Olympian bids thee ransom noble Hector, and bear presents to Achilles,
which may melt his soul; thee alone, nor let another man of the Trojans go with thee. But
let some aged herald accompany thee, who may guide thy mules and well-wheeled chariot,
and bring back to the city the dead which noble Achilles has slain. Nor let death be
a cause of anxiety to thy mind, nor fear at all such a conductor; the slayer of Argus
shall attend thee, who shall lead thee, until, guiding, he shall bring thee near Achilles.
But when he shall have led thee into the tent of Achilles, he will not slay thee himself,
and he will ward off all others; for he is neither imprudent, nor rash, nor profane;
but will very humanely spare a suppliant man."
Thus having spoken, swift-footed Iris departed. But he ordered his sons to prepare his well-wheeled
mule-drawn chariot, and to tie a chest upon it; but he descended into an odoriferous chamber
of cedar, lofty-roofed, which contained many rarities, and called in his wife Hecuba, and
said: "Unhappy one, an Olympian messenger has come to me from Jove, [that I should]
ransom my dear son, going to the ships of the Greeks, and should bear gifts to Achilles,
which may melt his soul. But come, tell this to me, what does it appear to thee in thy
mind? For my strength and courage vehemently urge me myself to go thither to the ships,
into the wide army of the Greeks." Thus he spoke: but his spouse wept, and answered
him in words: "Ah me, where now is thy prudence gone, for which thou wast formerly distinguished
among foreigners, and among those whom thou dost govern? Why dost thou wish to go alone
to the ships of the Greeks, before the eyes of the man who slew thy many and brave sons?
Certainly an iron heart is thine. For if this cruel and perfidious man shall take and behold
thee with his eyes, he will not pity thee, nor will he at all respect thee. But let us
now lament him apart, sitting in the hall; but [let it be] as formerly to him, at his
birth violent fate spun his thread, when I brought him forth, that he should satiate
the swift-footed dogs at a distance from his own parents, with that fierce man, the very
middle of whose liver I wish that I had hold of, that, clinging to it, I might devour it;
then would the deeds done against my son be repaid; for he did not slay him behaving as
a coward, but standing forth in defence of the Trojan men and deep-bosomed Trojan dames,
neither mindful of flight nor of receding."
But her again the aged, godlike Priam addressed: "Do not detain me, desirous to go, nor be
thou thyself an evil-omen bird in my palaces; nor shalt thou persuade me. For if indeed
any other of earthly beings had ordered me, whether they be prophets, soothsayers, or
priests, we might have pronounced it a falsehood, and been the more averse. But now since I
myself have heard it from a deity, and have beheld her face to face, I will go, nor shall
this word be vain and if it be my fate to die at the ships of the brazen-mailed Greeks,
I am willing; for Achilles will forthwith, slay me, embracing my son in my arms, after
I have taken away the desire of weeping." He spoke; and opened the beautiful lids of
the chests, and took out thence twelve beautiful mantles, twelve single cloaks, as many tapestried
rugs, and, in addition to these, as many tunics; and having weighed it, he took out ten whole
talents of gold. He took out beside two glittering tripods, and four goblets, and a very beautiful
cup, which the Thracian men had given him when going on an embassy, a mighty possession.
Nor now did the old man spare even this in his palaces; for he greatly wished in his
mind to ransom his dear son. And he drove away all the Trojans from his porch, chiding
them with reproachful words: "Depart, wretched, reproachful [creatures]; is there not indeed
grief to you at home, that ye should come fretting me? Or do ye esteem it of little
consequence that Jove, the son of Saturn, has sent sorrows upon me, that I should have
lost my bravest son? But ye too shall perceive it, for ye will be much more easy for the
Greeks to destroy now, he being dead; but I will descend even to the abode of Hades,
before I behold with mine eyes the city sacked and plundered."
He spoke; and chased away the men with his staff; but they went out, the old man driving
[them]. He indeed rebuked his own sons, reviling Helenus, Paris, and godlike Agathon, Pammon,
Antiphonus, and Polites, brave in the din of battle, Deïphobus, Hippothous, and renowned
Dius. To these nine the old man, reproaching, gave orders: "Haste for me, O slothful children,
disgraceful; would that you had all been slain at the swift ships, instead of Hector. Ah
me! the most unhappy of all, since I have begotten the bravest sons in wide Troy; but
none of whom I think is left: godlike Mestor, and Troulus, who fought from his chariot,
and Hector, who was a god among men, for he did not appear to be the son of a mortal man,
but of a god. These indeed has Mars destroyed to me; but all these disgraces remain, liars,
dancers, most skilled in the choirs, and public robbers of lambs and kids. Will ye not with
all haste get ready my chariot, and place all these things upon it, that we may perform
our journey?"
Thus he spoke; but they, dreading the reproach of their father, lifted out the well-wheeled,
mule-drawn chariot, beautiful, newly built, and tied the chest upon it. They then took
down the yoke for the mules from the pin, made of box-wood, and embossed, well fitted
with rings, and then they brought out the yoke-band, nine cubits in length, along with
the yoke. And this indeed they adjusted carefully to the pole at its extremity, and threw the
ring over the bolt. Thrice they lapped it on either side to the boss; and when they
had fastened, they turned it evenly under the bend; then, bearing the inestimable ransoms
of Hector's head from the chamber, they piled them upon the well-polished car. Then they
yoked the strong-hoofed mules, patient in labour, which the Mysians formerly gave to
Priam, splendid gifts. They also led under the yoke for Priam, the horses, which the
old man himself had fed at the well-polished manger. These indeed the herald and Priam
yoked in the lofty palace, having prudent counsels in their minds. But near them came
Hecuba, with sad mind, bearing sweet wine in her right hand, in a golden goblet, in
order that having made libations, they might depart. But she stood before the steeds, and
spoke, and addressed them: "Take, offer a libation to father Jove, and pray that thou
mayest return home again from the hostile men; since indeed thy mind urges thee to the
ships, I at least not being willing. But do thou pray now to the dark, cloud-compelling
Idæan son of Saturn, who looks down upon all Troy; but seek the fleet bird, his messenger,
which to him is the most pleasing of birds, and whose strength is very great, on thy right
hand, so that, marking him thyself with thine eyes, thou mayest go, relying on him, to the
ships of the fleet-horsed Greeks. But if wide-viewing Jove will not give thee his own messenger,
I would not at all then, urging, advise thee to go to the ships of the Greeks, though very
eager."
But her godlike Priam answering, addressed: "O spouse, certainly I will not disobey thee,
advising this; for it is good to raise one's hands to Jove, if perchance he may compassionate
me." The old man spoke, and bade the attending
servant pour pure water upon his hands; for a handmaid stood by, holding in her hands
a basin, and also an ewer; and having washed himself, he took the goblet from his wife.
Then he prayed, standing in the midst of the enclosure, and poured out a libation of wine,
looking towards heaven; and raising his voice, spoke: "O father Jove, ruling from Ida, most
glorious, most great, grant me to come acceptable and pitied to [the tent] of Achilles; and
send the swift bird, thy messenger, which is the most agreeable of birds to thee, and
whose strength is very great, on my right hand; that I myself, perceiving him with my
eyes, may go, relying on him, to the ships of the fleet-horsed Greeks."
Thus he spoke, praying; but to him provident Jove hearkened, and immediately sent an eagle,
the Black Hunter, the most certain augury of birds, which they also call Percnos. As
large as the well-bolted, closely-fitted door of the lofty-roofed chamber of a wealthy man,
so great were its wings on each side; and it appeared to them, rushing on the right
hand over the city. But they, having seen it, rejoiced, and the soul was overjoyed in
their bosoms. Then the old man, hastening, mounted his polished car, and drove out of
the vestibule and much-echoing porch. Before, indeed, the mules drew the four-wheeled car,
which prudent Idæus drove; but after [came] the horses, which the old man cheered on,
driving briskly through the city with his lash; but all his friends accompanied, greatly
weeping for him, as if going to death. But when they had descended from the city, and
reached the plain, his sons and sons-in-law then returned to Ilium. Nor did these two,
advancing on the plain, escape the notice of far-seeing Jove; but, seeing the old man,
he pitied him, and straightway addressed his beloved son: "O Mercury (for to thee it is
peculiarly grateful to associate with man, and thou hearest whomsoever thou art willing),
go now, and so convey Priam to the hollow ships of the Greeks, that neither any one
may see him, nor indeed any of the other Greeks perceive him until he reach the son of Peleus."
Thus he spoke; nor did the messenger, the son of Argus. disobey. Immediately then he
fastened under his feet his beautiful sandals, ambrosial, golden, which carry him as well
over the sea, as over the boundless earth, with the blasts of the wind. He also took
his rod, with which he soothes the eyes of those men whom he wishes, and again excites
others who are asleep; holding this in his hands, the powerful slayer of Argus flew along.
But he immediately reached the Troad and the Hellespont, and hastened to go, like unto
a princely youth, first springing into youth, whose youth is very graceful. And they, when
they had driven by the great tomb of Ilus, stopped their mules and horses, that they
might drink in the river; for even now twilight had come over the earth. But the herald, spying,
observed Mercury near, and addressed Priam, and said: "Beware, O descendant of Dardanus;
this is matter for prudent thought. I perceive a warrior, and I think that he will soon destroy
us. But come, let us fly upon our steeds; or let us now, grasping his knees, entreat
him, if he would pity us." Thus he spoke, but the mind of the old man was confounded,
and he greatly feared; but the hair stood upright on his bending limbs. And he stood
stupified; but Mercury himself coming near, taking the old man's hand, interrogated, and
addressed him: "Whither, O father, dost thou this way direct thy horses and mules during
the ambrosial night, when other mortals are asleep? Dost thou not fear the valour-breathing
Greeks, who, enemies and hostile to thee, are at hand? If any one of these should see
thee in the dark and dangerous night, bearing off so many valuables, what intention would
then be towards thee? Neither art thou young thyself, and this [is] an old man who accompanies
thee, to repel a warrior when first any may *** thee. But I will not do thee injury,
but will avert another from thee, for I think thee like my dear father."
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then answered: "Surely these things are as thou sayest, my
dear son. But hitherto some one of the gods has protected me with his hand, who has sent
such a favourable conductor to meet me, so beautiful art thou in form and appearance.
And thou art also prudent in mind, and of blessed parents." But him again the messenger,
the slayer of Argus, addressed: "O old man, thou hast certainly spoken all these things
with propriety. But come, tell me this, and relate it truly; whither now dost thou send
so many and such valuable treasures amongst foreigners? Whether that these, at least,
may remain safe to thee? Or do ye all, now fearing, desert sacred Ilium? For so brave
a hero, was he who died, thy son; he was not in aught inferior to the Greeks in battle."
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then answered: "But who art thou, O best one, and of what
parents art thou, who speakest so honourably to me of the death of my luckless son?"
But him again the messenger, the slayer of Argus, addressed: "Thou triest me, old man.
and inquirest concerning noble Hector; whom I, indeed, have very often beheld with mine
eyes in the glorious fight, when, routing the Greeks, he slew them at their ships, destroying
[them] with his sharp spear; but we, standing, marvelled; for Achilles, enraged with the
son of Atreus, did not permit us to fight. But I am his attendant, and the same well-made
vessel brought us. I am [one] of the Myrmidons; Polyetor is my father, who, indeed, is rich,
but now old as thou. To him there are six sons, but I am his seventh; with whom casting
lots, the lot occurred to me to follow [Achilles] hither. And I came to the plain from the ships,
for at dawn the rolling-eyed Greeks will raise a fight around the city. For they are indignant
sitting quiet, nor can the chiefs of the Greeks restrain them, longing for war."
But him then Priam, the godlike old man, answered: "If indeed thou art one of the servants of
Achilles, the son of Peleus, come now, tell all the truth to me, whether is my son still
at the ships, or has Achilles, tearing him limb from limb, cast him to the dogs?"
But him the messenger, the slayer of Argus, again addressed: "O old man, neither have
the dogs yet devoured him, nor the birds, but he still lies at the ship of Achilles,
in the same plight as before, at his tents; and it is [now] the twelfth morning him lying,
yet his body is not at all putrid, nor do the worms devour him, which consume men slain
in battle. Doubtless he will drag him cruelly around the tomb of his dear companion when
divine morn appears; but he does not defile him. Approaching, thou indeed thyself wouldst
wonder how fresh he lies, while the blood is washed away from around, nor [is he] polluted
in any part. But all his wounds are closed, whatever were inflicted; for many thrust a
spear into him. Thus do the happy gods regard thy son, though dead; for he was dear to them
in their heart." Thus he spoke; but the old man rejoiced, and
answered in words: "O son, surely it is good to give due gifts to the immortals, for my
son, while he was yet in being, never neglected the gods who possess Olympus, in his palace;
therefore are they mindful of him, although in the fate of death. But come now, accept
from me this beautiful goblet; protect myself, and, with the favour of the gods, conduct
me until I come into the tent of the son of Peleus."
But him the slayer of Argus again addressed: "Old man, thou triest me, [being] younger;
nor wilt thou now persuade me; thou who orderest me to accept thy gifts unknown to Achilles;
whom indeed I dread, and scruple in my heart to plunder, lest some evil should afterwards
come upon me. Yet would I go as a conductor to thee even to renowned Argos, sedulously,
in a swift ship, or accompanying thee on foot; nor, indeed, would any one contend with thee,
despising thy guide." Mercury spoke, and, leaping upon the chariot
and horses, quickly took the scourge and the reins in his hands, and breathed bold vigour
into the horses and mules. But when they had now reached the ramparts and trench of the
ships, then the guards were just employed about their feast, and the messenger, the
slayer of Argus, poured sleep upon them all; and immediately he opened the gates and pushed
back the bars, and led in Priam, and the splendid gifts upon the car. But when they reached
the lofty tent of Achilles which the Myrmidons had reared for their king, lopping fir timbers;
and they roofed it over with a thatched roof, mowing it from the mead, and made a great
fence around, with thick-set stakes, for their king: one bar only of fir held the door, which,
indeed, three Greeks used to fasten, and three used to open the great fastening of the gates;
but Achilles even alone used to shoot it. Then, indeed, profitable Mercury opened it
for the old man, and led in the splendid presents to swift-footed Achilles; then he descended
to the ground, from the chariot, and said: "O old man, I indeed come, an immortal god,
Mercury, to thee; for to thee my father sent me as companion. Yet shall I return indeed,
nor be present before the eyes of Achilles; for it would indeed be invidious for an immortal
god so openly to aid mortals. But do thou, entering, clasp the knees of the son of Peleus,
and supplicate him by his father, and fair-haired mother, and his son; that thou mayest effect
his mind." Thus, indeed, having spoken, Mercury went
to lofty Olympus; and Priam leaped from his chariot to the ground, and left Idæus there:
but he remained, guarding the steeds and mules; while the old man went straight into the tent,
where Achilles, dear to Jove, was sitting. Himself he found within; but his companions
sat apart; but two alone, the hero Automedon, and Alcimus, a branch of Mars, standing near,
were ministering to him (for, eating and drinking, he had just ceased from food, and the table
still remained); but great Priam, entering, escaped his notice, and, standing near, he
clasped the knees of Achilles with his hands, and kissed his dreadful man-slaughtering hands,
which had slain many sons to him. And as when a dread sense of guilt has seized a man, who,
having killed a man in his own country, comes to another people, to [the abode of] some
wealthy man, and stupor possesses the spectators; so Achilles wondered, seeing godlike Priam;
and the others also wondered, and looked at one another. And Priam, supplicating, spoke
[this] speech: "Remember thy own father, O Achilles, like unto the gods, of equal age
with me, upon the sad threshold of old age. And perhaps indeed his neighbours around are
perplexing him, nor is there any one to ward off war and destruction. Yet he indeed, hearing
of thee being alive, both rejoices in his mind, and every day expects to see his dear
son returned from Troy. But I [am] every way unhappy, for I begat the bravest sons in wide
Troy, of whom I say that none are left. Fifty there were to me, when the sons of the Greeks
arrived; nineteen indeed from one womb, but the others women bore to me in my palaces.
And of the greater number fierce Mars indeed has relaxed the knees under them; but Hector,
who was my favourite, and defended the city and ourselves, thou hast lately slain, fighting
for his country; on account of whom I now come to the ships of the Greeks, and bring
countless ransoms, in order to redeem him from thee. But revere the gods, O Achilles,
and have pity on myself, remembering thy father; for I am even more miserable, for I have endured
what no other earthly mortal [has], to put to my mouth the hand of a man, the slayer
of my son." Thus he spoke; but in him he excited the desire
of mourning for his father; and taking him by the hand, he gently pushed the old man
from him. But they indeed, calling to mind, the one wept copiously [for] man-slaughtering
Hector, rolling [on the ground] before the feet of Achilles; but Achilles bewailed his
father, and again in turn Patroclus; and their lamentation was aroused throughout the house.
But when noble Achilles had satiated himself with grief, and the desire [for weeping] had
departed from his heart and limbs, immediately rising from his seat, he lifted up the old
man with his hand, compassionating both his hoary head and hoary chin; and, addressing
him, spoke winged words: "Alas! wretched one, thou hast certainly suffered many evils in
thy mind. How hast thou dared to come alone to the ships of the Greeks, into the sight
of the man who slew thy many and brave sons? Assuredly thy heart is iron. But come now,
sit upon a seat; and let us permit sorrows to sink to rest within thy mind, although
grieved; for there is not any use in chill grief. For so have the gods destined to unhappy
mortals, that they should live wretched; but they themselves are free from care. Two casks
of gifts, which he bestows, lie at the threshold of Jupiter, [the one] of evils, and the other
of good. To whom thunder-rejoicing Jove, mingling, may give them, sometimes he falls into evil,
but sometimes into good; but to whomsoever he gives of the evil, he makes him exposed
to injury; and hungry calamity pursues him over the bounteous earth; and he wanders about,
honoured neither by gods nor men. So indeed have the gods given illustrious gifts to Peleus
from his birth; for he was conspicuous among men, both for riches and wealth, and he ruled
over the Myrmidons, and to him, being a mortal, they gave a goddess for a wife. But upon him
also has a deity inflicted evil, for there was not to him in his palaces an offspring
of kingly sons; but he begat one short-lived son; nor indeed do I cherish him, being old,
for I remain in Troy, far away from my country, causing sorrow to thee and to thy sons. Thee
too, old man, we learn to have been formerly wealthy: as much as ***, above the seat
of Macar, cuts off on the north, and Phrygia beneath, and the boundless Hellespont: among
these, O old man, they say that thou wast conspicuous for thy wealth and thy sons. But
since the heavenly inhabitants have brought this bane upon thee, wars and the slaying
of men are constantly around thy city. Arise, nor grieve incessantly in thy mind; for thou
wilt not profit aught, afflicting thyself for thy son, nor wilt thou resuscitate him
before thou hast suffered another misfortune."
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then, answered: "Do not at all place me on a seat,
O Jove-nurtured, whilst Hector lies unburied in thy tents; but redeem him as soon as possible,
that I may behold him with mine eyes; and do thou receive the many ransoms which we
bring thee; and mayest thou enjoy them, and reach thy father-land, since thou hast suffered
me in the first place to live, and to behold the light of the sun."
But him swift-footed Achilles, sternly regarding, then addressed: "Do not irritate me further,
old man, for I also myself meditate ransoming Hector to thee; for the mother who bore me,
the daughter of the marine old man, came as a messenger from Jove to me. And I perceive
thee also, O Priam, in my mind, nor do thou deceive me, that some one of the gods has
led thee to the swift ships of the Greeks; for a mortal would not have dared to come
into the camp, not even in very blooming youth, for he could not have escaped the guards,
nor indeed pushed back the bars of our gates. Wherefore do not move my mind more to sorrows,
lest I leave thee not unharmed, old man, in my tents, though being a suppliant, and violate
the commands of Jove." Thus he spoke; but the old man feared, and
obeyed. But the son of Peleus leaped forth, like a lion, from the door of the house, not
alone; for two attendants accompanied him, the hero Automedon, and Alcimus, whom Achilles
honoured most of his companions next after the deceased Patroclus. These then unharnessed
the horses and mules from the yoke, and led in the clear-voiced herald of the old man,
and placed him upon a seat. They also took down from the well-polished car the countless
ransoms of Hector's head. But they left two cloaks and a well-woven tunic, in order that,
having covered the body, he might give it to be borne home. But having called his female
attendants, he ordered them to wash and anoint all round, taking it apart, that Priam might
not see his son; lest, seeing his son, he might not restrain the wrath in his grieving
heart, and might arouse the soul of Achilles, and he might slay him, and violate the commands
of Jove. But when the servants had washed and anointed it with oil, they then threw
over him a beautiful cloak, and a tunic; then Achilles himself, having raised him up, placed
him upon a litter, and his companions, together with [him], lifted him upon the well-polished
chariot. But he moaned, and called upon his dear companion by name: "O Patroclus, be not
wrathful with me, if thou shouldst hear, although being in Hades, that I have ransomed noble
Hector to his beloved father, since he has not given me unworthy ransoms. Besides even
of these will I give thee a share, whatever is just."
Noble Achilles spoke, and returned into the tent, and sat down upon a well-made couch,
whence he had risen, at the opposite wall, and addressed Priam: "Thy son is indeed redeemed
to thee, as thou didst desire, and lies upon a bier; and with the early dawn thou shalt
behold him, conveying [him away]: but now let us be mindful of the feast; for even fair-haired
Niobe was mindful of food, although twelve children perished in her palaces, six daughters
and six youthful sons; these indeed Apollo slew with his silver bow, enraged with Niobe;
but those, arrow-rejoicing Diana, because, forsooth, she had compared herself with fair-cheeked
Latona. She said that [Latona] had borne [only] two, whereas she had borne many; yet those,
though being only two, destroyed all [her own]. Nine days indeed they lay in blood,
nor was there any one to bury them, for the son of Saturn had made the people stones;
but upon the tenth day the heavenly gods interred them. Still was she mindful of food, when
she was fatigued with weeping. Now, indeed, ever amidst the rocks, in the desert mountains,
in Sipylus, where, they say, the beds of the goddess Nymphs are, who lead the dance around
Acheloüs, there, although being a stone, she broods over the sorrows [sent] from the
gods. But come now, O noble old man, let us likewise attend to food, but afterwards thou
mayest lament thy beloved son, conveying him into Troy; and he will be bewailed by thee
with many tears." Swift Achilles spoke, and leaping up, slew
a white sheep, and his companions flayed it well, and fitly dressed it; then they skilfully
cut it in pieces, pierced them with spits, roasted them diligently, and drew them all
off. Then Automedon, taking bread, distributed it over the table in beautiful baskets; whilst
Achilles helped the meat, and they stretched out their hands to the prepared victuals lying
before them. But when they had dismissed the desire of food and drink, Dardanian Priam
indeed marvelled at Achilles, such and so great; for he was like unto the gods; but
Achilles marvelled at Dardanian Priam, seeing his amiable countenance, and hearing his conversation.
When, however, they were satisfied with gazing at each other, him Priam, the godlike old
man, first addressed: "Send me now to rest as soon as possible, O Jove-nurtured, that
we, reclining, may take our fill of sweet sleep; for never have these eyes been closed
beneath my eyelids from the time when my son lost his life by thy hands; but I ever lament
and cherish many woes, rolling in the dust within the enclosures of my palaces. But now
I have tasted food, and poured sweet wine down my throat; for before indeed I had not
tasted it." He spoke; but Achilles ordered his companions,
servants, and maids, to place couches beneath the porch, and to spread beautiful purple
mats on them, and to strew embroidered carpets over them, and to lay on them well-napped
cloaks, to be drawn over all. But they went out of the hall, having a torch in their hands,
and hastening, they quickly spread two couches. But the swift-footed Achilles, jocularly addressing
him, said: "Do you lie without, O revered old man, lest some counsellor of the Greeks
come hither, who, sitting with me, constantly meditate plans, as is just. If any of these
should see thee in the dark and dangerous night, he would forthwith tell Agamemnon,
the shepherd of the people, and perchance there would be a delay of the redemption of
the body. But come, tell me this, and tell it accurately: How many days dost thou desire
to perform the funeral rites of noble Hector, that I may myself remain quiet so long, and
restrain the people?" But him Priam, the godlike old man, then answered:
"If indeed thou desirest me to celebrate the funeral of noble Hector, thus doing, O Achilles,
thou dost surely gratify me. For thou knowest how we are hemmed in within the city, and
it is far to carry wood from the mountain; and the Trojans greatly dread [to do so].
Nine days indeed we would lament him in our halls, but on the tenth would bury him, and
the people should feast; but upon the eleventh we would make a tomb to him, and on the twelfth
we will fight, if necessary." But him swift-footed Achilles again addressed: "These things shall
be to thee, O aged Priam, as thou desirest; for I will prevent the fight as long a time
as thou desirest." Thus having spoken, he grasped the right hand
of the old man near the wrist, lest he should fear in his mind. They indeed, the herald
and Priam, slept there in the porch of the house, having prudent counsels in their mind;
while Achilles slept in the interior of the well-built tent; and beside him lay fair-cheeked
Brisëis. The other gods indeed and chariot-fighting
men slept all night, subdued by gentle slumber; but sleep seized not Mercury, the author of
good, revolving in his mind how he should convey away king Priam from the ships, having
escaped the notice of the sacred gate-keeper. Accordingly he stood over his head, and addressed
him: "O aged man, certainly evil is not at all a care to thee, that thou sleepest thus
amongst hostile men, after Achilles has suffered thee. Now indeed thou hast ransomed thy beloved
son, and hast given much; but the sons left behind by thee would give three times as many
ransoms for thee alive, if Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, should know of thy being here,
and all the Greeks should know of it." Thus he spoke; but the old man feared, and
awoke the herald. Then for them Mercury yoked the horses and mules, and quickly drove them
himself through the camp, nor did any one perceive. But when they reached the course
of the fair-flowing river, eddying Xanthus, which immortal Jove begat, then indeed Mercury
went away to lofty Olympus; and saffron-robed Morn was diffused over the whole earth. They
indeed drove the horses towards the city with wailing and lamentation, and the mules bore
the body; nor did any other of the men and well-girdled women previously perceive it;
but Cassandra, like unto golden Venus, ascending Pergamus, discovered her dear father standing
in the driving-seat, and the city-summoning herald. She beheld him also upon the mules,
lying on the litter; then indeed she shrieked, and cried aloud throughout the whole city:
"O Trojans and Trojan women, going forth, behold Hector, if ever ye rejoiced at his
returning alive from battle; for he was a great joy to the city, and to the whole people."
Thus she spoke; nor was there any man left in the city, nor woman; for insupportable
grief came upon them all, and they met him near the gates bringing in the body. But his
wife and venerable mother first rushing to the well-wheeled chariot, plucked out their
hair, touching his head; and the crowd stood around, weeping. And they indeed would have
wept the whole day till sunset before the gates, lamenting Hector, had not the old man
addressed the people from his chariot: "Give way to me, to pass through with the mules;
but afterwards shall ye be satiated with weeping, after I shall carry him home." Thus he spoke;
but they stood off. and made way for the chariot. But when they had brought him into the illustrious
palace, they laid him upon perforated beds, and placed singers beside him, leaders of
the dirges, who indeed sang a mournful ditty, while the women also uttered responsive groans.
And amongst them white-armed Andromache began the lamentation, holding the head of man-slaughtering
Hector between her hands: "O husband, young in years hast thou died, and hast left me
a widow in the palace. And besides, thy son is thus an infant, to whom thou and I, ill-fated,
gave birth; nor do I think he will attain to puberty; for before that, this city will
be overthrown from its summit. Certainly thou, the protector, art dead, who didst defend
its very self, and didst protect its venerable wives and infant children; who will soon be
carried away in the hollow ships, and I indeed amongst them. But thou, O my son, wilt either
accompany me, where thou shalt labour unworthy tasks, toiling for a merciless lord; or some
one of the Greeks, enraged, seizing thee by the hand, will hurl thee from a tower, to
sad destruction; to whom doubtless Hector has slain a brother, or a father, or even
a son; for by the hands of Hector very many Greeks have grasped the immense earth with
their teeth. For thy father was not gentle in the sad conflict; wherefore indeed the
people lament him throughout the city. But thou hast caused unutterable grief and sorrow
to thy parents, O Hector, but chiefly to me are bitter sorrows left. For thou didst not
stretch out thy hands to me from the couch when dying; nor speak any prudent word [of
solace], which I might for ever remember, shedding tears night and day."
Thus she spoke, bewailing; but the women also lamented; and to them in turn Hecuba began
her vehement lamentation: "O Hector, far of all my sons dearest to my soul, certainly
being alive to me, thou wert beloved by the gods, who truly have had a care of thee, even
in the destiny of death. For swift-footed Achilles sold all my other sons, whomsoever
he seized, beyond the unfruitful sea, at Samos, Imbrus, and Lemnos without a harbour. But
when he had taken away thy life with his long-bladed spear, he often dragged thee round the tomb
of his comrade Patroclus, whom thou slewest; but he did not thus raise him up. But now
thou liest, to my sorrow, in the palaces, fresh and lately slain like him whom silver-bowed
Apollo, attacking, has slain with his mild weapons."
Thus she spoke, weeping; and aroused a vehement lamentation. But to them Helen then, the third,
began her lamentation: "O Hector, far dearest to my soul of all my brothers-in-law, for
godlike Alexander is my husband, he who brought me to Troy:—would that I had perished first.
But now already this is the twentieth year to me from the time when I came from thence,
and quitted my native land; yet have I never heard from thee a harsh or reproachful word;
but if any other of my brothers-in-law, or sisters-in-law, or well-attired husband's
brothers' wives, reproached me in the palaces, or my mother-in-law (for my father-in-law
was ever gentle as a father), then thou, admonishing him with words, didst restrain him, both by
thy gentleness and thy gentle words. So that, grieved at heart, I bewail at the same time
thee and myself, unhappy; for there is not any other in wide Troy kind and friendly to
me; but all abhor me." Thus she spoke, weeping; and again the countless
throng groaned. And aged Priam spoke [this] speech amongst the people: "O Trojans, now
bring wood to the city, nor at all fear in your mind a close ambuscade of the Greeks;
for Achilles, dismissing me from the dark ships, thus promised me, that he would not
commence hostilities, before the twelfth morning should arrive."
Thus he spoke; and they yoked both oxen and mules beneath the waggons; and then assembled
before the city. For nine days indeed they brought together an immense quantity of wood;
but when now the tenth morn, bearing light to mortals, had appeared, then indeed, weeping,
they carried out noble Hector, and placed the body on the lofty pile, and cast in the
fire. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered
Morn, appeared, then were the people assembled round the pile of illustrious Hector. But
after they were assembled, and collected together, first indeed they extinguished all the pyre
with dark wine, as much as the force of the fire had possessed; but then his brothers
and companions collected his white bones, weeping, and the abundant tear streamed down
their cheeks. And, taking them, they placed them in a golden urn, covering them with soft
purple robes, and forthwith deposited it in a hollow grave; and then strewed it above
with numerous great stones. But they built up the tomb in haste, and watches sat around
on every side, lest the well-greaved Greeks should make an attack too soon. And having
heaped up the tomb, they returned; and then being assembled together in order, they feasted
on a splendid banquet in the palaces of Priam, the Jove-nurtured king.
Thus indeed they performed the funeral of steed-breaking Hector.
End of Book the Twenty-Fourth End of The Iliad