who yet his breathless friend[9] Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield, 515 And brave Alastor with Mecisteus son Of Echius, bore him to the hollow ships Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he. Nor yet Idomeneus his warlike rage Remitted aught, but persevering strove 520 Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades, Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece. Then slew he brave Alcathoues the son Of AEsyeta, and the son-in-law Of old Anchises, who to him had given 525 The eldest-born of all his daughters fair, Hippodamia; dearly loved was she By both her parents in her virgin state,[10] For that in beauty she surpass'd, in works Ingenious, and in faculties of mind 530 All her coevals; wherefore she was deem'd Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy. Him in that moment, Neptune by the arm Quell'd of Idomeneus, his radiant eyes Dimming, and fettering his proportion'd limbs. 535 All power of flight or to elude the stroke Forsook him, and while motionless he stood As stands a pillar tall or towering oak, The hero of the Cretans with a spear Transfix'd his middle chest. He split the mail 540 Erewhile his bosom's faithful guard; shrill rang The shiver'd brass; sounding he fell; the beam Implanted in his palpitating heart Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent, At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim'd 545 Idomeneus, exulting in his fall. What thinks Deiphobus? seems it to thee Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one, We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself Against me; learn the valor of a Chief 550 The progeny of Jove; Jove first begat Crete's guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang Deucalion, and from famed Deucalion, I; I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete's Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought 555 To these your shores at last, that I might prove Thy curse, thy father's, and a curse to Troy. He spake; Deiphobus uncertain stood Whether, retreating, to engage the help Of some heroic Trojan, or himself 560 To make the dread experiment alone. At length, as his discreeter course, he chose To seek AEneas; him he found afar Station'd, remotest of the host of Troy, For he resented evermore his worth 565 By Priam[11] recompensed with cold neglect. Approaching him, in accents wing'd he said. AEneas! Trojan Chief! If e'er thou lov'dst Thy sister's husband, duty calls thee now To prove it. Haste—defend with me the dead 570 Alcathoues, guardian of thy tender years, Slain by Idomeneus the spear-renown'd. So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang. But fear seized not Idomeneus as fear 575 May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood As in the mountains, conscious of his force, The wild boar waits a coming multitude Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat; Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes 580 Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight; So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not, Expecting brave AEneas; yet his friends He summon'd, on Ascalaphus his eyes 585 Fastening, on Aphareus, Deipyrus, Meriones, and Antilochus, all bold In battle, and in accents wing'd exclaim'd. Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand Alone, nor undismay'd the coming wait 590 Of swift AEneas, nor less brave than swift, And who possesses fresh his flower of youth, Man's prime advantage; were we match'd in years As in our spirits, either he should earn At once the meed of deathless fame, or I. 595 He said; they all unanimous approach'd, Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side His aids AEneas call'd, with eyes toward Paris, Deiphobus, Agenor, turn'd, His fellow-warriors bold; them follow'd all 600 Their people as the pastured flock the ram To water, by the shepherd seen with joy; Such joy AEneas felt, seeing, so soon, That numerous host attendant at his call. Then, for Alcathoues, into contest close 605 Arm'd with long spears they rush'd; on every breast Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe Assailing opposite; but two, the rest Surpassing far, terrible both as Mars, AEneas and Idomeneus, alike 610 Panted to pierce each other with the spear. AEneas, first, cast at Idomeneus, But, warn'd, he shunn'd the weapon, and it pass'd. Quivering in the soil AEneas' lance Stood, hurl'd in vain, though by a forceful arm. 615 Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced Oenomaues, his hollow corselet clave, And in his midmost bowels drench'd the spear; Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench'd the dust. Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete 620 Pluck'd from the dead, but of his radiant arms Despoil'd him not, by numerous weapons urged; For now, time-worn, he could no longer make Brisk sally, spring to follow his own spear, Or shun another, or by swift retreat 625 Vanish from battle, but the evil day Warded in stationary fight alone. At him retiring, therefore, step by step Deiphobus, who had with bitterest hate Long time pursued him, hurl'd his splendid lance, 630 But yet again erroneous, for he pierced Ascalaphus instead, offspring of Mars; Right through his shoulder flew the spear; he fell Incontinent, and dying, clench'd the dust. But tidings none the brazen-throated Mars 635 Tempestuous yet received, that his own son In bloody fight had fallen, for on the heights Olympian over-arch'd with clouds of gold He sat, where sat the other Powers divine, Prisoners together of the will of Jove. 640 Meantime, for slain Ascalaphus arose Conflict severe; Deiphobus his casque Resplendent seized, but swift as fiery Mars Assailing him, Meriones his arm Pierced with a spear, and from his idle hand 645 Fallen, the casque sonorous struck the ground. Again, as darts the vulture on his prey, Meriones assailing him, the lance Pluck'd from his arm, and to his band retired. Then, casting his fraternal arms around 650 Deiphobus, him young Polites led From the hoarse battle to his rapid steeds And his bright chariot in the distant rear, Which bore him back to Troy, languid and loud- Groaning, and bleeding from his recent wound. 655 Still raged the war, and infinite arose The clamor. Aphareus, Caletor's son, Turning to face AEneas, in his throat Instant the hero's pointed lance received. With head reclined, and bearing to the ground 660 Buckler and helmet with him, in dark shades Of soul-divorcing death involved, he fell. Antilochus, observing Thooen turn'd To flight, that moment pierced him; from his back He ripp'd the vein which through the trunk its course 665 Winds upward to the neck; that vein he ripp'd All forth; supine he fell, and with both hands Extended to his fellow-warriors, died. Forth sprang Antilochus to strip his arms, But watch'd, meantime, the Trojans, who in crowds 670 Encircling him, his splendid buckler broad Smote oft, but none with ruthless point prevail'd Even to inscribe the skin of Nestor's son, Whom Neptune, shaker of the shores, amid Innumerable darts kept still secure. 675 Yet never from his foes he shrank, but faced From side to side, nor idle slept his spear, But with rotation ceaseless turn'd and turn'd To every part, now levell'd at a foe Far-distant, at a foe, now, near at hand. 680 Nor he, thus occupied, unseen escaped By Asius' offspring Adamas, who close Advancing, struck the centre of his shield. But Neptune azure-hair'd so dear a life Denied to Adamas, and render'd vain 685 The weapon; part within his disk remain'd Like a seer'd stake, and part fell at his feet. Then Adamas, for his own life alarm'd, Retired, but as he went, Meriones Him reaching with his lance, the shame between 690 And navel pierced him, where the stroke of Mars Proves painful most to miserable man. There enter'd deep the weapon; down he fell, And in the dust lay panting as an ox Among the mountains pants by peasants held 695 In twisted bands, and dragg'd perforce along; So panted dying Adamas, but soon Ceased, for Meriones, approaching, pluck'd The weapon forth, and darkness veil'd his eyes. Helenus, with his heavy Thracian blade 700 Smiting the temples of Deipyrus, Dash'd off his helmet; from his brows remote It fell, and wandering roll'd, till at his feet Some warrior found it, and secured; meantime The sightless shades of death him wrapp'd around. 705 Grief at that spectacle the bosom fill'd Of valiant Menelaus; high he shook His radiant spear, and threatening him, advanced On royal Helenus, who ready stood With his bow bent. They met; impatient, one, 710 To give his pointed lance its rapid course, And one, to start his arrow from the nerve. The arrow of the son of Priam struck Atrides' hollow corselet, but the reed Glanced wide. As vetches or as swarthy beans 715 Leap from the van and fly athwart the floor, By sharp winds driven, and by the winnower's force, So from the corselet of the glorious Greek Wide-wandering flew the bitter shaft away. But Menelaus the left-hand transpierced 720 Of Helenus, and with the lance's point Fasten'd it to his bow; shunning a stroke More fatal, Helenus into his band Retired, his arm dependent at his side, And trailing, as he went, the ashen beam; 725 There, bold Agenor from his hand the lance Drew forth, then folded it with softest wool Around, sling-wool, and borrow'd from the sling Which his attendant into battle bore. Then sprang Pisander on the glorious Chief 730 The son of Atreus, but his evil fate Beckon'd him to his death in conflict fierce, Oh Menelaus, mighty Chief! with thee. And now they met, small interval between. Atrides hurl'd his weapon, and it err'd. 735 Pisander with his spear struck full the shield Of glorious Menelaus, but his force Resisted by the stubborn buckler broad Fail'd to transpierce it, and the weapon fell Snapp'd at the neck. Yet, when he struck, the heart 740 Rebounded of Pisander, full of hope. But Menelaus, drawing his bright blade, Sprang on him, while Pisander from behind His buckler drew a brazen battle-axe By its long haft of polish'd olive-wood, 745 And both Chiefs struck together. He the crest That crown'd the shaggy casque of Atreus' son Hew'd from its base, but Menelaus him In his swift onset smote full on the front Above his nose; sounded the shatter'd bone, 750 And his eyes both fell bloody at his feet. Convolved with pain he lay; then, on his breast Atrides setting fast his heel, tore off His armor, and exulting thus began. So shall ye leave at length the Grecian fleet, 755 Traitors, and never satisfied with war! Nor want ye other guilt, dogs and profane! But me have injured also, and defied The hot displeasure of high-thundering Jove The hospitable, who shall waste in time, 760 And level with the dust your lofty Troy. I wrong'd not you, yet bore ye far away My youthful bride who welcomed you, and stole My treasures also, and ye now are bent To burn Achaia's gallant fleet with fire 765 And slay her heroes; but your furious thirst Of battle shall hereafter meet a check. Oh, Father Jove! Thee wisest we account In heaven or earth, yet from thyself proceed All these calamities, who favor show'st 770 To this flagitious race the Trojans, strong In wickedness alone, and whose delight In war and bloodshed never can be cloy'd. All pleasures breed satiety, sweet sleep, Soft dalliance, music, and the graceful dance, 775 Though sought with keener appetite by most Than bloody war; but Troy still covets blood. So spake the royal Chief, and to his friends Pisander's gory spoils consigning, flew To mingle in the foremost fight again. 780 Him, next, Harpalion, offspring of the King Pylaemenes assail'd; to Troy he came Following his sire, but never thence return'd. He, from small distance, smote the central boss Of Menelaus' buckler with his lance, 785 But wanting power to pierce it, with an eye Of cautious circumspection, lest perchance Some spear should reach him, to his band retired. But him retiring with a brazen shaft Meriones pursued; swift flew the dart 790 To his right buttock, slipp'd beneath the bone, His bladder grazed, and started through before. There ended his retreat; sudden he sank And like a worm lay on the ground, his life Exhaling in his fellow-warrior's arms, 795 And with his sable blood soaking the plain. Around him flock'd his Paphlagonians bold, And in his chariot placed drove him to Troy, With whom his father went, mourning with tears A son, whose death he never saw avenged. 800 Him slain with indignation Paris view'd, For he, with numerous Paphlagonians more His guest had been; he, therefore, in the thirst Of vengeance, sent a brazen arrow forth. There was a certain Greek, Euchenor, son 805 Of Polyides the soothsayer, rich And brave in fight, and who in Corinth dwelt He, knowing well his fate, yet sail'd to Troy For Polyides oft, his reverend sire, Had prophecied that he should either die 810 By some dire malady at home, or, slain By Trojan hands, amid the fleet of Greece. He, therefore, shunning the reproach alike Of the Achaians, and that dire disease, Had join'd the Grecian host; him Paris pierced 815 The ear and jaw beneath; life at the stroke Left him, and darkness overspread his eyes. So raged the battle like devouring fire. But Hector dear to Jove not yet had learn'd, Nor aught surmised the havoc of his host 820 Made on the left, where victory crown'd well-nigh The Grecians animated to the fight By Neptune seconding himself their arms. He, where he first had started through the gate After dispersion of the shielded Greeks 825 Compact, still persevered. The galleys there Of Ajax and Protesilaues stood Updrawn above the hoary Deep; the wall Was there of humblest structure, and the steeds And warriors there conflicted furious most. 830 The Epeans there and Iaeonians[12] robed- Prolix, the Phthians,[13] Locrians, and the bold Boetians check'd the terrible assault Of Hector, noble Chief, ardent as flame, Yet not repulsed him. Chosen Athenians form'd 835 The van, by Peteos' son, Menestheus, led, Whose high command undaunted Bias shared, Phidas and Stichius. The Epean host Under Amphion, Dracius, Meges, fought. Podarces brave in arms the Phthians ruled, 840 And Medon (Medon was by spurious birth Brother of Ajax Oiliades, And for his uncle's death, whom he had slain, The brother of Oileus' wife, abode In Phylace; but from Iphiclus sprang 845 Podarces;) these, all station'd in the front Of Phthias' hardy sons, together strove With the Boeotians for the fleet's defence. Ajax the swift swerved never from the side Of Ajax son of Telamon a step, 850 But as in some deep fallow two black steers Labor combined, dragging the ponderous plow, The briny sweat around their rooted horns Oozes profuse; they, parted as they toil Along the furrow, by the yoke alone, 855 Cleave to its bottom sheer the stubborn glebe, So, side by side, they, persevering fought.[14] The son of Telamon a people led Numerous and bold, who, when his bulky limbs Fail'd overlabor'd, eased him of his shield. 860 Not so attended by his Locrians fought Oileus' valiant son; pitch'd battle them Suited not, unprovided with bright casques Of hairy crest, with ashen spears, and shields Of ample orb; for, trusting in the bow 865 And twisted sling alone, they came to Troy, And broke with shafts and volley'd stones the ranks. Thus occupying, clad in burnish'd arms, The van, these two with Hector and his host Conflicted, while the Locrians from behind 870 Vex'd them with shafts, secure; nor could the men Of Ilium stand, by such a shower confused. Then, driven with dreadful havoc thence, the foe To wind-swept Ilium had again retired. Had not Polydamas, at Hector's side 875 Standing, the dauntless hero thus address'd. Hector! Thou ne'er canst listen to advice; But think'st thou, that if heaven in feats of arms Give thee pre-eminence, thou must excel Therefore in council also all mankind? 880 No. All-sufficiency is not for thee. To one, superior force in arms is given, Skill to another in the graceful dance, Sweet song and powers of music to a third, And to a fourth loud-thundering Jove imparts 885 Wisdom, which profits many, and which saves Whole cities oft, though reverenced but by few. Yet hear; I speak as wisest seems to me. War, like a fiery circle, all around Environs thee; the Trojans, since they pass'd 890 The bulwark, either hold themselves aloof, Or, wide-dispersed among the galleys, cope With numbers far superior to their own. Retiring, therefore, summon all our Chiefs To consultation on the sum of all, 895 Whether (should heaven so prosper us) to rush Impetuous on the gallant barks of Greece, Or to retreat secure; for much I dread Lest the Achaians punctually refund All yesterday's arrear, since yonder Chief[15] 900 Insatiable with battle still abides Within the fleet, nor longer, as I judge, Will rest a mere spectator of the field. So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice Pleased Hector; from his chariot down he leap'd 905 All arm'd, and in wing'd accents thus replied. Polydamas! here gather all the Chiefs; I haste into the fight, and my commands Once issued there, incontinent return. He ended, and conspicuous as the height 910 Of some snow-crested mountain, shouting ranged The Trojans and confederates of Troy. They swift around Polydamas, brave son Of Panthus, at the voice of Hector, ran. Himself with hasty strides the front, meantime, 915 Of battle roam'd, seeking from rank to rank Asius Hyrtacides, with Asius' son Adamas, and Deiphobus, and the might Of Helenus, his royal brother bold. Them neither altogether free from hurt 920 He found, nor living all. Beneath the sterns Of the Achaian ships some slaughter'd lay By Grecian hands; some stricken by the spear Within the rampart sat, some by the sword. But leftward of the woful field he found, 925 Ere long, bright Helen's paramour his band Exhorting to the fight. Hector approach'd, And him, in fierce displeasure, thus bespake. Curst Paris, specious, fraudulent and lewd! Where is Deiphobus, and where the might 930 Of royal Helenus? Where Adamas Offspring of Asius, and where Asius, son Of Hyrtacus, and where Othryoneus? Now lofty Ilium from her topmost height Falls headlong, now is thy own ruin sure! 935 To whom the godlike Paris thus replied. Since Hector! thou art pleased with no just cause To censure me, I may decline, perchance, Much more the battle on some future day, For I profess some courage, even I. 940 Witness our constant conflict with the Greeks Here, on this spot, since first led on by thee The host of Troy waged battle at the ships. But those our friends of whom thou hast inquired Are slain, Deiphobus alone except 945 And royal Helenus, who in the hand Bear each a wound inflicted by the spear, And have retired; but Jove their life preserved. Come now—conduct us whither most thine heart Prompts thee, and thou shalt find us ardent all 950 To face like danger; what we can, we will, The best and most determined can no more. So saying, the hero soothed his brother's mind. Then moved they both toward the hottest war Together, where Polydamas the brave, 955 Phalces, Cebriones, Orthaeus fought, Palmys and Polyphoetes, godlike Chief, And Morys and Ascanius, gallant sons Both of Hippotion. They at Troy arrived From fair Ascania the preceding morn, 960 In recompense for aid[16] by Priam lent Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell'd, Now waged the furious battle side by side. The march of these at once, was as the sound Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds 965 Descending; clamorous the blast and wild With ocean mingles; many a billow, then, Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood, Foam-crested billow after billow driven, So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank 970 Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms. Before them Priameian Hector strode Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick- Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows 975 Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried The force of every phalanx, if perchance Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake Their steadfast order; but he bore not down The spirit of the firm Achaian host. 980 Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied. Approach. Why temptest thou the Greeks to fear? No babes are we in aught that appertains To arms, though humbled by the scourge of Jove. Thou cherishest the foolish hope to burn 985 Our fleet with fire; but even we have hearts Prepared to guard it, and your populous Troy, By us dismantled and to pillage given, Shall perish sooner far. Know this thyself Also; the hour is nigh when thou shalt ask 990 In prayer to Jove and all the Gods of heaven, That speed more rapid than the falcon's flight May wing thy coursers, while, exciting dense The dusty plain, they whirl thee back to Troy. While thus he spake, sublime on the right-hand 995 An eagle soar'd; confident in the sign The whole Achaian host with loud acclaim Hail'd it. Then glorious Hector thus replied. Brainless and big, what means this boast of thine, Earth-cumberer Ajax? Would I were the son 1000 As sure, for ever, of almighty Jove And Juno, and such honor might receive Henceforth as Pallas and Apollo share, As comes this day with universal wo Fraught for the Grecians, among whom thyself 1005 Shalt also perish if thou dare abide My massy spear, which shall thy pamper'd flesh Disfigure, and amid the barks of Greece Falling, thou shalt the vultures with thy bulk Enormous satiate, and the dogs of Troy. 1010 He spake, and led his host; with clamor loud They follow'd him, and all the distant rear Came shouting on. On the other side the Greeks Re-echoed shout for shout, all undismay'd, And waiting firm the bravest of their foes. 1015 Upwent the double roar into the heights Ethereal, and among the beams of Jove.



THE ILIAD.

BOOK XIV.



ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTEENTH BOOK.

Agamemnon and the other wounded Chiefs taking Nestor with them, visit the battle. Juno having borrowed the Cestus of Venus, first engages the assistance of Sleep, then hastens to Ida to inveigle Jove. She prevails. Jove sleeps; and Neptune takes that opportunity to succor the Grecians.



BOOK XIV.

Nor was that cry by Nestor unperceived Though drinking, who in words wing'd with surprise The son of AEsculapius thus address'd. Divine Machaon! think what this may bode. The cry of our young warriors at the ships 5 Grows louder; sitting here, the sable wine Quaff thou, while bright-hair'd Hecamede warms A bath, to cleanse thy crimson stains away. I from yon eminence will learn the cause. So saying, he took a shield radiant with brass 10 There lying in the tent, the shield well-forged Of valiant Thrasymedes, his own son (For he had borne to fight his father's shield) And arming next his hand with a keen lance Stood forth before the tent. Thence soon he saw 15 Foul deeds and strange, the Grecian host confused, Their broken ranks flying before the host Of Ilium, and the rampart overthrown. As when the wide sea, darken'd over all Its silent flood, forebodes shrill winds to blow, 20 The doubtful waves roll yet to neither side, Till swept at length by a decisive gale;[1] So stood the senior, with distressful doubts Conflicting anxious, whether first to seek The Grecian host, or Agamemnon's self 25 The sovereign, and at length that course preferr'd. Meantime with mutual carnage they the field Spread far and wide, and by spears double-edged Smitten, and by the sword their corselets rang. The royal Chiefs ascending from the fleet, 30 Ulysses, Diomede, and Atreus' son Imperial Agamemnon, who had each Bled in the battle, met him on his way. For from the war remote they had updrawn Their galleys on the shore of the gray Deep, 35 The foremost to the plain, and at the sterns Of that exterior line had built the wall. For, spacious though it were, the shore alone That fleet sufficed not, incommoding much The people; wherefore they had ranged the ships 40 Line above line gradual, and the bay Between both promontories, all was fill'd. They, therefore, curious to survey the fight, Came forth together, leaning on the spear, When Nestor met them; heavy were their hearts, 45 And at the sight of him still more alarm'd, Whom royal Agamemnon thus bespake. Neleian Nestor, glory of the Greeks! What moved thee to forsake yon bloody field, And urged thee hither? Cause I see of fear, 50 Lest furious Hector even now his threat Among the Trojans publish'd, verify, That he would never enter Ilium more Till he had burn'd our fleet, and slain ourselves. So threaten'd Hector, and shall now perform. 55 Alas! alas! the Achaians brazen-greaved All, like Achilles, have deserted me Resentful, and decline their fleet's defence. To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied. Those threats are verified; nor Jove himself 60 The Thunderer can disappoint them now; For our chief strength in which we trusted most That it should guard impregnably secure Our navy and ourselves, the wall hath fallen. Hence all this conflict by our host sustain'd 65 Among the ships; nor could thy keenest sight Inform thee where in the Achaian camp Confusion most prevails, such deaths are dealt Promiscuous, and the cry ascends to heaven. But come—consult we on the sum of all, 70 If counsel yet may profit. As for you, Ye shall have exhortation none from me To seek the fight; the wounded have excuse. Whom Agamemnon answer'd, King of men. Ah Nestor! if beneath our very sterns 75 The battle rage, if neither trench nor wall Constructed with such labor, and supposed Of strength to guard impregnably secure Our navy and ourselves, avail us aught, It is because almighty Jove hath will'd 80 That the Achaian host should perish here Inglorious, from their country far remote. When he vouchsafed assistance to the Greeks, I knew it well; and now, not less I know That high as the immortal Gods he lifts 85 Our foes to glory, and depresses us. Haste therefore all, and act as I advise. Our ships—all those that nearest skirt the Deep, Launch we into the sacred flood, and moor With anchors safely, till o'ershadowing night 90 (If night itself may save us) shall arrive. Then may we launch the rest; for I no shame Account it, even by 'vantage of the night To fly destruction. Wiser him I deem Who 'scapes his foe, than whom his foe enthralls. 95 But him Ulysses, frowning stern, reproved. What word, Atrides, now hath pass'd thy lips? Counsellor of despair! thou should'st command (And would to heaven thou didst) a different host, Some dastard race, not ours; whom Jove ordains 100 From youth to hoary age to weave the web Of toilsome warfare, till we perish all. Wilt thou the spacious city thus renounce For which such numerous woes we have endured? Hush! lest some other hear; it is a word 105 Which no man qualified by years mature To speak discreetly, no man bearing rule O'er such a people as confess thy sway, Should suffer to contaminate his lips. I from my soul condemn thee, and condemn 110 Thy counsel, who persuad'st us in the heat Of battle terrible as this, to launch Our fleet into the waves, that we may give Our too successful foes their full desire, And that our own prepondering scale 115 May plunge us past all hope; for while they draw Their galleys down, the Grecians shall but ill Sustain the fight, seaward will cast their eyes And shun the battle, bent on flight alone. Then, shall they rue thy counsel, King of men! 120 To whom the imperial leader of the Greeks. Thy sharp reproof, Ulysses, hath my soul Pierced deeply. Yet I gave no such command That the Achaians should their galleys launch, Would they, or would they not. No. I desire 125 That young or old, some other may advice More prudent give, and he shall please me well. Then thus the gallant Diomede replied. That man is near, and may ye but be found Tractable, our inquiry shall be short. 130 Be patient each, nor chide me nor reproach Because I am of greener years than ye, For I am sprung from an illustrious Sire, From Tydeus, who beneath his hill of earth Lies now entomb'd at Thebes. Three noble sons 135 Were born to Portheus, who in Pleuro dwelt, And on the heights of Calydon; the first Agrius; the second Melas; and the third Brave Oeneus, father of my father, famed For virtuous qualities above the rest. 140 Oeneus still dwelt at home; but wandering thence My father dwelt in Argos; so the will Of Jove appointed, and of all the Gods. There he espoused the daughter of the King Adrastus, occupied a mansion rich 145 In all abundance; many a field possess'd Of wheat, well-planted gardens, numerous flocks, And was expert in spearmanship esteem'd Past all the Grecians. I esteem'd it right That ye should hear these things, for they are true. 150 Ye will not, therefore, as I were obscure And of ignoble origin, reject What I shall well advise. Expedience bids That, wounded as we are, we join the host. We will preserve due distance from the range 155 Of spears and arrows, lest already gall'd, We suffer worse; but we will others urge To combat, who have stood too long aloof, Attentive only to their own repose. He spake, whom all approved, and forth they went, 160 Imperial Agamemnon at their head. Nor watch'd the glorious Shaker of the shores In vain, but like a man time-worn approach'd, And, seizing Agamemnon's better hand, In accents wing'd the monarch thus address'd. 165 Atrides! now exults the vengeful heart Of fierce Achilles, viewing at his ease The flight and slaughter of Achaia's host; For he is mad, and let him perish such, And may his portion from the Gods be shame! 170 But as for thee, not yet the powers of heaven Thee hate implacable; the Chiefs of Troy Shall cover yet with cloudy dust the breadth Of all the plain, and backward from the camp To Ilium's gates thyself shalt see them driven. 175 He ceased, and shouting traversed swift the field. Loud as nine thousand or ten thousand shout In furious battle mingled, Neptune sent His voice abroad, force irresistible Infusing into every Grecian heart, 180 And thirst of battle not to be assuaged. But Juno of the golden throne stood forth On the Olympian summit, viewing thence The field, where clear distinguishing the God Of ocean, her own brother, sole engaged 185 Amid the glorious battle, glad was she. Seeing Jove also on the topmost point Of spring-fed Ida seated, she conceived Hatred against him, and thenceforth began Deliberate how best she might deceive 190 The Thunderer, and thus at last resolved; Attired with skill celestial to descend On Ida, with a hope to allure him first Won by her beauty to a fond embrace, Then closing fast in balmy sleep profound 195 His eyes, to elude his vigilance, secure. She sought her chamber; Vulcan her own son That chamber built. He framed the solid doors, And to the posts fast closed them with a key Mysterious, which, herself except, in heaven 200 None understood. Entering she secured The splendid portal. First, she laved all o'er Her beauteous body with ambrosial lymph, Then polish'd it with richest oil divine Of boundless fragrance;[2] oil that in the courts 205 Eternal only shaken, through the skies Breathed odors, and through all the distant earth. Her whole fair body with those sweets bedew'd, She passed the comb through her ambrosial hair, And braided her bright locks streaming profuse 210 From her immortal brows; with golden studs She made her gorgeous mantle fast before, Ethereal texture, labor of the hands Of Pallas beautified with various art, And braced it with a zone fringed all around 215 A hundred fold; her pendants triple-gemm'd Luminous, graceful, in her ears she hung, And covering all her glories with a veil Sun-bright, new-woven, bound to her fair feet Her sandals elegant. Thus full attired, 220 In all her ornaments, she issued forth, And beckoning Venus from the other powers Of heaven apart, the Goddess thus bespake. Daughter beloved! shall I obtain my suit, Or wilt thou thwart me, angry that I aid 225 The Grecians, while thine aid is given to Troy? To whom Jove's daughter Venus thus replied. What would majestic Juno, daughter dread Of Saturn, sire of Jove? I feel a mind Disposed to gratify thee, if thou ask 230 Things possible, and possible to me. Then thus with wiles veiling her deep design Imperial Juno. Give me those desires, That love-enkindling power by which thou sway'st Immortal hearts and mortal, all alike; 235 For to the green earth's utmost bounds I go, To visit there the parent of the Gods, Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused, Mother of all. They kindly from the hands Of Rhea took, and with parental care 240 Sustain'd and cherish'd me, what time from heaven The Thunderer hurled down Saturn, and beneath The earth fast bound him and the barren Deep. Them go I now to visit, and their feuds Innumerable to compose; for long 245 They have from conjugal embrace abstain'd Through mutual wrath, whom by persuasive speech Might I restore into each other's arms, They would for ever love me and revere. Her, foam-born Venus then, Goddess of smiles, 250 Thus answer'd. Thy request, who in the arms Of Jove reposest the omnipotent, Nor just it were nor seemly to refuse. So saying, the cincture from her breast she loosed Embroider'd, various, her all-charming zone. 255 It was an ambush of sweet snares, replete With love, desire, soft intercourse of hearts, And music of resistless whisper'd sounds That from the wisest steal their best resolves; She placed it in her hands and thus she said. 260 Take this—this girdle fraught with every charm. Hide this within thy bosom, and return, Whate'er thy purpose, mistress of it all. She spake; imperial Juno smiled, and still Smiling complacent, bosom'd safe the zone. 265 Then Venus to her father's court return'd, And Juno, starting from the Olympian height, O'erflew Pieria and the lovely plains Of broad Emathia; soaring thence she swept The snow-clad summits of the Thracian hills 270 Steed-famed, nor printed, as she passed, the soil. From Athos o'er the foaming billows borne She came to Lemnos, city and abode Of noble Thoas, and there meeting Sleep, Brother of Death, she press'd his hand, and said, 275 Sleep, over all, both Gods and men, supreme! If ever thou hast heard, hear also now My suit; I will be grateful evermore. Seal for me fast the radiant eyes of Jove In the instant of his gratified desire. 280 Thy recompense shall be a throne of gold, Bright, incorruptible; my limping son, Vulcan, shall fashion it himself with art Laborious, and, beneath, shall place a stool[3] For thy fair feet, at the convivial board. 285 Then answer thus the tranquil Sleep returned Great Saturn's daughter, awe-inspiring Queen! All other of the everlasting Gods I could with ease make slumber, even the streams Of Ocean, Sire of all.[4] Not so the King 290 The son of Saturn: him, unless himself Give me command, I dare not lull to rest, Or even approach him, taught as I have been Already in the school of thy commands That wisdom. I forget not yet the day 295 When, Troy laid waste, that valiant son[5] of his Sail'd homeward: then my influence I diffused Soft o'er the sovereign intellect of Jove; While thou, against the Hero plotting harm, Didst rouse the billows with tempestuous blasts, 300 And separating him from all his friend, Brought'st him to populous Cos. Then Jove awoke, And, hurling in his wrath the Gods about, Sought chiefly me, whom far below all ken He had from heaven cast down into the Deep, 305 But Night, resistless vanquisher of all, Both Gods and men, preserved me; for to her I fled for refuge. So the Thunderer cool'd, Though sore displeased, and spared me through a fear To violate the peaceful sway of Night.[6] 310 And thou wouldst now embroil me yet again! To whom majestic Juno thus replied. Ah, wherefore, Sleep! shouldst thou indulge a fear So groundless? Chase it from thy mind afar. Think'st thou the Thunderer as intent to serve 315 The Trojans, and as jealous in their cause As erst for Hercules, his genuine son? Come then, and I will bless thee with a bride; One of the younger Graces shall be thine, Pasithea, day by day still thy desire. 320 She spake; Sleep heard delighted, and replied. By the inviolable Stygian flood Swear to me; lay thy right hand on the glebe All-teeming, lay thy other on the face Of the flat sea, that all the Immortal Powers 325 Who compass Saturn in the nether realms May witness, that thou givest me for a bride The younger Grace whom thou hast named, divine Pasithea, day by day still my desire. He said, nor beauteous Juno not complied, 330 But sware, by name invoking all the powers Titanian call'd who in the lowest gulf Dwell under Tartarus, omitting none. Her oath with solemn ceremonial sworn, Together forth they went; Lemnos they left 335 And Imbrus, city of Thrace, and in dark clouds Mantled, with gliding ease swam through the air To Ida's mount with rilling waters vein'd, Parent of savage beasts; at Lectos[7] first They quitted Ocean, overpassing high 340 The dry land, while beneath their feet the woods Their spiry summits waved. There, unperceived By Jove, Sleep mounted Ida's loftiest pine Of growth that pierced the sky, and hidden sat Secure by its expanded boughs, the bird 345 Shrill-voiced resembling in the mountains seen,[8] Chalcis in heaven, on earth Cymindis named. But Juno swift to Gargarus the top Of Ida, soar'd, and there Jove saw his spouse. —Saw her—and in his breast the same love felt 350 Rekindled vehement, which had of old Join'd them, when, by their parents unperceived, They stole aside, and snatch'd their first embrace. Soon he accosted her, and thus inquired. Juno! what region seeking hast thou left 355 The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived With neither steed nor chariot in thy train? To whom majestic Juno thus replied Dissembling. To the green earth's end I go, To visit there the parent of the Gods 360 Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused, Mother of all. They kindly from the hands Of Rhea took, and with parental care Sustain'd and cherish'd me;[9] to them I haste Their feuds innumerable to compose, 365 Who disunited by intestine strife Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain. My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left Of Ida river-vein'd. But for thy sake 370 From the Olympian summit I arrive, Lest journeying remote to the abode Of Ocean, and with no consent of thine Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend. To whom the cloud-assembler God replied. 375 Juno! thy journey thither may be made Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now. For never Goddess pour'd, nor woman yet So full a tide of love into my breast; I never loved Ixion's consort thus 380 Who bore Pirithoues, wise as we in heaven; Nor sweet Acrisian Danaee, from whom Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man; Nor Phoenix' daughter fair,[10] of whom were born Minos unmatch'd but by the powers above, 385 And Rhadamanthus; nor yet Semele, Nor yet Alcmena, who in Thebes produced The valiant Hercules; and though my son By Semele were Bacchus, joy of man; Nor Ceres golden-hair'd, nor high-enthroned 390 Latona in the skies, no—nor thyself As now I love thee, and my soul perceive O'erwhelm'd with sweetness of intense desire. Then thus majestic Juno her reply Framed artful. Oh unreasonable haste! 395 What speaks the Thunderer? If on Ida's heights. Where all is open and to view exposed Thou wilt that we embrace, what must betide, Should any of the everlasting Gods Observe us, and declare it to the rest? 400 Never could I, arising, seek again, Thy mansion, so unseemly were the deed. But if thy inclinations that way tend, Thou hast a chamber; it is Vulcan's work, Our son's; he framed and fitted to its posts 405 The solid portal; thither let us his, And there repose, since such thy pleasure seems. To whom the cloud-assembler Deity. Fear thou not, Juno, lest the eye of man Or of a God discern us; at my word 410 A golden cloud shall fold us so around, That not the Sun himself shall through that veil Discover aught, though keenest-eyed of all. So spake the son of Saturn, and his spouse Fast lock'd within his arms. Beneath them earth 415 With sudden herbage teem'd; at once upsprang The crocus soft, the lotus bathed in dew, And the crisp hyacinth with clustering bells; Thick was their growth, and high above the ground Upbore them. On that flowery couch they lay, 420 Invested with a golden cloud that shed Bright dew-drops all around.[11] His heart at ease, There lay the Sire of all, by Sleep and Love Vanquish'd on lofty Gargarus, his spouse Constraining still with amorous embrace. 425 Then, gentle Sleep to the Achaian camp Sped swift away, with tidings for the ear Of earth-encircler Neptune charged; him soon He found, and in wing'd accents thus began. Now Neptune, yield the Greeks effectual aid, 430 And, while the moment lasts of Jove's repose, Make victory theirs; for him in slumbers soft I have involved, while Juno by deceit Prevailing, lured him with the bait of love. He said, and swift departed to his task 435 Among the nations; but his tidings urged Neptune with still more ardor to assist The Danai; he leap'd into the van Afar, and thus exhorted them aloud. Oh Argives! yield we yet again the day 440 To Priameian Hector? Shall he seize Our ships, and make the glory all his own? Such is his expectation, so he vaunts, For that Achilles leaves not yet his camp, Resentful; but of him small need, I judge, 445 Should here be felt, could once the rest be roused To mutual aid. Act, then, as I advise. The best and broadest bucklers of the host, And brightest helmets put we on, and arm'd With longest spears, advance; myself will lead; 450 And trust me, furious though he be, the son Of Priam flies. Ye then who feel your hearts Undaunted, but are arm'd with smaller shields, Them give to those who fear, and in exchange Their stronger shields and broader take yourselves. 455 So he, whom, unreluctant, all obey'd. Then, wounded as they were, themselves the Kings, Tydides, Agamemnon and Ulysses Marshall'd the warriors, and from rank to rank Made just exchange of arms, giving the best 460 To the best warriors, to the worse, the worst. And now in brazen armor all array'd Refulgent on they moved, by Neptune led With firm hand grasping his long-bladed sword Keen as Jove's bolt; with him may none contend 465 In dreadful fight; but fear chains every arm. Opposite, Priameian Hector ranged His Trojans; then they stretch'd the bloody cord Of conflict tight, Neptune coerulean-hair'd, And Hector, pride of Ilium; one, the Greeks 470 Supporting firm, and one, the powers of Troy; A sea-flood dash'd the galleys, and the hosts Join'd clamorous. Not so the billows roar The shores among, when Boreas' roughest blast Sweeps landward from the main the towering surge; 475 Not so, devouring fire among the trees That clothe the mountain, when the sheeted flames Ascending wrap the forest in a blaze; Nor howl the winds through leafy boughs of oaks Upgrown aloft (though loudest there they rave) 480 With sounds so awful as were heard of Greeks And Trojans shouting when the clash began. At Ajax, first (for face to face they stood) Illustrious Hector threw a spear well-aim'd, But smote him where the belts that bore his shield 485 And falchion cross'd each other on his breast. The double guard preserved him unannoy'd. Indignant that his spear had bootless flown, Yet fearing death at hand, the Trojan Chief Toward the phalanx of his friends retired. 490 But, as he went, huge Ajax with a stone Of those which propp'd the ships (for numerous such Lay rolling at the feet of those who fought) Assail'd him. Twirling like a top it pass'd The shield of Hector, near the neck his breast 495 Struck full, then plough'd circuitous the dust. As when Jove's arm omnipotent an oak Prostrates uprooted on the plain, a fume Rises sulphureous from the riven trunk, And if, perchance, some traveller nigh at hand 500 See it, he trembles at the bolt of Jove, So fell the might of Hector, to the earth Smitten at once. Down dropp'd his idle spear, And with his helmet and his shield himself Also; loud thunder'd all his gorgeous arms. 505 Swift flew the Grecians shouting to the skies, And showering darts, to drag his body thence, But neither spear of theirs nor shaft could harm The fallen leader, with such instant aid His princely friends encircled him around, 510 Sarpedon, Lycian Chief, Glaucus the brave, Polydamas, AEneas, and renown'd Agenor; neither tardy were the rest, But with round shields all shelter'd Hector fallen. Him soon uplifted from the plain his friends 515 Bore thence, till where his fiery coursers stood, And splendid chariot in the rear, they came, Then Troy-ward drove him groaning as he went. Ere long arriving at the pleasant stream Of eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove, 520 They laid him on the bank, and on his face Pour'd water; he, reviving, upward gazed, And seated on his hams black blood disgorged Coagulate, but soon relapsing, fell Supine, his eyes with pitchy darkness veil'd, 525 And all his powers still torpid by the blow. Then, seeing Hector borne away, the Greeks Rush'd fiercer on, all mindful of the fight, And far before the rest, Ajax the swift, The Oilean Chief, with pointed spear 530 On Satnius springing, pierced him. Him a nymph A Naiad, bore to Enops, while his herd Feeding, on Satnio's grassy verge he stray'd. But Oiliades the spear-renown'd Approaching, pierced his flank; supine he fell, 535 And fiery contest for the dead arose. In vengeance of his fall, spear-shaking Chief The son of Panthus into fight advanced Polydamas, who Prothoeenor pierced Offspring of Areilocus, and urged 540 Through his right shoulder sheer the stormy lance. He, prostrate, clench'd the dust, and with loud voice Polydamas exulted at his fall. Yon spear, methinks, hurl'd from the warlike hand Of Panthus' noble son, flew not in vain, 545 But some Greek hath it, purposing, I judge, To lean on it in his descent to hell. So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard. But most indignant, Ajax, offspring bold Of Telamon, to whom he nearest fell. 550 He, quick, at the retiring conqueror cast His radiant spear; Polydamas the stroke Shunn'd, starting sideward; but Antenor's son Archilochus the mortal dint received, Death-destined by the Gods; where neck and spine 555 Unite, both tendons he dissever'd wide, And, ere his knees, his nostrils met the ground. Then Ajax in his turn vaunting aloud Against renown'd Polydamas, exclaim'd. Speak now the truth, Polydamas, and weigh 560 My question well. His life whom I have slain Makes it not compensation for the loss Of Prothoeenor's life! To me he seems Nor base himself; nor yet of base descent, But brother of Atenor steed-renown'd, 565 Or else perchance his son; for in my eyes Antenor's lineage he resembles most. So he, well knowing him, and sorrow seized Each Trojan heart. Then Acamas around His brother stalking, wounded with his spear 570 Boeotian Promachus, who by the feet Dragg'd off the slain. Acamas in his fall Aloud exulted with a boundless joy. Vain-glorious Argives, archers inexpert! War's toil and trouble are not ours alone, 575 But ye shall perish also; mark the man— How sound he sleeps tamed by my conquering arm, Your fellow-warrior Promachus! the debt Of vengeance on my brother's dear behalf Demanded quick discharge; well may the wish 580 Of every dying warrior be to leave A brother living to avenge his fall. He ended, whom the Greeks indignant heard, But chiefly brave Peneleus; swift he rush'd On Acamas; but from before the force 585 Of King Peneleus Acamas retired, And, in his stead, Ilioneus he pierced, Offspring of Phorbas, rich in flocks; and blest By Mercury with such abundant wealth As other Trojan none, nor child to him 590 His spouse had borne, Ilioneus except. Him close beneath the brow to his eye-roots Piercing, he push'd the pupil from its seat, And through his eye and through his poll the spear Urged furious. He down-sitting on the earth 595 Both hands extended; but, his glittering blade Forth-drawn, Peneleus through his middle neck Enforced it; head and helmet to the ground He lopp'd together, with the lance infixt Still in his eye; then like a poppy's head 600 The crimson trophy lifting, in the ears He vaunted loud of Ilium's host, and cried. Go, Trojans! be my messengers! Inform The parents of Ilioneus the brave That they may mourn their son through all their house, 605 For so the wife of Alegenor's son Boeotian Promachus must him bewail, Nor shall she welcome his return with smiles Of joy affectionate, when from the shores Of Troy the fleet shall bear us Grecians home. 610 He said; fear whiten'd every Trojan cheek, And every Trojan eye with earnest look Inquired a refuge from impending fate. Say now, ye Muses, blest inhabitants Of the Olympian realms! what Grecian first 615 Fill'd his victorious hand with armor stript From slaughter'd Trojans, after Ocean's God Had, interposing, changed the battle's course? First, Telamonian Ajax Hyrtius slew, Undaunted leader of the Mysian band. 620 Phalces and Mermerus their arms resign'd To young Antilochus; Hyppotion fell And Morys by Meriones; the shafts Right-aim'd of Teucer to the shades dismiss'd Prothoeus and Periphetes, and the prince 625 Of Sparta, Menelaus, in his flank Pierced Hyperenor; on his entrails prey'd The hungry steel, and, through the gaping wound Expell'd, his spirit flew; night veil'd his eyes. But Ajax Oiliades the swift 630 Slew most; him none could equal in pursuit Of tremblers scatter'd by the frown of Jove.



THE ILIAD.

BOOK XV.



ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH BOOK.

Jove, awaking and seeing the Trojans routed, threatens Juno. He sends Iris to admonish Neptune to relinquish the battle, and Apollo to restore health to Hector. Apollo armed with the AEgis, puts to flight the Grecians; they are pursued home to their fleet, and Telamonian Ajax slays twelve Trojans bringing fire to burn it.



BOOK XV.

But when the flying Trojans had o'erpass'd Both stakes and trench, and numerous slaughtered lay By Grecian hands, the remnant halted all Beside their chariots, pale, discomfited. Then was it that on Ida's summit Jove 5 At Juno's side awoke; starting, he stood At once erect; Trojans and Greeks he saw, These broken, those pursuing and led on By Neptune; he beheld also remote Encircled by his friends, and on the plain 10 Extended, Hector; there he panting lay, Senseless, ejecting blood, bruised by a blow From not the feeblest of the sons of Greece. Touch'd with compassion at that sight, the Sire Of Gods and men, frowning terrific, fix'd 15 His eyes on Juno, and her thus bespake. No place for doubt remains. Oh, versed in wiles, Juno! thy mischief-teeming mind perverse Hath plotted this; thou hast contrived the hurt Of Hector, and hast driven his host to flight. 20 I know not but thyself mayst chance to reap The first-fruits of thy cunning, scourged[1] by me. Hast thou forgotten how I once aloft Suspended thee, with anvils at thy feet, And both thy wrists bound with a golden cord 25 Indissoluble? In the clouds of heaven I hung thee, while from the Olympian heights The Gods look'd mournful on, but of them all None could deliver thee, for whom I seized, Hurl'd through the gates of heaven on earth he fell, 30 Half-breathless. Neither so did I resign My hot resentment of the hero's wrongs Immortal Hercules, whom thou by storms Call'd from the North, with mischievous intent Hadst driven far distant o'er the barren Deep 35 To populous Cos. Thence I deliver'd him, And after numerous woes severe, he reach'd The shores of fruitful Argos, saved by me. I thus remind thee now, that thou mayst cease Henceforth from artifice, and mayst be taught 40 How little all the dalliance and the love Which, stealing down from heaven, thou hast by fraud Obtain'd from me, shall profit thee at last. He ended, whom imperial Juno heard Shuddering, and in wing'd accents thus replied. 45 Be witness Earth, the boundless Heaven above, And Styx beneath, whose stream the blessed Gods Even tremble to adjure;[2] be witness too Thy sacred life, and our connubial bed, Which by a false oath I will never wrong, 50 That by no art induced or plot of mine Neptune, the Shaker of the shores, inflicts These harms on Hector and the Trojan host Aiding the Grecians, but impell'd alone By his own heart with pity moved at sight 55 Of the Achaians at the ships subdued. But even him, oh Sovereign of the storms! I am prepared to admonish that he quit The battle, and retire where thou command'st. So she; then smiled the Sire of Gods and men, 60 And in wing'd accents answer thus return'd.[3] Juno! wouldst thou on thy celestial throne Assist my counsels, howso'er in heart He differ now, Neptune should soon his will Submissive bend to thy desires and mine. 65 But if sincerity be in thy words And truth, repairing to the blest abodes Send Iris hither, with the archer God Apollo; that she, visiting the host Of Greece, may bid the Sovereign of the Deep 70 Renounce the fight, and seek his proper home. Apollo's part shall be to rouse again Hector to battle, to inspire his soul Afresh with courage, and all memory thence To banish of the pangs which now he feels. 75 Apollo also shall again repulse Achaia's host, which with base panic fill'd, Shall even to Achilles' ships be driven. Achilles shall his valiant friend exhort Patroclus forth; him under Ilium's walls 80 Shall glorious Hector slay; but many a youth Shall perish by Patroclus first, with whom, My noble son Sarpedon. Peleus' son, Resentful of Patroclus' death, shall slay Hector, and I will urge ceaseless, myself, 85 Thenceforth the routed Trojans back again, Till by Minerva's aid the Greeks shall take Ilium's proud city; till that day arrive My wrath shall burn, nor will I one permit Of all the Immortals to assist the Greeks, 90 But will perform Achilles' whole desire. Such was my promise to him at the first, Ratified by a nod that self-same day When Thetis clasp'd my knees, begging revenge And glory for her city-spoiler son. 95 He ended; nor his spouse white-arm'd refused Obedience, but from the Idaean heights Departing, to the Olympian summit soar'd. Swift as the traveller's thought,[4] who, many a land Traversed, deliberates on his future course 100 Uncertain, and his mind sends every way, So swift updarted Juno to the skies. Arrived on the Olympian heights, she found The Gods assembled; they, at once, their seats At her approach forsaking, with full cups 105 Her coming hail'd; heedless of all beside, She took the cup from blooming Themis' hand, For she first flew to welcome her, and thus In accents wing'd of her return inquired. Say, Juno, why this sudden re-ascent? 110 Thou seem'st dismay'd; hath Saturn's son, thy spouse, Driven thee affrighted to the skies again? To whom the white-arm'd Goddess thus replied. Themis divine, ask not. Full well thou know'st How harshly temper'd is the mind of Jove, 115 And how untractable. Resume thy seat; The banquet calls thee; at our board preside, Thou shalt be told, and all in heaven shall hear What ills he threatens; such as shall not leave All minds at ease, I judge, here or on earth, 120 However tranquil some and joyous now. So spake the awful spouse of Jove, and sat. Then, all alike, the Gods displeasure felt Throughout the courts of Jove, but she, her lips Gracing with smiles from which her sable brows 125 Dissented,[5] thus indignant them address'd. Alas! how vain against the Thunderer's will Our anger, and the hope to supersede His purpose, by persuasion or by force! He solitary sits, all unconcern'd 130 At our resentment, and himself proclaims Mightiest and most to be revered in heaven. Be patient, therefore, and let each endure Such ills as Jove may send him. Mars, I ween, Already hath his share; the warrior God 135 Hath lost Ascalaphus, of all mankind His most beloved, and whom he calls his own. She spake, and with expanded palms his thighs Smiling, thus, sorrowful, the God exclaim'd. Inhabitants of the Olympian heights! 140 Oh bear with me, if to avenge my son I seek Achaia's fleet, although my doom Be thunder-bolts from Jove, and with the dead Outstretch'd to lie in carnage and in dust. He spake, and bidding Horror and Dismay 145 Lead to the yoke his rapid steeds, put on His all-refulgent armor. Then had wrath More dreadful, some strange vengeance on the Gods From Jove befallen, had not Minerva, touch'd With timely fears for all, upstarting sprung 150 From where she sat, right through the vestibule. She snatch'd the helmet from his brows, the shield From his broad shoulder, and the brazen spear Forced from his grasp into its place restored. Then reprimanding Mars, she thus began. 155 Frantic, delirious! thou art lost for ever! Is it in vain that thou hast ears to hear, And hast thou neither shame nor reason left? How? hear'st thou not the Goddess? the report Of white-arm'd Juno from Olympian Jove 160 Return'd this moment? or perfer'st thou rather, Plagued with a thousand woes, and under force Of sad necessity to seek again Olympus, and at thy return to prove Author of countless miseries to us all? 165 For He at once Grecians and Trojans both Abandoning, will hither haste prepared To tempest[6] us in heaven, whom he will seize, The guilty and the guiltless, all alike. I bid thee, therefore, patient bear the death 170 Of thy Ascalaphus; braver than he And abler have, ere now, in battle fallen, And shall hereafter; arduous were the task To rescue from the stroke of fate the race Of mortal men, with all their progeny. 175 So saying, Minerva on his throne replaced The fiery Mars. Then, summoning abroad Apollo from within the hall of Jove, With Iris, swift ambassadress of heaven, Them in wing'd accents Juno thus bespake. 180 Jove bids you hence with undelaying speed To Ida; in his presence once arrived, See that ye execute his whole command. So saying, the awful Goddess to her throne Return'd and sat. They, cleaving swift the air, 185 Alighted soon on Ida fountain-fed, Parent of savage kinds. High on the point Seated of Gargarus, and wrapt around With fragrant clouds, they found Saturnian Jove The Thunderer, and in his presence stood. 190 He, nought displeased that they his high command Had with such readiness obey'd, his speech To Iris, first, in accents wing'd address'd Swift Iris, haste—to royal Neptune bear My charge entire; falsify not the word. 195 Bid him, relinquishing the fight, withdraw Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep. But should he disobedient prove, and scorn My message, let him, next, consider well How he will bear, powerful as he is, 200 My coming. Me I boast superior far In force, and elder-born; yet deems he slight The danger of comparison with me, Who am the terror of all heaven beside. He spake, nor storm-wing'd Iris disobey'd, 205 But down from the Idaean summit stoop'd To sacred Ilium. As when snow or hail Flies drifted by the cloud-dispelling North, So swiftly, wing'd with readiness of will, She shot the gulf between, and standing soon 210 At glorious Neptune's side, him thus address'd. To thee, O Neptune azure-hair'd! I come With tidings charged from AEgis-bearing Jove. He bids thee cease from battle, and retire Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep. 215 But shouldst thou, disobedient, set at nought His words, he threatens that himself will haste To fight against thee; but he bids thee shun That strife with one superior far to thee, And elder-born; yet deem'st thou slight, he saith, 220 The danger of comparison with Him, Although the terror of all heaven beside. Her then the mighty Shaker of the shores Answer'd indignant. Great as is his power, Yet he hath spoken proudly, threatening me 225 With force, high-born and glorious as himself. We are three brothers; Saturn is our sire, And Rhea brought us forth; first, Jove she bore; Me next; then, Pluto, Sovereign of the shades. By distribution tripart we received 230 Each his peculiar honors; me the lots Made Ruler of the hoary floods, and there I dwell for ever. Pluto, for his part, The regions took of darkness; and the heavens, The clouds, and boundless aether, fell to Jove. 235 The Earth and the Olympian heights alike Are common to the three. My life and being I hold not, therefore, at his will, whose best And safest course, with all his boasted power, Were to possess in peace his proper third. 240 Let him not seek to terrify with force Me like a dastard; let him rather chide His own-begotten; with big-sounding words His sons and daughters govern, who perforce Obey his voice, and shrink at his commands. 245 To whom thus Iris tempest-wing'd replied, Coerulean-tress'd Sovereign of the Deep! Shall I report to Jove, harsh as it is, Thy speech, or wilt thou soften it? The wise Are flexible, and on the elder-born 250 Erynnis, with her vengeful sisters, waits.[7] Her answer'd then the Shaker of the shores. Prudent is thy advice, Iris divine! Discretion in a messenger is good At all times. But the cause that fires me thus, 255 And with resentment my whole heart and mind Possesses, is the license that he claims To vex with provocation rude of speech Me his compeer, and by decree of Fate Illustrious as himself; yet, though incensed, 260 And with just cause, I will not now persist. But hear—for it is treasured in my heart The threat that my lips utter. If he still Resolve to spare proud Ilium in despite Of me, of Pallas, Goddess of the spoils, 265 Of Juno, Mercury, and the King of fire, And will not overturn her lofty towers, Nor grant immortal glory to the Greeks, Then tell him thus—hostility shall burn, And wrath between us never to be quench'd. 270 So saying, the Shaker of the shores forsook The Grecian host, and plunged into the deep, Miss'd by Achaia's heroes. Then, the cloud-Assembler God thus to Apollo spake. Hence, my Apollo! to the Trojan Chief 275 Hector; for earth-encircler Neptune, awed By fear of my displeasure imminent, Hath sought the sacred Deep. Else, all the Gods Who compass Saturn in the nether realms, Had even there our contest heard, I ween, 280 And heard it loudly. But that he retreats Although at first incensed, shunning my wrath, Is salutary both for him and me, Whose difference else had not been healed with ease. Take thou my shaggy AEgis, and with force 285 Smiting it, terrify the Chiefs of Greece. As for illustrious Hector, him I give To thy peculiar care; fail not to rouse His fiercest courage, till he push the Greeks To Hellespont, and to their ships again; 290 Thenceforth to yield to their afflicted host Some pause from toil, shall be my own concern. He ended, nor Apollo disobey'd His father's voice; from the Idaean heights, Swift as the swiftest of the fowls of air, 295 The dove-destroyer falcon, down he flew. The noble Hector, valiant Priam's son He found, not now extended on the plain, But seated; newly, as from death, awaked, And conscious of his friends; freely he breathed 300 Nor sweated more, by Jove himself revived. Apollo stood beside him, and began. Say, Hector, Priam's son! why sittest here Feeble and spiritless, and from thy host Apart? what new disaster hath befall'n? 305 To whom with difficulty thus replied The warlike Chief.—But tell me who art Thou, Divine inquirer! best of powers above! Know'st not that dauntless Ajax me his friends Slaughtering at yonder ships, hath with a stone 310 Surceased from fight, smiting me on the breast? I thought to have beheld, this day, the dead In Ades, every breath so seem'd my last. Then answer thus the Archer-God return'd. Courage this moment! such a helper Jove 315 From Ida sends thee at thy side to war Continual, Phoebus of the golden sword, Whose guardian aid both thee and lofty Troy Hath succor'd many a time. Therefore arise! Instant bid drive thy numerous charioteers 320 Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet; I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself, The way before them, and will turn again To flight the heroes of the host of Greece. He said and with new strength the Chief inspired. 325 As some stall'd horse high pamper'd, snapping short His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil, Accustom'd in smooth-sliding streams to lave Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes 330 His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze; So bounded Hector, and his agile joints Plied lightly, quicken'd by the voice divine, And gather'd fast his charioteers to battle. 335 But as when hounds and hunters through the woods Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat, He, in some cave with tangled boughs o'erhung, Lies safe conceal'd, no destined prey of theirs, Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim 340 Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly; Such hot pursuit the Danai, with swords And spears of double edge long time maintain'd. But seeing Hector in his ranks again Occupied, felt at once their courage fall'n. 345 Then, Thoas them, Andraemon's son, address'd, Foremost of the AEtolians, at the spear Skilful, in stationary combat bold, And when the sons of Greece held in dispute The prize of eloquence, excell'd by few. 350 Prudent advising them, he thus began. Ye Gods! what prodigy do I behold? Hath Hector, 'scaping death, risen again? For him, with confident persuasion all Believed by Telamonian Ajax slain. 355 But some Divinity hath interposed To rescue and save Hector, who the joints Hath stiffen'd of full many a valiant Greek, As surely now he shall; for, not without The Thunderer's aid, he flames in front again. 360 But take ye all my counsel. Send we back The multitude into the fleet, and first Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight, Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears, We may attempt to give his rage a check. 365 To thrust himself into a band like ours Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear. He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied. Then Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete, Teucer, Meriones, and Meges fierce 370 As Mars in battle, summoning aloud The noblest Greeks, in opposition firm To Hector and his host their bands prepared, While others all into the fleet retired. Troy's crowded host[8] struck first. With awful strides 375 Came Hector foremost; him Apollo led, His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm, The AEgis shagg'd terrific all around, Tempestuous, dazzling-bright; it was a gift To Jove from Vulcan, and design'd to appall, 380 And drive to flight the armies of the earth. Arm'd with that shield Apollo led them on. Firm stood the embodied Greeks; from either host Shrill cries arose; the arrows from the nerve Leap'd, and, by vigorous arms dismiss'd, the spears 385 Flew frequent; in the flesh some stood infixt Of warlike youths, but many, ere they reach'd The mark they coveted, unsated fell Between the hosts, and rested in the soil. Long as the God unagitated held 390 The dreadful disk, so long the vollied darts Made mutual slaughter, and the people fell; But when he look'd the Grecian charioteers Full in the face and shook it, raising high Himself the shout of battle, then he quell'd 395 Their spirits, then he struck from every mind At once all memory of their might in arms. As when two lions in the still, dark night A herd of beeves scatter or numerous flock Suddenly, in the absence of the guard, 400 So fled the heartless Greeks, for Phoebus sent Terrors among them, but renown conferr'd And triumph proud on Hector and his host. Then, in that foul disorder of the field, Man singled man. Arcesilaues died 405 By Hector's arm, and Stichius; one, a Chief[9] Of the Boeotians brazen-mail'd, and one, Menestheus' faithful follower to the fight. AEneas Medon and Iaesus slew. Medon was spurious offspring of divine 410 Oileus Ajax' father, and abode In Phylace; for he had slain a Chief Brother of Eriopis the espoused Of brave Oileus; but Iaesus led A phalanx of Athenians, and the son 415 Of Sphelus, son of Bucolus was deem'd. Pierced by Polydamas Mecisteus fell, Polites, in the van of battle, slew Echion, and Agenor Clonius; But Paris, while Deiochus to flight 420 Turn'd with the routed van, pierced him beneath His shoulder-blade, and urged the weapon through. While them the Trojans spoil'd, meantime the Greeks, Entangled in the piles of the deep foss, Fled every way, and through necessity 425 Repass'd the wall. Then Hector with a voice Of loud command bade every Trojan cease From spoil, and rush impetuous on the fleet. [10]And whom I find far lingering from the ships Wherever, there he dies; no funeral fires 430 Brother on him, or sister, shall bestow, But dogs shall rend him in the sight of Troy. So saying, he lash'd the shoulders of his steeds, And through the ranks vociferating, call'd His Trojans on; they, clamorous as he, 435 All lash'd their steeds, and menacing, advanced. Before them with his feet Apollo push'd The banks into the foss, bridging the gulf With pass commodious, both in length and breadth A lance's flight, for proof of vigor hurl'd. 440 There, phalanx after phalanx, they their host Pour'd dense along, while Phoebus in the van Display'd the awful aegis, and the wall Levell'd with ease divine. As, on the shore Some wanton boy with sand builds plaything walls, 445 Then, sportive spreads them with his feet abroad, So thou, shaft-arm'd Apollo! that huge work Laborious of the Greeks didst turn with ease To ruin, and themselves drovest all to flight. They, thus enforced into the fleet, again 450 Stood fast, with mutual exhortation each His friend encouraging, and all the Gods With lifted hands soliciting aloud. But, more than all, Gerenian Nestor pray'd Fervent, Achaia's guardian, and with arms 455 Outstretch'd toward the starry skies, exclaim'd. Jove, Father! if in corn-clad Argos, one, One Greek hath ever, burning at thy shrine Fat thighs of sheep or oxen, ask'd from thee A safe return, whom thou hast gracious heard, 460 Olympian King! and promised what he sought, Now, in remembrance of it, give us help In this disastrous day, nor thus permit Their Trojan foes to tread the Grecians down! So Nestor pray'd, and Jove thunder'd aloud 465 Responsive to the old Neleian's prayer. But when that voice of AEgis-bearing Jove The Trojans heard, more furious on the Greeks They sprang, all mindful of the fight. As when A turgid billow of some spacious sea, 470 While the wind blow that heaves its highest, borne Sheer o'er the vessel's side, rolls into her, With such loud roar the Trojans pass'd the wall; In rush'd the steeds, and at the ships they waged Fierce battle hand to hand, from chariots, these, 475 With spears of double edge, those, from the decks Of many a sable bark, with naval poles Long, ponderous, shod with steel; for every ship Had such, for conflict maritime prepared. While yet the battle raged only without 480 The wall, and from the ships apart, so long Patroclus quiet in the tent and calm Sat of Eurypylus, his generous friend Consoling with sweet converse, and his wound Sprinkling with drugs assuasive of his pains. 485 But soon as through the broken rampart borne He saw the Trojans, and the clamor heard And tumult of the flying Greeks, a voice Of loud lament uttering, with open palms His thighs he smote, and, sorrowful, exclaim'd. 490 Eurypylus! although thy need be great, No longer may I now sit at thy side, Such contest hath arisen; thy servant's voice Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth; 495 Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods, I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain. So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves, 500 Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet; But as the line divides the plank aright, Stretch'd by some naval architect, whose hand Minerva hath accomplish'd in his art, 505 So stretch'd on them the cord of battle lay. Others at other ships the conflict waged, But Hector to the ship advanced direct Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove; Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire 510 The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse Hector, conducted thither by the Gods. Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm'd With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell, 515 And from his loosen'd grasp down dropp'd the brand. But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice Call'd on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy. Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons 520 Of Dardanus, within this narrow pass Stand firm, retreat not, but redeem the son Of Clytius, lest the Grecians of his arms Despoil him slain in battle at the ships. So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast 525 Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son Of Mastor, a Cytherian, who had left Cytheras, fugitive for blood, and dwelt With Ajax. Him standing at Ajax' side, He pierced above his ear; down from the stern 530 Supine he fell, and in the dust expired. Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake. Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend; Mastorides is slain, whom we received An inmate from Cytherae, and with love 535 And reverence even filial, entertain'd; By Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts Death-wing'd, and bow, by gift from Phoebus thine? He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran With bow and well-stored quiver to his side, 540 Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host. He struck Pisenor's son Clytus, the friend And charioteer of brave Polydamas, Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please 545 The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most He saw the battle, thither he had driven. But sudden mischief, valiant as he was, Found him, and such as none could waft aside, For right into his neck the arrow plunged, 550 And down he fell; his startled coursers shook Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang. That sound alarm'd Polydamas; he turn'd, And flying to their heads, consign'd them o'er To Protiaoen's son, Astynoues, 555 Whom he enjoin'd to keep them in his view; Then, turning, mingled with the van again. But Teucer still another shaft produced Design'd for valiant Hector, whose exploits (Had that shaft reach'd him) at the ships of Greece 560 Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove, Guardian of Hector's life, slept not; he took From Telamonian Teucer that renown, And while he stood straining the twisted nerve Against the Trojan, snapp'd it. Devious flew 565 The steel-charged[11] arrow, and he dropp'd his bow. Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake. Ah! it is evident. Some Power divine Makes fruitless all our efforts, who hath struck My bow out of my hand, and snapt the cord 570 With which I strung it new at dawn of day, That it might bear the bound of many a shaft. To whom the towering son of Telamon. Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest, Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds, 575 That thou may'st fight with spear and buckler arm'd, And animate the rest. Such be our deeds That, should they conquer us, our foes may find Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won. So Ajax spake; then Teucer, in his tent 580 The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield, Settled on his illustrious brows his casque With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved, Terrible from above, took forth a spear Tough-grain'd, acuminated sharp with brass, 585 And stood, incontinent, at Ajax' side. Hector perceived the change, and of the cause Conscious, with echoing voice call'd to his host. Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men; 590 Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed, Call into mind the fury of your might! For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know With ease the hand of interposing Jove, 595 Both whom to glory he ordains, and whom He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us. Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall'd By arrow or by spear, dies—let him die; 600 It shall not shame him that he died to serve His country,[12] but his children, wife and home, With all his heritage, shall be secure, Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy. So saying, he animated each. Meantime, 605 Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address'd. Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die, Or save at once your galley and yourselves. Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize Of warlike Hector, ye shall yet return 610 On foot? Or hear ye not the Chief aloud Summoning all his host, and publishing His own heart's wish to burn your fleet with fire? Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight He calls them; therefore wiser course for us 615 Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands In contest obstinate, and force with force. Better at once to perish, or at once To rescue life, than to consume the time Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain 620 Here at the ships, with an inferior foe. He said, and by his words into all hearts Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers And son of Perimedes; Ajax slew, 625 Meantime, a Chief of Trojan infantry, Laodamas, Antenor's noble son While by Polydamas, a leader bold Of the Epeans, and Phylides'[13] friend, Cyllenian Otus died. Meges that sight 630 Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang, But, starting wide, Polydamas escaped, Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced The breast of Craesmus; on his sounding shield Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp'd his arms. 635 Him so employ'd Dolops assail'd, brave son Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight, Offspring of King Laomedon; he stood Full near, and through his middle buckler struck The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick 640 With plates of scaly brass his life secured. That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home From Ephyre, where the Selleis winds, And it was given him for his life's defence In furious battle by the King of men, 645 Euphetes. Many a time had it preserved Unharm'd the sire, and now it saved the son. Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance The bushy crest of Dolops' helmet drove Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright 650 Entire it fell and mingled with the dust. While thus they strove, each hoping victory, Came martial Menelaus to the aid Of Meges; spear in hand apart he stood By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove 655 And through his breast the spear, and far beyond. And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground. At once both flew to strip his radiant arms, Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call'd Each to his aid, and Melanippus first, 660 Illustrious Hicetaon's son, reproved. Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived He in Percote fed his wandering beeves; But when the Danai with all their fleet Came thither, then returning, he outshone 665 The noblest Trojans, and at Priam's side Dwelling, was honor'd by him as a son. Him Hector reprimanding, stern began. Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks 670 How busy there with Dolops and his arms? Come on. It is no time for distant war, But either our Achaian foes must bleed, Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain. 675 So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief Attended; and the Telamonian, next, Huge Ajax, animated thus the Greeks. Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear 680 Each to incur the censure of the rest. Of men so minded more survive than die, While dastards forfeit life and glory both. So moved he them, themselves already bent To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore 685 Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell'd the foe. Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach'd Antilochus, and thus his courage roused. Antilochus! in all the host is none 690 Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might, Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy. He ended and retired, but him his praise Effectual animated; from the van 695 Starting, he cast a wistful eye around And hurl'd his glittering spear; back fell the ranks Of Troy appall'd; nor vain his weapon flew, But Melanippus pierced heroic son Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight, 700 Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound Of all his batter'd armor down he fell. Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead, 705 So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye Of noble Hector, who through all the war Ran to encounter him; his dread approach 710 Antilochus, although expert in arms, Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds, Conscious of injury that he hath done, Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog, Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise, 715 So fled the son of Nestor, after whom The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour'd Darts numberless; but at the front arrived Of his own phalanx, there he turn'd and stood. Then, eager as voracious lions, rush'd 720 The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind Of Jove accomplishing who them impell'd Continual, calling all their courage forth, While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium's host. 725 For Jove's unalter'd purpose was to give Success to Priameian Hector's arms,[14] That he might cast into the fleet of Greece Devouring flames, and that no part might fail Of Thetis' ruthless prayer; that sight alone 730 He watch'd to see, one galley in a blaze, Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight To Ilium's host, but glory to the Greeks. Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved To that assault Hector, himself prepared 735 And ardent for the task; nor less he raged Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front His keen eyes glisten'd, and his helmet mark'd 740 The agitation wild with which he fought. For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven Assisted Hector, and, although alone With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach The heights of glory, for that now his life 745 Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on,[15] his hour To die by Peleus' mighty son approach'd. He then, wherever richest arms he saw And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay'd To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved, 750 In even square compact so firm they stood. As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep The stress endures of many a hollow wind, And the huge billows tumbling at his base, So stood the Danai, nor fled nor fear'd. 755 But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host Assail'd on every side, and on the van Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm, 760 And every seaman trembles at the view Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes, Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks. But he, as leaps a famish'd lion fell On beeves that graze some marshy meadow's breadth, 765 A countless herd, tended by one unskill'd To cope with savage beasts in their defence, Beside the foremost kine or with the last He paces heedless, but the lion, borne Impetuous on the midmost, one devours 770 And scatters all the rest,[16] so fled the Greeks, Terrified from above, before the arm Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove. All fled, but of them all alone he slew The Mycenaean Periphetes, son 775 Of Copreus custom'd messenger of King Eurystheus to the might of Hercules. From such a sire inglorious had arisen A son far worthier, with all virtue graced, Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell'd 780 In wisdom of the Mycenaean name; Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more. For Periphetes, with a backward step Retiring, on his buckler's border trod, Which swept his heels; so check'd, he fell supine, 785 And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows. Him Hector quick noticing, to his side Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear, Slew him before the phalanx of his friends. But they, although their fellow-warrior's fate 790 They mourn'd, no succor interposed, or could, Themselves by noble Hector sore appall'd. And now behind the ships (all that updrawn Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet) The Greeks retired; in rush'd a flood of foes; 795 Then, through necessity, the ships in front Abandoning, amid the tents they stood Compact, not disarray'd, for shame and fear Fast held them, and vociferating each Aloud, call'd ceaseless on the rest to stand. 800 But earnest more than all, guardian of all, Gerenian Nestor in their parents' name Implored them, falling at the knees of each. Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place Each in the estimation of the rest. 805 Now call to memory your children, wives, Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live, And ye whose parents are not, all alike! By them as if here present, I entreat That ye stand fast—oh be not turn'd to flight! 810 So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks; Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall'n from above On every eye; great light the plain illumed On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where The undiscriminating battle raged. 815 Then might be seen Hector and Hector's host Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships. To stand aloof where other Grecians stood No longer now would satisfy the mind 820 Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides Enormous marching, to and fro he swung With iron studs emboss'd a battle-pole Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long. As one expert to spring from horse to horse, 825 From many steeds selecting four, toward Some noble city drives them from the plain Along the populous road; him many a youth And many a maiden eyes, while still secure From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly; 830 So Ajax o'er the decks of numerous ships Stalk'd striding large, and sent his voice to heaven. Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself Hector, contented, now, the battle wage 835 Lost in the multitude of Trojans more, But as the tawny eagle on full wing Assails the feather'd nations, geese or cranes Or swans lithe-neck'd grazing the river's verge, So Hector at a galley sable-prow'd 840 Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on With mighty hand, and his host after him. And now again the battle at the ships Grew furious; thou hadst deem'd them of a kind By toil untameable, so fierce they strove, 845 And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged Hope vain, and the whole host's destruction sure; But nought expected every Trojan less Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave Achaia's heroes lifeless on the field. 850 With such persuasions occupied, they fought. Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark Well-built, sharp-keel'd, and of the swiftest sail, Which had to Troy Protesilaeus brought, But bore him never thence. For that same ship 855 Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow, But close conflicting and of one mind all With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords, 860 And with long lances double-edged they fought. Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn, And pools of blood soak'd all the sable glebe. 865 Hector that ship once grappled by the stern Left not, but griping fast her upper edge With both hands, to his Trojans call'd aloud. Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven! Jove gives us now a day worth all the past; 870 The ships are ours which, in the Gods' despite Steer'd hither, such calamities to us Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame Who me withheld from battle at the fleet And check'd the people; but if then the hand 875 Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr'd, Himself now urges and commands us on. He ceased; they still more violent assail'd The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure, Whelm'd under weapons numberless, that storm 880 No longer, but expecting death retired Down from the decks to an inferior stand, Where still he watch'd, and if a Trojan bore Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear, Roaring continual to the host of Greece. 885 Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars! Be men, my friends! now summon all your might! Think we that we have thousands at our backs To succor us, or yet some stronger wall To guard our warriors from the battle's force? 890 Not so. No tower'd city is at hand, None that presents us with a safe retreat While others occupy our station here, But from the shores of Argos far remote Our camp is, where the Trojans arm'd complete 895 Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in. Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels He said, and furious with his spear again Press'd them, and whatsoever Trojan came, Obsequious to the will of Hector, arm'd 900 With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear's point Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm.