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		<p><em>
Adapted and distributed from Project Gutenberg ebook <a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/3059">#3059</a>
in accordance with the <a href="gutenberg-license.html">Project Gutenberg License</a>.
Original text published 1883.</em>
		</p>
		<p><em><strong>NOTE</strong>: this ebook was badly proofread and is missing many parts.
			A volunteer and I are currently correcting it.</em></p>

<div style="display: table; margin: 16px auto">
<div class="c" style="top:0; user-select: none; padding-right: 64px">
<h2>Contents</h2>
<table summary="" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">
<tr><td><a href="#pref01">PREFATORY NOTE.</a><br/><br/></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap00">THE ILIAD OF HOMER</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap01">BOOK I.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap02">BOOK II.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap03">BOOK III.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap04">BOOK IV.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap05">BOOK V.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap06">BOOK VI.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap07">BOOK VII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap08">BOOK VIII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap09">BOOK IX.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap10">BOOK X.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap11">BOOK XI.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap12">BOOK XII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap13">BOOK XIII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap14">BOOK XIV.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap15">BOOK XV.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap16">BOOK XVI.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap17">BOOK XVII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap18">BOOK XVIII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap19">BOOK XIX.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap20">BOOK XX.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap21">BOOK XXI.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap22">BOOK XXII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap23">BOOK XXIII.</a></td> </tr>
<tr><td><a href="#chap24">BOOK XXIV.</a></td> </tr>
</table>
</div>

<div class="c">
<h1>The Iliad</h1>
<h2 class="no-break">by Homer</h2>

<p>
	Done into English Prose<br />
	by<br />
	<h4>Andrew Lang, M.A.</h4>
	Late fellow of Merton College, Oxford
	<h4>Walter Leaf, Litt. D.</h4>
	Late fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge<br />
	<br />
	and
	<h4>Ernest Meyers, M.A.</h4>
	Late fellow of Wadham College, Oxford
</p>

<hr />

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="pref01"></a>PREFATORY NOTE.</h2>

<p>
The execution of this version of the <i>Iliad</i> has been entrusted to the
three Translators in the following three parts:
</p>

<p class="letter">
Books I. &mdash; IX. . . . . W. Leaf.<br />
Books X. &mdash; XVI. . . . . A. Lang.<br />
Books XVII. &mdash; XXIV. . . . . E. Myers.
</p>

<p>
Each Translator is therefore responsible for his own portion; but the whole has
been revised by all three Translators, and the rendering of passages or phrases
recurring in more than one portion has been determined after deliberation in
common. Even in these, however, a certain elasticity has been deemed desirable.
</p>

<p>
On a few doubtful points, though very rarely, the opinion of two of the
translators has had to be adopted to the suppression of that held by the third.
Thus, for instance, the Translator of Books X. - XVI. Would have preferred
&ldquo;c&rdquo; and &ldquo;us&rdquo; to &ldquo;k&rdquo; and &ldquo;os&rdquo; in
the spelling of all proper names.
</p>

<p>
The text followed has been that of La Roche (Leipzig, 1873), except where the
adoption of a different reading has been specified in a footnote. Where the
balance of evidence, external and internal, has seemed to the Translator to be
against the genuineness of the passage, such passage has been enclosed in
brackets [].
</p>

<p>
The Translator of Books X. - XVI. has to thank Mr. R.W. Raper, Fellow of
Trinity College, Oxford, for his valuable aid in revising the proof-sheets of
these Books.
</p>

<h3>NOTE TO REVISED EDITION</h3>

<p>
In the present Edition the translation has been carefully revised throughout,
and numerous minor corrections have been made. The Notes at the end of the
volume have been, with a few exceptions, omitted; one of the Translators hopes
to publish very shortly a Companion to the Iliad for English readers, which
will deal fully with most of the points therein referred to.
</p>

<p>
The use of square brackets has in this edition been restricted to passages
where there is external evidence, such as absence from the best MSS., for
believing in interpolation. One or two departures from this Rule are noticed in
footnotes.
</p>

<p class="p2">
<i>November</i> 1891
</p>

<p class="p2">
The reader will perhaps also be helped by the following list of the Greek and
Latin names of the gods and goddesses who play important parts in the
narrative. When the Greek names are new to him, the corresponding Latin names
may be more familiar.
</p>

<table summary="">

<tr>
<th>Greek</th><th>Latin</th>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>Zeus.</td><td>Jupiter.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>Hera.</td><td>Juno.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>(Pallas) Athene.</td><td>Minerva.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>Aphrodite.</td><td>Venus.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>Poseidon.</td><td>Neptune.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>Ares.</td><td>Mars.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>Hephaestus.<br/><br/></td><td>Vulcan.<br/><br/></td>
</tr>

</table>

<p class="noindent">
The sacred soil of Ilios is rent<br/>
With shaft and pit; foiled waters wander slow<br/>
Through plains where Simois and Scamander went<br/>
To war with gods and heroes long ago.<br/>
Not yet to dark Cassandra lying low<br/>
In rich Mycenae do the Fates relent;<br/>
The bones of Agamemnon are a show,<br/>
And ruined is his royal monument.<br/>
The dust and awful treasures of the dead<br/>
Hath learning scattered wide; but vainly thee,<br/>
Homer, she meteth with her Lesbian lead,<br/>
And strives to rend thy songs, too blind is she<br/>
To know the crown on thine immortal head<br/>
Of indivisible supremacy. A.L.<br/><br/>
</p>

<p class="noindent">
Athwart the sunrise of our western day<br/>
The form of great Achilles, high and clear,<br/>
Stands forth in arms, wielding the Pelian spear.<br/>
The sanguine tides of that immortal fray,<br/>
Swept on by gods, around him surge and sway,<br/>
Wherethrough the helms of many a warrior peer,<br/>
Strong men and swift, their tossing plumes uprear.<br/>
But stronger, swifter, goodlier he than they,<br/>
More awful, more divine. Yet mark anigh;<br/>
Some fiery pang hath rent his soul within,<br/>
Some hovering shade his brows encompasseth.<br/>
What gifts hath Fate for all his chivalry?<br/>
Even such as hearts heroic oftenest win;<br/>
Honour, a friend, anguish, untimely death. E.M.<br/>
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap00"></a>THE ILIAD OF HOMER</h2>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap01"></a>BOOK I.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Agamemnon and Achilles fell out at the siege of Troy; and Achilles withdrew
himself from battle, and won from Zeus a pledge that his wrong should be
avenged on Agamemnon and the Achaians.
</p>

<p>
Sing, goddess, the wrath of Achilles Peleus&rsquo; son, the ruinous wrath that
brought on the Achaians woes innumerable, and hurled down into Hades many
strong souls of heroes, and gave their bodies to be a prey to dogs and all
winged fowls; and so the counsel of Zeus wrought out its accomplishment from
the day when first strife parted Atreides king of men and noble Achilles.
</p>

<p>
Who among the gods set the twain at strife and variance? Apollo, the son of
Leto and of Zeus; for he in anger at the king sent a sore plague upon the host,
so that the folk began to perish, because Atreides had done dishonour to
Chryses the priest. For the priest had come to the Achaians&rsquo; fleet ships
to win his daughter&rsquo;s freedom, and brought a ransom beyond telling; and
bare in his hands the fillet of Apollo the Far-darter upon a golden staff; and
made his prayer unto all the Achaians, and most of all to the two sons of
Atreus, orderers of the host; &ldquo;Ye sons of Atreus and all ye well-greaved
Achaians, now may the gods that dwell in the mansions of Olympus grant you to
lay waste the city of Priam, and to fare happily homeward; only set ye my dear
child free, and accept the ransom in reverence to the son of Zeus, far-darting
Apollo.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then all the other Achaians cried assent, to reverence the priest and accept
his goodly ransom; yet the thing pleased not the heart of Agamemnon son of
Atreus, but he roughly sent him away, and laid stern charge upon him, saying:
&ldquo;Let me not find thee, old man, amid the hollow ships, whether tarrying
now or returning again hereafter, lest the staff and fillet of the god avail
thee naught. And her will I not set free; nay, ere that shall old age come on
her in our house, in Argos, far from her native land, where she shall ply the
loom and serve my couch. But depart, provoke me not, that thou mayest the
rather go in peace.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and the old man was afraid and obeyed his word, and fared silently
along the shore of the loud-sounding sea. Then went that aged man apart and
prayed aloud to king Apollo, whom Leto of the fair locks bare: &ldquo;Hear me,
god of the silver bow, that standest over Chryse and holy Killa, and rulest
Tenedos with might, O Smintheus! If ever I built a temple gracious in thine
eyes, or if ever I burnt to thee fat flesh of thighs of bulls or goats, fulfil
thou this my desire; let the Danaans pay by thine arrows for my tears.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him, and came down from the
peaks of Olympus wroth at heart, bearing on his shoulders his bow and covered
quiver. And the arrows clanged upon his shoulders in wrath, as the god moved;
and he descended like to night. Then he sate him aloof from the ships, and let
an arrow fly; and there was heard a dread clanging of the silver bow. First did
the assail the mules and fleet dogs, but afterward, aiming at the men his
piercing dart, he smote; and the pyres of the dead burnt continually in
multitude.
</p>

<p>
Now for nine days ranged the god&rsquo;s shafts through the host; but on the
tenth Achilles summoned the folk to assembly, for in his mind did goddess Hera
of white arms put the thought, because she had pity on the Danaans when she
beheld them perishing. Now when they had gathered and were met in assembly,
then Achilles fleet of foot stood up and spake among them: &ldquo;Son of
Atreus, now deem I that we shall return wandering home again—if verily we might
escape death—if war at once and pestilence must indeed ravage the Achaians. But
come, let us now inquire of some soothsayer or priest, yea, or an interpreter
of dreams—seeing that a dream too is of Zeus—who shall say wherefore Phoebus
Apollo is so wroth, whether he blame us by reason of vow or hecatomb; if
perchance he would accept the savour of lambs or unblemished goats, and so
would take away the pestilence from us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up before them Kalchas son of
Thestor, most excellent far of augurs, who knew both things that were and that
should be and that had been before, and guided the ships of the Achaians to
Ilios by his soothsaying that Phoebus Apollo bestowed on him. He of good intent
made harangue and spake amid them: &ldquo;Achilles, dear to Zeus, thou biddest
me tell the wrath of Apollo, the king that smiteth afar. Therefore will I
speak; but do thou make covenant with me, and swear that verily with all thy
heart thou wilt aid me both by word and deed. For of a truth I deem that I
shall provoke one that ruleth all the Argives with might, and whom the Achaians
obey. For a king is more of might when he is wroth with a meaner man; even
though for the one day he swallow his anger, yet doth he still keep his
displeasure thereafter in his breast till he accomplish it. Consider thou,
then, if thou wilt hold me safe.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and spake to him: &ldquo;Yea, be of good
courage, speak whatever soothsaying thou knowest; for by Apollo dear to Zeus,
him by whose worship thou, O Kalchas, declarest thy soothsaying to the Danaans,
not even if thou mean Agamemnon, that now avoweth him to be greatest far of the
Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then was the noble seer of good courage, and spake: &ldquo;Neither by reason of
a vow is he displeased, nor for any hecatomb, but for his priest&rsquo;s sake
to whom Agamemnon did despite, and set not his daughter free and accepted not
the ransom; therefore hath the Far-darter brought woes upon us, yea, and will
bring. Nor will he ever remove the loathly pestilence from the Danaans till we
have given the bright-eyed damsel to her father, unbought, unransomed, and
carried a holy hecatomb to Chryse; then might we propitiate him to our
prayer.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he and sate him down, and there stood up before them the hero son of
Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, sore displeased; and his dark heart within him
was greatly filled with anger, and his eyes were like flashing fire. To Kalchas
first spake he with look of ill: &ldquo;Thou seer of evil, never yet hast thou
told me the thing that is pleasant. Evil is ever the joy of thy heart to
prophesy, but never yet didst thou tell any good matter nor bring to pass. And
now with soothsaying thou makest harangue among the Danaans, how that the
Far-darter bringeth woes upon them because, forsooth, I would not take the
goodly ransom of the damsel Chryseis, seeing I am the rather fain to keep her
own self within mine house. Yea, I prefer her before Klytaimnestra my wedded
wife; in no wise is she lacking beside her, neither in favour nor stature, nor
wit nor skill. Yet for all this will I give her back, if that is better; rather
would I see my folk whole than perishing. Only make ye me ready a prize of
honour forthwith, lest I alone of all the Argives be disprized, which thing
beseemeth not; for ye all behold how my prize is departing from me.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
To him then made answer fleet-footed goodly Achilles: &ldquo;Most noble son of
Atreus, of all men most covetous, how shall the great-hearted Achaians give
thee a meed of honour? We know naught of any wealth of common store, but what
spoil soe&rsquo;er we took from captured cities hath been apportioned, and it
beseemeth not to beg all this back from the folk. Nay, yield thou the damsel to
the god, and we Achaians will pay thee back threefold and fourfold, if ever
Zeus grant us to sack some well-walled town of Troy-land.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
To him lord Agamemnon made answer and said: &ldquo;Not in this wise, strong as
thou art, O godlike Achilles, beguile thou me by craft; thou shalt not outwit
me nor persuade me. Dost thou wish, that thou mayest keep thy meed of honour,
for me to sit idle in bereavement, and biddest me give her back? Nay, if the
great-hearted Achaians will give me a meed suited to my mind, that the
recompense be equal—but if they give it not, then I myself will go and take a
meed of honour, thine be it or Aias&rsquo;, or Odysseus&rsquo; that I will take
unto me; wroth shall he be to whomsoever I come. But for this we will take
counsel hereafter; now let us launch a black ship on the great sea, and gather
picked oarsmen, and set therein a hecatomb, and embark Chryseis of the fair
cheeks herself, and let one of our counsellors be captain, Aias or Idomeneus or
goodly Odysseus, or thou, Peleides, most redoubtable of men, to do sacrifice
for us and propitiate the Far-darter.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Achilles fleet of foot looked at him scowling and said: &ldquo;Ah me, thou
clothed in shamelessness, thou of crafty mind, how shall any Achaian hearken to
thy bidding with all his heart, be it to go a journey or to fight the foe
amain? Not by reason of the Trojan spearmen came I hither to fight, for they
have not wronged me; never did they harry mine oxen nor my horses, nor ever
waste my harvest in deep-soiled Phthia, the nurse of men; seeing there lieth
between us long space of shadowy mountains and sounding sea; but thee, thou
shameless one, followed we hither to make thee glad, by earning recompense at
the Trojans&rsquo; hands for Menelaos and for thee, thou dog-face! All this
thou threatenest thyself to take my meed of honour, wherefor I travailed much,
and the sons of the Achaians gave it me. Never win I meed like unto thine, when
the Achaians sack any populous citadel of Trojan men; my hands bear the brunt
of furious war, but when the apportioning cometh then is thy meed far ampler,
and I betake me to the ships with some small thing, yet my own, when I have
fought to weariness. Now will I depart to Phthia, seeing it is far better to
return home on my beaked ships; nor am I minded here in dishonour to draw thee
thy fill of riches and wealth.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Agamemnon king of men made answer to him &ldquo;yea, flee, if thy soul be
set thereon. It is not I that beseech thee to tarry for my sake; I have others
by my side that shall do me honour, and above all Zeus, lord of counsel. Most
hateful art thou to me of all kings, fosterlings of Zeus; thou ever lovest
strife and wars and fightings. Though thou be very strong, yet that I ween is a
gift to thee of God. Go home with thy ships and company and lord it among thy
Myrmidons; I reck not aught of thee nor care I for thine indignation; and all
this shall be my threat to thee: seeing Phoebus Apollo bereaveth me of
Chryseis, her with my ship and my company will I send back; and mine own self
will I go to thy hut and take Briseis of the fair cheeks, even that thy meed of
honour, that thou mayest well know how far greater I am than thou, and so shall
another hereafter abhor to match his words with mine and rival me to my
face.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and grief came upon Peleus&rsquo; son, and his heart within his
shaggy breast was divided in counsel, whether to draw his keen blade from his
thigh and set the company aside and so slay Atreides, or to assuage his anger
and curb his soul. While yet he doubted thereof in heart and soul, and was
drawing his great sword from his sheath, Athene came to him from heaven, sent
forth of the white-armed goddess Hera, whose heart loved both alike and had
care for them. She stood behind Peleus&rsquo; son and caught him by his golden
hair, to him only visible, and of the rest no man beheld her. Then Achilles
marvelled, and turned him about, and straightway knew Pallas Athene; and
terribly shone her eyes. He spake to her winged words, and said: &ldquo;Why now
art thou come hither, thou daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus? Is it to behold the
insolence of Agamemnon, son of Atreus. Yea, I will tell thee that I deem shall
even be brought to pass: by his own haughtinesses shall he soon lose his
life.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the bright-eyed goddess Athene spake to him again: &ldquo;I came from
heaven to stay thine anger, if perchance thou wilt hearken to me, being sent
forth if the white-armed goddess Hera, that loveth you twain alike and careth
for you. Go to now, cease from strife, and let not thine hand draw the sword;
yet with words indeed revile him, even as it shall come to pass. For thus will
I say to thee, and so it shall be fulfilled; hereafter shall goodly gifts come
to thee, yea in threefold measure, by reason of this despite; hold thou thine
hand, and hearken to us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to her: &ldquo;Goddess, needs
must a man observe the saying of you twain, even though he be very wroth at
heart; for so is the better way. Whosoever obeyeth the gods, to him they gladly
hearken.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He said, and stayed his heavy hand on the silver hilt, and thrust the great
Sword back into the sheath, and was not disobedient to the saying of Athene;
and she forthwith was departed to Olympus, to the other gods in the palace of
aegis-bearing Zeus.
</p>

<p>
Then Peleus&rsquo; son spake again with bitter words to Atreus&rsquo; son, and
in no wise ceased from anger: &ldquo;Thou heavy with wine, thou with face of
dog and heart of deer, never didst thou take courage to arm for battle among
thy folk or to lay ambush with the princes of the Achaians; that to thee were
even as death. Far better booteth it, for sooth, to seize for thyself the meed
of honour of every man through the wide host of the Achaians that speaketh
contrary to thee. Folk-devouring king! seeing thou rulest men of naught; else
were this despite, thou son of Atreus, thy last. But I will speak my word to
thee, and swear a mighty oath therewith: verily by this staff that shall no
more put forth leaf or twig, seeing it hath for ever left its trunk among the
hills, neither shall it grow green again, because the axe hath stripped it of
leaves and bark; and now the sons of the Achaians that exercise judgment bear
it in their hands, even they that by Zeus&rsquo; command watch over the
traditions—so shall this be a mighty oath in thine eyes—verily shall longing
for Achilles come hereafter upon the sons of the Achaians one and all; and then
wilt thou in no wise avail to save them, for all thy grief, when multitudes
fall dying before manslaying Hector. Then shalt thou tear thy heart within thee
for anger that thou didst in no wise honour the best of the Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said Peleides and dashed to earth the staff studded with golden nails, and
himself sat down; and over against him Atreides waxed furious. Then in their
midst rose up Nestor, pleasant of speech, the clear-voiced orator of the
Pylians, he from whose tongue flowed discourse sweeter than honey. Two
generations of mortal men already had he seen perish, that had been of old time
born and nurtured with him in goodly Pylos, and he was king among the third. He
of good intent made harangue to them and said: &ldquo;Alas, of a truth sore
lamentation cometh upon the land of Achaia. Verily Priam would be glad and
Priam&rsquo;s sons, and all the Trojans would have great joy of heart, were
they to hear all this tale of strife between you twain that are chiefest of the
Danaans in counsel and chiefest in battle. Nay, hearken to me; ye are younger
both than I. Of old days held I converse with better men even than you, and
never did they make light of me. Yea, I never beheld such warriors, nor shall
behold, as were Peirithoos and Dryas shepherd of the host and Kaineus and
Exadios and godlike Polyphemos [and Theseus son of Aigeus, like to the
Immortals]. Mightiest of growth were they of all men upon the earth; mightiest
they were and with the mightiest fought they, even the wild tribes of the
Mountain caves, and destroyed them utterly. And with these held I converse,
being come from Pylos, from a distant land afar; for of themselves they
summoned me. So I played my part in fight; and with them could none of men that
are now on earth do battle. And they laid to heart my counsels and hearkened to
my voice. Even so hearken ye also, for better is it to hearken. Neither do
thou, though thou art very great, seize from him his damsel, but leave her as
she was given at the first by the sons of the Achaians to be a meed of honour;
nor do thou, son of Peleus, think to strive with a king, might against might;
seeing that no common honour pertaineth to a sceptred king to whom Zeus
apportioneth glory. Though thou be strong, and a goddess mother bare thee, yet
his is the greater place, for he is king over more. And thou, Atreides, abate
thy fury; nay, it is even I that beseech thee to let go thine anger with
Achilles, who is made unto all the Achaians a mighty bulwark of evil
war.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then lord Agamemnon answered and said: &ldquo;Yea verily, old man, all this
thou sayest is according unto right. But this fellow would be above all others,
he would be lord of all and king among all and captain to all; wherein I deem
none will hearken to him. Though the immortal gods made him a spearman, do they
therefore put revilings in his mouth for him to utter?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then goodly Achilles brake in on him and answered: &ldquo;Yea, for I should be
called coward and man of naught, if I yield to thee in every matter,
howsoe&rsquo;er thou bid. To others give now thine orders, not to me [play
master; for thee I deem that I shall no more obey]. This, moreover, will I say
to thee, and do thou lay it to thy heart. Know that not by violence will I
strive for the damsel&rsquo;s sake, neither with thee nor any other; ye gave
and ye have taken away. But of all else that is mine beside my fleet black
ship, thereof shalt thou not take anything or bear it away against my will.
Yea, go to now, make trial, that all these may see; forthwith thy dark blood
shall gush about my spear.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Now when the twain had thus finished the battle of violent words, they stood up
and dissolved the assembly beside the Achaian ships. Peleides went his way to
his huts and trim ships with Menoitios&rsquo; son [Patroklos] and his company;
and Atreides launched a fleet ship on the sea, and picked twenty oarsmen
therefor, and embarked the hecatomb for the god, and brought Chryseis of the
fair cheeks and set her therein; and Odysseus of many devices went to be their
captain.
</p>

<p>
So these embarked and sailed over the wet ways; and Atreides bade the folk
purify themselves. So they purified themselves, and cast the defilements into
the sea and did sacrifice to Apollo, even unblemished hecatombs of bulls and
goats, along the shore of the unvintaged sea; and the sweet savour arose to
heaven eddying amid the smoke.
</p>

<p>
Thus were they busied throughout the host; but Agamemnon ceased not from the
strife wherewith he threatened Achilles at the first; he spake to Talthybios
and Eurybates that were his heralds and nimble squires: &ldquo;Go ye to the
tent of Achilles Peleus&rsquo; son, and take Briseis of the fair cheeks by the
hand and lead her hither; and if he give her not, then will I myself go, and
more with me, and seize her; and that will be yet more grievous for him.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he sent them forth, and laid stern charge upon them. Unwillingly went
they along the beach of the unvintaged sea, and came to the huts and ships of
the Myrmidons. Him found they sitting beside his hut and black ship; nor when
he saw them was Achilles glad. So they in dread and reverence of the king
stood, and spake to him no word, nor questioned him. But he knew in his heart,
and spake to them: &ldquo;All hail, ye heralds, messengers of Zeus and men,
come near; ye are not guilty in my sight, but Agamemnon that sent you for the
sake of the damsel Briseis. Go now, heaven-sprung Patroklos, bring forth the
damsel, and give them her to lead away. Moreover, let the twain themselves be
my witnesses before the face of the blessed gods and mortal men, yea and of
him, that king untoward, against the day when there cometh need of me hereafter
to save them all from shameful wreck. Of a truth he raveth with baleful mind,
and hath not knowledge to look before and after, that so his Achaians might
battle in safety beside their ships.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and Patroklos hearkened to his dear comrade, and led forth from the
hut Briseis of the fair cheeks, and gave them her to lead away. So these twain
took their way back along the Achaians&rsquo; ships, and with them went the
woman all unwilling. Then Achilles wept anon, and sat him down apart, aloof
from his comrades on the beach of the grey sea, gazing across the boundless
main; he stretched forth his hands and prayed instantly to his dear mother:
&ldquo;Mother, seeing thou didst of a truth bear me to so brief span of life,
honour at the least ought the Olympian to have granted me, even Zeus that
thundereth on high; but now doth he not honour me, no, not one whit. Verily
Atreus&rsquo; son, wide-ruling Agamemnon, hath done me dishonour; for he hath
taken away my meed of honour and keepeth her of his own violent deed.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he weeping, and his lady mother heard him as she sate in the
sea-depths beside her aged sire. With speed arose she from the grey sea, like a
mist, and sate her before the face of her weeping son, and stroked him with her
hand, and spake and called on his name: &ldquo;My child, why weepest thou? What
sorrow hath entered into they heart? Speak it forth, hide it not in thy mind,
that both may know it.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then with heavy moan Achilles fleet of foot spake to her: &ldquo;Thou knowest
it; why should I tell this to thee that knowest all! We had fared to Thebe, the
holy city of Eetion, and laid it waste and carried hither all the spoils. So
the sons of the Achaians divided among them all aright; and for Atreides they
set apart Chryseis of the fair cheeks. But Chryses, priest of Apollo the
Far-darter, came unto the fleet ships of the mail-clad Achaians to win his
daughter&rsquo;s freedom, and brought a ransom beyond telling, and bare in his
hands the fillet of Apollo the Far-darter upon a golden staff, and made his
prayer unto all the Achaians, and most of all to the two sons of Atreus,
orderers of the host. Then all the other Achaians cried assent, to reverence
the priest and accept his goodly ransom; yet the thing pleased not the heart of
Agamemnon son of Atreus, but he roughly sent him away and laid stern charge
upon him. So the old man went back in anger; and Apollo heard his prayers,
seeing he loved him greatly, and he aimed against the Argives his deadly darts.
So the people began to perish in multitudes, and the god&rsquo;s shafts ranged
everywhither throughout the wide host of the Achaians. Then of full knowledge
the seer declared to us the oracle of the Far-darter. Forthwith I first bade
propitiate the god; but wrath gat hold upon Atreus&rsquo; son thereat, and anon
he stood up and spake a threatening word, that hath now been accomplished. Her
the glancing-eyed Achaians are bringing on their fleet ship to Chryse, and bear
with them offerings to the king; and the other but now the heralds went and
took from my hut, even the daughter of Briseus, whom the sons of the Achaians
gave me. Thou therefore, if indeed thou canst, guard thine own son; betake thee
to Olympus and beseech Zeus by any word whereby thou ever didst make glad his
heart. For oft have I heard thee proclaiming in my father&rsquo;s halls and
telling that thou alone amid the immortals didst save the son of Kronos, lord
of the storm-cloud, from shameful wreck, when all the other Olympians would
have bound him, even Hera and Poseidon and Pallas Athene. Then didst thou, O
goddess, enter in and loose him from his bonds, having with speed summoned to
high Olympus him of the hundred arms whom gods call Briareus, but all men call
Aigaion; for he is mightier even than his father—so he sate him by
Kroniol&rsquo;s side rejoicing in his triumph, and the blessed gods feared him
withal and bound not Zeus. This bring thou to his remembrance and sit by him
and clasp his knees, if perchance he will give succour to the Trojans; and for
the Achaians, hem them among their ships&rsquo; sterns about the bay, given
over to slaughter; that they may make trial of their king, and that even
Atreides, wide-ruling Agamemnon, may perceive his blindness, in that he
honoured not at all the best of the Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Thetis weeping made answer to him: &ldquo;Ah me, my child, why reared I
thee, cursed in my motherhood? Would thou hadst been left tearless and
griefless amid the ships, seeing thy lot is very brief and endureth no long
while; but now art thou made short-lived alike and lamentable beyond all men;
in an evil hour I bare thee in our halls. But I will go myself to snow-clad
Olympus to tell this thy saying to Zeus, whose joy is in the thunder, [perhaps
rather, &ldquo;hurler of the thunderbolt.&rdquo;] if perchance he may hearken
to me. But tarry thou now amid thy fleet-faring ships, and continue wroth with
the Achaians, and refrain utterly from battle: for Zeus went yesterday to
Okeanos, unto the noble Ethiopians for a feast, and all the gods followed with
him; but on the twelfth day will he return to Olympus, and then will I fare to
Zeus&rsquo; palace of the bronze threshold, and will kneel to him and think to
win him.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying she went her way and left him there, vexed in spirit for the
fair-girdled womal&rsquo;s sake, whom they had taken perforce despite his will:
and meanwhile Odysseus came to Chryse with the holy hecatomb. When they were
now entered within the deep haven, they furled their sails and laid them in the
black ship, and lowered the mast by the forestays and brought it to the crutch
with speed, and rowed her with oars to the anchorage. Then they cast out the
mooring stones and made fast the hawsers, and so themselves went forth on to
the sea-beach, and forth they brought the hecatomb for the Far-darter Apollo,
and forth came Chryseis withal from the seafaring ship. Then Odysseus of many
counsels brought her to the altar and gave her into her father&rsquo;s arms,
and spake unto him: &ldquo;Chryses, Agamemnon king of men sent me hither to
bring thee thy daughter, and to offer to Phoebus a holy hecatomb on the
Danaans&rsquo; behalf, wherewith to propitiate the king that hath now brought
sorrow and lamentation on the Argives.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he gave her to his arms, and he gladly took his dear child; and anon
they set in order for the god the holy hecatomb about his well-builded altar;
next washed they their hands and took up the barley meal. Then Chryses lifted
up his hands and prayed aloud for them: &ldquo;Hearken to me, god of the silver
bow that standest over Chryse and holy Killa, and rulest Tenedos with might;
even as erst thou heardest my prayer, and didst me honour, and mightily
afflictest the people of the Achaians, even so now fulfil me this my desire:
remove thou from the Danaans forthwith the loathly pestilence.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Now when they had prayed
and sprinkled the barley meal, first they drew back the victims&rsquo; heads
and slaughtered them and flayed them, and cut slices from the thighs and
wrapped them in fat, making a double fold, and laid raw collops thereon, and
the old man burnt them on cleft wood and made libation over them of gleaming
wine; and at his side the young men in their hands held five-pronged forks. Now
when the thighs were burnt and they had tasted the vitals, then sliced they all
the rest and pierced it through with spits, and roasted it carefully, and drew
all off again. So when they had rest from the task and had made ready the
banquet, they feasted, nor was their heart aught stinted of the fair banquet.
But when they had put away from them the desire of meat and drink, the young
men crowned the bowls with wine, and gave each man his portion after the
drink-offering had been poured into the cups. So all day long worshipped they
the god with music, singing the beautiful paean, the sons of the Achaians
making music to the Far-darter [or, &ldquo;the Averter&rdquo; (of pestilence)];
and his heart was glad to hear. And when the sun went down and darkness came on
them, they laid them to sleep beside the ship&rsquo;s hawsers; and when
rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, the child of morning, then set they sail for the
wide camp of the Achaians; and Apollo the Far-darter sent them a favouring
gale. They set up their mast and spread the white sails forth, and the wind
filled the sail&rsquo;s belly and the dark wave sang loud about the stem as the
ship made way, and she sped across the wave, accomplishing her journey. So when
they were now come to the wide camp of the Achaians, they drew up their black
ship to land high upon the sands, and set in line the long props beneath her;
and themselves were scattered amid their huts and ships.
</p>

<p>
But he sat by his swift-faring ships, still wroth, even the heaven-sprung son
of Peleus, Achilles fleet of foot; he betook him neither to the assembly that
is the hero&rsquo;s glory, neither to war, but consumed his heart in tarrying
in his place, and yearned for the war-cry and for battle.
</p>

<p>
Now when the twelfth morn thereafter was come, then the gods that are for ever
fared to Olympus all in company, led of Zeus. And Thetis forgat not her
sol&rsquo;s charge, but rose up from the sea-wave, and at early morn mounted up
to great heaven and Olympus. There found she Kronos&rsquo; son of the
far-sounding voice sitting apart from all on the topmost peak of many-ridged
Olympus. So she sat before his face and with her left hand clasped his knees,
and with her right touched him beneath his chin, and spake in prayer to king
Zeus son of Kronos: &ldquo;Father Zeus, if ever I gave thee aid amid the
immortal gods, whether by word or deed, fulfil thou this my desire: do honour
to my son, that is doomed to earliest death of all men: now hath Agamemnon king
of men done him dishonour, for he hath taken away his meed of honour and
keepeth her of his own violent deed. But honour thou him, Zeus of Olympus, lord
of counsel; grant thou victory to the Trojans the while until the Achaians do
my son honour and exalt him with recompense.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake she; but Zeus the cloud-gatherer said no word to her, and sat long
time in silence. But even as Thetis had clasped his knees, so held she by him
clinging, and questioned him yet a second time: &ldquo;Promise me now this
thing verily, and bow thy head thereto; or else deny me, seeing there is naught
for thee to fear; that I may know full well how I among all gods am least in
honour.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer, sore troubled, spake to her: &ldquo;Verily it is
a sorry matter, if thou wilt set me at variance with Hera, whene&rsquo;er she
provoketh me with taunting words. Even now she upbraideth me ever amid the
immortal gods, and saith that I aid the Trojans in battle. But do thou now
depart again, lest Hera mark aught; and I will take thought for these things to
fulfil them. Come now, I will bow my head to thee, that thou mayest be of good
courage; for that, of my part, is the surest token amid the immortals; no word
of mine is revocable nor false nor unfulfilled when the bowing of my head hath
pledged it.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Kronion spake, and bowed his dark brow, and the ambrosial locks waved from the
king&rsquo;s immortal head; and he made great Olympus quake.
</p>

<p>
Thus the twain took counsel and parted; she leapt therewith into the deep sea
from glittering Olympus, and Zeus fared to his own palace. All the gods in
company arose from their seats before their father&rsquo;s face; neither
ventured any to await his coming, but stood up all before him. So he sate him
there upon his throne; but Hera saw, and was not ignorant how that the daughter
of the Ancient of the sea, Thetis the silver-footed, had devised counsel with
him. Anon with taunting words spake she to Zeus the son of Kronos: &ldquo;Now
who among the gods, thou crafty of mind, hath devised counsel with thee? It is
ever thy good pleasure to hold aloof from me and in secret meditation to give
thy judgments, nor of thine own good will hast thou ever brought thyself to
declare unto me the thing thou purposest.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the father of gods and men made answer her: &ldquo;Hera, think not thou to
know all my sayings; hard they are for thee, even though thou art my wife. But
whichsoever it is seemly for thee to hear, none sooner than thou shall know, be
he god or man. Only when I will to take thought aloof from the gods, then do
not thou ask of every matter nor make question.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Hera the ox-eyed queen made answer to him. &ldquo;Most dread son of
Kronos, what word is this thou hast spoken? Yea, surely of old I have not asked
thee nor made question, but in my heart sore afraid lest thou have been won
over by silver-footed Thetis, daughter of the Ancient of the sea, for she at
early morn sat by thee and clasped thy knees. To her I deem thou gavest a sure
pledge that thou wilt do honour to Achilles, and lay many low beside the
Achaians&rsquo; ships.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
To her made answer Zeus the cloud-gatherer: &ldquo;Lady, Good lack! ever art
thou imagining, nor can I escape thee; yet shalt thou in no wise have power to
fulfil, but wilt be the further from my heart; that shall be even the worse for
thee. And if it be so, then such must my good pleasure be. Abide thou in
silence and hearken to my bidding, lest all the gods that are in Olympus keep
not off from thee my visitation, when I put forth my hands unapproachable
against thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He said, and Hera the ox-eyed queen was afraid, and sat in silence, curbing her
heart; but throughout Zeus&rsquo; palace the gods of heaven were troubled. Then
Hephaistos the famed craftsman began to make harangue among them, to do
kindness to his mother, white-armed Hera: &ldquo;Verily this will be a sorry
matter, neither any more endurable, if ye twain thus fight for mortals&rsquo;
sakes, and bring wrangling among the gods; neither will there any more be joy
of the goodly feast, seeing that evil triumpheth. So I give counsel to my
mother, though herself is wise, to do kindness to our dear father Zeus, that
our father upbraid us not again and cast the banquet in confusion. What if the
Olympian, the lord of the lightning, will to dash us from our seats! for he is
strongest far. Nay, approach thou him with gentle words, then will the Olympian
forthwith be gracious unto us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So speaking he rose up and sat in his dear mother&rsquo;s hand the twy-handled
cup, and spake to her: &ldquo;Be of good courage, mother mine, and endure,
though thou art vexed, lest I behold thee, thou art so dear, chastised before
mine eyes, and then shall I not be able for all my sorrow to save thee; for the
Olympian is a hard foe to face. Yea, once ere this, when I was fain to save
thee, he caught me by my foot and hurled me from the heavenly threshold; all
day I flew, and at the set of sun I fell in Lemnos, and little life was in me.
There did the Sintian folk forthwith tend me for my fall.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He spake, and the white-armed goddess Hera smiled, and smiling took the cup at
her sol&rsquo;s hand. Then he poured wine to all the other gods from right to
left, ladling the sweet nectar from the bowl. And laughter unquenchable arose
amid the blessed gods to see Hephaistos bustling through the palace.
</p>

<p>
So feasted they all day till the setting of the sun; nor was their soul aught
stinted of the fair banquet, nor of the beauteous lyre that Apollo held, and
the Muses singing alternately with sweet voice.
</p>

<p>
Now when the bright light of the sun was set, these went each to his own house
to sleep, where each one had his palace made with cunning device by famed
Hephaistos the lame god; and Zeus the Olympian, the lord of lightning, departed
to his couch where he was wont of old to take his rest, whenever sweet sleep
visited him. There went he up and slept, and beside him was Hera of the golden
throne.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap02"></a>BOOK II.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Zeus beguiled Agamemnon by a dream; and of the assembly of the Achaians and
their marching forth to battle. And of the names and numbers of the hosts of
the Achaians and the Trojans.
</p>

<p>
Now all other gods and chariot-driving men slept all night long, only Zeus was
not holden of sweet sleep; rather was he pondering in his heart how he should
do honour to Achilles and destroy many beside the Achaians&rsquo; ships. And
this design seemed to his mind the best, to wit, to send a baneful dream upon
Agamemnon son of Atreus. So he spake, and uttered to him winged words:
&ldquo;Come now, thou baneful Dream, go to the Achaians&rsquo; fleet ships,
enter into the hut of Agamemnon son of Atreus, and tell him every word plainly
as I charge thee. Bid him call to arms the flowing-haired Achaians with all
speed, for that now he may take the wide-wayed city of the Trojans. For the
immortals that dwell in the halls of Olympus are no longer divided in counsel,
since Hera hath turned the minds of all by her beseeching, and over the Trojans
sorrows hang.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and the Dream went his way when he had heard the charge. With
speed he came to the Achaians&rsquo; fleet ships, and went to Agamemnon son of
Atreus, and found him sleeping in his hut, and ambrosial slumber poured over
him. So he stood over his head in seeming like unto the son of Neleus, even
Nestor, whom most of all the elders Agamemnon honoured; in his likeness spake
to him the heavenly Dream:
</p>

<p>
&ldquo;Sleepest thou, son of wise Atreus tamer of horses? To sleep all night
through beseemeth not one that is a counsellor, to whom peoples are entrusted
and so many cares belong. But now hearken straightway to me, for I am a
messenger to thee from Zeus, who though he be afar yet hath great care for thee
and pity. He biddeth thee call to arms the flowing-haired Achaians with all
speed, for that now thou mayest take the wide-wayed city of the Trojans. For
the immortals that dwell in the halls of Olympus are no longer divided in
counsel, since Hera hath turned the minds of all by her beseeching, and over
the Trojans sorrows hang by the will of Zeus. But do thou keep this in thy
heart, not let forgetfulness come upon thee when honeyed sleep shall leave
thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the Dream, and departed and left him there, deeming in his mind things
that were not to be fulfilled. For indeed he thought to take Priam&rsquo;s city
that very day; fond man, in that he knew not the plans that Zeus had in mind,
who was willed to bring yet more grief and wailing on Trojans alike and Danaans
throughout the course of stubborn fights. Then woke he from sleep, and the
heavenly voice was in his ears. So he rose up sitting, and donned his soft
tunic, fair and bright, and cast around him his great cloak, and beneath his
glistering feet he bound his fair sandals, and over his shoulders cast his
silver-studded sword, and grasped his sires&rsquo; sceptre, imperishable for
ever, wherewith he took his way amid the mail-clad Achaians&rsquo; ships.
</p>

<p>
Now went the goddess Dawn to high Olympus, foretelling daylight to Zeus and all
the immortals; and the king bade the clear-voiced heralds summon to the
assembly the flowing-haired Achaians. So did those summon, and these gathered
with speed.
</p>

<p>
But first the council of the great-hearted elders met beside the ship of king
Nestor the Pylos-born. And he that had assembled them framed his cunning
counsel: &ldquo;Hearken, my friends. A dream from heaven came to me in my sleep
through the ambrosial night, and chiefly to goodly Nestor was very like in
shape and bulk and stature. And it stood over my head and charged me saying:
&lsquo;Sleepest thou, son of wise Atreus tamer of horses? To sleep all night
through beseemeth not one that is a counsellor, to whom peoples are entrusted
and so many cares belong. But now hearken straightway to me, for I am a
messenger to thee from Zeus, who though he be afar yet hath great care for thee
and pity. He biddeth thee call to arms the flowing-haired Achaians with all
speed, for that now thou mayest take the wide-wayed city of the Trojans. For
the immortals that dwell in the palaces of Olympus are no longer divided in
counsel, since Hera hath turned the minds of all by her beseeching, and over
the Trojans sorrows hang by the will of Zeus. But do thou keep this in thy
heart.&rsquo; So spake the dream and was flown away, and sweet sleep left me.
So come, let us now call to arms as we may the sons of the Achaians. But first
I will speak to make trial of them as is fitting, and bid them flee with their
benched ships; only do ye from this side and from that speak to hold them
back.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up among them Nestor, who was
king of sandy Pylos. He of good intent made harangue to them and said:
&ldquo;My friends, captains and rulers of the Argives, had any other of the
Achaians told us this dream we might deem it a false thing, and rather turn
away therefrom; but now he hath seen it who of all Achaians avoweth himself far
greatest. So come, let us call to arms as we may the sons of the
Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and led the way forth from the council, and all the other sceptred
chiefs rose with him and obeyed the shepherd of the host; and the people
hastened to them. Even as when the tribes of thronging bees issue from the
hollow rock, ever in fresh procession, and fly clustering among the flowers of
spring, and some on this hand and some on that fly thick; even so from ships
and huts before the low beach marched forth their many tribes by companies to
the place of assembly. And in their midst blazed forth Rumour, messenger of
Zeus, urging them to go; and so they gathered. And the place of assemblage was
in an uproar, and the earth echoed again as the hosts sate them down, and there
was turmoil. Nine heralds restrained them with shouting, if perchance they
might refrain from clamour, and hearken to their kings, the fosterlings of
Zeus. And hardly at the last would the people sit, and keep them to their
benches and cease from noise. Then stood up lord Agamemnon bearing his sceptre,
that Hephaistos had wrought curiously. Hephaistos gave it to king Zeus son of
Kronos, and then Zeus gave it to the messenger-god the slayer of Argus [Or,
possibly, &ldquo;the swift-appearing&rdquo;]; and king Hermes gave it to Pelops
the charioteer, and Pelops again gave it to Atreus shepherd of the host. And
Atreus dying left it to Thyestes rich in flocks, and Thyestes in his turn left
it to Agamemnon to bear, that over many islands and all Argos he should be
lord. Thereon he leaned and spake his saying to the Argives:
</p>

<p>
&ldquo;My friends, Danaan warriors, men of Ares&rsquo; company, Zeus
Kronos&rsquo; son hath bound me with might in grievous blindness of soul; hard
of heart is he, for that erewhile he promised me and pledged his nod that not
till I had wasted well-walled Ilios should I return; but now see I that he
planned a cruel wile and biddeth me return to Argos dishonoured, with the loss
of many of my folk. So meseems it pleaseth most mighty Zeus, who hath laid low
the head of many a city, yea, and shall lay low; for his is highest power.
Shame is this even for them that come after to hear; how so goodly and great a
folk of the Achaians thus vainly warred a bootless war, and fought scantier
enemies, and no end thereof is yet seen. For if perchance we were minded, both
Achaians and Trojans, to swear a solemn truce, and to number ourselves, and if
the Trojans should gather together all that have their dwellings in the city,
and we Achaians should marshal ourselves by tens, and every company choose a
Trojan to pour their wine, then would many tens lack a cup-bearer: so much, I
say, do the sons of the Achaians outnumber the Trojans that dwell within the
city. But allies from many cities, even warriors that wield the spear, are
therein, and they hinder me perforce, and for all my will suffer me not to
waste the populous citadel of Ilios. Already have nine years of great Zeus
passed away, and our ships&rsquo; timbers have rotted and the tackling is
loosed; while there our wives and little children sit in our halls awaiting us;
yet is our task utterly unaccomplished wherefor we came hither. So come, even
as I bid let us all obey. Let us flee with our ships to our dear native land;
for now shall we never take wide-wayed Troy.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and stirred the spirit in the breasts of all throughout the
multitude, as many as had not heard the council. And the assembly swayed like
high sea-waves of the Icarian Main that east wind and south wind raise, rushing
upon them from the clouds of father Zeus; and even as when the west wind cometh
to stir a deep cornfield with violent blast, and the ears bow down, so was all
the assembly stirred, and they with shouting hasted toward the ships; and the
dust from beneath their feet rose and stood on high. And they bade each man his
neighbor to seize the ships and drag them into the bright salt sea, and cleared
out the launching-ways, and the noise went up to heaven of their hurrying
homewards; and they began to take the props from beneath the ships.
</p>

<p>
Then would the Argives have accomplished their return against the will of fate,
but that Hera spake a word to Athene: &ldquo;Out on it, daughter of
aegis-bearing Zeus, unwearied maiden! Shall the Argives thus indeed flee
homeward to their dear native land over the sea&rsquo;s broad back? But they
would leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Helen of Argos, for
whose sake many an Achaian hath perished in Troy, far away from his dear native
land. But go thou now amid the host of the mail-clad Achaians; with thy gentle
words refrain thou every man, neither suffer them to draw their curved ships
down to the salt sea.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake she, and the bright-eyed goddess Athene disregarded not; but went
darting down from the peaks of Olympus, and came with speed to the fleet ships
of the Achaians. There found she Odysseus standing, peer of Zeus in counsel,
neither laid he any hand upon his decked black ship, because grief had entered
into his heart and soul. And bright-eyed Athene stood by him and said:
&ldquo;Heaven-sprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of many devices, will ye indeed
fling yourselves upon your benched ships to flee homeward to your dear native
land? But ye would leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Helen of
Argos, for whose sake many an Achaian hath perished in Troy, far from his dear
native land. But go thou now amid the host of the Achaians, and tarry not; and
with gentle words refrain every man, neither suffer them to draw their curved
ships down to the salt sea.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and he knew the voice of the goddess speaking to him, and set him
to run, and cast away his mantle, the which his herald gathered up, even
Eurybated of Ithaca, that waited on him. And himself he went to meet Agamemnon
son of Atreus, and at his hand received the sceptre of his sires, imperishable
for ever, wherewith he took his way amid the ships of the mail-clad Achaians.
</p>

<p>
Whenever he found one that was a captain and a man of mark, he stood by his
side, and refrained him with gentle words: &ldquo;Good sir, it is not seemly to
affright thee like a coward, but do thou sit thyself and make all thy folk sit
down. For thou knowest not yet clearly what is the purpose of Atreus&rsquo;
son; now is he but making trial, and soon he will afflict the sons of the
Achaians. And heard we not all of us what he spake in the council? Beware lest
in his anger he evilly entreat the sons of the Achaians. For proud is the soul
of heaven-fostered kings; because their honour is of Zeus, and the god of
counsel loveth them.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
But whatever man of the people he saw and found him shouting, him he drave with
his sceptre and chode him with loud words: &ldquo;Good sir, sit still and
hearken to the words of others that are thy betters; but thou art no warrior,
and a weakling, never reckoned whether in battle or in council. In no wise can
we Achaians all be kings here. A multitude of masters is no good thing; let
there be one master, one king, to whom the son of crooked-counselling Kronos
hath granted it, [even the sceptre and judgments, that he may rule among
you&rdquo;].
</p>

<p>
So masterfully ranged he the host; and they hasted back to the assembly from
ships and huts, with noise as when a wave of loud-sounding sea roareth on the
long beach and the main resoundeth.
</p>

<p>
Now all the rest sat down and kept their place upon the benches, only Thersites
still chattered on, the uncontrolled speech, whose mind was full of words many
and disorderly, wherewith to strive against the chiefs idly and in no good
order, but even as he deemed that he should make the Argives laugh. And he was
ill-favored beyond all men that came to Ilios. Bandy-legged was he, and lame of
one foot, and his two shoulders rounded, arched down upon his chest; and over
them his head was warped, and a scanty stubble sprouted on it. Hateful was he
to Achilles above all and to Odysseus, for them he was wont to revile. But now
with shrill shout he poured forth his upbraidings upon goodly Agamemnon. With
him the Achaians were sore vexed and had indignation in their souls. But he
with loud shout spake and reviled Agamemnon: &ldquo;Atreides, for what art thou
now ill content and lacking? Surely thy huts are full of bronze and many women
are in they huts, the chosen spoils that we Achaians give thee first of all,
whene&rsquo;er we take a town. Can it be that thou yet wantest gold as well,
such as some one of the horse-taming Trojans may bring from Ilios to ransom his
son, whom I perchance or some other Achaian have led captive; or else some
young girl, to know in love, whom thou mayest keep apart to thyself? But it is
not seemly for one that is their captain to bring the sons of the Achaians to
ill. Soft fools, base things of shame, ye women of Achaia and men no more, let
us depart home with our ships, and leave this fellow here in Troy-land to gorge
him with meeds of honour, that he may see whether our aid avail him aught or
no; even he that hath now done dishonour to Achilles, a far better man than he;
for he hath taken away his meed of honour and keepeth it by his own violent
deed. Of a very surety is there no wrath at all in Achilles&rsquo; mind, but he
is slack; else this despite, thou son of Atreus, were thy last.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake Thersites, reviling Agamemnon shepherd of the host. But goodly
Odysseus came straight to his side, and looking sternly at him with hard words
rebuked him: &ldquo;Thersites, reckless in words, shrill orator though thou
art, refrain thyself, nor aim to strive singly against kings. For I deem that
no mortal is baser than thou of all that with the sons of Atreus came before
Ilios. Therefore were it well that thou shouldest not have kings in thy mouth
as thou talkest, and utter revilings against them and be on the watch for
departure. We know not yet clearly how these things shall be, whether we sons
of the Achaians shall return for good or ill. Therefore now dost thou revile
continually Agamemnon son of Atreus, shepherd of the host, because the Danaan
warriors give him many gifts, and so thou talkest tauntingly. But I will tell
thee plain, and that I say shall even be brought to pass: if I find thee again
raving as now thou art, then may Odysseus&rsquo; head no longer abide upon his
shoulders, nor may I any more be called father of Telemachos, if I take thee
not and strip from thee thy garments, thy mantle and tunic that cover thy
nakedness, and for thyself send thee weeping to the fleet ships, and beat thee
out of the assembly with shameful blows.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and with his staff smote his back and shoulders: and he bowed down
and a big tear fell from him, and a bloody weal stood up from his back beneath
the golden sceptre. Then he sat down and was amazed, and in pain with helpless
look wiped away the tear. But the rest, though they were sotty, laughed lightly
at him, and thus would one speak looking at another standing by: &ldquo;Go to,
of a truth Odysseus hath wrought good deeds without number ere now, standing
foremost in wise counsels and setting battle in array, but now is this thing
the best by far that he hath wrought among the Argives, to wit, that he hath
stayed this prating railer from his harangues. Never again, forsooth, will his
proud soul henceforth bid him revile the kings with slanderous words.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said the common sort; but up rose Odysseus waster of cities, with sceptre in
his hand. And by his side bright-eyed Athene in the likeness of a herald bade
the multitude keep silence, that the sons of the Achaians, both the nearest and
the farthest, might hear his words together and give heed to his counsel. He of
good intent made harangue to them and said: &ldquo;Atreides, now surely are the
Achaians for making thee, O king, most despised among all mortal men, nor will
they fulfil the promise that they pledged thee when they still were marching
hither from horse-pasturing Argos; that thou shouldest not return till thou
hadst laid well-walled Ilios waste. For like young children or widow women do
they wail each to the other of returning home. Yea, here is toil to make a man
depart disheartened. For he that stayeth away but one single month far from his
wife in his benched ship fretteth himself when winter storms and the furious
sea imprison him; but for us, the ninth year of our stay here is upon us in its
course. Therefore do I not marvel that the Achaians should fret beside their
beaked ships; yet nevertheless is it shameful to wait long and to depart empty.
Be of good heart, my friends, and wait a while, until we learn whether Kalchas
be a true prophet or no. For this thing verily we know well in our hearts, and
ye all are witnesses thereof, even as many as the fates of death have not borne
away. It was as it were but yesterday or the day before that the
Achaians&rsquo; ships were gathering in Aulis, freighted with trouble for Priam
and the Trojans; and we round about a spring were offering on the holy altars
unblemished hecatombs to the immortals, beneath a fair plane-tree whence flowed
bright water, when there was seen a great portent: a snake blood-red on the
back, terrible, whom the god of Olympus himself had sent forth to the light of
day, sprang from beneath the altar and darted to the plane-tree. Now there were
there the brood of a sparrow, tender little ones, upon the topmost branch,
nestling beneath the leaves; eight were they and the mother of the little ones
was the ninth, and the snake swallowed these cheeping pitifully. And the mother
fluttered around wailing for her dear little ones; but he coiled himself and
caught her by the wing as she screamed about him. Now when he had swallowed the
sparrow&rsquo;s little ones and the mother with them, the god who revealed him
made of him a sign; for the son of crooked-counselling Kronos turned him to
stone, and we stood by and marvelled to see what was done. So when the dread
portent brake in upon the hecatombs of the gods, then did Kalchas forthwith
prophesy, and said: &lsquo;Why hold ye your peace, ye flowing-haired Achaians?
To us hath Zeus the counsellor shown this great sign, late come, of late
fulfilment, the fame whereof shall never perish. Even as he swallowed the
sparrow&rsquo;s little ones and herself, the eight wherewith the mother that
bare the little ones was the ninth, so shall we war there so many years, but in
the tenth year shall we take the wide-wayed city.&rsquo; So spake the seer; and
now are all these things being fulfilled. So come, abide ye all, ye
well-greaved Achaians, even where ye are, until we have taken the great city of
Priam.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and the Argives shouted aloud, and all round the ships echoed
terribly to the voice of the Achaians as they praised the saying of god-like
Odysseus. And then spake among them knightly Nestor of Gerenia: &ldquo;Out on
it; in very truth ye hold assembly like silly boys that have no care for deeds
of war. What shall come of our covenants and our oaths? Let all counsels be
cast into the fire and all devices of warriors and the pure drink-offerings and
the right hands of fellowship wherein we trusted. For we are vainly striving
with words nor can we find any device at all, for all our long tarrying here.
Son of Atreus, do thou still, as erst, keep steadfast purpose and lead the
Argives amid the violent fray; and for these, let them perish, the one or two
Achaians that take secret counsel—to depart to Argos first, before they know
whether the promise of aegis-bearing Zeus be a lie or no. Yea, for I say that
most mighty Kronion pledged us his word that day when the Argives embarked upon
their fleet ships, bearing unto the Trojans death and fate; for by his
lightning upon our right he manifested signs of good. Therefore let
Trojal&rsquo;s wife and paid back his strivings and groans for Helel&rsquo;s
sake. But if any man is overmuch desirous to depart homewards, let him lay his
hand upon his decked black ship, that before all men he may encounter death and
fate. But do thou, my king, take good counsel thyself, and whate&rsquo;er it
be, shall not be cast away. Separate thy warriors by tribes and by clans,
Agamemnon, that clan may give aid to clan and tribe to tribe. If thou do thus
and the Achaians hearken to thee, then wilt thou know who among thy captains
and who of the common sort is a coward, and who too is brave; for they will
fight each after their sort. So wilt thou know whether it is even by divine
command that thou shalt not take the city, or by the baseness of thy warriors
and their ill skill in battle.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And lord Agamemnon answered and said to him: &ldquo;Verily hast thou again
outdone the sons of the Achaians in speech, old man. Ah, father Zeus and Athene
and Apollo, would that among the Achaians I had ten such councillors; then
would the city of king Priam soon bow beneath our hands, captive and wasted.
But aegis-bearing Zeus, the son of Kronos, hath brought sorrows upon me, in
that he casteth my lot amid fruitless wranglings and strifes. For in truth I
and Achilles fought about a damsel with violent words, and I was first to be
angry; but if we can only be at one in council, then will there no more be any
putting off the day of evil for the Trojans, no not for an instant. But now go
ye to your meal that we may join battle. Let each man sharpen well his spear
and bestow well his shield, and let him well give his fleet-footed steeds their
meal, and look well to his chariot on every side and take thought for battle,
that all day long we may contend in hateful war. For of respite shall there
intervene no, not a whit, only that the coming of night shall part the fury of
warriors. On each mal&rsquo;s breast shall the baldrick of his covering shield
be wet with sweat, and his hand shall grow faint about the spear, and each
mal&rsquo;s horse shall sweat as he draweth the polished chariot. And
whomsoever I perceive minded to tarry far from the fight beside the beaked
ships, for him shall there be no hope hereafter to escape the dogs and birds of
prey.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and the Argives shouted aloud, like to a wave on a steep shore,
when the south wind cometh and stirreth it; even on a jutting rock, that is
never left at peace by the waves of all winds that rise from this side and from
that. And they did sacrifice each man to one of the everlasting gods, praying
for escape from death and the tumult of battle. But Agamemnon king of men slew
a fat bull of five years to most mighty Kronion, and called the elders, the
princes of the Achaian host, Nestor first and king Idomeneus, and then the two
Aiantes and Tydeus&rsquo; son, and sixthly Odysseus peer of Zeus in counsel.
And Menelaos of the loud war-cry came to him unbidden, for he knew in his heart
how his brother toiled. Then stood they around the bull and took the
barley-meal. And Agamemnon made his prayer in their midst and said:
&ldquo;Zeus, most glorious, most great, god of the storm-cloud, that dwellest
in the heaven, vouchsafe that the sun set not upon us nor the darkness come
near, till I have laid low upon the earth Priam&rsquo;s palace smirched with
smoke, and burnt the doorways thereof with consuming fire, and rent on
Hector&rsquo;s breast his doublet cleft with the blade; and about him may full
many of his comrades prone in the dust bite the earth.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, but not as yet would Kronion grant him fulfilment; he accepted the
sacrifice, but made toil to wax increasingly.
</p>

<p>
Now when they had prayed and sprinkled the barley-meal they first drew back the
bull&rsquo;s head and cut his throat and flayed him, and cut slices from the
thigh&rsquo;s and wrapped them in fat, making a double fold, and laid raw
collops thereon. And these they burnt on cleft wood stript of leaves, and
spitted the vitals and held them over Hephaistos&rsquo; flame. Now when the
thighs were burnt and they had tasted the vitals, then sliced they all the rest
and pierced it through with spits, and roasted it carefully and drew all off
again. So when they had rest from the task and had made ready the banquet, they
feasted, nor was their heart aught stinted of the fair banquet. But when they
had put away from them the desire of meat and drink, then did knightly Nestor
of Gerenia open his saying to them: &ldquo;Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon
king of men, let us not any more hold long converse here, nor for long delay
the work that god putteth in our hands; but come, let the heralds of the
mail-clad Achaians make proclamation to the folk and gather them throughout the
ships; and let us go thus in concert through the wide host of the Achaians,
that the speedier we may arouse keen war.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and Agamemnon king of men disregarded not. Straightway he bade the
clear-voiced heralds summon to battle the flowing-haired Achaians. So those
summoned and these gathered with all speed. And the kings, the fosterlings of
Zeus that were about Atreus&rsquo; son, eagerly marshalled them, and
bright-eyed Athene in the midst, bearing the holy aegis that knoweth neither
age nor death, whereon wave an hundred tassels of pure gold, all deftly woven
and each one an hundred oxen worth. Therewith she passed dazzling through the
Achaian folk, urging them forth; and in every mal&rsquo;s heart she roused
strength to battle without ceasing and to fight. So was war made sweeter to
them than to depart in their hollow ships to their dear native land. Even as
ravaging fire kindleth a boundless forest on a mountail&rsquo;s peaks, and the
blaze is seen from afar, even so as they marched went the dazzling gleam from
the innumerable bronze through the sky even unto the heavens.
</p>

<p>
And as the many tribes of feathered birds, wild geese or cranes or long-necked
swans, on the Asian mead by Kaystrios&rsquo; stream, fly hither and thither
joying in their plumage, and with loud cries settle ever onwards, and the mead
resounds; even so poured forth the many tribes of warriors from ships and huts
into the Skamandrian plain. And the earth echoed terribly beneath the tread of
men and horses. So stood they in the flowery Skamandrian plain, unnumbered as
are leaves and flowers in their season. Even as the many tribes of thick flies
that hover about a herdsmal&rsquo;s steading in the spring season, when milk
drencheth the pails, even in like number stood the flowing-haired Achaians upon
the plain in face of the Trojans, eager to rend them asunder. And even as the
goatherds easily divide the ranging flocks of goats when they mingle in the
pasture, so did their captains marshal them on this side and that, to enter
into the fray, and in their midst lord Agamemnon, his head and eyes like unto
Zeus whose joy is in the thunder, and his waist like unto Ares and his breast
unto Poseidon. Even as a bull standeth out far foremost amid the herd, for his
is pre-eminent amid the pasturing kine, even such did Zeus make Atreides on
that day, pre-eminent among many and chief amid heroes.
</p>

<p>
Tell me now, ye Muses that dwell in the mansions of Olympus—seeing that ye are
goddesses and are at hand and know all things, but we hear only a rumour and
know not anything—who were the captains of the Danaans and their lords. But the
common sort could I not number nor name, nay, not if ten tongues were mine and
ten mouths, and a voice unwearied, and my heart of bronze within me, did not
the Muses of Olympus, daughters of aegis-bearing Zeus, put into my mind all
that came to Ilios. So will I tell the captains of the ships and all the ships
in order.
</p>

<p>
Of the Boiotians Peneleos and Leitos were captains, and Arkesilaos and
Prothoenor and Klonios; these were they that dwelt in Hyria and rocky Aulis and
Schoinos and Skolos and Eteonos full of ridges, Thespeia and Graia and
Mykalessos with wide lawns; and that dwelt about Harma and Eilesion and
Erythrai, and they that possessed Eleon and Peteon and Hyle, Okalea and the
stablished fortress of Medeon, Kopai and Eutresis and Thisbe haunt of doves;
and they of Koroneia and grassy Haliartos, and that possessed Plataia and that
dwelt in Glisas, and that possessed the stablished fortress of lesser Thebes
and holy Onchestos, Poseidol&rsquo;s bright grove; and that possessed Arne rich
in vineyards, and Mideia and sacred Nisa and Anthedon on the furthest borders.
Of these there came fifty ships, and in each one embarked young men of the
Boiotians an hundred and twenty. And they that dwelt in Aspledon and Orchomenos
of the Minyai were led of Askalaphos and Ialmenos, sons of Ares, whom Astyoche
conceived of the mighty god in the palace of Aktor son of Azeus, having entered
her upper chamber, a stately maiden; for mighty Ares lay with her privily. And
with them sailed thirty hollow ships.
</p>

<p>
And the Phokians were led of Schedios and Epistrophos, sons of great-hearted
Iphitos son of Naubolos; these were they that possessed Kyparissos and rocky
Pytho and sacred Krisa and Daulis and Panopeus, and they that dwelt about
Anemoreia and Hyampolis, yea, and they that lived by the goodly river Kephisos
and possessed Lilaia by Kephisos&rsquo; springs. And with them followed thirty
black ships. So they marshalled the ranks of the Phokians diligently, and had
their station hard by the Boiotians on the left.
</p>

<p>
And of the Lokrians the fleet son of Oileus was captain, Aias the less, that
was not so great as was the Telamonian Aias but far less. Small was he, with
linen corslet, but with the spear he far outdid all the Hellenes and Achaians.
These were they that dwelt in Kynos and Opus and Kalliaros and Bessa and
Skarphe and lovely Augeiai and Tarphe and Thronion, about the streams of
Boagrios. And with Aias followed forty black ships of the Lokrians that dwell
over against holy Euboia.
</p>

<p>
And the Abantes breathing fury, they that possessed Euboia and Chalkis and
Eiretria and Histiaia rich in vines, and Kerinthos by the sea and the steep
fortress of Dios and they that possessed Karytos, and they that dwelt in Styra,
all these again were led of Elephenor of the stock of Ares, even the son of
Chalkodon, and captain of the proud Abantes. And with him followed the fleet
Abantes with hair flowing behind, spearmen eager with ashen shafts outstretched
to tear the corslets on the breasts of the foes. And with him forty black ships
followed.
</p>

<p>
And they that possessed the goodly citadel of Athens, the domain of Erechtheus
the high-hearted, whom erst Athene daughter of Zeus fostered when Earth, the
grain-giver, brought him to birth;—and she gave him a resting-place in Athens
in her own rich sanctuary; and there the sons of the Athenians worship him with
bulls and rams as the years turn in their courses—these again were led of
Menestheus son of Peteos. And there was no man upon the face of earth that was
like him for the marshalling of horsemen and warriors that bear the shield.
Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was the elder by birth. And with him rivalled
him, for he was the elder by birth. And with him fifty black ships followed.
</p>

<p>
And Aias led twelve ships from Salamis, [and brought them and set them where
the battalions of the Athenians stood.]
</p>

<p>
And they that possessed Argos and Tiryns of the great walls, Hermione and Asine
that enfold the deep gulf, Troizen and Eionai and Epidauros full of vines, and
the youths of the Achaians that possessed Aigina and Mases, these were led of
Diomedes of the loud war-cary and Sthenelos, dear son of famous Kapaneus. And
the third with them came Euryalos, a godlike warrior, the son of king Mekisteus
son of Talaos. But Diomedes of the loud war-cry was lord over all. And with
them eighty black ships followed.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed the stablished fortress of Mykene and wealthy
Corinth and stablished Kleonai, and dwelt in Orneiai and lovely Araithyrea and
Sikyon, wherein Adrestos was king at the first; and of them that possessed
Hyperesie and steep Gonoessa and Pellene, and dwelt about Aigion and through
all the coast-land and about broad Helike, of them did lord Agamemnon son of
Atreus lead an hundred ships. With him followed most and goodliest folk by far;
and in their midst himself was clad in flashing bronze, all glorious, and was
pre-eminent amid all warriors, because he was goodliest and led folk far
greatest in number.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Lakedaimon lying low amid the rifted hills, and
Pharis and Sparta and Messe, the haunt of doves, and dwelt in Bryseiai and
lovely Augeiai, and of them too that possessed Amyklai and the sea-coast
fortress of Helos, and that possessed Laas and dwelt about Oitylos, of these
was the king&rsquo;s brother leader, even Menelaos of the loud war-cry, leader
of sixty ships, and these were arrayed apart. And himself marched among them
confident in his zeal, urging his men to battle: and his heart most of all was
set to take vengeance for his strivings and groans for Helel&rsquo;s sake [Or,
&ldquo;for Helel&rsquo;s searchings of heart and groans.&rdquo;].
</p>

<p>
And of them that dwelt in Pylos and lovely Arene and Thryon the fording-place
of Alpheios, and in established Aipy, and were inhabitants of Kyparisseis and
Amphigeneia and Pteleos and Helos and Dorion—where the Muses met Thamyris the
Thracian, and made an end of his singing, as he was faring from Oichalia, from
Eurytos the Oichalian; for he averred with boasting that he would conquer, even
did the Muses themselves sing against him, the daughters of aegis-bearing Zeus;
but they in their anger maimed him, moreover they took from him the high gift
of song and made him to forget his harping—of all these was knightly Nestor of
Gerenia leader, and with him sailed ninety hollow ships.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Arkadia beneath the steep mountain of Kyllene,
beside the tomb of Aipytos, where are warriors that fight hand to hand; and of
them that dwelt in Pheneos and Orchomenos abounding in flocks, and Rhipe and
Stratie and windy Enispe, and that possessed Tegea and lovely Mantineia, and
possessed Stymphelos and dwelt in Parhasie, of these was Ankaios&rsquo; son
lord Agapenor leader, even of sixty ships; and in each ship embarked many
Arkadian warriors skilled in fight. For Agamemnon king of men himself gave them
benched ships wherewith to cross the wine-dark sea, even he the son of Atreus;
for matters of seafaring concerned them not.
</p>

<p>
And they too that inhabited Bouprasion and goodly Elis, so much thereof as
Hyrmine and Myrsinos upon the borders and the Olenian rock and Aleision bound
between them, of these men there were four captains, and ten swift ships
followed each one, and many Epeians embarked thereon. So some were led of
Amphimachos and Thalpios, of the lineage of Aktor, sons one of Kteatos and one
of Eurytos; and of some was stalwart Diores captain, son of Amarynkes; and of
the fourth company godlike Polyxeinos was captain, son of king Agasthenes
Augeias&rsquo; son.
</p>

<p>
And them of Doulichion and the holy Echinean Isles that stand beyond the sea
over against Elis, even these did Meges lead, the peer of Ares, Phyleides to
wit, for he was begotten of knightly Phyleus dear to Zeus, him that erst
changed his habitation to Doulichion for anger against his father. And with him
followed forty black ships.
</p>

<p>
And Odysseus led the great-hearted Kephallenians, them that possessed Ithaka
and Neriton with quivering leafage, and dwelt in Krokyleia and rugged Aigilips,
and them that possessed Zakynthos and that dwelt in Samos, and possessed the
mainland and dwelt in the parts over against the isles. Them did Odysseus lead,
the peer of Zeus in counsel, and with him followed twelve ships with vermillion
prow.
</p>

<p>
And of the Aitolians Thoas was captain, the son of Andraimon, even of them that
dwelt in Pleuron and Olenos and Pylene, and Chalkis on the sea-shore and rocky
Kalydon. For the sons of great-hearted Oineus were no more, neither did he
still live, and golden-haired Meleagros was dead, to whose hands all had been
committed, for him to be king of the Aitolians. And with Thoas there followed
forty black ships.
</p>

<p>
And of the Cretans Idomeneus the famous spearman was leader, even of them that
possessed Knosos and Gortys of the great walls, Lyktos and Miletos and chalky
Lykastos and Phaistos and Rhytion, stablished cities all; and of all others
that dwelt in Crete of the hundred cities. Of these men was Idomeneus the
famous spearman leader, and Meriones peer of the man-slaying war-god. With
these followed eighty black ships.
</p>

<p>
And Tlepolemmos, Herakles&rsquo; son goodly and tall, led from Rhodes nine
ships of the lordly Rhodians, that dwelt in Rhodes in threefold ordering, in
Lindos and Ialysos and chalky Kameiros. These were led of Tlepolemos the famous
spearman, that was born to great Herakles by Astyocheia, whom he had brought
away from Ephyre by the river Selleeis, when he laid waste many cities of
strong men, fosterlings of Zeus. Now when Tlepolemos had grown to manhood
within the strong palace walls, anon he slew his own father&rsquo;s dear uncle,
an old man now, Likymnios of the stock of Ares. Then with speed built he ships
and gathered much folk together, and went fleeing across the deep, because the
other sons and grandsons of great Herakles threatened him. So he came to Rhodes
a wanderer, enduring hardships, and his folk settled by kinship in three
tribes, and were loved of Zeus that is king among gods and men; and Kronion
poured upon them exceeding great wealth.
</p>

<p>
Nireus, moreover, led three trim ships from Syme, Nireus son of Aglaia and king
Charopos, Nireus the most beauteous man that came up under Ilios of all the
Danaans, after the noble son of Peleus. Howbeit he was a weakling, and a scanty
host followed him.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Nisyros and Krapathos and Kasos and Kos the
</p>

<p>
city of Eurypylos, and the Kalydnian Isles, of them Pheidippos and
</p>

<p>
Antiphos were leaders, the two sons of king Thessalos son of Herakles.
</p>

<p>
With them were arrayed thirty hollow ships.
</p>

<p>
Now all moreover that dwelt in the Pelasgian Argos and inhabited Alos and Alope
and Trachis and possessed Phthia and Hellas the home of fair women, and were
called Myrmidons and Hellenes and Achaians; of all these, even fifty ships,
Achilles was captain. But these took no thought of noisy war; for there was no
man to array them in line of battle. For fleet-footed goodly Achilles lay idle
amid the ships, wroth for the sake of a damsel, Briseis of the lovely hair,
whom he had won from Lyrnessos and the walls of Thebe, and overthrew Mynes and
Epistrophos, warriors that bare the spear, sons of king Euenos Selepos&rsquo;
son. For her sake lay Achilles sorrowing; but soon was he to arise again.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Phylake and flowery Pyrasos, Demeter&rsquo;s
sanctuary, and Iton mother of flocks, and Antron by the sea-shore and Pteleos
couched in grass, of all these was warlike Protesilaos leader while yet he
lived; but now ere this the black earth held him fast. His wife with marred
visage was left alone in Phylake, yea, and his bridal chamber half builded; for
a Dardanian warrior slew him as he leapt from his ship far first of the
Achaians. Yet neither were his men leaderless, though they sorrowed for their
leader; for Podarkes of the stock of Ares marshalled them, son of
Phylakos&rsquo; son Iphiklos was he, the lord of many flocks, own brother of
great-hearted Protesilaos, and younger-born than he: but the other was alike
the elder and the braver, even Protesilaos, that mighty man of war. Yet did not
the host lack at all a leader, only they yearned for the noble dead. With him
followed forty black ships.
</p>

<p>
And of them that dwelt in Pherai by the Boibeian mere, in Boibe and
</p>

<p>
Glaphyre and stablished Iolkos, of them, even eleven ships, Admetos&rsquo;
</p>

<p>
dear son was leader, Eumelos whom Alkestis, fair among women, bare to
</p>

<p>
Admetos, she that was most beauteous to look upon of the daughters of
</p>

<p>
Pelias.
</p>

<p>
And of them that dwelt in Methone and Thaumakie, and possessed Meliboia and
rugged Olizon, of these, even seven ships, was Philoktetes leader, the cunning
archer; and in each ship sailed fifty oarsmen skilled to fight amain with the
bow. But their captain lay enduring sore pain in the isle of goodly Lemnos,
where the sons of the Achaians left him sick of a grievous wound from a deadly
water-snake. There lay he pining; yet were the Argives soon to bethink them
beside their ships of king Philoktetes. Yet neither were his men leaderless,
only they sorrowed for their leader; but Medon marshalled them, Oileus&rsquo;
bastard son, whom Rhene bare to Oileus waster of cities.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Trikke and terraced ithome and that possessed
Oichalia city of Eurytos the Oichalian, of these again Asklepios&rsquo; two
sons were leaders, the cunning leeches Podaleirios and Machaon. And with them
were arrayed thirty hollow ships.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Ormenios and the fountain of Hypereia, and possessed
Asterion and the white crests of Titanos, of these was Eurypylos leader,
Euaimol&rsquo;s glorious son; and with him, forty black ships followed.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Argissa and dwelt in Gyrtona, Orthe and Elone and
the white city of Olooson, of these was captain unflinching Polypoites, son of
Peirithoos that immortal Zeus begat: and Polypoites did famed Hippodameia
conceive of Peirithoos on that day when he took vengeance of the shaggy wild
folk, and thrust them forth from Pelion and drave them to the Aithikes. And
Polypoites ruled not alone, but with him was Leonteus of the stock of Ares, son
of high-hearted Koronos Kaineus&rsquo; son. And with them forty black ships
followed.
</p>

<p>
And Gouneus from Kyphos led two-and-twenty ships, and with him followed the
Enienes and unflinching Peraibians that had pitched their homes about wintry
Dodona, and dwelt on the tilth about lovely Titaresios that poureth his
fair-flowing stream into Peneios. Yet doth he not mingle with the silver eddies
of Peneios, but floweth on over him like unto oil, seeing that he is an
offspring from the water of Styx, the dread river of the oath.
</p>

<p>
And the Magnetes were led of Prothoos son of Tenthredon, even they that dwelt
about Peneios and Pelion with trembling leafage. These did fleet Prothoos lead,
and with him forty black ships followed.
</p>

<p>
So these were the leaders of the Danaans and their captains. Now tell me, O
Muse, who among them was first and foremost, of warriors alike and horses that
followed the sons of Atreus. Of horses they of Pheres&rsquo; son were far
goodliest, those that Eumelos drave, swift as birds, like of coat, like of age,
matched to the measure of a levelling line across their backs. These were
reared in Peraia by Apollo of the silver bow, two mares carrying onward the
terror of battle. But of warriors far best was the Telamonian Aias, while the
wrath of Achilles yet endured; for he was greatest of all, he and his horses
that bore him, even Peleus&rsquo; noble son. But he lay idle among his
seafaring ships, in sore wrath against Agamemnon Atreus&rsquo; son, shepherd of
the host; and his folk along the sea-shore sported with quoits and with casting
of javelins and archery; and the horses each beside his own chariot stood idle,
champing clover and parsley of the marsh, and their lords&rsquo; chariots lay
well covered up within the huts, while the men yearned for their warrior chief,
and wandered hither and thither through the camp and fought not.
</p>

<p>
So marched they then as though all the land were consuming with fire; and the
earth groaned beneath them as at the wrath of Zeus whose joy is in the thunder,
when he lasheth the earth about Typhoeus in the country of the Arimoi, where
men say is Typhoeus&rsquo; couch. Even so groaned the earth aloud at their
tread as they went: and with speed advanced they across the plain.
</p>

<p>
Now fleet Iris the wind-footed went to the Trojans, a messenger from
aegis-bearing Zeus, with a grievous message. These were holding assembly at
Priam&rsquo;s gate, being gathered all together both young men and old. And
fleet-footed Iris stood hard by and spake to them; and she made her voice like
to the voice of Polites son of Priam, who was the sentinel of the Trojans and
was wont to sit trusting in his fleetness upon the barrow of Aisyetes of old,
and on the top thereof wait the sallying of the Achaians forth from their
ships. Even in his likeness did fleet-footed Iris speak to Priam: &ldquo;Old
man, words beyond number are still pleasant to thee as erst in the days of
peace; but war without respite is upon us. Of a truth have I very oft ere now
entered into battles of the warriors, yet have I never seen so goodly a host
and so great; for in the very likeness of the leaves of the forest or the sands
of the sea are they marching along the plain to fight against the city. But
Hector, thee do I charge beyond all to do even as I shall say. Seeing that the
allies are very many throughout Priam&rsquo;s great city, and diverse men,
being scattered abroad, have diverse tongues; therefore let each one give the
word to those whose chieftain he is, and them let him lead forth and have the
ordering of his countrymen.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake she, and Hector failed not to know the voice of the goddess, and
straightway dismissed the assembly, and they rushed to arms. And the gates were
thrown open wide, and the host issued forth, footmen and horsemen, and mighty
din arose.
</p>

<p>
Now there is before the city a certain steep mound apart in the plain, with a
clear way about it on this side and on that; and men indeed call this
&ldquo;Batieia,&rdquo; but the immortals call it &ldquo;The tomb of lithe
Myrine.&rdquo; There did the Trojans and their allies divide their companies.
</p>

<p>
Amid the Trojans great Hector of the glancing helm was leader, the son of
Priam; with him the greatest hosts by far and the goodliest were arrayed, eager
warriors of the spear.
</p>

<p>
But the Dardanians were led of the princely son of Anchises, Aineias, whom
bright Aphrodite conceived to Anchises amids the spurs of Ida, a goddess wedded
to a mortal. Neither was he alone; with him were Antenor&rsquo;s two sons,
Archelochos and Akamas, well skilled in all the ways of war.
</p>

<p>
And of them that dwelt in Zeleia beneath the nethermost foot of Ida, the men of
substance that drink the dark waters of Aisepos, even the Troes; of these
Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious son was leader, Pandaros, to whom Apollo himself gave
the bow.
</p>

<p>
And of them that possessed Adresteia and the land of Apaisos and possessed
Pityeia and the steep hill of Tereia, of these Adrestos was captain, and
Amphios of the linen corslet, the two sons of Merops of Perkote, that beyond
all men knew soothsaying, and would have hindered his children marching to
murderous war. But they gave him no heed, for the fates of black death led them
on.
</p>

<p>
And they that dwelt about Perkote and Praktios and possessed Sestos and Abydos
and bright Arisbe, these were led of Hyrtakos&rsquo; son Asios, a prince of
men, Asios son of Hyrtakos, whom his tall sorrel steeds brought from Arisbe,
from the river Selleeis.
</p>

<p>
And Hippothoos led the tribes of the Pelasgians that fight with spears,
</p>

<p>
them that inhabited deep-soiled Larisa. These were led of Hippothoos and
</p>

<p>
Pylaios of the stock of Ares, twain sons of Pelasgian Lethos son of
</p>

<p>
Teutamos.
</p>

<p>
And the Thracians were led of Akamas and hero Peiroos, even all they that the
strong stream of Hellespont shutteth in. And Euphemos was captain of the
Kikonian spearmen, the son of Troizenos Keos&rsquo; son, fosterling of Zeus.
</p>

<p>
But Pyraichmes led the Paionians with curving bows, from far away in Amydon,
from the broad stream of Axios, Axios whose water is the fairest that floweth
over the face of the earth.
</p>

<p>
And Pylaimenes of rugged heart led the Paphlagonians from the land of the
Eneti, whence is the breed of wild mules. This folk were they that possessed
Kytoros and dwelt about Sesamon, and inhabited their famed dwellings round the
river Parthenios and Kromna and Aigialos and lofty Erythini.
</p>

<p>
And the Alizones were led of Odios and Epistrophos, from far away in
</p>

<p>
Alybe, where is the birthplace of silver.
</p>

<p>
And the Mysians were led of Chromis and Ennomos the augur, yet with all his
auguries warded he not black fate from him, but was vanguished by the hand of
fleet-footed Aiakides in the river, when he made havoc of the Trojans there and
of the rest.
</p>

<p>
And Phorkys and godlike Askanios led the Phrygians from far Askania, and these
were eager to fight in the battle-throng.
</p>

<p>
And the Maionians were commanded of Mesthles and Antiphos, Talaimenes&rsquo;
two sons, whose mother was the Gygaian mere. So these led the Maionians, whose
birthplace was under Tmolos.
</p>

<p>
But Nastes led the Karians, uncouth of speech, that possessed Miletos and the
mountain of Phthires, of leafage numberless, and the streams of Maiandros and
the steep crest of Mykale. These were led of Amphimachos and Nastes: Nastes and
Amphimachos the glorious children of Nomion. And he came, forsooth, to battle
with golden attire like a girl—fond man: that held not back in any wise
grievous destruction, but he was vanguished by the hands of fleet-footed
Aiakides in the river, and wise-hearted Achilles carried away his gold.
</p>

<p>
And Sarpedon and blameless Glaukos led the Lykians from far away in
</p>

<p>
Lykia by eddying Xanthos.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap03"></a>BOOK III.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Menelaos and Paris fought in single combat; and Aphrodite rescued Paris.
And how Helen and Priam beheld the Achaian host from the walls of Troy.
</p>

<p>
Now when they were arrayed, each company with their captains, the Trojans
marched with clamour and with shouting like unto birds, even as when there
goeth up before heaven a clamour of cranes which flee from the coming of winter
and sudden rain, and fly with clamour towards the streams of ocean, bearing
slaughter and fate to the Pigmy men, and in early morn offer cruel battle. But
on the other side marched the Achaians in silence breathing courage, eager at
heart to give succour man to man.
</p>

<p>
Even as when the south wind sheddeth mist over the crests of a mountain, mist
unwelcome to the shepherd, but to the robber better than night, and a man can
see no further than he casteth a stone; even so thick arose the gathering
dust-clouds at their tread as they went; and with all speed they advanced
across the plain.
</p>

<p>
So when they were now come nigh in onset on each other, godlike Alexandros
played champion to the Trojans, wearing upon his shoulders panther-skin and
curved bow and sword; and he brandished two bronze-headed spears and challenged
all the chieftains of the Argives to fight him man to man in deadly combat. But
when Menelaos dear to Ares marked him coming in the forefront of the multitude
with long strides, then even as a lion is glad when he lighteth upon a great
carcase, a horned stag, or a wild goat that he hath found, being an hungered;
and so he devoureth it amain, even though the fleet hounds and lusty youths set
upon him; even thus was Menelaos glad when his eyes beheld godlike Alexandros;
for he thought to take vengeance upon the sinner. So straightway he leap in his
armour from his chariot to the ground.
</p>

<p>
But when godlike Alexandros marked him appear amid the champions, his heart was
smitten, and he shrank back into the host of his comrades, avoiding death. And
even as a man that hath seen a serpent in a mountain glade starteth backward
and trembling seizeth his feet beneath him, and he retreateth back again, and
paleness hath hold of his cheeks, even so did godlike Alexandros for fear of
Atreus&rsquo; son shrink back into the throng of lordly Trojans. But Hector
beheld and upbraided him with scornful words: &ldquo;Ill Paris, most fair in
semblance, thou deceiver woman-mad, would thou hadst been unborn and died
unwed. Yea, that were my desire, and it were far better than thus to be our
shame and looked at askance of all men. I ween that the flowing-haired Achaians
laugh, deeming that a prince is our champion only because a goodly favour is
his; but in his heart is there no strength nor any courage. Art thou indeed
such an one that in thy seafaring ships thou didst sail over the deep with the
company of thy trusty comrades, and in converse with strangers didst bring back
a fair woman from a far country, one that was by marriage daughter to warriors
that bear the spear, that she might be a sore mischief to they father and city
and all the realm, but to our foes a rejoicing, and to thyself a hanging of the
head? And canst thou not indeed abide Menelaos dear to Ares? Thou mightest see
what sort of warrior is he whose lovely wife thou hast. Thy lyre will not avail
thee nor the gifts of Aphrodite, those thy locks and fair favour, when thou
grovellest in the dust. But the Trojans are very cowards: else ere this hadst
thou donned a robe of stone [i.e., been stoned by the people] for all the ill
thou hast wrought.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And godlike Alexandros made answer to him again: &ldquo;Hector, since in
measure thou chidest me and not beyond measure—they heart is ever keen, even as
an axe that pierceth a beam at the hand of a man that shapeth a ship&rsquo;s
timber with skill, and thereby is the mal&rsquo;s blow strengthened; even such
is thy heart undaunted in thy breast. Cast not in my teeth the lovely gifts of
golden Aphrodite; not to be flung aside are the gods&rsquo; glorious gifts that
of their own good will they give; for by his desire can no man win them. But
now if thou wilt have me do battle and fight, make the other Trojans sit down
and all the Achaians, and set ye me in the midst, and Menelaos dear to Ares, to
fight for Helen and all her wealth. And whichsoever shall vanquish and gain the
upper hand, let him take all the wealth aright, and the woman, and bear them
home. And let the rest pledge friendship and sure oaths; so may ye dwell in
deep-soiled Troy, and let them depart to Argos pasture-land of horses, and
Achaia home of fair women.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Hector rejoiced greatly to hear his saying, and went into the
midst and restrained the battalions of the Trojans, with his spear grasped by
the middle; and they all sate them down. But the flowing-haired Achaians kept
shooting at him, aiming with arrows and casting stones. But Agamemnon king of
men cried aloud: &ldquo;Refrain, ye Argives; shoot not, ye sons of the
Achaians; for Hector of the glancing helm hath set himself to say
somewhat.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and they refrained from battle and made silence speedily. And
Hector spake between the two hosts, &ldquo;Hear of me, Trojans and well-greaved
Achaians, the saying of Alexandros, for whose sake strife hath come about. He
biddeth the other Trojans and all the Achaians to lay down their goodly armour
on the bounteous earth, and himself in the midst and Menelaos dear to Ares to
fight alone for Helen and all her wealth. And whichsoever shall vanquish and
gain the upper hand, let him take all the wealth aright, and the woman, and
bear them home; but let all of us pledge friendship and sure oaths.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and they all kept silence and were still. Then in their midst
spake Menelaos of the loud war-cry: &ldquo;Hearken ye now to me, too; for into
my heart most of all is grief entered; and I deem that the parting of Argives
and Trojans hath come at last; seeing ye have endured many ills because of my
quarrel and the first sin of Alexandros. And for whichsoever of us death and
fate are prepared, let him lie dead: and be ye all parted with speed. Bring ye
two lambs, one white ram and one black ewe, for earth and sun; and let us bring
one for Zeus. And call hither great Priam, that he may pledge the oath himself,
seeing he hath sons that are overweening and faithless, lest any by
transgression do violence to the oath of Zeus; for young mel&rsquo;s hearts are
ever lifted up. But wheresoever an old man entereth in, he looketh both before
and after, whereby the best issue shall come for either side.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Achaians and Trojans were glad, deeming that they should have
rest from grievous war. So they refrained their chariots to the ranks, and
themselves alighted and doffed their arms. And these they laid upon the earth
each close to each, and there was but small space between. And Hector sent two
heralds to the city will all speed, to bring the lambs, and to call Priam. And
lord Agamemnon sent forth Talthybios to go to the hollow ships, and bade him
bring a ram; and he was not disobedient to noble Agamemnon.
</p>

<p>
Now Iris went with a message to white-armed Helen in the likeness of her
husband&rsquo;s sister, the spouse of Antenor&rsquo;s son, even her that lord
Helikaon Antenor&rsquo;s son had to wife, Laodike fairest favoured of
Priam&rsquo;s daughters. And in the hall she found Helen weaving a great purple
web of double fold, and embroidering thereon many battles of horse-taming
Trojans and mail-clad Achaians, that they had endured for her sake at the hands
of Ares. So fleet-footed Iris stood by her side and said: &ldquo;Come hither,
dear sister, that thou mayest see the wondrous doings of horse-taming Trojans
and mail-clad Achaians. They that erst waged tearful war upon each other in the
plain, eager for deadly battle, even they sit now in silence, and the tall
spears are planted by their sides. But Alexandros and Menelaos dear to Ares
will fight with their tall spears for thee; and thou wilt be declared the dear
wife of him that conquereth.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the goddess, and put into her heart sweet longing for her former
husband and her city and parents.
</p>

<p>
Forthwith she veiled her face in shining linen, and hastened from her chamber,
letting fall a round tear; not unattended, for there followed with her two
handmaidens, Aithre daughter of Pittheus and ox-eyed Klymene. Then came she
straightway to the place of the Skaian gates. And they that were with Priam and
Panthoos and Thymoites and Lampos and Klytios and Hiketaon of the stock of
Ares, Oukalegon withal and Antenor, twain sages, being elders of the people,
sat at the Skaian gates. These had now ceased from battle for old age, yet were
they right good orators, like grasshoppers that in a forest sit upon a tree and
utter their lily-like [supposed to mean &ldquo;delicate&rdquo; or
&ldquo;tender&rdquo;] voice; even so sat the elders of the Trojans upon the
tower. Now when they saw Helen coming to the tower they softly spake winged
words one to the other: &ldquo;Small blame is it that Trojans and well-greaved
Achaians should for such a woman long time suffer hardships; marvellously like
is she to the immortal goddesses to look upon. Yet even so, though she be so
goodly, let her go upon their ships and not stay to vex us and our children
after us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said they, and Priam lifted up his voice and called to Helen: &ldquo;Come
hither, dear child, and sit before me, that thou mayest see thy former husband
and they kinsfolk and thy friends. I hold thee not to blame; nay, I hold the
gods to blame who brought on me the dolorous war of the Achaians—so mayest thou
now tell me who is this huge hero, this Achaian warrior so goodly and great. Of
a truth there are others even taller by a head; yet mine eyes never behold a
man so beautiful nor so royal; for he is like unto one that is a king.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Helen, fair among women, spake and answered him: &ldquo;Reverend art thou
to me and dread, dear father of my lord; would that sore death had been my
pleasure when I followed thy son hither, and left my home and my kinsfolk and
my daughter in her girlhood and the lovely company of mine age-fellows. But
that was not so, wherefore I pine with weeping. Now will I tell thee that
whereof thou askest me and enquirest. This is Atreides, wide-ruling Agamemnon,
one that is both a goodly king and mighty spearman. And he was my
husband&rsquo;s brother to me, ah shameless me; if ever such an one there
was.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and the old man marvelled at him, and said: &ldquo;Ah, happy
Atreides, child of fortune, blest of heaven; now know I that many sons of the
Achaians are subject to thee. Erewhile fared I to Phrygia, the land of vines,
and there saw I that the men of Phrygia, they of the nimble steeds, were very
many, even the hosts of Otreus and godlike Mygdon, that were then encamped
along the banks of Sangarios. For I too being their ally was numbered among
them on the day that the Amazons came, the peers of men. Yet were not even they
so many as are the glancing-eyed Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And next the old man saw Odysseus, and asked: &ldquo;Come now, tell me of this
man too, dear child, who is he, shorter by a head than Agamemnon son of Atreus,
but broader of shoulder and of chest to behold? His armour lieth upon the
bounteous earth, and himself like a bell-wether rangeth the ranks of warriors.
Yea, I liken him to a thick-fleeced ram ordering a great flock of ewes.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Helen sprung of Zeus made answer to him: &ldquo;Now this is Laertes&rsquo;
son, crafty Odysseus, that was reared in the realm of Ithaka, rugged though it
be, and skilled in all the ways of wile and cunning device.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then sage Antenor made answer to her: &ldquo;Lady, verily the thing thou sayest
is true indeed, for erst came goodly Odysseus hither also on an embassage for
thee, in the company of Menelaos dear to Ares; and I gave them entertainment
and welcomed them in my halls, and learnt the aspect of both and their wise
devices. Now when they mingled with the Trojans in the assembly, while all
stood up Menelaos overpassed them all by the measure of his broad shoulders;
but when both sat down, Odysseus was the more stately. And when they began to
weave the web of words and counsel in the face of all, then Menelaos harangued
fluently, in few words, but very clearly, seeing he was not long of speech,
neither random, though in years he was the younger. But whenever Odysseus full
of wiles rose up, he stood and looked down, with eyes fixed upon the ground,
and waved not his staff whether backwards or forwards, but held it stiff, like
to a man of no understanding; one would deem him to be churlish, and naught but
a fool. But when he uttered his great voice from his chest, and words like unto
the snowflakes of winter, then could no mortal man contend with Odysseus; then
marvelled we not thus to behold Odysseus&rsquo; aspect.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And thirdly the old man say Aias, and asked: &ldquo;Who then is this other
Achaian warrior, goodly and great, preeminent among the Archives by the measure
of his head and broad shoulders?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And long-robed Helen, fair among women, answered: &ldquo;This is huge Aias,
bulwark of the Achaians. And on the other side amid the Cretans standeth
Idomeneus like a god, and about him are gathered the captains of the Cretans.
Oft did Menelaos dear to Ares entertain him in our house whene&rsquo;er he came
from Crete. And now behold I all the other glancing-eyed Achaians, whom well I
could discern and tell their names; but two captains of the host can I not see,
even Kastor tamer of horses and Polydeukes the skilful boxer, mine own
brethren, whom the same mother bare. Either they came not in the company from
lovely Lakedaimon; or they came hither indeed in their seafaring ships, but now
will not enter into the battle of the warriors, for fear of the many scornings
and revilings that are mine.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she; but them the life-giving earth held fast there in
</p>

<p>
Lakedaimon, in their dear native land.
</p>

<p>
Meanwhile were the heralds bearing through the city the holy oath-offerings,
two lambs and strong-hearted wine, the fruit of the earth, in a goat-skin
bottle. And the herald Idaios bare the shining bowl and golden cups; and came
to the old man and summoned him and said: &ldquo;Rise, thou son of Laomedon.
The chieftains of the horse-taming Trojans and mail-clad Achaians call on thee
to go down into the plain, that ye may pledge a trusty oath. But Alexandros and
Menelaos dear to Ares will fight with their long spears for the lady&rsquo;s
sake; and let lady and treasure go with him that shall conquer. And may we that
are left pledge friendship and trusty oaths and dwell in deep-soiled Troy, and
they shall depart to Argos pasture-land of horses and Achaia home of fair
women.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and the old man shuddered and base his companions yoke the horses;
and they with speed obeyed. Then Priam mounted and drew back the reins, and by
his side Antenor mounted the splendid chariot. So the two drave the fleet
horses through the Skaian gates to the plain. And when they had come even to
the Trojans and Achaians, they went down from the chariots upon the bounteous
earth, and marched into the midst of Trojans and Achaians. Then forthwith rose
up Agamemnon king of men, and up rose Odysseus the man of wiles; and the lordly
heralds gathered together the holy oath-offerings of the gods, and mingled the
wine in a bowl, and poured water over the princes&rsquo; hands. And Atreides
put forth his hand and drew his knife that hung ever beside his sword&rsquo;s
great sheath, and cut the hair from off the lambs&rsquo; heads; and then the
heralds portioned it among the chief of the Trojans and Achaians. Then in their
midst Atreus&rsquo; son lifted up his hands and prayed aloud: &ldquo;Father
Zeus, that rulest from Ida, most glorious, most great, and thou Sun that seest
all things and hearest all things, and ye Rivers and thou Earth, and ye that in
the underworld punish men outworn, whosoever sweareth falsely; be ye witnesses,
and watch over the faithful oath. If Alexandros slay Menelaos, then let him
have Helen to himself and all her possessions; and we will depart on our
seafaring ships. But if golden-haired Menelaos slay Alexandros, then let the
Trojans give back Helen and all her possessions and pay the Argives the
recompense that is seemly, such as shall live among men that shall be
hereafter. But if so be that Priam and Priam&rsquo;s sons will not pay the
recompense unto me when Alexandros falleth, then will I fight on thereafter for
the price of sin, and abide here till I compass the end of war.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and cut the lambs&rsquo; throats with the pitiless knife. Them he
laid gasping upon the ground, failing of breath, for the knife had taken their
strength from them; and next they drew the wine from the bowl into the cups,
and poured it forth and prayed to the gods that live for ever. And thus would
say many an one of Achaians and Trojans: &ldquo;Zeus most glorious, most great,
and all ye immortal gods, which folk soe&rsquo;er be first to sin against the
oaths, may their brains be so poured forth upon the earth even as this wine,
theirs and their childrel&rsquo;s; and let their wives be made subject unto
strangers.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake they, but the son of Kronos vouchsafed not yet fulfilment. And in
their midst Priam of the seed of Dardanos uttered his saying: &ldquo;Hearken to
me, Trojans and well-greaved Achaians. I verily will return back to windy
Ilios, seeing that I can in no wise bear to behold with mine eyes my dear son
fighting with Menelaos dear to Ares. But Zeus knoweth, and all the immortal
gods, for whether of the twain the doom of death is appointed.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the godlike man, and laid the lambs in his chariot, and entered in
himself, and drew back the reins; and by his side Antenor mounted the splendid
chariot. So they departed back again to Ilios; and Hector son of Priam and
goodly Odysseus first meted out a space, and then they took the lots, and shook
them in a bronze-bound helmet, to know whether of the twain should first cast
his spear of bronze. And the people prayed and lifted up their hands to the
gods; and thus would say many an one of Achaians and Trojans: &ldquo;Father
Zeus, that rulest from Ida, most glorious, most great; whichsoe&rsquo;er it be
that brought this trouble upon both peoples, vouchsafe that he may die and
enter the house of Hades; that so for us peace may be assured and trusty
oaths.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said they; and great Hector of the glancing plume shook the helmet, looking
behind him; and quickly leapt forth the lot of Paris. Then the people sat them
down by ranks where each mal&rsquo;s high-stepping horses and inwrought armour
lay. And upon his shoulders goodly Alexandros donned his beauteous armour, even
he that was lord to Helen of the lovely hair. First upon his legs set he his
greaves, beautiful, fastened with silver ankle-clasps; next upon his breast he
donned the corslet of his brother Lykaon, and fitted it upon himself. And over
his shoulders cast he his silver-studded sword of bronze, and then a shield
great and sturdy. And on his mighty head he set a wrought helmet of horse-hair
crest, whereover the plume nodded terribly, and he took him a strong spear
fitted to his grasp. And in like wise warlike Menelaos donned his armour.
</p>

<p>
So when they had armed themselves on either side in the throng, they strode
between Trojans and Achaians, fierce of aspect, and wonder came on them that
beheld, both on the Trojans tamers of horses and on the well-greaved Achaians.
Then took they their stand near together in the measured space, brandishing
their spears in wrath each against other. First Alexandros hurled his far
shadowing spear, and smote on Atreides&rsquo; round shield; but the bronze
brake not through, for its point was turned in the stout shield. Next Menelaos
son of Atreus lifted up his hand to cast, and made prayer to father Zeus:
&ldquo;King Zeus, grant me revenge on him that was first to do me wrong, even
on goodly Alexandros, and subdue thou him at my hands; so that many an one of
men that shall be hereafter may shudder to wrong his host that hath shown him
kindness.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and poised his far-shadowing spear, and hurled, and smote on the
round shield of the son of Priam. Through the bright shield went the ponderous
spear and through the inwrought breastplate it pressed on; and straight beside
his flank the spear rent the tunic, but he swerved and escaped black death.
Then Atreides drew his silver-studded sword, and lifted up his hand and smote
the helmet-ridge; but the sword shattered upon it into three, yea four, and
fell from his hand. Thereat Atreides looked up to the wide heaven and cried:
&ldquo;Father Zeus, surely none of the gods is crueller than thou. Verily I
thought to have gotten vengeance on Alexandros for his wickedness, but now my
sword breaketh in my hand, and my spear sped from my grasp in vain, and I have
not smitten him.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying, he leapt upon him and caught him by his horse-hair crest, and
swinging him round dragged him towards the well-greaved Achaians; and he was
strangled by the embroidered strap beneath his soft throat, drawn tight below
his chin to hold his helm. Now would Menelaos have dragged him away and won
glory unspeakable, but that Zeus&rsquo; daughter Aphrodite was swift to mark,
and tore asunder for him the strap of slaughtered ox&rsquo;s hide; so the
helmet came away empty in his stalwart hand. Thereat Menelaos cast it with a
swing toward the well-greaved Achaians, and his trusty comrades took it up; and
himself sprang back again eager to slay him with spear of bronze. But Aphrodite
snatched up Paris, very easily as a goddess may, and hid him in thick darkness,
and sent him down in his fragrant perfumed chamber; and herself went to summon
Helen. Her she found on the high tower, and about her the Trojan women
thronged. So with her hand she plucked her perfumed raiment and shook it and
spake to her in the likeness of an aged dame, a wool-comber that was wont to
work for her fair wool when she dwelt in Lakedaimon, whom too she greatly
loved. Even in her likeness fair Aphrodite spake: &ldquo;Come hither;
Alexandros summoneth thee to go homeward. There is he in his chamber and inlaid
bed, radiant in beauty and vesture; nor wouldst thou deem him to be come from
fighting his foe, but rather to be faring to the dance, or from the dance to be
just resting and set down.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and stirred Helel&rsquo;s soul within her breast; and when now she
marked the fair neck and lovely breast and sparkling eyes of the goddess, she
marvelled straightway and spake a word and called upon her name: &ldquo;Strange
queen, why art thou desirous now to beguile me? Verily thou wilt lead me
further on to some one of the people cities of Phrygia or lovely Maionia, if
there too thou hast perchance some other darling among mortal men, because even
now Menelaos hath conquered goodly Alexandros, and will lead me, accursed me,
to his home. Therefore thou comest hither with guileful intent. Go and sit thou
by his side and depart from the way of the gods; neither let thy feet ever bear
thee back to Olympus, but still be vexed for his sake and guard him till he
make thee his wife or perchance his slave. But thither will I not go— that were
a sinful thing—to array the bed of him; all the women of Troy will blame me
thereafter; and I have griefs untold within my soul.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then in wrath bright Aphrodite spake to her: &ldquo;Provoke me not, rash woman,
lest in mine anger I desert thee, and hate thee even as now I love thee beyond
measure, and lest I devise grievous enmities between both, even betwixt Trojans
and Achaians, and so thou perish in evil wise.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and Helen sprung of Zeus was afraid, and went wrapped in her
bright radiant vesture, silently, and the Trojan women marked her not; and the
goddess led the way.
</p>

<p>
Now when they were come to the beautiful house of Alexandros the handmaidens
turned straightway to their tasks, and the fair lady went to the high-roofed
chamber; and laughter-loving Aphrodite took for her a chair and brought it,
even she the goddess, and set it before the face of Paris. There Helen took her
seat, the child of aegis-bearing Zeus, and with eyes turned askance spake and
chode her lord: &ldquo;Thou comest back from battle; would thou hadst perished
there, vanquished of that great warrior that was my former husband. Verily it
was once thy boast that thou wast a better man than Menelaos dear to Ares, in
the might of thine arm and thy spear. But go now, challenge Menelaos, dear to
Ares to fight thee again face to face. Nay, but I, even I, bid thee refrain,
nor fight a fight with golden-haired Menelaos man to man, neither attack him
recklessly, lest perchance thou fall to his spear anon.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Paris made answer to her and said: &ldquo;Chide not my soul, lady, with
cruel taunts. For now indeed hath Menelaos vanquished me with Athene&rsquo;s
aid, but another day may I do so unto him; for we too have gods with us. But
come now, let us have joy of love upon our couch; for never yet hath love so
enwrapped my heart—not even then when first I snatched thee from lovely
Lakedaimon and sailed with thee on my sea-faring ships, and in the isle of
Kranae had converse with thee upon thy couch in love—as I love thee now and
sweet desire taketh hold upon me.&rdquo; So saying he led the way to the couch,
and the lady followed with him.
</p>

<p>
Thus laid they them upon their fretted couch; but Atreides the while strode
through the host like to a wild beast, if anywhere he might set eyes on godlike
Alexandros. But none of the Trojans or their famed allies could discover
Alexandros to Menelaos dear to Ares. Yet surely did they in no wise hide him
for kindliness, could any have seen him; for he was hated of all even as black
death. So Agamemnon king of men spake among them there: &ldquo;Hearken to me,
Trojans and Dardanians and allies. Now is victory declared for Menelaos dear to
Ares; give ye back Helen of Argos and the possessions with her, and pay ye the
recompense such as is seemly, that it may live even among men that shall be
hereafter.&rdquo; So said Atreides, and all the Achaians gave assent.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap04"></a>BOOK IV.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Pandaros wounded Menelaos by treachery; and Agamemnon exhorted his chief
captains to battle.
</p>

<p>
Now the gods sat by Zeus and held assembly on the golden floor, and in the
midst the lady Hebe poured them their nectar: they with golden goblets pledged
one another, and gazed upon the city of the Trojans. Then did Kronos&rsquo; son
essay to provoke Hera with vexing words, and spake maliciously: &ldquo;Twain
goddesses hath Menelaos for his helpers, even Hera of Argos and Alalkomenean
Athene. Yet these sit apart and take there pleasure in beholding; but beside
that other ever standeth laughter-loving Aphrodite and wardeth off fate from
him, and now hath she saved him as he thought to perish. But of a truth the
victory is to Menelaos dear to Ares; so let us take thought how these things
shall be; whether once more we shall arouse ill war and the dread battle-din,
or put friendship between the foes. Moreover if this were welcome to all and
well pleasing, may the city of king Priam yet be an habitation, and Menelaos
take back Helen of Argos.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, but Athene and Hera murmured thereat, who were sitting by him and
devising ills for the Trojans. Now Athene held her peace and said not anything,
for wrath at father Zeus, and fierce anger gat hold upon her: But Hera&rsquo;s
breast contained not her anger, and she spake: &ldquo;Most dread son of Kronos,
what word is this thou hast spoken? How hast thou the will to make my labour
void and of none effect, and the sweat of my toil that I sweated, when my
horses were wearied with my summoning of the host, to be the plague of Priam
and his sons? Do as thou wilt; but we other gods do not all approve
thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then in sore anger Zeus the cloud-gatherer spake to her: &ldquo;Good lack, how
have Priam and Priam&rsquo;s sons done thee such great wrong that thou art
furiously minded to sack the established citadel of Ilios? Perchance wert thou
to enter within the gates and long walls and devour Priam raw, and
Priam&rsquo;s sons and all the Trojans, then mightest thou assuage thine anger.
Do as thou art minded, only let not this quarrel hereafter be to me and thee a
sore strife between us both. And this moreover will I say to thee, and do thou
lay it to they heart; whene&rsquo;er I too be of eager mind to lay waste to a
city where is the race of men that are dear to thee, hinder thou not my wrath,
but let me be, even as I yield to thee of free will, yet with soul unwilling.
For all cities beneath sun and starry heaven that are the dwelling of mortal
men, holy Ilios was most honoured of my heart, and Priam and the folk of Priam
of the good ashen spear. For never did mine altar lack the seemly feast, even
drink-offering and burnt-offering, the worship that is our due.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Helen the ox-eyed queen made answer to him: &ldquo;Of a surety three
cities are there that are dearest far to me, Argos and Sparta and wide-wayed
Mykene; these lay thou waste whene&rsquo;er they are found hateful to thy
heart; not for them will I stand forth, nor do I grudge thee them. For even if
I be jealous and would forbid thee to overthrow them, yet will my jealousy not
avail, seeing that thou art stronger far than I. Still must my labour too not
be made of none effect; for I also am a god, and my lineage is even as thine,
and Kronos the crooked counsellor begat me to the place of honour in double
wise, by birthright, and because I am named thy spouse, and thou art king among
all the immortals. Let us indeed yield each to other herein, I to thee and thou
to me, and the rest of the immortal gods will follow with us; and do thou with
speed charge Athene to betake her to the fierce battle din of Trojans and
Achaians, and to essay that the Trojans may first take upon them to do violence
to the Achaians in their triumph, despite the oaths.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and the father of men and gods disregarded not; forthwith he spake
to Athene winged words: &ldquo;Betake thee with all speed to the host, to the
midst of Trojans and Achaians, and essay that the Trojans may first take upon
them to do violence to the Achaians in their triumph, despite the oaths.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and roused Athene that already was set thereon; and from
Olympus&rsquo; heights she darted down. Even as the son of Kronos the crooked
counsellor sendeth a star, a portent for mariners or a wide host of men, bright
shining, and therefrom are scattered sparks in multitude; even in such guise
sped Pallas Athene to earth, and leapt into their midst; and astonishment came
on them that beheld, on horse-taming Trojans and well-greaved Achaians. And
thus would many an one say, looking at his neighbor: &ldquo;Of a surety either
shall sore war and the fierce battle din return again; or else Zeus doth
stablish peace between the foes, even he that is mel&rsquo;s dispenser of
battle.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Thus would many an one of Achaians and Trojans say. Then the goddess entered
the throng of Trojans in the likeness of a man, even Antenor&rsquo;s son
Laodokos, a stalwart warrior, and sought for godlike Pandaros, if haply she
might find him. Lykaol&rsquo;s son found she, the noble and stalwart, standing,
and about him the stalwart ranks of the shield-bearing host that followed him
from the streams of Aisepos. So she came near and spake winged words:
&ldquo;Wilt thou now hearken to me, thou wise son of Lykaon? Then wouldst thou
take heart to shoot a swift arrow at Menelaos, and wouldst win favour and glory
before all the Trojans, and before king Alexandros most of all. Surely from him
first of any wouldst thou receive glorious gifts, if perchance he see Menelaos,
Atreus&rsquo; warrior son, vanquished by thy dart and brought to the grievous
pyre. Go to now, shoot at glorious Menelaos, and vow to Apollo, the son of
light [Or, perhaps, &ldquo;the Wolf-born&rdquo;], the lord of archery, to
sacrifice a goodly hecatomb of firstling lambs when thou art returned to thy
home, in the city of holy Zeleia.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake Athene, and persuaded his fool&rsquo;s heart. Forthwith he unsheathed
his polished bow of horn of a wild ibex that he himself had erst smitten
beneath the breast as it came forth from a rock, the while he awaited in a
lurking-place; and had pierced it in the chest, so that it fell backward on the
rock. Now from its head sprang there horns of sixteen palms; these the
artificer, even the worker in horn, joined cunningly together, and polished
them all well and set the top of gold thereon. So he laid it down when he had
well strung it, by resting it upon the ground; and his staunch comrades held
their shields before him, lest the warrior sons of the Achaians should first
set on them, ere Menelaos, Atreus&rsquo; son, were smitten. Then opened he the
lid of his quiver and took forth a feathered arrow, never yet shot, a source of
grievous pangs; and anon he laid the bitter dart upon the string and vowed to
Apollo, the son of light, the lord of archery, to sacrifice a goodly hecatomb
of firstling lambs when he should have returned to his home in the city of holy
Zeleia. Then he took the notch and string of oxes&rsquo; sinew together, and
drew, bringing to his breast the string, and to the bow the iron head. So when
he had now bent the great bow into a round, the horn twanged, and the string
sang aloud, and the keen arrow leapt eager to wing his way amid the throng.
</p>

<p>
But the blessed gods immortal forgat not thee, Menelaos; and before all the
daughter of Zeus, the driver of the spoil, who stood before thee and warded off
the piercing dart. She turned it just aside from the flesh, even as a mother
driveth a fly from her child that lieth in sweet slumber; and with her own hand
guided it where the golden buckles of the belt were clasped and the doubled
breastplate met them. So the bitter arrow lighted upon the firm belt; through
the inwrought belt it sped and through the curiously wrought breastplate it
pressed on and through the taslet [and apron or belt set with metal, worn below
the corslet] he wore to shield his flesh, a barrier against darts; and this
best shielded him, yet it passed on even through this. Then did the arrow graze
the warrior&rsquo;s outermost flesh, and forthwith the dusky blood flowed from
the wound.
</p>

<p>
As when some woman of Maionia or Karia staineth ivory with purple, to make a
cheek-piece for horses, and it is laid up in the treasure chamber, and many a
horseman prayeth for it to wear; but it is laid up to be a king&rsquo;s boast,
alike an adornment for his horse and a glory for his charioteer; even in such
wise, Menelaos, were thy shapely thighs stained with blood and thy legs and thy
fair ankles beneath.
</p>

<p>
Thereat shuddered Agamemnon king of men when he saw the black blood flowing
from the wound. And Menelaos dear to Ares likewise shuddered; but when he saw
how thread [by which the iron head was attached to the shaft] and bards were
without, his spirit was gathered in his breast again. Then lord Agamemnon
moaned deep, and spake among them, holding Menelaos by the hand; and his
comrades made moan the while: &ldquo;Dear brother, to thy death, meseemeth,
pledged I these oaths, setting thee forth to fight the Trojans alone before the
face of the Achaians; seeing that the Trojans have so smitten thee, and trodden
under floor the trusty oaths. Yet in no wise is an oath of none effect, and the
blood of lambs and pure drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship
wherein we trusted. For even if the Olympian bring not about the fulfilment
forthwith, yet doth he fulfil at last, and men make dear amends, even with
their own heads and their wives and little ones. Yea of a surety I know this in
heart and soul; the day shall come for holy Ilios to be laid low, and Priam and
the folk of Priam of the good ashen spear; and Zeus the son of Kronos enthroned
on high, that dwelleth in the heaven, himself shall brandish over them all his
lowring aegis, in indignation at this deceit. Then shall all this not be void;
yet shall I have sore sorrow for thee, Menelaos, if thou die and fulfil the lot
of life. Yea in utter shame should I return to thirsty Argos, seeing that the
Achaians will forthwith bethink them of their native land, and so should we
leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Helen of Argos. And the earth
shall rot thy bones as thou liest in Troy with thy task unfinished: and thus
shall many an overweening Trojan say as he leapeth upon the tomb of glorious
Menelaos: &lsquo;Would to God Agamemnon might so fulfil his wrath in every
matter, even as now he led hither the host of the Achaians for naught, and hath
gone home again to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left noble
Menelaos behind.&rsquo; Thus shall men say hereafter: in that day let the wide
earth gape for me.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
But golden-haired Menelaos encouraged him and said: &ldquo;Be of good courage,
neither dismay at all the host of the Achaians. The keen dart lighted not upon
a deadly spot; my glistening belt in front stayed it, and the kirtle of mail
beneath, and the taslet that the coppersmiths fashioned.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then lord Agamemnon answered him and said: &ldquo;Would it may be so, dear
Menelaos. But the leech shall feel the wound, and lay thereon drugs that shall
assuage thy dire pangs.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he spake to godlike Talthybios, his herald: &ldquo;Talthybios, with
all speed call Machaon hither, the hero son of Asklepios the noble leech, to
see Menelaos, Atreus&rsquo; warrior son, whom one well skilled in archery, some
Trojan or Lykian, hath wounded with a bow-shot, to his glory and our
grief.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and the herald heard him and disregarded not, and went his way
through the host of mail-clad Achaians to spy out the hero Machaon. Him he
found standing, and about him the stalwart ranks of the shield-bearing host
that followed him from Trike, pasture land of horses. So he came near and spake
his winged words: &ldquo;Arise, thou son of Asklepios. Lord Agamemnon calleth
thee to see Menelaos, captain of the Achaians, whom one well skilled in
archery, some Trojan or Lykian, hath wounded with a bow-shot, to his glory and
our grief.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he aroused his spirit in his breast, and they went their way amid the
throng, through the wide host of the Achaians. And when they were now come
where was golden-haired Menelaos wounded, and all as many as were chieftains
gathered around him in a circle, the godlike hero came and stood in their
midst, and anon drew forth the arrow from the clasped belt; and as it was drawn
forth the keen barbs were broken backwards. Then he loosed the glistering belt
and kirtle of mail beneath and taslet that the coppersmiths fashioned; and when
he saw the wound where the bitter arrow had lighted, he sucked out the blood
and cunningly spread thereon soothing drugs, such as Cheiron of his good will
had imparted to his sire.
</p>

<p>
While these were tending Menelaos of the loud war-cry, the ranks of
shield-bearing Trojans came on; so the Achaians donned their arms again, and
bethought them of the fray. Now wouldest thou not see noble Agamemnon
slumbering, nor cowering, unready to fight, but very eager for glorious battle.
He left his horses and his chariot adorned with bronze; and his squire, even
Eurymedon son of Ptolemaios Peiraieus&rsquo; son, kept apart the snorting
steeds; and he straitly charged him to have them at hand whenever weariness
should come upon his limbs with marshalling so many; and thus on foot ranged he
through the ranks of warriors. And whomsoever of all the fleet-horsed Danaans
he found eager, he stood by them and by his words encouraged them: &ldquo;Ye
Argives, relax not in any wise your impetuous valour; for father Zeus will be
no helper of liars, but as these were first to transgress against the oaths, so
shall their own tender flesh be eaten of the vultures, and we shall bear away
their dear wives and little children in our ships, when once we take the
stronghold.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
But whomsoever he found shrinking from hateful battle, these he chode sore with
angry words: &ldquo;Ye Argives, warriors of the bow, ye men of dishonour, have
ye no shame? Why stand ye thus dazed like fawns that are weary with running
over the long plain and so stand still, and no valour is found in their hearts
at all? Even thus stand ye dazed, and fight not. Is it that ye wait for the
Trojans to come near where your good ships&rsquo; sterns are drawn up on the
shore of the grey sea, to see if Kronion will stretch his arm over you
indeed?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So masterfully ranged he through the ranks of warriors. Then came he to the
Cretans as he went through the throng of warriors; and these were taking arms
around wise Idomeneus; Idomeneus amid the foremost, valiant as a wild boar, and
Meriones the while was hastening his hindermost battalions. Then Agamemnon king
of men rejoiced to see them, and anon spake to Idomeneus with kindly words:
&ldquo;Idomeneus, more than all the fleet-horsed Danaans do I honour thee,
whether in war or in task of other sort or in the feast, when the chieftains of
the Argives mingle in the bowl the gleaming wine of the counsellor. For even
though all the other flowing-haired Achaians drink one allotted portion, yet
thy cup standeth ever full even as mine, to drink as oft as they soul biddeth
thee. Now arouse thee to war like such an one as thou avowest thyself to be of
old.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Idomeneus the captain of the Cretans made answer to him: &ldquo;Atreides,
of very truth will I be to thee a trusty comrade even as at the first I
promised and gave my pledge; but do thou urge on all the flowing-haired
Achaians, that we may fight will all speed, seeing the Trojans have disannulled
the oaths. But for all that death and sorrow hereafter shall be their lot,
because they were the first to transgress against the oaths.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and Agamemnon passed on glad at heart. Then came he to the Aiantes
as he went through the throng of warriors; and these twain were arming, and a
cloud of footmen followed with them. Even as when a goatherd from a place of
outlook seeth a cloud coming across the deep before the blast of the west wind;
and to him being afar it seemeth ever blacker, even as pitch, as it goeth along
the deep, and bringeth a great whirlwind, and he shuddereth to see it and
driveth his flock beneath a cave; even in such wise moved the serried
battalions of young men, the fosterlings of Zeus, by the side of the Aiantes
into furious war, battalions dark of line, bristling with shields and spears.
And lord Agamemnon rejoiced to see them and spake to them winged words, and
said: &ldquo;Aiantes, leaders of the mail-clad Argives, to you twain, seeing it
is not seemly to urge you, give I no charge; for of your own selves ye do
indeed bid your folk to fight amain. Ah, father Zeus and Athene and Apollo,
would that all had like spirit in their breasts; then would king Priam&rsquo;s
city soon bow captive and wasted beneath our hands.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he left them there, and went to others. Then found he Nestor, the
clear-voiced orator of the Pylians, arraying his comrades, and urging them to
fight, around great Pelegon and Alastor and Chromios and lord Haimon and Bias
shepherd of the host. And first he arrayed the horsemen with horses and
chariots, and behind them the footmen many and brave, to be a bulwark of
battle; but the cowards he drave into the midst, that every man, even though he
would not, yet of necessity must fight. First he laid charge upon the horsemen;
these he bade hold in their horses nor be entangled in the throng.
&ldquo;Neither let any man, trusting in his horsemanship and manhood, be eager
to fight the Trojans alone and before the rest, nor yet let him draw back, for
so will ye be enfeebled. But whomsoever a warrior from the place of his own car
can come at a chariot of the foe, let him thrust forth with his spear; even so
is the far better way. Thus moreover did men of old time lay low cities and
walls, because they had this mind and spirit in their breasts.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So did the old man charge them, being well skilled of yore in battles. And lord
Agamemnon rejoiced to see hem, and spake to him winged words, and said:
&ldquo;Old man, would to god that, even as thy spirit is in thine own breast,
thy limbs might obey and thy strength be unabated. But the common lot of age is
heavy upon thee; would that it had come upon some other man, and thou wert amid
the young.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: &ldquo;Atreides, I verily, even I
too, would wish to be as on the day when I slew noble Ereuthalion. But the gods
in no wise grant men all things at once. As I was then a youth, so doth old age
now beset me. Yet even so will I abide among the horsemen and urge them by
counsel and words; for that is the right of elders. But the young men shall
wield the spear, they that are more youthful than I and have confidence in
their strength.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Atreides passed on glad at heart. He found Menestheus the
charioteer, the son of Peteos, standing still, and round him were the
Athenians, masters of the battle-cry. And hard by stood crafty Odysseus, and
round about him the ranks of Kephallenians, no feeble folk, stood still; for
their host had not yet heard the battle-cry, seeing the battalions of
horse-taming Trojans and Achaians had but just bestirred them to move; so these
stood still tarrying till some other column of the Achaians should advance to
set upon the Trojans and begin the battle. But when Agamemnon king of men saw
it, he upbraided them, and spake to them winged words, saying: &ldquo;O son of
king Peteos fosterling of Zeus, and thou skilled in evil wiles, thou cunning of
mind, why stand ye shrinking apart, and tarry for others? You beseemeth it to
stand in your place amid the foremost and to front the fiery battle; for ye are
the first to hear my bidding to the feast, as oft as we Achaians prepare a
feast for the counsellors. Then are ye glad to eat roast meat and drink your
cups of honey-sweet wine as long as ye will. But now would ye gladly behold it,
yea, if ten columns of Achaians in front of you were fighting with the pitiless
sword.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
But Odysseus of many counsels looked fiercely at him and said: &ldquo;Atreides,
what word is this that hath escaped the barrier of thy lips? How sayest thou
that we are slack in battle? When once our [Or, &ldquo;that we are slack in
battle, when once we Achaians,&rdquo; putting the note of interrogation after
&ldquo;tamers of horses.&rdquo;] Achaians launch furious war on the Trojans,
tamers of horses, then shalt thou, if thou wilt, and if thou hast any care
therefor, behold Telemachos&rsquo; dear father mingling with the champions of
the Trojans, the tamers of horses. But that thou sayest is empty as air.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then lord Agamemnon spake to him smiling, seeing how he was wroth, and took
back his saying: &ldquo;Heaven-sprung son of Laertes, Odysseus full of devices,
neither do I chide thee beyond measure nor urge thee; for I know that thy heart
within thy breast is kindly disposed; for thy thoughts are as my thoughts. Go
to, we will make amends hereafter, if any ill word hath been spoken now; may
the gods bring it all to none effect.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he left them there and went on to others. The son of Tydeus found he,
high-hearted Diomedes, standing still with horses and chariot well compact; and
by him stood Sthenelos son of Kapaneus. Him lord Agamemnon saw and upbraided,
and spake to him winged words, and said: &ldquo;Ah me, thou son of wise Tydeus
tamer of horses, why shrinkest thou, why gazest thou at the highways of the
battle? Not thus was Tydeus wont to shrink, but rather to fight his enemies far
in front of his dear comrades, as they say that beheld him at the task; for
never did I meet him nor behold him, but men say that he was preeminent amid
all. Of a truth he came to Mykene, not in enmity, but as a guest with godlike
Polyneikes, to raise him an army for the war that they were levying against the
holy walls of Thebes; and they besought earnestly that valiant allies might be
given them, and our folk were fain to grant them and made assent to their
entreaty, only Zeus showed omens of ill and turned their minds. So when these
were departed and were come on their way, and had attained to Asopos deep in
rushes, that maketh his bed in grass, there did the Achaians appoint Tydeus to
be their ambassador. So he went and found the multitude of the sons of Kadmos
feasting in the palace of mighty Eteokles. Yet was knightly Tydeus, even though
a stranger, not afraid, being alone amid the multitude of the Kadmeians, but
challenged them all to feats of strength, and in every one vanquished he them
easily; so present a helper was Athene unto him. But the Kadmeians, the urgers
of horses, were wroth, and as he fared back again they brought and set a strong
ambush, even fifty young men, whose leaders were twain, Maion son of Haimon,
like to the immortals, and Autophonos&rsquo; son Polyphontes staunch in battle.
Still even on the Tydeus brought shameful death; he slew them all, save one
that he sent home alone; Maion to wit he sent away in obedience to the omens of
heaven. Such was Tydeus of Aitolia; but he begat a son that in battle is worse
than he; only in harangue is he the better.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and stalwart Diomedes made no answer, but had respect to the
chiding of the king revered. But the son of glorious Kapaneus answered him:
&ldquo;Atreides, utter not falsehood, seeing thou knowest how to speak truly.
We avow ourselves to be better men by far than our fathers were: we did take
the seat of Thebes the seven gated, though we led a scantier host against a
stronger wall, because we followed the omens of the gods and the salvation of
Zeus; but they perished by their own iniquities. Do not thou therefore in any
wise have our fathers in like honour with us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
But stalwart Diomedes looked sternly at him, and said: &ldquo;Brother, sit
silent and obey my saying. I grudge not that Agamemnon shepherd of the host
should urge on the well-greaved Achaians to fight; for him the glory will
attend if the Achaians lay the Trojans low and take holy Ilios; and his will be
the great sorrow if the Achaians be laid low. Go to now, let us too bethink us
of impetuous valour.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He spake and leapt in his armour from the chariot to earth, and terribly rang
the bronze upon the chieftail&rsquo;s breast as he moved; thereat might fear
have come even upon one stout-hearted.
</p>

<p>
As when on the echoing beach the sea-wave lifteth up itself in close array
before the driving of the west wind; out on the deep doth it first raise its
head, and then breaketh upon the land and belloweth aloud and goeth with
arching crest about the promontories, and speweth the foaming brine afar; even
so in close array moved the battalions of the Danaans without pause to battle.
Each captain gave his men the word, and the rest went silently; thou wouldest
not deem that all the great host following them had any voice within their
breasts; in silence feared they their captains. On every man glittered the
inwrought armour wherewith they went clad. But for the Trojans, like sheep
beyond number that stand in the courtyard of a man of great substance, to be
milked of their white milk, and bleat without ceasing to hear their
lambs&rsquo; cry, even so arose the clamour of the Trojans through the wide
host. For they had not all like speech nor one language, but their tongues were
mingled, and they were brought from many lands. These were urged on of Ares,
and those of bright-eyed Athene, and Terror and Rout, and Strife whose fury
wearieth not, sister and friend of murderous Ares; her crest is but lowly at
the first, but afterward she holdeth up her head in heaven and her feet walk
upon the earth. She now cast common discord in their midst, as she fared
through the throng and made the lamentation of men to wax.
</p>

<p>
Now when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed they targe
and spear and fury of bronze-clad warrior; the bossed shields pressed each on
each and mighty din arose. Then were heard the voice of groaning and the voice
of triumph together of the slayers and the slain, and the earth streamed with
blood. As when two winter torrents flow down the mountains to a watersmeet and
join their furious flood within the ravine from their great springs, and the
shepherd heareth the roaring far off among the hills: even so from the joining
of battle came there forth shouting and travail. Antilochos first slew a Trojan
warrior in full array, valiant amid the champions, Echepolos son of Thalysios;
him was he first to smite upon the ridge of his crested helmet, and he drave
the spear into his brow and the point of bronze passed within the bone;
darkness clouded his eyes, and he crashed like a tower amid the press of fight.
As he fell lord Elephenor caught him by the foot, Chalkodol&rsquo;s son,
captain of the great-hearted Abantes, and dragged him from beneath the darts,
eager with all speed to despoil him of his armour. Yet but for a little endured
his essay; great-hearted Agenor saw him haling away the corpse, and where his
side was left uncovered of his buckler as he bowed him down, there smote he him
with bronze-tipped spear-shaft and unstrung his limbs. So his life departed
from him, and over his corpse the task of Trojans and Achaians grew hot; like
wolves leapt they one at another, and man lashed at man.
</p>

<p>
Next Telamonian Aias smote Anthemiol&rsquo;s son, the lusty stripling
Simoeisios, whose erst is mother bare beside the banks of Simoeis on the way
down from Ida whither she had followed with her parents to see their flocks.
Therefore they called him Simoeisios, but he repaid not his dear parents the
recompense of his nurture; scanty was his span of life by reason of the spear
of great-hearted Aias that laid him low. For as he went he first was smitten on
his right breast beside the pap; straight though his shoulder passed the spear
of bronze, and he fell to the ground in the dust like a poplar-tree, that hath
grown up smooth in the lowland of a great marsh, and its branches grow upon the
top thereof; this hath a wainwright felled with gleaming steel, to bend him a
felloe for a goodly chariot, and so it lies drying by a river&rsquo;s banks. In
such a fashion did heaven-sprung Aias slay Simoeisios son of Anthemion; then at
him Antiphos of the glancing corslet, Priam&rsquo;s son, made a cast with his
keen javelin across the throng. Him he missed, but smote Odysseus&rsquo;
valiant comrade Leukos in the groin as he drew the corpse his way, so that he
fell upon it and the body dropped from his hands. Then Odysseus was very wroth
at heart for the slaying of him, and strode through the forefront of the battle
harnessed in flashing bronze, and went and stood hard by and glanced around
him, and cast his bright javelin; and the Trojans shrank before the casting of
the hero. He sped not the dart in vain, but smote Demokoon, Priam&rsquo;s
bastard son that had come to him from tending his fleet mares in Abydos. Him
Odysseus, being wroth for his comrade&rsquo;s sake, smote with his javelin on
one temple; and through both temples passed the point of bronze, and darkness
clouded his eyes, and he fell with a crash and his armour clanged upon him.
Then the forefighters and glorious Hector yielded, and the Argives shouted
aloud, and drew the bodies unto them, and pressed yet further onward. But
Apollo looked down from Pergamos, and had indignation, and with a shout called
to the Trojans: &ldquo;Arise, ye Trojans, tamers of horses; yield not to the
Argives in fight; not of stone nor iron is their flesh, that it should resist
the piercing bronze when they are smitten. Moreover Achilles, son of Thetis of
the fair tresses, fighteth not, but amid the ships broodeth on his bitter
anger.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the dread god from the city; and the Achaians likewise were urged on
of Zeus&rsquo; daughter the Triton-born, most glorious, as she passed through
the throng wheresoever she beheld them slackening.
</p>

<p>
Next was Diores son of Amrynkeus caught in the snare of fate; for he was
smitten by a jagged stone on the right leg hard by the ankle, and the caster
thereof was captain of the men of Thrace, Peirros son of Imbrasos that had come
from Ainos. The pitiless stone crushed utterly the two sinews and the bones;
back fell he in the dust, and stretched out both his hands to his dear
comrades, gasping out his soul. Then he that smote him, even Peiroos, sprang at
him and pierced him with a spear beside the navel; so all his bowels gushed
forth upon the ground, and darkness clouded his eyes. But even as Peiroos
departed from him Thoas of Aitolia smote with a spear his chest above the pap,
and the point fixed in his lung. Then Thoas came close, and plucked out from
his breast the ponderous spear, and drew his sharp sword, wherewith he smote
his belly in the midst, and took his life. Yet he stripped not off his armour;
for his comrades, the men of Thrace that wear the top-knot, stood around, their
long spears in their hands, and albeit he was great and valiant and proud they
drave him off from them and he gave ground reeling. So were the two captains
stretched in the dust side by side, he of the Thracians and he of the mail-clad
Epeians; and around them were many others likewise slain.
</p>

<p>
Now would none any more enter in and make light of the battle, could it be that
a man yet unwounded by dart or thrust of keen bronze might roam in the midst,
being led of Pallas Athene by the hand, and by her guarded from the flying
shafts. For many Trojans that day and many Achaians were laid side by side upon
their faces in the dust.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap05"></a>BOOK V.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded even
Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene.
</p>

<p>
But now to Tydeus&rsquo; son Diomedes Athene gave might and courage, for him to
be pre-eminent amid all the Argives and win glorious renown. She kindled flame
unwearied from his helmet and shield, like to the star of summer that above all
others glittereth bright after he hath bathed in the ocean stream. In such wise
kindled she flame from his head and shoulders and sent him into the midst,
where men thronged the thickest.
</p>

<p>
Now there was amid the Trojans one Dares, rich and noble, priest of Hephaistos;
and he had two sons, Phegeus and Idaios, well skilled in all the art of battle.
These separated themselves and assailed him face to face, they setting on him
from their car and he on foot upon the ground. And when they were now come near
in onset on each other, first Phegeus hurled his far-shadowing spear; and over
Tydeides&rsquo; left shoulder the spear point passed, and smote not his body.
Then next Tydeides made a spear-cast, and the javelin sped not from his hand in
vain, but smote his breast between the nipples, and thrust him from the
chariot. So Idaios sprang away, leaving his beautiful car, and dared not to
bestride his slain brother; else had neither he himself escaped black fate: but
Hephaistos guarded him and saved him in a veil of darkness, that he might not
have his aged priest all broken with sorrow. And the son of great-hearted
Tydeus drave away the horses and gave them to his men to take to the hollow
ships. But when the great-hearted Trojans beheld the sons of Dares, how one was
fled, and one was slain beside his chariot, the spirit of all was stirred. But
bright-eyed Athene took impetuous Ares by the hand and spake to him and said:
&ldquo;Ares, Ares, blood-stained bane of mortals, thou stormer of walls, can we
not now leave the Trojans and Achaians to fight, on whichsoever it be that
father Zeus bestoweth glory? But let us twain give place, and escape the wrath
of Zeus.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying she led impetuous Ares from the battle. Then she made him sit down
beside loud Skamandros, and the Danaans pushed the Trojans back.
</p>

<p>
So they laboured in the violent mellay; but of Tydeides man could not tell with
whom he were joined, whether he consorted with Trojans or with Achaians. For he
stormed across the plain like a winter torrent at the full, that in swift
course scattereth the causeys [Causeways.]; neither can the long lines of
causeys hold it in, nor the fences of fruitful orchards stay its sudden coming
when the rain of heaven driveth it; and before it perish in multitudes the fair
works of the sons of men. Thus before Tydeides the serried battalions of the
Trojans were overthrown, and they abode him not for all they were so many.
</p>

<p>
But when Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious son marked him storming across the plain,
overthrowing battalions before him, anon he bent his crooked bow against
Tydeides, and smote him as he sped onwards, hitting hard by his right shoulder
the plate of his corslet; the bitter arrow flew through and held straight upon
its way, and the corslet was dabbled with blood. Over him then loudly shouted
Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious son: &ldquo;Bestir you, great-hearted Trojans, urgers
of horses; the best man of the Achaians is wounded, and I deem that he shall
not for long endure the violent dart.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he boasting; yet was the other not vanquished of the swift dart, only
he gave place and stood before his horses and his chariot and spake to
Sthenelos son of Kapaneus: &ldquo;Haste thee, dear son of Kapaneus; descend
from thy chariot, to draw me from my shoulder the bitter arrow.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and Sthenelos leapt from his chariot to earth and stood beside him
and drew the swift shaft right through, out of his shoulder; and the blood
darted up through the pliant tunic. Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry prayed
thereat: &ldquo;Hear me, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, unwearied maiden! If
ever in kindly mood thou stoodest by my father in the heat of battle, even so
now be thou likewise kind to me, Athene. Grant me to slay this man, and bring
within my spear-cast him that took advantage to shoot me, and boasteth over me,
deeming that not for long shall I see the bright light of the sun.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him, and made his limbs nimble,
his feet and his hands withal, and came near and spake winged words: &ldquo;Be
of good courage now, Diomedes, to fight the Trojans; for in thy breast I have
set thy father&rsquo;s courage undaunted, even as it was in knightly Tydeus,
wielder of the buckler. Moreover I have taken from thine eyes the mist that
erst was on them, that thou mayest well discern both god and man. Therefore if
any god come hither to make trial of thee, fight not thou face to face with any
of the immortal gods; save only if Aphrodite daughter of Zeus enter into the
battle, her smite thou with the keen bronze.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying bright-eyed Athene went her way and Tydeides returned and entered the
forefront of the battle; even though erst his soul was eager to do battle with
the Trojans, yet now did threefold courage come upon him, as upon a lion whom
some shepherd in the field guarding his fleecy sheep hath wounded, being sprung
into the fold, yet hath not vanquished him; he hath roused his might, and then
cannot beat him back, but lurketh amid the steading, and his forsaken flock is
affrighted; so the sheep are cast in heaps, one upon the other, and the lion in
his fury leapeth out of the high fold; even so in fury mingled mighty Diomedes
with the Trojans.
</p>

<p>
Him Aineias beheld making havoc of the ranks of warriors, and went his way
along the battle and amid the hurtling of spears, seeking godlike Pandaros, if
haply he might find him. Lykaol&rsquo;s son he found, the noble and stalwart,
and stood before his face, and spake a word unto him. &ldquo;Pandaros, where
now are thy bow and thy winged arrows, and the fame wherein no man of this land
rivalleth thee, nor any in Lykia boasteth to be thy better? Go to now, lift thy
hands in prayer to Zeus and shoot thy dart at this fellow, whoe&rsquo;er he be
that lordeth it here and hath already wrought the Trojans much mischief, seeing
he hath unstrung the knees of many a brave man; if indeed it be not some god
wroth with the Trojans, in anger by reason of sacrifices; the wrath of god is a
sore thing to fall on men.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious son made answer to him: &ldquo;Aineias, counsellor
of the mail-clad Trojans, in everything liken I him to the wise son of Tydeus;
I discern him by his shield and crested helmet, and by the aspect of his
horses; yet know I not surely if it be not a god. But if it be the man I deem,
even the wise son of Tydeus, then not without help of a god is he thus furious,
but some immortal standeth beside him with a cloud wrapped about his shoulders
and turned aside from him my swift dart even as it lighted. For already have I
shot my dart at him and smote his right shoulder right through the breastplate
of his corslet, yea and I thought to hurl him headlong to Aidoneus, yet I
vanquished him not; surely it is some wrathful god. Already have I aimed at two
princes, Tydeus&rsquo; and Atreus&rsquo; sons, and both I smote and surely drew
forth blood, yet only roused them the more. Therefore in an evil hour I took
from the peg my curved bow on that day when I led my Trojans to lovely Ilios,
to do noble Hector pleasure. But if I return and mine eyes behold my native
land and wife and great palace lofty-roofed, then may an alien forthwith cut my
head from me if I break not this bow with mine hands and cast it upon the
blazing fire; worthless is its service to me as air.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Aineias captain of the Trojans answered him: &ldquo;Nay, talk not thus;
naught shall be mended before that we with horses and chariot have gone to face
this man, and made trial of him in arms. Come then, mount upon my car that thou
mayest see of what sort are the steeds of Tros, well skilled for following or
for fleeing hither or thither very fleetly across the plain; they will
e&rsquo;en bring us to the city safe and sound, even though Zeus hereafter give
victory to Diomedes son of Tydeus. Come therefore, take thou the lash and
shining reins, and I will stand upon the car to fight; or else withstand thou
him, and to the horses will I look.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
To him made answer Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious son: &ldquo;Aineias, take thou
thyself the reins and thine own horses; better will they draw the curved car
for their wonted charioteer, if perchance it hap that we must flee from
Tydeus&rsquo; son; lest they go wild for fear and will not take us from the
fight, for lack of thy voice, and so the son of great-hearted Tydeus attack us
and slay us both and drive away the whole-hooved horses. So drive thou thyself
thy chariot and thy horses, and I will await his onset with my keen
spear.&rdquo; So saying mounted they upon the well dight chariot, and eagerly
drave the fleet horses against Tydeides, And Sthenelos, the glorious son of
Kapaneus, saw them, and anon spake to Tydeides winged words: &ldquo;Diomedes
son of Tydeus, dear to mine heart, I behold two stalwart warriors eager to
fight against thee, endued with might beyond measure. The one is well skilled
in the bow, even Pandaros, and he moreover boasteth him to be Lykaol&rsquo;s
son; and Aineias boasteth himself to be born son of great-hearted Anchises, and
his mother is Aphrodite. Come now, let us give place upon the chariot, neither
rage thou thus, I pray thee, in the forefront of battle, lest perchance thou
lose thy life.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then stalwart Diomedes looked sternly at him and said: &ldquo;Speak to me no
word of flight, for I ween that thou shalt not at all persuade me; not in my
blood is it to fight a skulking fight or cower down; my force is steadfast
still. I have no mind to mount the chariot, nay, even as I am will I go to face
them; Pallas Athene biddeth me not be afraid. And as for these, their fleet
horses shall not take both back from us again, even if one or other escape. And
this moreover tell I thee, and lay thou it to heart: if Athene rich in counsel
grant me this glory, to slay them both, then refrain thou here these my fleet
horses, and bind the reins tight to the chariot rim; and be mindful to leap
upon Aineias&rsquo; horses, and drive them forth from the Trojans amid the
well-greaved Achaians. For they are of that breed whereof farseeing Zeus gave
to Tros recompense for Ganymede his child, because they were the best of all
horses beneath the daylight and the sun.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
In such wise talked they one to the other, and anon those other twain came
near, driving their fleet horses. First to him spake Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious
son: &ldquo;O thou strong-souled and cunning, son of proud Tydeus, verily my
swift dart vanquished thee not, the bitter arrow; so now will I make trial with
my spear if I can hit thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He spake and poised and hurled his far-shadowing spear, and smote upon
Tydeides&rsquo; shield; right through it sped the point of bronze and reached
the breastplate. So over him shouted loudly Lykaol&rsquo;s glorious son:
&ldquo;Thou art smitten on the belly right through, and I ween thou shalt not
long hold up thine head; so thou givest me great renown.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
But mighty Diomedes unaffrighted answered him: &ldquo;Thou hast missed, and not
hit; but ye twain I deem shall not cease till one or other shall have fallen
and glutted with blood Ares the stubborn god of war.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and hurled; and Athene guided the dart upon his nose beside the
eye, and it pierced through his white teeth. So the hard bronze cut through his
tongue at the root and the point issued forth by the base of the chin. He fell
from his chariot, and his splendid armour gleaming clanged upon him, and the
fleet-footed horses swerved aside; so there his soul and strength were
unstrung.
</p>

<p>
Then Aineias leapt down with shield and long spear, fearing lest perchance the
Achaians might take from him the corpse; and strode over him like a lion
confident in his strength, and held before him his spear and the circle of his
shield, eager to slay whoe&rsquo;er should come to face him, crying his
terrible cry. Then Tydeides grasped in his hand a stone—a mighty deed—such as
two men, as men now are, would not avail to lift; yet he with ease wielded it
all alone. Therewith he smote Aineias on the hip where the thigh turneth in the
hip joint, and this men call the &ldquo;cup-bone.&rdquo; So he crushed his
cup-bone, and brake both sinews withal, and the jagged stone tore apart the
skin. Then the hero stayed fallen upon his knees and with stout hand leant upon
the earth; and the darkness of night veiled his eyes. And now might Aineias
king of men have perished, but that Aphrodite daughter of Zeus was swift to
mark. About her dear son wound she her white arms, and spread before his face a
fold of her radiant vesture, to be a covering from the darts, lest any of the
fleet-horsed Danaans might hurl the spear into his breast and take away his
life.
</p>

<p>
So was she bearing her dear son away from battle; but the son of Kapaneus
forgat not the behest that Diomedes of the loud war-cry had laid upon him; he
refrained his own whole-hooved horses away from the tumult, binding the reins
tight to the chariot-rim, and leapt on the sleek-coated horses of Aineias, and
drave them from the Trojans to the well-greaved Achaians, and gave them to
Deipylos his dear comrade whom he esteemed above all that were his age-fellows,
because he was like-minded with himself; and bade him drive them to the hollow
ships. Then did the hero mount his own chariot and take the shining reins and
forthwith drive his strong-hooved horses in quest of Tydeides, eagerly. Now
Tydeides had made onslaught with pitiless weapon on Kypris [Aphrodite], knowing
how she was a coward goddess and none of those that have mastery in battle of
the warriors. Now when he had pursued her through the dense throng and come on
her, then great-hearted Tydeus&rsquo; son thrust with his keen spear, and leapt
on her and wounded the skin of her weak hand; straight through the ambrosial
raiment that the Graces themselves had woven her pierced the dart into the
flesh, above the springing of the palm. Then flowed the goddess&rsquo;s
immortal blood, such ichor as floweth in the blessed gods; for they eat no
bread neither drink they gleaming wine, wherefore they are bloodless and are
named immortals. And she with a great cry let fall her son: him Phoebus Apollo
took into his arms and saved him in a dusky cloud, lest any of the fleet-horsed
Danaans might hurl the spear into his breast and take away his life. But over
her Diomedes of the loud war-cry shouted afar: &ldquo;Refrain thee, thou
daughter of Zeus, from war and fighting. Is it not enough that thou beguilest
feeble women? But if in battle thou wilt mingle, verily I deem that thou shalt
shudder at the name of battle, if thou hear it even afar off.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and she departed in amaze and was sore troubled: and wind-footed
Iris took her and led her from the throng tormented with her pain, and her fair
skin was stained. There found she impetuous Ares sitting, on the battle&rsquo;s
left; and his spear rested upon a cloud, and his fleet steeds. Then she fell on
her knees and with instant prayer besought of her dear brother his
golden-frontleted steeds: &ldquo;Dear brother, save me and give me thy steeds,
that I may win to Olympus, where is the habitation of the immortals. Sorely am
I afflicted with a wound wherewith a mortal smote me, even Tydeides, who now
would fight even with father Zeus.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake she, and Ares gave her his golden-frontleted steeds, and she mounted
on the chariot sore at heart. By her side mounted Iris, and in her hands
grasped the reins and lashed the horses to start them; and they flew onward
nothing loth. Thus soon they came to the habitation of the gods, even steep
Olympus. There wind-footed fleet Iris loosed the horses from the chariot and
stabled them, and set ambrosial forage before them; but fair Aphrodite fell
upon Dione&rsquo;s knees that was her mother. She took her daughter in her arms
and stroked her with her hand, and spake and called upon her name: &ldquo;Who
now of the sons of heaven, dear child, hath entreated thee thus wantonly, as
though thou wert a wrong-doer in the face of all?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then laughter-loving Aphrodite made answer to her: &ldquo;Tydeus&rsquo; son
wounded me, high-hearted Diomedes, because I was saving from the battle my dear
son Aineias, who to me is dearest far of all men. For no more is the fierce
battle-cry for Trojans and Achaians, but the Danaans now are fighting even the
immortals.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the fair goddess Dione answered her: &ldquo;Be of good heart, my child,
and endure for all thy pain; for many of us that inhabit the mansions of
Olympus have suffered through men, in bringing grievous woes one upon
another.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying with both hands she wiped the ichor from the arm; her arm was
comforted, and the grievous pangs assuaged. But Athene and Hera beheld, and
with bitter words provoked Zeus the son, of Kronos. Of them was the bright-eyed
goddess Athene first to speak: &ldquo;Father Zeus, wilt thou indeed be wroth
with me whate&rsquo;er I say? Verily I ween that Kypris was urging some woman
of Achaia to join her unto the Trojans whom she so marvellously loveth; and
stroking such an one of the fair-robed women of Achaia, she tore upon the
golden brooch her delicate hand.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake she, and the father of gods and men smiled, and called unto him golden
Aphrodite and said: &ldquo;Not unto thee, my child, are given the works of war;
but follow thou after the loving tasks of wedlock, and to all these things
shall fleet Ares and Athene look.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Now while they thus spake in converse one with the other, Diomedes of the loud
war-cry leapt upon Aineias, knowing full well that Apollo himself had spread
his arms over him; yet reverenced he not even the great god, but still was
eager to slay Aineias and strip from him his glorious armour. So thrice he
leapt on him, fain to slay him, and thrice Apollo beat back his glittering
shield. And when the fourth time he sprang at him like a god, then Apollo the
Far-darter spake to him with terrible shout: &ldquo;Think, Tydeides, and
shrink, nor desire to match thy spirit with gods; seeing there is no comparison
of the race of immortal gods and of men that walk upon the earth.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and Tydeides shrank a short space backwards, to avoid the wrath of
Apollo the Far-darter. Then Apollo set Aineias away from the throng in holy
Pergamos where his temple stood. There Leto and Archer Artemis healed him in
the mighty sanctuary, and gave him glory; but Apollo of the silver bow made a
wraith like unto Aineias&rsquo; self, and in such armour as his; and over the
wraith Trojans and goodly Achaians each hewed the others&rsquo; bucklers on
their breasts, their round shields and fluttering targes.
</p>

<p>
Then to impetuous Ares said Phoebus Apollo: &ldquo;Ares, Ares, blood-stained
bane of mortals, thou stormer of walls, wilt thou not follow after this man and
withdraw him from the battle, this Tydeides, who now would fight even with
father Zeus? First in close fight he wounded Kypris in her hand hard by the
wrist, and then sprang he upon myself like unto a god.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he sate himself upon the height of Pergamos, and baleful Ares entered
among the Trojan ranks and aroused them in the likeness of fleet Akamas,
captain of the Thracians. On the heaven-nurtured sons of Priam he called
saying: &ldquo;O ye sons of Priam, the heaven-nurtured king, how long will ye
yet suffer your host to be slain of the Achaians? Shall it be even until they
fight about our well-builded gates? Low lieth the warrior whom we esteemed like
unto goodly Hector, even Aineias son of Anchises great of heart. Go to now, let
us save from the tumult our valiant comrade.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he aroused the spirit and soul of every man. Thereat Sarpedon sorely
chode noble Hector: &ldquo;Hector, where now is the spirit gone that erst thou
hadst? Thou saidst forsooth that without armies or allies thou wouldest hold
the city, alone with thy sisters&rsquo; husbands and thy brothers; but now can
I not see any of these neither perceive them, but they are cowering like hounds
about a lion; and we are fighting that are but allies among you.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake Sarpedon, and his word stung Hector to the heart, Forthwith he leapt
from his chariot in his armour to the earth, and brandishing two keen spears
went everywhere through the host, urging them to fight, and roused the dread
battle-cry. So they were rallied and stood to face the Achaians: and the
Argives withstood them in close array and fled not. Even as a wind carrieth the
chaff about the sacred threshing-floors when men are winnowing, and the
chaff-heaps grow white—so now grew the Achaians white with falling dust which
in their midst the horses&rsquo; hooves beat up into the brazen heaven, as
fight was joined again, and the charioteers wheeled round. Thus bare they
forward the fury of their hands: and impetuous Ares drew round them a veil of
night to aid the Trojans in the battle, ranging everywhere. And Apollo himself
sent forth Aineias from his rich sanctuary and put courage in the heart of him,
shepherd of the hosts. So Aineias took his place amid his comrades, and they
were glad to see him come among them alive and sound and full of valiant
spirit. Yet they questioned him not at all, for all the toil forbade them that
the god of the silver bow was stirring and Ares bane of men and Strife raging
insatiably.
</p>

<p>
And on the other side the two Aiantes and Odysseus and Diomedes stirred the
Danaans to fight; yet these of themselves feared neither the Trojans&rsquo;
violence nor assaults, but stood like mists that Kronos&rsquo; son setteth in
windless air on the mountain tops, at peace, while the might of the north wind
sleepeth and of all the violent winds that blow with keen breath and scatter
apart the shadowing clouds. Even so the Danaans withstood the Trojans
steadfastly and fled not. And Atreides ranged through the throng exhorting
instantly: &ldquo;My friends, quit you like men and take heart of courage, and
shun dishonour in one another&rsquo;s eyes amid the stress of battle. Of men
that shun dishonour more are saved than slain, but for them that flee is
neither glory found nor any safety.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he darted swiftly with his javelin and smote a foremost warrior, even
great-hearted Aineias&rsquo; comrade Deikoon son of Pergasos, whom the Trojans
held in like honour with Priam&rsquo;s sons, because he was swift to do battle
amid the foremost. Him lord Agamemnon smote with his dart upon the shield, and
it stayed not the spear, but the point passed through, so that he drave it
through the belt into his nethermost belly: and he fell with a crash and his
armour clanged upon him.
</p>

<p>
Then did Aineias slay two champions of the Danaans, even the sons of Diokles,
Krethon and Orsilochos. Like them, two lions on the mountain tops are nurtured
by their dam in the deep forest thickets; and these harry the kine and goodly
sheep and make havoc of the farmsteads of men, till in their turn they too are
slain at mel&rsquo;s hands with the keen bronze; in such wise were these twain
vanquished at Aineias&rsquo; hands and fell like tall pine-trees.
</p>

<p>
But Menelaos dear to Ares had pity of them in their fall, and strode through
the forefront, harnessed in flashing bronze, brandishing his spear; and Ares
stirred his courage, with intent that he might fall beneath Aineias&rsquo;
hand. But Antilochos, great-hearted Nestor&rsquo;s son, beheld him, and strode
through the forefront; because he feared exceedingly for the shepherd of the
host, lest aught befall him and disappoint them utterly of their labour. So
those two were now holding forth their hands and sharp spears each against the
other, eager to do battle; when Antilochos came and stood hard by the shepherd
of the host. But Aineias faced them not, keen warrior though he was, when he
beheld two men abiding side by side; so these haled away the corpses to the
Achaians&rsquo; host, and laid the hapless twain in their comrades&rsquo; arms,
and themselves turned back and fought on amid the foremost.
</p>

<p>
But Hector marked them across the ranks, and sprang on them with a shout, and
the battalions of the Trojans followed him in their might: and Ares led them on
and dread Enyo, she bringing ruthless turmoil of war, the while Ares wielded in
his hands his monstrous spear, and ranged now before Hector&rsquo;s face, and
now behind.
</p>

<p>
Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry shuddered to behold him; and even as a
shiftless man crossing a great plain cometh on a swift-streaming river flowing
on to the sea, and seeing it boil with foam springeth backwards, even so now
Tydeides shrank back and spake to the host: &ldquo;Friends, how marvel we that
noble Hector is a spearman and bold man of war! Yet ever is there beside him
some god that wardeth off destruction; even as now Ares is there by him in
likeness of a mortal man. But with faces towards the Trojans still give ground
backwards, neither be desirous to fight amain with gods.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Now the Argives before the face of Ares and mail-clad Hector neither turned
them round about toward their black ships, nor charged forward in battle, but
still fell backward, when they heard of Ares amid the Trojans. But when the
white-armed goddess Hera marked them making havoc of the Argives in the press
of battle, anon she spake winged words to Athene: &ldquo;Out on it, thou
daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, unwearied maiden! Was it for naught we pledged
our word to Menelaos, that he should not depart till he had laid waste
well-walled Ilios,—if thus we let baleful Ares rage? Go to now, let us twain
also take thought of impetuous valour.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and the bright-eyed goddess Athene disregarded not. So Hera the
goddess queen, daughter of Kronos, went her way to harness the gold-frontleted
steeds. And Athene, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, cast down at her
father&rsquo;s threshold her woven vesture many-coloured, that herself had
wrought and her hands had fashioned, and put on her the tunic of Zeus the
cloud-gatherer, and arrayed her in her armour for dolorous battle. About her
shoulders cast she the tasselled aegis terrible, whereon is Panic as a crown
all round about, and Strife is therein and Valour and horrible Onslaught
withal, and therein is the dreadful monster&rsquo;s Gorgon head, dreadful and
grim, portent of aegis-bearing Zeus. Upon her head set she the two-crested
golden helm with fourfold plate, bedecked with men-at-arms of a hundred cities.
Upon the flaming chariot set she her foot, and grasped her heavy spear, great
and stout, wherewith she vanquisheth the ranks of men, even of heroes with whom
she of the awful sire is wroth. Then Hera swiftly smote the horses with the
lash; self-moving groaned upon their hinges the gates of heaven whereof the
Hours are warders, to whom is committed great heaven and Olympus, whether to
throw open the thick cloud or set it to. There through the gates guided they
their horses patient of the lash. And they found the son of Kronos sitting
apart from all the gods on the topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus. Then the
white-armed goddess Hera stayed her horses and questioned the most high Zeus,
the son of Kronos, and said: &ldquo;Father Zeus, hast thou no indignation with
Ares for these violent deeds? How great and goodly a company of Achaians hath
he destroyed recklessly and in unruly wise, unto my sorrow. But here in peace
Kypris and Apollo of the silver bow take their pleasure, having set on this mad
one that knoweth not any law. Father Zeus, wilt thou at all be wroth with me if
I smite Ares and chase him from the battle in sorry plight?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered and said to her: &ldquo;Go to now, set
upon him Athene driver of the spoil, who most is wont to bring sore pain upon
him.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and the white-armed goddess Hera disregarded not, and lashed her
horses; they nothing loth flew on between earth and starry heaven. As far as a
man seeth with his eyes into the haze of distance as he sitteth on a place of
outlook and gazeth over the wine-dark sea, so far leap the loudly neighing
horses of the gods. Now when they came to Troy and the two flowing rivers, even
to where Simoeis and Skamandros join their streams, there the white-armed
goddess Hera stayed her horses and loosed them from the car and poured thick
mist round about them, and Simoeis made ambrosia spring up for them to graze.
So the goddesses went their way with step like unto turtle-doves, being fain to
bring succour to the men of Argos. And when they were now come where the most
and most valiant stood, thronging about mighty Diomedes tamer of horses, in the
semblance of ravening lions or wild boars whose strength is nowise feeble, then
stood the white-armed goddess Hera and shouted in the likeness of great-hearted
Stentor with voice of bronze, whose cry was loud as the cry of fifty other men:
&ldquo;Fie upon you, Argives, base things of shame, so brave in semblance!
While yet noble Achilles entered continually into battle, then issued not the
Trojans even from the Dardanian gate; for they had dread of his terrible spear.
But now fight they far from the city at the hollow ships.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying she aroused the spirit and soul of every man. And to Tydeides&rsquo;
side sprang the bright-eyed goddess Athene. That lord she found beside his
horses and chariot, cooling the wound that Pandaros with his dart had pierced,
for his sweat vexed it by reason of the broad baldrick of his round shield;
therewith was he vexed and his arm grew weary, so he was lifting up the
baldrick and wiping away the dusky blood. Then the goddess laid her hand on his
horses&rsquo; yoke, and said: &ldquo;Of a truth Tydeus begat a son little after
his own likeness. Tydeus was short of stature, but a man of war.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And stalwart Diomedes made answer to her and said: &ldquo;I know thee, goddess
daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus: therefore with my whole heart will I tell thee
my thought and hide it not. Neither hath disheartening terror taken hold upon
me, nor any faintness, but I am still mindful of thy behest that thou didst lay
upon me. Thou forbadest me to fight face to face with all the blessed gods,
save only if Zeus&rsquo; daughter Aphrodite should enter into battle, then to
wound her with the keen bronze. Therefore do I now give ground myself and have
bidden all the Argives likewise to gather here together; for I discern Ares
lording it in the fray.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the bright-eyed goddess Athene answered him: &ldquo;Diomedes son of
Tydeus, thou joy of mine heart, fear thou, for that, neither Ares nor any other
of the immortals; so great a helper am I to thee. Go to now, at Ares first
guide thou thy whole-hooved horses, and smite him hand to hand, nor have any
awe of impetuous Ares, raving here, a curse incarnate, the renegade that of
late in converse with me and Hera pledged him to fight against the Trojans and
give succour to the Argives, but now consorteth with the Trojans and hath
forgotten these.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So speaking, with her hand she drew back Sthenelos and thrust him from the
chariot to earth, and instantly leapt he down; so the goddess mounted the car
by noble Diomedes&rsquo; side right eagerly. The oaken axle creaked loud with
its burden, bearing the dread goddess and the man of might. Then Athene grasped
the whip and reins; forthwith against Ares first guided she the whole-hooved
horses. Now he was stripping huge Periphas, most valiant far of the Aitolians,
Ochesios&rsquo; glorious son. Him was blood-stained Ares stripping; and Athene
donned the helm of Hades, that terrible Ares might not behold her. Now when
Ares scourge of mortals beheld noble Diomedes, he left huge Periphas lying
there, where at the first he had slain him and taken away his life, and made
straight at Diomedes tamer of horses. Now when they were come nigh in onset on
one another, first Ares thrust over the yoke and horse&rsquo;s reins with spear
of bronze, eager to take away his life. But the bright-eyed goddess Athene with
her hand seized the spear and thrust it up over the car, to spend itself in
vain. Next Diomedes of the loud war-cry attacked with spear of bronze; and
Athene drave it home against Ares&rsquo; nethermost belly, where his taslets
were girt about him. There smote he him and wounded him, rending through his
fair skin, and plucked forth the spear again. Then brazen Ares bellowed loud as
nine thousand warriors or ten thousand cry in battle as they join in strife and
fray. Thereat trembling gat hold of Achaians and Trojans for fear, so mightily
bellowed Ares insatiate of battle.
</p>

<p>
Even as gloomy mist appeareth from the clouds when after beat a stormy wind
ariseth, even so to Tydeus&rsquo; son Diomedes brazen Ares appeared amid
clouds, faring to wide heaven. Swiftly came he to the gods&rsquo; dwelling,
steep Olympus, and sat beside Zeus son of Kronos with grief at heart, and
shewed the immortal blood flowing from the wound, and piteously spake to him
winged words: &ldquo;Father Zeus, hast thou no indignation to behold these
violent deeds? For ever cruelly suffer we gods by one another&rsquo;s devices,
in shewing men grace. With thee are we all at variance, because thou didst
beget that reckless maiden and baleful, whose thought is ever of iniquitous
deeds. For all the other gods that are in Olympus hearken to thee, and we are
subject every one; only her thou chastenest not, neither in deed nor word, but
settest her on, because this pestilent one is thine own offspring. Now hath she
urged on Tydeus&rsquo; son, even overweening Diomedes, to rage furiously
against the immortal gods. Kypris first he wounded in close fight, in the wrist
of her hand, and then assailed he me, even me, with the might of a god. Howbeit
my swift feet bare me away; else had I long endured anguish there amid the
grisly heaps of dead, or else had lived strengthless from the smitings of the
spear.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer looked sternly at him and said: &ldquo;Nay, thou
renegade, sit not by me and whine. Most hateful to me art thou of all gods that
dwell in Olympus: thou ever lovest strife and wars and battles. Truly thy
mother&rsquo;s spirit is intolerable, unyielding, even Hera&rsquo;s; her can I
scarce rule with words. Therefore I deem that by her prompting thou art in this
plight. Yet will I no longer endure to see thee in anguish; mine offspring art
thou, and to me thy mother bare thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and bade Paieon heal him. And Paieon laid assuaging drugs upon the
wound. Even as fig juice maketh haste to thicken white milk, that is liquid but
curdleth speedily as a man stirreth, even so swiftly healed he impetuous Ares.
And Hebe bathed him, and clothed him in gracious raiment, and he sate him down
by Zeus son of Kronos, glorying in his might.
</p>

<p>
Then fared the twain back to the mansion of great Zeus, even Hera and
</p>

<p>
Athene, having stayed Ares scourge of mortals from his man-slaying.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap06"></a>BOOK VI.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Diomedes and Glaukos, being about to fight, were known to each other, and
parted in friendliness. And how Hector returning to the city bade farewell to
Andromache his wife.
</p>

<p>
So was the dread fray of Trojans and Achaians left to itself, and the battle
swayed oft this way and that across the plain, as they aimed against each other
their bronze-shod javelins, between Simoeis and the streams of Xanthos.
</p>

<p>
Now had the Trojans been chased again by the Achaians, dear to Ares, up into
Ilios, in their weakness overcome, but that Prism&rsquo;s son Helenos, far best
of augurs, stood by Aineias&rsquo; side and Hector&rsquo;s, and spake to them:
&ldquo;Aineias and Hector, seeing that on you lieth the task of war in chief of
Trojans and Lykians, because for every issue ye are foremost both for fight and
counsel, stand ye your ground, and range the host everywhither to rally them
before the gates, ere yet they fall fleeing in their womel&rsquo;s arms, and be
made a rejoicing to the foe. Then when ye have aroused all our battalions we
will abide here and fight the Danaans, though in sore weariness; for necessity
presseth us hard: but thou, Hector, go into the city, and speak there to thy
mother and mine; let her gather the aged wives to bright-eyed Athene&rsquo;s
temple in the upper city, and with her key open the doors of the holy house;
and let her lay the robe, that seemeth to her the most gracious and greatest in
her hall and far dearest unto herself, upon the knees of beauteous-haired
Athene; and vow to her to sacrifice in her temple twelve sleek kine, that have
not felt the goad, if she will have mercy on the city and the Trojans&rsquo;
wives and little children. So may she perchance hold back Tydeus&rsquo; son
from holy Ilios, the furious spearman, the mighty deviser of rout, whom in good
sooth I deem to have proved himself mightiest of the Achaians. Never in this
wise feared we Achilles, prince of men, who they say is born of a goddess; nay,
but he that we see is beyond measure furious; none can match him for
might.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Hector disregarded not his brother&rsquo;s word, but leapt
forthwith from his chariot in his armour to earth, and brandishing two sharp
spears passed everywhere through the host, rousing them to battle, and stirred
the dread war-cry. So they were rallied and stood to face the Achaians, and the
Argives gave ground and ceased from slaughter, and deemed that some immortal
had descended from starry heaven to bring the Trojans succour, in such wise
rallied they. Then Hector called to the Trojans with far-reaching shout:
&ldquo;O high-souled Trojans and ye far-famed allies, quit you like men, my
friends, and take thought of impetuous courage, while I depart to Ilios and bid
the elders of the council and our wives pray to the gods and vow them
hecatombs.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying Hector of the glancing helm departed, and the black hide beat on
either side against his ankles and his neck, even the rim that ran uttermost
about his bossed shield.
</p>

<p>
Now Glaukos son of Hippolochos and Tydeus&rsquo; son met in the mid-space of
the foes, eager to do battle. Thus when the twain were come nigh in onset on
each other, to him first spake Diomedes of the loud war-cry: &ldquo;Who art
thou, noble sir, of mortal men? For never have I beheld thee in glorious battle
ere this, yet now hast thou far outstripped all men in thy hardihood, seeing
thou abidest my far-shadowing spear. Luckless are the fathers whose children
face my might. But if thou art some immortal come down from heaven, then will
not I fight with heavenly gods. But if thou art of men that eat the fruit of
the field, come nigh, that anon thou mayest enter the toils of
destruction.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Hippolochos&rsquo; glorious son made answer to him: &ldquo;Great-hearted
Tydeides, why enquirest thou of my generation? Even as are the generations of
leaves such are those likewise of men; the leaves that be the wind scattereth
on the earth, and the forest buddeth and putteth forth more again, when the
season of spring is at hand; so of the generations of men one putteth forth and
another ceaseth. Yet if thou wilt, have thine answer, that thou mayest well
know our lineage, whereof many men have knowledge. Hippolochos, son of
Bellerophon, begat me, and of him do I declare me to be sprung; he sent me to
Troy and bade me very instantly to be ever the best and to excel all other men,
nor put to shame the lineage of my fathers that were of noblest blood in Ephyre
and in wide Lykia. This is the lineage and blood whereof I avow myself to
be.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and Diomedes of the loud war-cry was glad. He planted his spear in
the bounteous earth and with soft words spake to the shepherd of the host:
&ldquo;Surely then thou art to me a guest-friend of old times through my
father: for goodly Oineus of yore entertained noble Bellerophon in his halls
and kept him twenty days. Moreover they gave each the other goodly gifts of
friendship; Oineus gave a belt bright with purple, and Bellerophon a gold
two-handled cup. Therefore now am I to thee a dear guest-friend in midmost
Argos, and thou in Lykia, whene&rsquo;er I fare to your land. So let us shun
each other&rsquo;s spears, even amid the throng; Trojans are there in
multitudes and famous allies for me to slay, whoe&rsquo;er it be that God
vouchsafeth me and my feet overtake; and for thee are there Achaians in
multitude, to slay whome&rsquo;er thou canst. But let us make exchange of arms
between us, that these also may know how we avow ourselves to be guest-friends
by lineage.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the twain, and leaping from their cars clasped each the other by his
hand, and pledged their faith. But now Zeus son of Kronos took from Glaukos his
wits, in that he made exchange with Diomedes Tydeus&rsquo; son of golden armour
for bronze, the price of five score oxen for the price of nine.
</p>

<p>
Now when Hector came to the Skaian gates and to the oak tree, there came
running round about him the Trojans&rsquo; wives and daughters, enquiring of
sons and brethren and friends and husbands. But he bade them thereat all in
turn pray to the gods; but sorrow hung over many.
</p>

<p>
But when he came to Priam&rsquo;s beautiful palace, adorned with polished
colonnades—and in it were fifty chambers of polished stone, builded hard by one
another, wherein Priam&rsquo;s sons slept beside their wedded wives; and for
his daughters over against them on the other side within the courtyard were
twelve roofed chambers of polished stone builded hard by one another, wherein
slept Priam&rsquo;s sons-in-law beside their chaste wives—then came there to
meet him his bountiful mother, leading with her Laodike, fairest of her
daughters to look on; and she clasped her hand in his, and spake, and called
upon his name: &ldquo;My son, why hast thou left violent battle to come hither.
Surely the sons of the Achaians—name of evil!—press thee hard in fight about
thy city, and so thy spirit hath brought thee hither, to come and stretch forth
thy hands to Zeus from the citadel. But tarry till I bring thee honey-sweet
wine, that thou mayest pour libation to Zeus and all the immortals first, and
then shalt thou thyself also be refreshed if thou wilt drink. When a man is
awearied wine greatly maketh his strength to wax, even as thou art awearied in
fighting for thy fellows.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then great Hector of the glancing helm answered her: &ldquo;Bring me no
honey-hearted wine, my lady mother, lest thou cripple me of my courage and I be
forgetful of my might. But go thou to the temple of Athene, driver of the
spoil, with offerings, and gather the aged wives together; and the robe that
seemeth to thee the most gracious and greatest in thy palace, and dearest unto
thyself, that lay thou upon the knees of beauteous-haired Athene, and vow to
her to sacrifice in her temple twelve sleek kine, that have not felt the goad,
if she will have mercy on the city and the Trojans&rsquo; wives and little
children. So go thou to the temple of Athene, driver of the spoil; and I will
go after Paris, to summon him, if perchance he will hearken to my voice. Would
that the earth forthwith might swallow him up! The Olympian fostered him to be
a sore bane to the Trojans and to great-hearted Priam, and to Priam&rsquo;s
sons. If I but saw him going down to the gates of death, then might I deem that
my heart had forgotten its sorrows.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and she went unto the hall, and called to her handmaidens, and they
gathered the aged wives throughout the city. Then she herself went down to her
fragrant chamber where were her embroidered robes, the work of Sidonian women,
whom godlike Alexandros himself brought from Sidon, when he sailed over the
wide sea, that journey wherein he brought home high-born Helen. Of these Hekabe
took one to bear for an offering to Athene, the one that was fairest for
adornment and greatest, and shone like a star, and lay nethermost of all. Then
went she her way and the multitude of aged wives hasted after her. And Hector
was come to Alexandros&rsquo; fair palace, that himself had builded with them
that were most excellent carpenters then in deep-soiled Troy-land; these made
him his chamber and hall and courtyard hard by to Priam and Hector, in the
upper city. There entered in Hector dear to Zeus, and his hand bare his spear,
eleven cubits long: before his face glittered the bronze spear-point, and a
ring of gold ran round about it. And he found Paris in his chamber busied with
his beauteous arms, his shield and breastplate, and handling his curved bow;
and Helen of Argos sate among her serving-women and appointed brave handiwork
for her handmaidens. Then when Hector saw him he rebuked him with scornful
words: &ldquo;Good sir, thou dost not well to cherish this rancour in thy
heart. The folk are perishing about the city and high wall in battle, and for
thy sake the battle-cry is kindled and war around this city; yes thyself
wouldest thou fall out with another, didst thou see him shrinking from hateful
war. Up then, lest the city soon be scorched with burning fire.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And godlike Alexandros answered him: &ldquo;Hector, since in measure thou
chidest me and not beyond measure, therefore will I tell thee; lay thou it to
thine heart and hearken to me. Not by reason so much of the Trojans, for wrath
and indignation, sate I me in my chamber, but fain would I yield me to my
sorrow. Even now my wife hath persuaded me with soft words, and urged me into
battle; and I moreover, even I, deem that it will be better so; for victory
shifteth from man to man. Go to then, tarry awhile, let me put on my armour of
war; or else fare thou forth, and I will follow; and I think to overtake
thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, but Hector of the glancing helm answered him not a word. But Helen
spake to him with gentle words: &ldquo;My brother, even mine that am a dog,
mischievous and abominable, would that on the day when my mother bare me at the
first, an evil storm-wind had caught me away to a mountain or a billow of the
loud-sounding sea, where the billow might have swept me away before all these
things came to pass. Howbeit, seeing the gods devised all these ills in this
wise, would that then I had been mated with a better man, that felt dishonour
and the multitude of mel&rsquo;s reproachings. But as for him, neither hath he
now sound heart, nor ever will have; thereof deem I moreover that he will reap
the fruit. But now come, enter in and sit thee here upon this bench, my
brother, since thy heart chiefly trouble hath encompassed, for the sake of me,
that am a dog, and for Alexandros&rsquo; sin; on whom Zeus bringeth evil doom,
that even in days to come we may be a song in the ears of men that shall be
hereafter.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then great Hector of the glancing helm answered her: &ldquo;Bid me not sit,
Helen, of thy love; thou wilt not persuade me. Already my heart is set to
succour the men of Troy, that have great desire for me that am not with them.
But rouse thou this fellow, yea let himself make speed, to overtake me yet
within the city. For I shall go into mine house to behold my housefolk and my
dear wife, and infant boy; for I know not if I shall return home to them again,
or if the gods will now overthrow me at the hands of the Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake Hector of the glancing helm and departed; and anon he came to his
well-stablished house. But he found not white-armed Andromache in the halls;
she with her boy and fair-robed handmaiden had taken her stand upon the tower,
weeping and wailing. And when Hector found not his noble wife within, he came
and stood upon the threshold and spake amid the serving women: &ldquo;Come tell
me now true, my serving women. Whither went white-armed Andromache forth from
the hall? Hath she gone out to my sisters or unto my brothers&rsquo; fair-robed
wives, or to Athene&rsquo;s temple, where all the fair-tressed Trojan women
propitiate the awful goddess?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then a busy housedame spake in answer to him: &ldquo;Hector, seeing thou
straitly chargest us tell thee true, neither hath she gone out to any of thy
sisters or thy brothers&rsquo; fair-robed wives, neither to Athene&rsquo;s
temple, where all the fair-tressed Trojan women are propitiating the awful
goddess; but she went to the great tower of Ilios, because she heard the
Trojans were hard pressed, and great victory was for the Achaians. So hath she
come in haste to the wall, like unto one frenzied; and the nurse with her
beareth the child.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the housedame, and Hector hastened from his house back by the same way
down the well-builded streets. When he had passed through the great city and
was come to the Skaian gates, whereby he was minded to issue upon the plain,
then came his dear-won wife, running to meet him, even Andromache daughter of
great-hearted Eetion. So she met him now, and with her went the handmaid
bearing in her bosom the tender boy, the little child, Hector&rsquo;s loved
son, like unto a beautiful star. Him Hector called Skamandrios, but all the
folk Astyanax [Astyanax = &ldquo;City King.&rdquo;]; for only Hector guarded
Ilios. So now he smiled and gazed at his boy silently, and Andromache stood by
his side weeping, and clasped her hand in his, and spake and called upon his
name. &ldquo;Dear my lord, this thy hardihood will undo thee, neither hast thou
any pity for thine infant boy, nor for me forlorn that soon shall be thy widow;
for soon will the Achaians all set upon thee and slay thee. But it were better
for me to go down to the grave if I lose thee; for never more will any comfort
be mine, when once thou, even thou, hast met thy fate, but only sorrow. Nay,
Hector, thou art to me father and lady mother, yea and brother, even as thou
art my goodly husband. Come now, have pity and abide here upon the tower, lest
thou make thy child an orphan and thy wife a widow.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then great Hector of the glancing helm answered her: &ldquo;Surely I take
thought for all these things, my wife; but I have very sore shame of the
Trojans and Trojan dames with trailing robes, if like a coward I shrink away
from battle. Moreover mine own soul forbiddeth me, seeing I have learnt ever to
be valiant and fight in the forefront of the Trojans, winning my father&rsquo;s
great glory and mine own. Yea of a surety I know this in heart and soul; the
day shall come for holy Ilios to be laid low, and Priam and the folk of Priam
of the good ashen spear. Yet doth the anguish of the Trojans hereafter not so
much trouble me, neither Hekabe&rsquo;s own, neither king Priam&rsquo;s,
neither my brethrel&rsquo;s, the many and brave that shall fall in the dust
before their foemen, as doth thine anguish in the day when some mail-clad
Achaian shall lead thee weeping and rob thee of the light of freedom. So shalt
thou abide in Argos and ply the loom at another womal&rsquo;s bidding, and bear
water from fount Messeis or Hypereia, being grievously entreated, and sore
constraint shall be laid upon thee. And then shall one say that beholdeth thee
weep: &lsquo;This is the wife of Hector, that was foremost in battle of the
horse-taming Trojans when men fought about Ilios.&rsquo; Thus shall one say
hereafter, and fresh grief will be thine for lack of such an husband as thou
hadst to ward off the day of thraldom. But me in death may the heaped-up earth
be covering, ere I hear thy crying and thy carrying into captivity.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake glorious Hector, and stretched out his arm to his boy. But the child
shrunk crying to the bosom of his fair-girdled nurse, dismayed at his dear
father&rsquo;s aspect, and in dread at the bronze and horse-hair crest that he
beheld nodding fiercely from the helmet&rsquo;s top. Then his dear father
laughed aloud, and his lady mother; forthwith glorious Hector took the helmet
from his head, and laid it, all gleaming, upon the earth; then kissed he his
dear son and dandled him in his arms, and spake in prayer to Zeus and all the
gods, &ldquo;O Zeus and all ye gods, vouchsafe ye that this my son may likewise
prove even as I, pre-eminent amid the Trojans, and as valiant in might, and be
a great king of Ilios. Then may men say of him, &lsquo;Far greater is he than
his father&rsquo; as he returneth home from battle; and may he bring with him
blood-stained spoils from the foeman he hath slain, and may his mother&rsquo;s
heart be glad.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and laid his son in his dear wife&rsquo;s arms; and she took him
to her fragrant bosom, smiling tearfully. And her husband had pity to see her,
and caressed her with his hand, and spake and called upon her name: &ldquo;Dear
one, I pray thee be not of oversorrowful heart; no man against my fate shall
hurl me to Hades; only destiny, I ween, no man hath escaped, be he coward or be
he valiant, when once he hath been born. But go thou to thine house and see to
thine own tasks, the loom and distaff, and bid thine handmaidens ply their
work; but for war shall men provide, and I in chief of all men that dwell in
Ilios.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake glorious Hector, and took up his horse-hair crested helmet; and his
dear wife departed to her home, oft looking back, and letting fall big tears.
Anon she came to the well-stablished house of man-slaying Hector, and found
therein her many handmaidens, and stirred lamentation in them all. So bewailed
they Hector, while yet he lived, within his house: for they deemed that he
would no more come back to them from battle, nor escape the fury of the hands
of the Achaians.
</p>

<p>
Neither lingered Paris long in his lofty house, but clothed on him his brave
armour, bedight with bronze, and hasted through the city, trusting to his
nimble feet. Even as when a stalled horse, full-fed at the manger, breaketh his
tether and speedeth at the gallop across the plain, being wont to bathe him in
the fair-flowing stream, exultingly; and holdeth his head on high, and his mane
floateth about his shoulders, and he trusteth in his glory, and nimbly his
limbs bear him to the haunts and pasturages of mares; even so Priam&rsquo;s son
Paris, glittering in his armour like the shining sun, strode down from high
Pergamos laughingly, and his swift feet bare him. Forthwith he overtook his
brother noble Hector, even as he was on the point to turn him away from the
spot where he had dallied with his wife. To him first spake godlike Alexandros:
&ldquo;Sir, in good sooth I have delayed thee in thine haste by my tarrying,
and came not rightly as thou badest me.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Hector of the glancing helm answered him and said: &ldquo;Good brother, no
man that is rightminded could make light of thy doings in fight, seeing thou
art strong: but thou art wilfully remiss and hast no care; and for this my
heart is grieved within me, that I hear shameful words concerning thee in the
Trojans&rsquo; mouths, who for thy sake endure much toil. But let us be going;
all this will we make good hereafter, if Zeus ever vouchsafe us to set before
the heavenly gods that are for everlasting the cup of deliverance in our halls,
when we have chased out of Troy-land the well-greaved Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap07"></a>BOOK VII.</h2>

<p class="letter">
Of the single combat between Aias and Hector, and of the burying of the dead,
and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships.
</p>

<p>
So spake glorious Hector and issued from the gates, and with him went his
brother Alexandros; and both were eager of soul for fight and battle. Even as
God giveth to longing seamen fair wind when they have grown weary of beating
the main with polished oars, and their limbs are fordone with toil, even so
appeared these to the longing Trojans.
</p>

<p>
Now when the goddess bright-eyed Athene marked them making havoc of the Argives
in the press of battle, she darted down from the crests of Olympus to holy
Ilios. But Apollo rose to meet her, for he beheld her from Pergamos, and would
have victory for the Trojans. So the twain met each the other by the oak-tree.
To her spake first king Apollo son of Zeus: &ldquo;Why now art thou come thus
eagerly from Olympus, thou daughter of great Zeus, and why hath thy high heart
sent thee? Surely it is to give the Danaans unequal victory in battle! seeing
thou hast no mercy on the Trojans, that perish. But if thou wouldest hearken to
me—and it were far better so—let us now stay battle and warring for the day;
hereafter shall they fight again, till they reach the goal of Ilios, since thus
it seemeth good to your hearts, goddesses immortal, to lay waste this
city.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And the goddess bright-eyed Athene made answer to him: &ldquo;So be it,
</p>

<p>
Far-darter; in this mind I likewise came from Olympus to the midst of
</p>

<p>
Trojans and Achaians. But come, how thinkest thou to stay the battle of
</p>

<p>
the warriors?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And king Apollo, son of Zeus, made answer to her: &ldquo;Let us arouse the
stalwart spirit of horse-taming Hector, if so be he will challenge some one of
the Danaans in single fight man to man to meet him in deadly combat. So shall
the bronze-greaved Achaians be jealous and stir up one to fight singly with
goodly Hector.&rdquo; So spake he and the bright-eyed goddess Athene
disregarded not. Now Helenos Priam&rsquo;s dear son understood in spirit their
resolve that the gods in counsel had approved; and he went to Hector and stood
beside him, and spake a word to him: &ldquo;Hector son of Priam, peer of Zeus
in counsel, wouldest thou now hearken at all to me? for I am thy brother. Make
the other Trojans sit, and all the Achaians, and thyself challenge him that is
best of the Achaians to meet thee man to man in deadly combat. It is not yet
thy destiny to die and meet thy doom; for thus heard I the voice of the gods
that are from everlasting.&rdquo; So said he, and Hector rejoiced greatly to
hear his saying, and went into the midst and refrained the battalions of the
Trojans with his spear grasped by the middle; and they all sate them down: and
Agamemnon made the well-greaved Achaians sit. And Athene withal and Apollo of
the silver bow, in the likeness of vulture birds, sate them upon a tall oak
holy to aegis-bearing father Zeus, rejoicing in their warriors; and the ranks
of all of them sate close together, bristling with shields and plumes and
spears. Even as there spreadeth across the main the ripple of the west wind
newly risen, and the sea grows black beneath it, so sate the ranks of Achaians
and Trojans upon the plain. And Hector spake between both hosts: &ldquo;Hearken
to me, Trojans and well-greaved Achaians, that I may speak what my mind within
my breast biddeth me. Our oaths of truce Kronos&rsquo; son, enthroned on high,
accomplished not; but evil is his intent and ordinance for both our hosts,
until either ye take fair-towered Troy or yourselves be vanquished beside your
seafaring ships. But in the midst of you are the chiefest of all the Achaians;
therefore now let the man whose heart biddeth him fight with me come hither
from among you all to be your champion against goodly Hector. And this declare
I, and be Zeus our witness thereto; if that man slay me with the long-edged
sword, let him spoil me of my armour and bear it to the hollow ships, but give
back my body to my home, that Trojans and Trojans&rsquo; wives may give me my
due of burning in my death. But if I slay him and Apollo vouchsafe me glory, I
will spoil him of his armour and bear it to holy Ilios and hang it upon the
temple of far-darting Apollo, but his corpse will I render back to the
well-decked ships, that the flowing-haired Achaians may entomb him, and build
him a barrow beside wide Hellespont. So shall one say even of men that be late
born, as he saileth in his benched ship over the wine-dark sea: &lsquo;This is
the barrow of a man that died in days of old, a champion whom glorious Hector
slew.&rsquo; So shall a man say hereafter, and this my glory shall never
die.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and they all were silent and held their peace; to deny him they
were ashamed, and feared to meet him. But at the last stood up Menelaos and
spake amid them and chiding upbraided them, and groaned deep at heart:
&ldquo;Ah me, vain threateners, ye women of Achaia and no more men, surely all
this shall be a shame, evil of evil, if no one of the Danaans now goeth to meet
Hector. Nay, turn ye all to earth and water, sitting there each man
disheartened, helplessly inglorious; against him will I myself array me; and
from on high the threads of victory are guided of the immortal gods.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and donned his fair armour. And now, O Menelaos, had the end of
life appeared for thee at Hector&rsquo;s hands, seeing he was stronger far, but
that the princes of the Achaians started up and caught thee. And Atreus&rsquo;
son himself, wide-ruling Agamemnon, took him by his right hand and spake a word
and called upon his name: &ldquo;Thou doest madly, Menelaos fosterling of Zeus;
yet is it no time for this thy madness. Draw back, though it be with pain, nor
think for contentiol&rsquo;s sake to fight with one better than thou, with
Hector Priam&rsquo;s son, whom others beside thee abhor. Yea, this man even
Achilles dreadeth to meet in battle, wherein is the warrior&rsquo;s glory; and
Achilles is better far than thou. Go therefore now and sit amid the company of
thy fellows; against him shall the Achaians put forth another champion.
Fearless though he be and insatiate of turmoil, I ween that he shall be fain to
rest his knees, if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake the hero and persuaded his brother&rsquo;s heart with just counsel;
and he obeyed. So his squires thereat with gladness took his armour from his
shoulders; and Nestor stood up and spake amid the Argives: &ldquo;Fie upon it,
verily sore lamentation cometh on the land of Achaia. Verily old Peleus driver
of chariots would groan sore, that goodly counsellor of the Myrmidons and
orator, who erst questioned me in his house, and rejoiced greatly, inquiring of
the lineage and birth of all the Argives. If he heard now of those that all
were cowering before Hector, then would he lift his hands to the immortals,
instantly praying that his soul might depart from his limbs down to the house
of Hades. Would to God I were thus young and my strength were sound; then would
Hector of the glancing helm soon find his combat. But of those of you that be
chieftains of the host of the Achaians, yet desireth no man of good heart to
meet Hector face to face.&rdquo; So the old man upbraided them, and there stood
up nine in all. Far first arose Agamemnon king of men, and after him rose
Tydeus&rsquo; son stalwart Diomedes, and after them the Aiantes clothed with
impetuous might, and after them Idomeneus and Idomeneus&rsquo; brother-in-arms
Meriones, peer of Enyalios slayer of men, and after them Eurypylos
Euaimol&rsquo;s glorious son; and up rose Thoas Andraimol&rsquo;s son and
goodly Odysseus. So all these were fain to fight with goodly Hector. And among
them spake again knightly Nestor of Gerenia: &ldquo;Now cast ye the lot from
the first unto the last, for him that shall be chosen: for he shall in truth
profit the well-greaved Achaians, yea and he shall have profit of his own soul,
if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and they marked each man his lot and cast them in the helmet of
Agamemnon Atreus&rsquo; son; and the hosts prayed and lifted up their hands to
the gods. And thus would one say, looking up to wide heaven: &ldquo;O father
Zeus, vouchsafe that the lot fall upon Aias or Tydeus&rsquo; son, or else on
the king of Mykene rich in gold.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake they, and knightly Nestor of Gerenia shook the helmet, and there leapt
forth the lot that themselves desired, even the lot of Aias. And Aias saw and
knew the token upon the lot, and rejoiced in heart, and spake: &ldquo;My
friends, verily the lot is mine, yea and myself am glad at heart, because I
deem that I shall vanquish goodly Hector. But come now, while I clothe me in my
armour of battle, pray ye the while to Kronos&rsquo; son king Zeus, in silence
to yourselves, that the Trojans hear you not—nay rather, openly if ye will, for
we have no fear of any man soever. For none by force shall chase me, he willing
me unwilling, neither by skill; seeing I hope that not so skill-less, either,
was I born in Salamis nor nurtured.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and they prayed to Kronos&rsquo; son, king Zeus; and thus would one
speak, looking up to wide heaven: &ldquo;O father Zeus that rulest from Ida,
most glorious, most great, vouchsafe to Aias victory and the winning of great
glory. But if thou so lovest Hector indeed, and carest for him, grant unto
either equal prowess and renown.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said they, while Aias arrayed him in flashing bronze. And when he had now
clothed upon his flesh all his armour, then marched he as huge Ares coming
forth, when he goeth to battle amid heroes whom Kronos&rsquo; son setteth to
fight in fury of heart-consuming strife. So rose up huge Aias, bulwark of the
Achaians, with a smile on his grim face: and went with long strides of his feet
beneath him, shaking his far-shadowing spear. Then moreover the Argives
rejoiced to look upon him, but sore trembling came upon the Trojans, on the
limbs of every man, and Hector&rsquo;s own heart beat within his breast. But in
no wise could he now flee nor shrink back into the throng of the host, seeing
he had challenged him to battle. And Aias came near bearing his tower-like
shield of bronze, with sevenfold ox-hide, and stood near to Hector, and spake
to him threatening: &ldquo;Hector, now verily shalt thou well know, man to man,
what manner of princes the Danaans likewise have among them, even after
Achilles, render of men, the lion-hearted. But he amid his beaked seafaring
ships lieth in sore wrath with Agamemnon shepherd of the host; yet are we such
as to face thee, yea and many of us. But make thou beginning of war and
battle.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And great Hector of the glancing helm answered him: &ldquo;Aias of the seed of
Zeus, son of Telamon, chieftain of the host, tempt not thou me like some puny
boy or woman that knoweth not deeds of battle. But I well know wars and
slaughterings. To right know I, to left know I the wielding of my tough targe;
therein I deem is stalwart soldiership. And I know how to charge into the
mellay of fleet chariots, and how in close battle to join in furious
Ares&rsquo; dance. Howbeit, I have no mind to smite thee, being such an one as
thou art, by spying thee unawares; but rather openly, if perchance I may hit
thee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He spake, and poised his far-shadowing spear, and hurled and smote Aias&rsquo;
dread shield of sevenfold hide upon the uttermost bronze, the eighth layer that
was thereon. Through six folds went the stubborn bronze cleaving, but in the
seventh hide it stayed. Then heaven-sprung Aias hurled next his far-shadowing
spear, and smote upon the circle of the shield of Priam&rsquo;s son. Through
the bright shield passed the violent spear, and through the curiously wrought
corslet pressed it on; and straight forth beside the flank the spear rent his
doublet; but he swerved aside and escaped black death. Then both together with
their hands plucked forth their long spears and fell to like ravening lions or
wild boars whose might is nowise feeble. Then Priam&rsquo;s son smote the
shield&rsquo;s midst with his dart, but the bronze brake not through, for the
point turned back; but Aias leapt on him and pierced his buckler, and straight
through went the spear and staggered him in his onset, and cleft its way unto
his neck, so that the dark blood gushed up. Yet even then did not Hector of the
glancing helm cease from fight, but yielded ground and with stout hand seized a
stone lying upon the plain, black and rugged and great; therewith hurled he and
smote Aias&rsquo; dread shield of sevenfold ox-hide in the midst upon the boss,
and the bronze resounded. Next Aias lifted a far greater stone, and swung and
hurled it, putting might immeasurable therein. So smote he the buckler and
burst it inwards with the rock like unto a millstone, and beat down his knees;
and he was stretched upon his back, pressed into his shield; but Apollo
straightway raised him up. And now had they been smiting hand to hand with
swords, but that the heralds, messengers of gods and men, came, one from the
Trojans, one from the mail-clad Achaians, even Talthybios and Idaios, both men
discreet. Between the two held they their staves, and herald Idaios spake a
word, being skilled in wise counsel: &ldquo;Fight ye no more, dear sons,
neither do battle; seeing Zeus the cloud-gatherer loveth you both, and both are
men of war; that verily know we all. But night already is upon us: it is well
withal to obey the hest [behest] of night.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Telamonian Aias answered and said to him: &ldquo;Idaios, bid ye Hector to
speak those words; of his own self he challenged to combat all our best. Let
him be first, and I will surely follow as he saith.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then great Hector of the glancing helm said to him: &ldquo;Aias, seeing God
gave thee stature and might and wisdom, and with the spear thou art excellent
above all the Achaians, let us now cease from combat and battle for the day;
but hereafter will we fight until God judge between as, giving to one of us the
victory: But come, let us give each the other famous gifts, that men may thus
say, Achaians alike and Trojans: &lsquo;These, having fought for sake of
heart-consuming strife, parted again reconciled in friendship.&rsquo;&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and gave him his silver-studded sword, with scabbard and well-cut
baldrick; and Aias gave his belt bright with purple. So they parted, and one
went to the Achaian host, and one betook him to the throng of Trojans. And
these rejoiced to behold him come to them alive and sound, escaped from the
fury of Aias and his hands unapproachable; and they brought him to the city
saved beyond their hope. And Aias on their side the well-greaved Achaians
brought to noble Agamemnon, exulting in his victory.
</p>

<p>
So when these were come unto the huts of Atreides, then did Agamemnon king of
men slay them an ox, a male of five years old, for the most mighty son of
Kronos. This they flayed and made ready, and divided it all, and minced it
cunningly, and pierced it through with spits, and roasted it carefully, and
drew all off again. Then as soon as they had rest from the task and had made
ready the meal, they began the feast, nor was their soul aught stinted of the
equal banquet. And the hero son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave to Aias
slices of the chine&rsquo;s full length for his honour. And when they had put
from them the desire of meat and drink, then first the old man began to weave
the web of counsel, even Nestor whose rede [counsel] of old time was proved
most excellent. He made harangue among them and said: &ldquo;Son of Atreus and
ye other princes of the Achaians, seeing that many flowing-haired Achaians are
dead, and keen Ares hath spilt their dusky blood about fair-flowing Skamandros,
and their souls have gone down to the house of Hades; therefore it behoveth
thee to make the battle of the Achaians cease with daybreak; and we will
assemble to wheel hither the corpses with oxen and mules; so let us burn them;
and let us heap one barrow about the pyre, rearing it from the plain for all
alike; and thereto build with speed high towers, a bulwark for our ships and
for ourselves. In the midst thereof let us make gates well compact, that
through them may be a way for chariot-driving. And without let us dig a deep
foss hard by, to be about it and to hinder horses and footmen, lest the battle
of the lordly Trojans be heavy on us hereafter.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and all the chiefs gave assent. But meanwhile there was in the high
town of Ilios an assembly of the Trojans, fierce, confused, beside
Priam&rsquo;s gate. To them discreet Antenor began to make harangue:
&ldquo;Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies, that I may tell you
that my soul within my breast commandeth me. Lo, go to now, let us give Helen
of Argos and the wealth with her for the sons of Atreus to take away. Now fight
we in guilt against the oaths of faith; therefore is there no profit for us
that I hope to see fulfilled, unless we do thus.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up among them noble Alexandros,
lord of Helen beautiful-haired; he made him answer and spake winged words:
&ldquo;Antenor, these words from thee are no longer to my pleasure; yet thou
hast it in thee to devise other sayings more excellent than this. But if indeed
thou sayest this in earnest, then verily the gods themselves have destroyed thy
wit. But I will speak forth amid the horse-taming Trojans, and declare
outright; my wife will I not give back; but the wealth I brought from Argos to
our home, all that I have a mind to give, and add more of mine own
substance.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and sate him down, and there stood up among them Priam of the seed
of Dardanos, the peer of gods in counsel; he made harangue to them, and said:
&ldquo;Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies, that I may tell you
that my soul within my breast commandeth me. Now eat your supper throughout the
city as of old, and take thought to keep watch, and be wakeful every man. And
at dawn let Idaios fare to the hollow ships to tell to Atreus&rsquo; sons
Agamemnon and Menelaos the saying of Alexandros, for whose sake strife is come
about: and likewise to ask them this wise word, whether they are minded to
refrain from noisy war till we have burned our dead; afterwards will we fight
again, till heaven part us and give one or other victory.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and they hearkened diligently to him and obeyed: and at dawn
Idaios fared to the hollow ships. He found the Danaans in assembly, the men of
Ares&rsquo; company, beside the stern of Agamemnol&rsquo;s ship; and so the
loud-voiced herald stood in their midst and said unto them: &ldquo;Atreides and
ye other princes of the Achaians, Priam and all the noble Trojans bade me tell
you-if perchance it might find favour and acceptance with you-the saying of
Alexandros, for whose sake strife hath come about. The wealth that Alexandros
brought in his hollow ships to Troy-would he had perished first!-all that he
hath a mind to give, and to add more thereto of his substance. But the wedded
wife of glorious Menelaos he saith he will not give; yet verily the Trojans bid
him do it. Moreover they bade me ask this thing of you; whether ye are minded
to refrain from noisy war until we have burned our dead; afterwards will we
fight again, till heaven part us and give one or other victory.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he and they all kept silence and were still. But at the last spake
Diomedes of the loud war-cry in their midst: &ldquo;Let no man now accept
Alexandros&rsquo; substance, neither Helel&rsquo;s self; known is it, even to
him that hath no wit at all, how that the issues of destruction hang already
over the Trojans.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and all the sons of the Achaians shouted, applauding the saying of
horse-taming Diomedes. And then lord Agamemnon spake to Idaios: &ldquo;Idaios,
thyself thou hearest the saying of the Achaians, how they answer thee; and the
like seemeth good to me. But as concerning the dead, I grudge you not to burn
them; for dead corpses is there no stinting; when they once are dead, of the
swift propitiation of fire. And for the oaths let Zeus be witness, the
loud-thundering lord of Hera.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he lifted up his sceptre in the sight of all the gods, and Idaios
departed back to holy Ilios. Now Trojans and Dardanians sate in assembly,
gathered all together to wait till Idaios should come; and he came and stood in
their midst and declared his message. Then they made them ready very swiftly
for either task, some to bring the dead, and some to seek for wood. And on
their part the Argives hasted from their well-decked ships, some to bring the
dead and some to seek for wood.
</p>

<p>
Now the sun was newly beating on the fields as he climbed heaven from the deep
stream of gently-flowing Ocean, when both sides met together. Then was it a
hard matter to know each man again; but they washed them with water clean of
clotted gore, and with shedding of hot tears lifted them upon the wains. But
great Priam bade them not wail aloud; so in silence heaped they the corpses on
the pyre, stricken at heart; and when they had burned them with fire departed
to holy Ilios. And in like manner on their side the well-greaved Achaians
heaped the corpses on the pyre, stricken at heart, and when they had burned
them with fire departed to the hollow ships.
</p>

<p>
And when day was not yet, but still twilight of night, then was the chosen folk
of the Achaians gathered together around the pyre, and made one barrow about
it, rearing it from the plain for all alike; and thereto built they a wall and
lofty towers, a bulwark for their ships and for themselves. In the midst
thereof made they gates well-compacted, that through them might be a way for
chariot-driving. And without they dug a deep foss beside it, broad and great,
and planted a palisade therein.
</p>

<p>
Thus toiled the flowing-haired Achaians: and the gods sate by Zeus, the lord of
lightning, and marvelled at the great work of the mail-clad Achaians. And
Poseidon shaker of earth spake first to them: &ldquo;O father Zeus, is there
any man throughout the boundless earth that will any more declare to the
immortals his mind and counsel? Seest thou not how the flowing-haired Achaians
have now again built them a wall before their ships, and drawn a foss around
it, but gave not excellent hecatombs to the gods? Verily the fame thereof shall
reach as far as the dawn spreadeth, and men will forget the wall that I and
Phoebus Apollo built with travail for the hero Laomedon.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Zeus the cloud-gatherer said to him, sore troubled: &ldquo;Out on it,
far-swaying Shaker of earth, for this thing thou sayest. Well might some other
god fear this device, one that were far feebler than thou in the might of his
hands: but thine shall be the fame as far as the dawn spreadeth. Go to now,
hereafter when the flowing-haired Achaians be departed upon their ships to
their dear native land, then burst thou this wall asunder and scatter it all
into the sea, and cover the great sea-beach over with sand again, that the
great wall of the Achaians be brought to naught.&rdquo;
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap08"></a>BOOK VIII.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles&rsquo; wrong on
Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and gave victory to
the Trojans.
</p>

<p>
Now Dawn the saffron-robed was spreading over all the earth, and Zeus whose joy
is in the thunder let call an assembly of the gods upon the topmost peak of
many-ridged Olympus, and himself made harangue to them and all the gods gave
ear: &ldquo;Hearken to me, all gods and all ye goddesses, that I may tell you
what my heart within my breast commandeth me. One thing let none essay, be it
goddess or be it god, to wit, to thwart my saying; approve ye it all together,
that with all speed I may accomplish these things. Whomsoever I shall perceive
minded to go, apart from the gods, to succour Trojans or Danaans, chastened in
no seemly wise shall he return to Olympus, or I will take and cast him into
misty Tartaros, right far away, where is the deepest gulf beneath the earth;
there are the gate of iron and threshold of bronze, as far beneath Hades as
heaven is high above the earth: then shall he know how far I am mightiest of
all gods. Go to now, ye gods, make trial that ye all may know. Fasten ye a rope
of gold from heaven, and all ye gods lay hold thereof and all goddesses; yet
could ye not drag from heaven to earth Zeus, counsellor supreme, not though ye
toiled sore. But once I likewise were minded to draw with all my heart, then
should I draw you up with very earth and sea withal. Thereafter would I bind
the rope about a pinnacle of Olympus, and so should all those things be hung in
air. By so much am I beyond gods and beyond men.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he let harness to his chariot his bronze-shod horses, fleet of foot,
with flowing manes of gold; and himself clad him with gold upon his flesh, and
grasped the whip of gold, well wrought, and mounted upon his car, and lashed
the horses to start them; they nothing loth sped on between earth and starry
heaven. So fared he to many-fountained Ida, mother of wild beasts, even unto
Gargaros, where is his demesne and fragrant altar. There did the father of men
and gods stay his horses, and unloose them from the car, and cast thick mist
about them; and himself sate on the mountain-tops rejoicing in his glory, to
behold the city of the Trojans and ships of the Achaians.
</p>

<p>
Now the flowing-haired Achaians took meat hastily among the huts and thereafter
arrayed themselves. Likewise the Trojans on their side armed them throughout
the town—a smaller host, yet for all that were they eager to fight in battle,
of forceful need, for their childrel&rsquo;s sake and their wives&rsquo;. And
the gates were opened wide and the host issued forth, footmen and horsemen; and
mighty din arose.
</p>

<p>
So when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed they targe
and spear and fury of bronze-clad warrior; the bossed shields pressed each on
each, and mighty din arose. Then were heard the voice of groaning and the voice
of triumph together of the slayers and the slain, and the earth streamed with
blood.
</p>

<p>
Now while it yet was morn and the divine day waxed, so long from either side
lighted the darts amain and the people fell. But when the sun bestrode
mid-heaven, then did the Father balance his golden scales, and put therein two
fates of death that layeth men at their length, one for horse-taming Trojans,
one for mail-clad Achaians; and he took the scale-yard by the midst and lifted
it, and the Achaians&rsquo; day of destiny sank down. So lay the
Achaians&rsquo; fates on the bounteous earth, and the Trojans&rsquo; fates were
lifted up towards wide heaven. And the god thundered aloud from Ida, and sent
his blazing flash amid the host of the Achaians; and they saw and were
astonished, and pale fear gat hold upon all.
</p>

<p>
Then had Idomeneus no heart to stand, neither Agamemnon, neither stood the
twain Aiantes, men of Ares&rsquo; company. Only Nestor of Gerenia stood his
ground, he the Warden of the Achaians; neither he of purpose, but his horse was
fordone, which noble Alexandros, beauteous-haired Helel&rsquo;s lord, had
smitten with an arrow upon the top of the crest where the foremost hairs of
horses grow upon the skull; and there is the most deadly spot. So the horse
leapt up in anguish and the arrow sank into his brain, and he brought confusion
on the steeds as he writhed upon the dart. While the old man leapt forth and
with his sword began to hew the traces, came Hector&rsquo;s fleet horses
through the tumult, bearing a bold charioteer, even Hecktor. And now had the
old man lost his life, but that Diomedes of the loud war-cry was swift to mark.
Terribly shouted he, summoning Odysseus: &ldquo;Heaven-born son of Laertes,
Odysseus of many wiles, whither fleest thou with thy back turned, like a coward
in the throng? Beware lest as thou fleest one plant a spear between thy
shoulders. Nay, stand thy ground, till we thrust back from the old man his
furious foe.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, but much-enduring noble Odysseus heard him not, but hastened by to
the hollow ships of the Achaians. Yet Tydeides, though but one, mingled amid
the fighters in the forefront, and took his stand before the steeds of the old
man, Neleus&rsquo; son, and spake to him winged words, and said: &ldquo;Old
man, of a truth young warriors beset thee hard; and thy force is abated, and
old age is sore upon thee, and thy squire is but a weakling, and thy steeds are
slow. Come then, mount upon my car, that thou mayest see of what sort are the
steeds of Tros, well skilled for following or fleeing hither or thither very
fleetly across the plain, even those that erst I took from Aineias inspirer of
fear. Thine let our squires tend, and these let us guide straight against the
horse-taming Trojans, that even Hector may know whether my spear also rageth in
my hands.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and knightly Nestor of Gerenia disregarded not. Then the two
squires tended Nestor&rsquo;s horses, even Sthenelos the valiant and kindly
Eurymedon: and the other twain both mounted upon Diomedes&rsquo; car. And
Nestor took into his hands the shining reins, and lashed the horses; and soon
they drew nigh Hector. Then Tydeus&rsquo; son hurled at him as he charged
straight upon them: him missed he, but his squire that drave his chariot,
Eniopeus, high-hearted Thebaios&rsquo; son, even him as he held the reins, he
smote upon the breast beside the nipple. So he fell from out the car, and his
fleet-footed horses swerved aside; and there his soul and spirit were unstrung.
Then sore grief encompassed Hector&rsquo;s soul for sake of his charioteer. Yet
left he him there lying, though he sorrowed for his comrade, and drave in quest
of a bold charioteer; and his horses lacked not long a master, for anon he
found Iphitos&rsquo; son, bold Archeptolemos, and him he made mount behind his
fleet horses, and gave the reins into his hands.
</p>

<p>
Then had destruction come and deeds beyond remedy been wrought, and so had they
been penned in Ilios like lambs, had not the father of gods and men been swift
to mark. So he thundered terribly and darted his white lightning and hurled it
before Diomedes&rsquo; steeds to earth; and there arose a terrible flame of
sulphur burning, and the two horses were affrighted and cowered beneath the
car. And the shining reins dropped from Nestor&rsquo;s hands, and he was afraid
at heart and spake to Diomedes: &ldquo;Come now Tydeides, turn back thy
whole-hooved horses to flight: seest thou not that victory from Zeus attendeth
not on thee? Now doth Kronos&rsquo; son vouchsafe glory to this Hector, for the
day; hereafter shall he grant it us likewise, if he will. A man may not at all
ward off the will of Zeus, not though one be very valiant; he verily is
mightier far.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry answered him: &ldquo;Yea verily, old man, all
this thou sayest is according unto right. But this is the sore grief that
entereth my heart and soul: Hector some day shall say as he maketh harangue
amid the Trojans: &lsquo;Tydeides betook him to the ships in flight before my
face.&rsquo; So shall he boast—in that day let the wide earth yawn for
me.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and turned the whole-hooved horses to flight, back through the
tumult; and the Trojans and Hector with wondrous uproar poured upon them their
dolorous darts. And over him shouted loudly great Hector of the glancing helm:
&ldquo;Tydeides, the fleet-horsed Danaans were wont to honour thee with the
highest place, and meats, and cups brimful, but now will they disdain thee;
thou art after all no better than a woman. Begone, poor puppet; not for my
flinching shalt thou climb on our towers, neither carry our wives away upon thy
ships; ere that will I deal thee thy fate.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and Tydeides was of divided mind, whether to wheel his horses and
fight him face to face. Thrice doubted he in heart and soul, and thrice from
Ida&rsquo;s mountains thundered Zeus the lord of counsel, and gave to the
Trojans a sign, the turning of the course of battle. And Hector with loud shout
called to the Trojans: &ldquo;Trojans and Lykians and Dardanians that love
close fight, be men, my friends, and bethink you of impetuous valour. I
perceive that of good will Kronion vouchsafest me victory and great glory, and
to the Danaans destruction. Fools, that devised these walls weak and of none
account; they shall not withhold our fury, and lightly shall our steeds
overleap the delved foss. But when I be once come amid the hollow ships, then
be thought taken of consuming fire, that with fire I may burn the ships and
slay the men.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he and shouted to his steeds, and said: &ldquo;Xanthos, and thou
Podargos, and Aithon and goodly Lampos, now pay me back your tending, even the
abundance that Andromache, great-hearted Eetiol&rsquo;s daughter, set before
you of honey-hearted wheat, and mingled wine to drink at the heart&rsquo;s
bidding. Pursue ye now and haste, that we may seize Nestor&rsquo;s shield, the
fame whereof now reacheth unto heaven, how that it is of gold throughout,
armrods and all; and may seize moreover from horse-taming Diomedes&rsquo;
shoulders his richly dight breastplate that Hephaistos wrought cunningly. Could
we but take these, then might I hope this very night to make the Achaians to
embark on their fleet ships.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And now had he burned the trim ships with blazing fire, but that queen Hera put
it in Agamemnol&rsquo;s heart himself to bestir him and swiftly arouse the
Achaians. So he went his way along the huts and ships of the Achaians, holding
a great cloak of purple in his stalwart hand, and stood by Odysseus&rsquo;
black ship of mighty burden, that was in the midst, so that a voice could be
heard to either end. Then shouted he in a piercing voice, and called to the
Danaans aloud: &ldquo;Fie upon you, Argives, ye sorry things of shame, so brave
in semblance! Whither are gone our boastings when we said that we were bravest,
the boasts ye uttered vaingloriously when in Lemnos, as ye ate your fill of
flesh of tall-horned oxen and drank goblets crowned with wine, and said that
every man should stand in war to face fivescore yea tenscore Trojans? yet now
can we not match one, even this Hector that anon will burn our ships with flame
of fire. O Father Zeus, didst ever thou blind with such a blindness any mighty
king, and rob him of great glory? Nay, Zeus, this hope fulfil thou me; suffer
that we ourselves at least flee and escape, neither suffer that the Achaians be
thus vanquished of the Trojans.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and the Father had pity on him as he wept, and vouchsafed him that
his folk should be saved and perish not. Forthwith sent he an eagle—surest sign
among winged fowl—holding in his claws a fawn, the young of a fleet hind;
beside the beautiful altar of Zeus he let fall the fawn, where the Achaians did
sacrifice unto Zeus lord of all oracles. So when they saw that the bird was
come from Zeus, they sprang the more upon the Trojans and bethought them of the
joy of battle.
</p>

<p>
Now could no man of the Danaans, for all they were very many, boast that he
before Tydeus&rsquo; son had guided his fleet horses forth, and driven them
across the trench and fought man to man; first by far was Tydeides to slay a
warrior of the Trojans in full array, even Agelaos son of Phradmon. Now he had
turned his steeds to flee; but as he wheeled the other plunged the spear into
his back between his shoulders, and drave it through his breast. So fell he
from his chariot, and his armour clanged upon him.
</p>

<p>
And after him came Atreus&rsquo; sons, even Agamemnon and Menelaos, and after
them the Aiantes clothed upon with impetuous valour, and after them Idomeneus
and Idomeneus&rsquo; brother in arms Meriones, peer of Enyalios slayer of men,
and after them Eurypylos, Euaimol&rsquo;s glorious son. And ninth came Teukros,
stretching his back-bent bow, and took his stand beneath the shield of Aias son
of Telamon. And so Aias would stealthily withdraw the shield, and Teukros would
spy his chance; and when he had shot and smitten one in the throng, then fell
such an one and gave up the ghost, and Teukros would return, and as a child
beneath his mother, so gat he him to Aias; who hid him with the shining shield.
</p>

<p>
And Agamemnon king of men rejoiced to behold him making havoc with his stalwart
bow of the battalions of the Trojans, and he came and stood by his side and
spake to him, saying: &ldquo;Teukros, dear heart, thou son of Telamon, prince
of the host, shoot on in this wise, if perchance thou mayest be found the
salvation of the Danaans and glory of thy father Telamon.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And noble Teukros made answer and said to him: &ldquo;Most noble son of Atreus,
why urgest thou me that myself am eager? Verily with such strength as is in me
forbear I not, but ever since we drave them towards Ilios I watch with my bow
to slay the foemen. Eight long-barbed arrows have I now sped, and all are
buried in the flesh of young men swift in battle; only this mad dog can I not
smite.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He said, and shot another arrow from the string right against Hector; and his
heart was fain to smite him. Yet missed he once again, for Apollo turned the
dart away; but Archeptolemos, Hector&rsquo;s bold charioteer, he smote on the
breast beside the nipple as he hasted into battle: so he fell from his car and
his fleet-footed horses swerved aside; and there his soul and spirit were
unstrung. Then sore grief encompassed Hector&rsquo;s soul for his
charioteer&rsquo;s sake; yet left he him, though he sorrowed for his comrade,
and bade Kebriones his own brother, being hard by, take the chariot reins; and
he heard and disregarded not. And himself he leapt to earth from the
resplendent car, with a terrible shout; and in his hand he caught a stone, and
made right at Teukros, and his heart bade him smite him. Now Teukros had
plucked forth from his quiver a keen arrow, and laid it on the string; but even
as he drew it back, Hector of the glancing helm smote him with the jagged
stone, as he aimed eagerly against him, even beside his shoulder, where the
collar-bone fenceth off neck and breast, and where is the most deadly spot; and
he brake the bowstring, and his hand from the wrist grew numb, and he stayed
fallen upon his knee, and his bow dropped from his hand. But Aias disregarded
not his brother&rsquo;s fall, but ran and strode across him and hid him with
his shield. Then two trusty comrades bent down to him, even Mekisteus son of
Echios and goodly Alastor, and bare him, groaning sorely, to the hollow ships.
And once again the Olympian aroused the spirit of the Trojans. So they drove
the Achaians straight toward the deep foss, and amid the foremost went Hector
exulting in his strength. And even as when a hound behind wild boar or lion,
with swift feet pursuing snatcheth at him, at flank or buttock, and watcheth
for him as he wheeleth, so Hector pressed hard on the flowing-haired Achaians,
slaying ever the hindmost, and they fled on. But when they were passed in
flight through palisade and foss, and many were fallen beneath the
Trojans&rsquo; hands, then halted they and tarried beside the ships, calling
one upon another, and lifting up their hands to all the gods prayed each one
instantly. But Hector wheeled round his beauteous-maned steeds this way and
that, and his eyes were as the eyes of Gorgon or Ares bane of mortals.
</p>

<p>
Now at the sight of them the white-armed goddess Hera had compassion, and anon
spake winged words to Athene: &ldquo;Out on it, thou child of aegis-bearing
Zeus, shall not we twain any more take thought for the Danaans that perish, if
only for this last time? Now will they fill up the measure of evil destiny and
perish by one mal&rsquo;s onslaught; seeing that he is furious now beyond
endurance, this Hector son of Priam, and verily hath wrought many a deed of
ill.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And the bright-eyed goddess Athene made answer to her, &ldquo;Yea in good
sooth, may this fellow yield up strength and life, and perish at the
Argives&rsquo; hands in his native land; only mine own sire is furious, with no
good intent, headstrong, ever sinful, the foiler of my purposes. But now make
thou ready our whole-hooved horses, while I enter into the palace of
aegis-bearing Zeus and gird me in my armour for battle, that I may see if
Priam&rsquo;s son, Hector of the glancing helm, shall be glad at the appearing
of us twain amid the highways of the battle. Surely shall many a Trojan
likewise glut dogs and birds with fat and flesh, fallen dead at the ships of
the Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said she, and the white-armed goddess Hera disregarded not. But when father
Zeus beheld from Ida, he was sore wroth, and sped Iris golden-winged to bear a
message: &ldquo;Go thy way, fleet Iris, turn them back, neither suffer them to
face me; for in no happy wise shall we join in combat. For thus will I declare,
and even so shall the fulfilment be; I will maim their fleet horses in the
chariot, and them will I hurl out from the car, and will break in pieces the
chariot; neither within the courses of ten years shall they heal them of the
wounds the thunderbolt shall tear; that the bright-eyed one may know the end
when she striveth against her father. But with Hera have I not so great
indignation nor wrath: seeing it ever is her wont to thwart me, whate&rsquo;er
I have decreed.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and whirlwind-footed Iris arose to bear the message, and departed
from the mountains of Ida unto high Olympus. And even at the entrance of the
gates of Olympus many-folded she met them and stayed them, and told them the
saying of Zeus.
</p>

<p>
And father Zeus drave from Ida his fair-wheeled chariot and horses unto
Olympus, and came unto the session of the gods. For him also the noble Shaker
of Earth unyoked the steeds, and set the car upon the stand, and spread a cloth
thereover; and far-seeing Zeus himself sate upon his golden throne, and beneath
his feet great Olympus quaked. Only Athene and Hera sate apart from Zeus, and
spake no word to him neither questioned him. But he was ware thereof in his
heart, and said, &ldquo;Why are ye thus vexed, Athene and Hera? Surely ye are
not wearied of making havoc in glorious battle of the Trojans, for whom ye
cherish bitter hate! Howsoever, seeing that my might is so great and my hands
invincible, all the gods that are in Olympus could not turn me: and for you
twain, trembling erst gat hold upon your bright limbs ere that ye beheld war
and war&rsquo;s fell deeds. For thus will I declare, and even so had the
fulfilment been—never had ye, once smitten with the thunderbolt, fared on your
chariots back unto Olympus where is the habitation of the immortals.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Athene and Hera murmured, that were sitting by him and
devising ills for the Trojans. Now Athene held her peace, and said not
anything, for wrath at father Zeus, and fierce anger gat hold upon her; but
Hera&rsquo;s heart contained not her anger, and she spake: &ldquo;Most dread
son of Kronos, what word is this thou hast said? Well know we, even we, that
thy might is no wise puny; yet still have we pity for the Danaan spearmen, that
now shall perish and fill up the measure of grievous fate.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered and said: &ldquo;At morn shalt thou behold
most mighty Kronion, if thou wilt have it so, O Hera, ox-eyed queen, making yet
more havoc of the vast army of Argive spearmen; for headlong Hector shall not
refrain from battle till that Peleus&rsquo; son fleet of foot have arisen
beside the ships, that day when these shall fight amid the sterns in most
grievous stress, around Patroklos fallen. Such is the doom of heaven. And for
thine anger reck I not, not even though thou go to the nethermost bounds of
earth and sea, where sit Iapetos and Kronos and have no joy in the beams of
Hyperion the Sun-god, neither in any breeze, but deep Tartaros is round about
them. Though thou shouldest wander till thou come even thither, yet reck I not
of thy vexation, seeing there is no thing more unabashed than thou.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, but white-armed Hera spake him no word. And the sul&rsquo;s bright
light dropped into Ocean, drawing black night across Earth the grain-giver.
Against the Trojans&rsquo; will daylight departed, but welcome, thrice prayed
for, to the Achaians came down the murky night.
</p>

<p>
Now glorious Hector made an assembly of the Trojans, taking them apart from the
ships, beside the eddying river, in an open space where was found a spot clear
of dead. And they came down from their chariots to the ground to hear the word
that Hector, dear unto Zeus, proclaimed. He in his hand held his spear eleven
cubits long; before his face gleamed the spearhead of bronze, and a ring of
gold ran round about it. Thereon he leaned and spake to the Trojans, saying:
&ldquo;Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies. I thought but now to
make havoc of the ships and all the Achaians and depart back again to windy
Ilios; but dusk came too soon, and that in chief hath now saved the Argives and
the ships beside the beach of the sea. So let us now yield to black night, and
make our supper ready; unyoke ye from the chariots your fair-maned horses, and
set fodder beside them. And from the city bring kine and goodly sheep with
speed; and provide you with honey-hearted wine, and corn from your houses, and
gather much wood withal, that all night long until early-springing dawn we may
burn many fires, and the gleam may reach to heaven; lest perchance even by
night the flowing-haired Achaians strive to take flight over the broad back of
the sea. Verily must they not embark upon their ships unvexed, at ease: but see
ye that many a one of them have a wound to nurse even at home, being stricken
with arrow or keen-pointed spear as he leapeth upon his ship; that so many
another man may dread to wage dolorous war on the horse-taming men of Troy. And
let the heralds dear to Zeus proclaim throughout the city that young maidens
and old men of hoary heads camp round the city on the battlements builded of
the gods; and let the women folk burn a great fire each in her hall; and let
there be a sure watch set, lest an ambush enter the city when the host is
absent. Howbeit for the night will we guard our own selves, and at morn by
daybreak, arrayed in our armour, let us awake keen battle at the hollow ships.
I will know whether Tydeus&rsquo; son stalwart Diomedes shall thrust me from
the ships back to the wall, or I shall lay him low with my spear and bear away
his gory spoils. To-morrow shall he prove his valour, whether he can abide the
onslaught of my spear. Would that I were immortal and ageless all my days and
honoured like as Athene is honoured and Apollo, so surely as this day bringeth
the Argives ill.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So Hector made harangue, and the Trojans clamoured applause. And they loosed
their sweating steeds from the yoke, and tethered them with thongs, each man
beside his chariot; and from the city they brought kine and goodly sheep with
speed, and provided them with honey-hearted wine and corn from their houses,
and gathered much wood withal. And from the plain the winds bare into heaven
the sweet savour. But these with high hopes sate them all night along the
highways of the battle, and their watchfires burned in multitude. Even as when
in heaven the stars about the bright moon shine clear to see, when the air is
windless, and all the peaks appear and the tall headlands and glades, and from
heaven breaketh open the infinite air, and all stars are seen, and the
shepherd&rsquo;s heart is glad; even in like multitude between the ships and
the streams of Xanthos appeared the watchfires that the Trojans kindled in
front of Ilios. A thousand fires burned in the plain and by the side of each
sate fifty in the gleam of blazing fire. And the horses champed white barley
and spelt, and standing by their chariots waited for the throned Dawn.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap09"></a>BOOK IX.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be appeased; and
how Achilles denied him.
</p>

<p>
Thus kept the Trojans watch; but the Achaians were holden of heaven-sent panic,
handmaid of palsying fear, and all their best were stricken to the heart with
grief intolerable. Like as two winds stir up the main, the home of fishes, even
the north wind and the west wind that blow from Thrace, coming suddenly; and
the dark billow straightway lifteth up its crest and casteth much tangle out
along the sea; even so was the Achaians&rsquo; spirit troubled in their breast.
</p>

<p>
But Atreides was stricken to the heart with sore grief, and went about bidding
the clear-voiced heralds summon every man by name to the assembly, but not to
shout aloud; and himself he toiled amid the foremost. So they sat sorrowful in
assembly, and Agamemnon stood up weeping like unto a fountain of dark water
that from a beetling cliff poureth down its black stream; even so with deep
groaning he spake amid the Argives and said: &ldquo;My friends, leaders and
captains of the Argives, Zeus son of Kronos hath bound me with might in
grievous blindness of soul; hard of heart is he, for that erewhile he promised
and gave his pledge that not till I had laid waste well-walled Ilios should I
depart, but now hath planned a cruel wile, and biddeth me return in dishonour
to Argos with the loss of many of my folk. Such meseemeth is the good pleasure
of most mighty Zeus, that hath laid low the heads of many cities, yea and shall
lay low; for his is highest power. So come, even as I shall bid let us all
obey; let us flee with our ships to our dear native land, for now shall we
never take wide-wayed Troy.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and they all held their peace and kept silence. Long time were the
sons of the Achaians voiceless for grief, but at the last Diomedes of the loud
war-cry spake amid them and said: &ldquo;Atreides: with thee first in thy folly
will I contend, where it is just, O king, even in the assembly; be not thou
wroth therefor. My valour didst thou blame in chief amid the Danaans, and
saidst that I was no man of war but a coward; and all this know the Argives
both young and old. But the son of crooked-counselling Kronos hath endowed thee
but by halves; he granted thee to have the honour of the sceptre above all men,
but valour he gave thee not, wherein is highest power. Sir, deemest thou that
the sons of the Achaians are thus indeed cowards and weaklings as thou sayest?
If thine own heart be set on departing, go thy way; the way is before thee, and
thy ships stand beside the sea, even the great multitude that followed thee
from Mykene. But all the other flowing-haired Achaians will tarry here until we
lay waste Troy. Nay, let them too flee on their ships to their dear native
land; yet will we twain, even I and Sthenelos, fight till we attain the goal of
Ilios; for in God&rsquo;s name are we come.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and all the sons of the Achaians shouted aloud, applauding the
saying of horse-taming Diomedes. Then knightly Nestor arose and said amid them:
&ldquo;Tydeides, in battle art thou passing mighty, and in council art thou
best among thine equals in years; none of all the Achaians will make light of
thy word nor gainsay it. Now let us yield to black night and make ready our
meal; and let the sentinels bestow them severally along the deep-delved foss
without the wall. This charge give I to the young men; and thou, Atreides, lead
then the way, for thou art the most royal. Spread thou a feast for the
councillors; that is thy place and seemly for thee. Thy huts are full of wine
that the ships of the Achaians bring thee by day from Thrace across the wide
sea; all entertainment is for thee, being king over many. In the gathering of
many shalt thou listen to him that deviseth the most excellent counsel; sore
need have all the Achaians of such as is good and prudent, because hard by the
ships our foemen are burning their watch-fires in multitude; what man can
rejoice thereat? This night shall either destroy or save the host.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and they gladly hearkened to him and obeyed. Forth sallied the
sentinels in their harness. Seven were the captains of the sentinels, and with
each went fivescore young men bearing their long spears in their hands; and
they took post midway betwixt foss and wall, and kindled a fire and made ready
each man his meal.
</p>

<p>
Then Atreides gathered the councillors of the Achaians, and led them to his
hut, and spread before them an abundant feast. So they put forth their hands to
the good cheer that lay before them. And when they had put away from them the
desire of meat and drink, then the old man first began to weave his counsel,
even Nestor, whose rede of old time was approved the best. He spake to them and
said: &ldquo;Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, in thy name will
I end and with thy name begin, because thou art king over many hosts, and to
thy hand Zeus hath entrusted sceptre and law, that thou mayest take counsel for
thy folk. Thee therefore more than any it behoveth both to speak and hearken,
and to accomplish what another than thou may say. No other man shall have a
more excellent thought than this that I bear in mind from old time even until
now, since the day when thou, O heaven-sprung king, didst go and take the
damsel Briseis from angry Achilles&rsquo; hut by no consent of ours. Nay, I
right heartily dissuaded thee; but thou yieldedst to thy proud spirit, and
dishonouredst a man of valour whom even the immortals honoured; for thou didst
take and keepest from him his meed of valour. Still let us even now take
thought how we may appease him and persuade him with gifts of friendship and
kindly words.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Agamemnon king of men answered and said to him: &ldquo;Old sir, in no false
wise hast thou accused my folly. Fool was I, I myself deny it not. Worth many
hosts is he whom Zeus loveth in his heart, even as now he honoureth this man
and destroyeth the host of the Achaians. But seeing I was a fool in that I
yielded to my sorry passion, I will make amends and give a recompense beyond
telling. In the midst of you all I will name the excellent gifts; seven tripods
untouched of fire, and ten talents of gold and twenty gleaming caldrons, and
twelve stalwart horses, winners in the race, that have taken prizes by their
speed. No lackwealth were that man whose substance were as great as the prizes
my whole-hooved steeds have borne me off. And seven women will I give, skilled
in excellent handiwork, Lesbians whom I chose me from the spoils the day that
he himself took stablished Lesbos, surpassing womankind in beauty. These will I
give him, and with them shall be she whom erst I took from him, even the
daughter of Briseus. All these things shall be set straightway before him; and
if hereafter the gods grant us to lay waste the great city of Priam, then let
him enter in when we Achaians be dividing the spoil, and lade his ship full of
gold and bronze, and himself choose twenty Trojan women, the fairest that there
be after Helen of Argos. And if we win to the richest of lands, even Achaian
Argos, he shall be my son and I will hold him in like honour with Orestes, my
stripling boy that is nurtured in all abundance. Three daughters are mine in my
well-builded hall, Chrysothemis and Laodike and Iphianassa; let him take of
them which he will, without gifts of wooing, to Peleus&rsquo; house; and I will
add a great dower such as no man ever yet gave with his daughter. And seven
well-peopled cities will I give him, Kardamyle and Enope and grassy Hire and
holy Pherai and Antheia deep in meads, and fair Aipeia and Pedasos land of
vines. And all are nigh to the salt sea, on the uttermost border of sandy
Pylos; therein dwell men abounding in flocks and kine, men that shall worship
him like a god with gifts, and beneath his sway fulfil his prosperous
ordinances. All this will I accomplish so he but cease from wrath. Let him
yield; Hades I ween is not to be softened neither overcome, and therefore is he
hatefullest of all gods to mortals. Yea, let him be ruled by me, inasmuch as I
am more royal and avow me to be the elder in years.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered and said: &ldquo;Most noble son of
Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, now are these gifts not lightly to be esteemed
that thou offerest king Achilles. Come therefore, let us speed forth picked men
to go with all haste to the hut of Peleus&rsquo; son Achilles. Lo now,
whomsoever I appoint let them consent. First let Phoinix dear to Zeus lead the
way, and after him great Aias and noble Odysseus; and for heralds let Odios and
Eurybates be their companions. And now bring water for our hands, and bid keep
holy silence, that we may pray unto Zeus the son of Kronos, if perchance he
will have mercy upon us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and spake words that were well-pleasing unto all. Forthwith the
heralds poured water on their hands, and the young men crowned the bowls with
drink and gave each man his portion after they had poured the libation in the
cups. And when they had made libation and drunk as their heart desired, they
issued forth from the hut of Agamemnon son of Atreus. And knightly Nestor of
Gerenia gave them full charge, with many a glance to each, and chiefest to
Odysseus, how they should essay to prevail on Peleus&rsquo; noble son.
</p>

<p>
So the twain went along the shore of the loud-sounding sea, making instant
prayer to the earth-embracer, the Shaker of the Earth, that they might with
ease prevail on Aiakides&rsquo; great heart. So they came to the huts and ships
of the Myrmidons, and found their king taking his pleasure of a loud lyre,
fair, of curious work, with a silver cross-bar upon it. Therein he was
delighting his soul, and singing the glories of heroes. And over against him
sate Patroklos alone in silence, watching till Aiakides should cease from
singing. So the twain came forward, and noble Odysseus led the way, and they
stood before his face; and Achilles sprang up amazed with the lyre in his hand,
and left the seat where he was sitting, and in like manner Patroklos when he
beheld the men arose. Then Achilles fleet of foot greeted them and said:
&ldquo;Welcome; verily ye are friends that are come—sore indeed is the
need—even ye that are dearest of the Achaians to me even in my wrath.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake noble Achilles and led them forward, and made them sit on settles and
carpets of purple; and anon he spake to Patroklos being near: &ldquo;Bring
forth a greater bowl, thou son of Menoitios; mingle stronger drink, and prepare
each man a cup, for dearest of men are these that are under my roof.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then put they forth their hands to the good cheer lying before them. And when
they had put from them the desire of meat and drink, Aias nodded to Phoinix.
But noble Odysseus marked it, and filled a cup with wine and pledged Achilles:
&ldquo;Hail, O Achilles! The fair feast lack we not either in the hut of
Agamemnon son of Atreus neither now in thine; for feasting is there abundance
to our heart&rsquo;s desire, but our thought is not for matters of the
delicious feast; nay, we behold very sore destruction, thou fosterling of Zeus,
and are afraid. Now is it in doubt whether we save the benched ships or behold
them perish, if thou put not on thy might. Nigh unto ships and wall have the
high-hearted Trojans and famed allies pitched their camp, and kindled many
fires throughout their host, and ween that they shall no more be withheld but
will fall on our black ships. And Zeus son of Kronos sheweth them signs upon
the right by lightning, and Hector greatly exulteth in his might and rageth
furiously, trusting in Zeus, and recketh not of god nor man, for mighty madness
hath possessed him. He prayeth bright Dawn to shine forth with all speed, for
he bath passed his word to smite off from the ships the ensigns&rsquo; tops,
and to fire the hulls with devouring flame, and hard thereby to make havoc of
the Achaians confounded by the smoke. Therefore am I sore afraid in my heart
lest the gods fulfil his boastings, and it be fated for us to perish here in
Troy-land, far from Argos pasture-land of horses. Up then! if thou art minded
even at the last to save the failing sons of the Achaians from the war-din of
the Trojans. Eschew thy grievous wrath; Agamemnon offereth thee worthy gifts,
so thou wilt cease from anger. Lo now, hearken thou to me, and I will tell thee
all the gifts that in his hut Agamemnon promised thee. But if Agamemnon be too
hateful to thy heart, both he and his gifts, yet have thou pity on all the
Achaians that faint throughout the host; these shall honour thee as a god, for
verily thou wilt earn exceeding great glory at their hands. Yea now mightest
thou slay Hector, for he would come very near thee in his deadly madness,
because he deemeth that there is no man like unto him among the Danaans that
the ships brought hither.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Achilles fleet of foot answered and said unto him: &ldquo;Heaven-sprung son
of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, in openness must I now declare unto you my
saying, even as I am minded and as the fulfilment thereof shall be, that ye may
not sit before me and coax this way and that. For hateful to me even as the
gates of hell is he that hideth one thing in his heart and uttereth another:
but I will speak what meseemeth best. Not me, I ween, shall Agamemnon son of
Atreus persuade, nor the other Danaans, seeing we were to have no thank for
battling with the foemen ever without respite. He that abideth at home hath
equal share with him that fighteth his best, and in like honour are held both
the coward and the brave; death cometh alike to the untoiling and to him that
hath toiled long. Neither have I any profit for that I endured tribulation of
soul, ever staking my life in fight. Even as a hen bringeth her unfledged
chickens each morsel as she winneth it, and with herself it goeth hard, even so
I was wont to watch out many a sleepless night and pass through many bloody
days of battle, warring with folk for their womel&rsquo;s sake. Twelve cities
of men have I laid waste from ship-board, and from land eleven, throughout
deep-soiled Troy-land; out of all these took I many goodly treasures and would
bring and give them all to Agamemnon son of Atreus, and he staying behind amid
the fleet ships would take them and portion out some few but keep the most. Now
some he gave to be meeds of honour to the princes and the kings, and theirs are
left untouched; only from me of all the Achaians took he my darling lady and
keepeth her. But why must the Argives make war on the Trojans? why hath
Atreides gathered his host and led them hither? is it not for lovely-haired
Helel&rsquo;s sake? Do then the sons of Atreus alone of mortal men love their
wives? surely whatsoever man is good and sound of mind loveth his own and
cherisheth her, even as I too loved mine with all my heart, though but the
captive of my spear. But now that he hath taken my meed of honour from mine
arms and hath deceived me, let him not tempt me that know him full well; he
shall not prevail. Nay, Odysseus, let him take counsel with thee and all the
princes to ward from the ships the consuming fire. Verily without mine aid he
hath wrought many things, and built a wall and dug a foss about it wide and
deep, and set a palisade therein; yet even so can he not stay murderous
Hector&rsquo;s might. But so long as I was fighting amid the Achaians, Hector
had no mind to array his battle far from the wall, but scarce came unto the
Skaian gates and to the oak-tree; there once he awaited me alone and scarce
escaped my onset. But now, seeing I have no mind to fight with noble Hector, I
will to-morrow do sacrifice to Zeus and all the gods, and store well my ships
when I have launched them on the salt sea—then shalt thou see, if thou wilt and
hast any care therefor, my ships sailing at break of day over Hellespont, the
fishes&rsquo; home, and my men right eager at the oar; and if the great Shaker
of the Earth grant me good journey, on the third day should I reach deep-soiled
Phthia. There are my great possessions that I left when I came hither to my
hurt; and yet more gold and ruddy bronze shall I bring from hence, and
fair-girdled women and grey iron, all at least that were mine by lot; only my
meed of honour hath he that gave it me taken back in his despitefulness, even
lord Agamemnon son of Atreus. To him declare ye everything even as I charge
you, openly, that all the Achaians likewise may have indignation, if haply he
hopeth to beguile yet some other Danaan, for that he is ever clothed in
shamelessness. Verily not in my face would he dare to look, though he have the
front of a dog. Neither will I devise counsel with him nor any enterprise, for
utterly he hath deceived me and done wickedly; but never again shall he beguile
me with fair speech—let this suffice him. Let him begone in peace; Zeus the
lord of counsel hath taken away his wits. Hateful to me are his gifts, and I
hold him at a straw&rsquo;s worth. Not even if he gave me ten times, yea
twenty, all that now is his, and all that may come to him otherwhence, even all
the revenue of Orchomenos or Egyptian Thebes where the treasure-houses are
stored fullest—Thebes of the hundred gates, whence sally forth two hundred
warriors through each with horses and chariots—nay, nor gifts in number as sand
or dust; not even so shall Agamemnon persuade my soul till he have paid me back
all the bitter despite. And the daughter of Agamemnon son of Atreus will I not
wed, not were she rival of golden Aphrodite for fairness and for handiwork
matched bright-eyed Athene—not even then will I wed her; let him choose him of
the Achaians another that is his peer and is more royal than I. For if the gods
indeed preserve me and I come unto my home, then will Peleus himself seek me a
wife. Many Achaian maidens are there throughout Hellas and Phthia, daughters of
princes that ward their cities; whomsoever of these I wish will I make my dear
lady. Very often was my high soul moved to take me there a wedded wife, a help
meet for me, and have joy of the possessions that the old man Peleus
possesseth. For not of like worth with life hold I even all the wealth that men
say was possessed of the well-peopled city of Ilios in days of peace gone by,
before the sons of the Achaians came; neither all the treasure that the stone
threshold of the archer Phoebus Apollo encompasseth in rocky Pytho. For kine
and goodly flocks are to be had for the harrying, and tripods and chestnut
horses for the purchasing; but to bring back mal&rsquo;s life neither harrying
nor earning availeth when once it hath passed the barrier of his lips. For thus
my goddess mother telleth me, Thetis the silver-footed, that twain fates are
bearing me to the issue of death. If I abide here and besiege the
Trojans&rsquo; city, then my returning home is taken from me, but my fame shall
be imperishable; but if I go home to my dear native land, my high fame is taken
from me, but my life shall endure long while, neither shall the issue of death
soon reach me. Moreover I would counsel you all to set sail homeward, seeing ye
shall never reach your goal of steep Ilios; of a surety far-seeing Zeus holdeth
his hand over her and her folk are of good courage. So go your way and tell my
answer to the princes of the Achaians, even as is the office of elders, that
they may devise in their hearts some other better counsel, such as shall save
them their ships and the host of the Achaians amid the hollow ships: since this
counsel availeth them naught that they have now devised, by reason of my fierce
wrath. But let Phoinix now abide with us and lay him to rest, that he may
follow with me on my ships to our dear native land to-morrow, if he will; for I
will not take him perforce.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and they all held their peace and were still, and marvelled at his
saying; for he denied them very vehemently. But at the last spake to them the
old knight Phoinix, bursting into tears, because he was sore afraid for the
ships of the Achaians: &ldquo;If indeed thou ponderest departure in thy heart,
glorious Achilles, and hast no mind at all to save the fleet ships from
consuming fire, because that wrath bath entered into thy heart; how can I be
left of thee, dear son, alone thereafter? To thee did the old knight Peleus
send me the day he sent thee to Agamemnon forth from Phthia, a stripling yet
unskilled in equal war and in debate wherein men wax pre-eminent. Therefore
sent he me to teach thee all these things, to be both a speaker of words and a
doer of deeds. Yea, I reared thee to this greatness, thou godlike Achilles,
with my heart&rsquo;s love; for with none other wouldest thou go unto the
feast, neither take meat in the hall, till that I had set thee upon my knees
and stayed thee with the savoury morsel cut first for thee, and put the
wine-cup to thy lips. Oft hast thou stained the doublet on my breast with
sputtering of wine in thy sorry helplessness. Thus I suffered much with thee,
and much I toiled, being mindful that the gods in nowise created any issue of
my body; but I made thee my son, thou godlike Achilles, that thou mayest yet
save me from grievous destruction. Therefore, Achilles, rule thy high spirit;
neither beseemeth it thee to have a ruthless heart. Nay, even the very gods can
bend, and theirs withal is loftier majesty and honour and might. Nay, come for
the gifts; the Achaians shall honour thee even as a god. But if without gifts
thou enter into battle the bane of men, thou wilt not be held in like honour,
even though thou avert the fray.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to him: &ldquo;Phoinix my
father, thou old man fosterling of Zeus, such honour need I in no wise; for I
deem that I have been honoured by the judgment of Zeus, which shall abide upon
me amid my beaked ships as long as breath tarrieth in my body and my limbs are
strong. Moreover I will say this thing to thee and lay thou it to thine heart;
trouble not my soul by weeping and lamentation, to do the pleasure of warrior
Atreides; neither beseemeth it thee to cherish him, lest thou be hated of me
that cherish thee. It were good that thou with me shouldest vex him that vexeth
me. Be thou king even as I, and share my sway by halves, but these shall bear
my message. So tarry thou here and lay thee to rest in a soft bed, and with
break of day will we consider whether to depart unto our own, or to
abide.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
He spake, and nodded his brow in silence unto Patroklos to spread for Phoinix a
thick couch, that the others might bethink them to depart from the hut with
speed. Then spake to them Aias, Telamol&rsquo;s godlike son, and said:
&ldquo;Heaven-sprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, let us go hence;
for methinks the purpose of our charge will not by this journey be
accomplished; and we must tell the news, though it be no wise good, with all
speed unto the Danaans, that now sit awaiting. But Achilles hath wrought his
proud soul to fury within him—stubborn man, that recketh naught of his
comrades&rsquo; love, wherein we worshipped him beyond all men amid the
ships—unmerciful! Yet doth a man accept recompense of his brother&rsquo;s
murderer or for his dead son; and so the man-slayer for a great price abideth
in his own land, and the kinsmal&rsquo;s heart is appeased, and his proud soul,
when he hath taken the recompense. But for thee, the gods have put within thy
breast a spirit implacable and evil, by reason of one single damsel. And now we
offer thee seven damsels, far best of all, and many other gifts besides;
entertain thou then a kindly spirit, and have respect unto thine home; because
we are guests of thy roof, sent of the multitude of Danaans, and we would fain
be nearest to thee and dearest beyond all other Achaians, as many as there
be.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to him: &ldquo;Aias sprung of
Zeus, thou son of Telamon, prince of the folk, thou seemest to speak all this
almost after mine own mind; but my heart swelleth with wrath as oft as I
bethink me of those things, how Atreides entreated me arrogantly among the
Argives, as though I were some worthless sojourner. But go ye and declare my
message; I will not take thought of bloody war until that wise Priam&rsquo;s
son, noble Hector, come to the Myrmidons&rsquo; huts and ships, slaying the
Argives, and smirch the ships with fire. But about mine hut and black ship I
ween that Hector, though he be very eager for battle, shall be
refrained.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and they took each man a two-handled cup, and made libation and
went back along the line of ships; and Odysseus led the way. And Patroklos bade
his fellows and handmaidens spread with all speed a thick couch for Phoinix;
and they obeyed and spread a couch as he ordained, fleeces and rugs and fine
flock of linen. Then the old man laid him down and tarried for bright Dawn.
</p>

<p>
Now when those were come unto Atreides&rsquo; huts, the sons of the Achaians
stood up on this side and on that, and pledged them in cups of gold, and
questioned them; and Agamemnon king of men asked them first: &ldquo;Come now,
tell me, Odysseus full of praise, thou great glory of the Achaians; will he
save the ships from consuming fire, or said he nay, and hath wrath yet hold of
his proud spirit?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And steadfast goodly Odysseus answered him: &ldquo;Most noble son of Atreus,
Agamemnon king of men, he yonder hath no mind to quench his wrath, but is yet
more filled of fury, and spurneth thee and thy gifts. He biddeth thee take
counsel for thyself amid the Argives, how to save the ships and folk of the
Achaians. And for himself he threateneth that at break of day he will launch
upon the sea his trim well-benched ships. Moreover he said that he would
counsel all to sail for home, because ye now shall never reach your goal of
steep Ilios; surely far-seeing Zeus holdeth his hand over her and her folk are
of good courage. Even so said he, and here are also these to tell the tale that
were my companions, Aias and the two heralds, both men discreet. But the old
man Phoinix laid him there to rest, even as Achilles bade him, that he may
follow with him on his ships to his dear native land to-morrow, if he will; for
he will not take him perforce.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and they all held their peace and were still, marvelling at his
saying, for he harangued very vehemently. Long were the sons of the Achaians
voiceless for grief, but at the last Diomedes of the loud war-cry spake amid
them: &ldquo;Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, would thou hadst
never besought Peleus&rsquo; glorious son with offer of gifts innumerable;
proud is he at any time, but now hast thou yet far more encouraged him in his
haughtiness. Howbeit we will let him bide, whether he go or tarry; hereafter he
shall fight, whenever his heart within him biddeth and god arouseth him. Come
now, even as I shall say let us all obey. Go ye now to rest, full to your
hearts&rsquo; desire of meat and wine, wherein courage is and strength; but
when fair rosy-fingered Dawn appeareth, array thou with all speed before the
ships thy folk and horsemen, and urge them on; and fight thyself amid the
foremost.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So said he, and all the princes gave assent, applauding the saying of Diomedes
tamer of horses. And then they made libation and went every man to his hut, and
there laid them to rest and took the boon of sleep.
</p>

</div><!--end chapter-->

<hr/>

<div class="chapter">

<h2><a name="chap10"></a>BOOK X.</h2>

<p class="letter">
How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and themselves
spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the Thracian king.
</p>

<p>
Now beside the ships the other leaders of the whole Achaian host were sleeping
all night long, by soft Sleep overcome, but Agamemnon son of Atreus, shepherd
of the host, sweet Sleep held not, so many things he debated in his mind. And
even as when the lord of fair-tressed Hera lighteneth, fashioning either a
mighty rain unspeakable, or hail, or snow, when the flakes sprinkle all the
ploughed lands, or fashioning perchance the wide mouth of bitter war, even so
oft in his breast groaned Agamemnon, from the very deep of his heart, and his
spirits trembled within him. And whensoever he looked toward that Trojan plain,
he marvelled at the many fires that blazed in front of Ilios, and at the sound
of flutes and pipes, and the noise of men; but whensoever to the ships he
glanced and the host of the Achaians, then rent he many a lock clean forth from
his head, to Zeus that is above, and greatly groaned his noble heart.
</p>

<p>
And this in his soul seemed to him the best counsel, to go first of all to
Nestor son of Neleus, if perchance he might contrive with him some right device
that should be for the warding off of evil from all the Danaans.
</p>

<p>
Then he rose, and did on his doublet about his breast, and beneath his shining
feet he bound on fair sandals, and thereafter clad him in the tawny skin of a
lion fiery and great, a skin that reached to the feet, and he grasped his
spear.
</p>

<p>
And even in like wise did trembling fear take hold on Menelaos, (for neither on
his eyelids did Sleep settle down,) lest somewhat should befall the Argives,
who verily for his sake over wide waters were come to Troy-land, with fierce
war in their thoughts.
</p>

<p>
With a dappled pard&rsquo;s akin first he covered his broad shoulders, and he
raised and set on his head a casque of bronze, and took a spear in his strong
hand. Then went he on his way to rouse his brother, that mightily ruled over
all the Argives, and as a god was honoured by the people. Him found he
harnessing his goodly gear about his shoulders, by the stern of the ship, and
glad to his brother was his coming. Then Menelaos of the loud war-cry first
accosted him: &ldquo;Wherefore thus, dear brother, art thou arming? Wilt thou
speed forth any of thy comrades to spy on the Trojans? Nay, terribly I fear
lest none should undertake for thee this deed, even to go and spy out the
foeman alone through the ambrosial night; needs must he be a man right hardy of
heart.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the lord Agamemnon answered him and spake: &ldquo;Need of good counsel
have I and thou, Menelaos fosterling of Zeus, of counsel that will help and
save the Argives and the ships, since the heart of Zeus hath turned again.
Surely on the sacrifices of Hector hath he set his heart rather than on ours.
For never did I see, nor heard any tell, that one man devised so many terrible
deeds in one day, as Hector, dear to Zeus, hath wrought on the sons of the
Achaians, unaided; though no dear son of a goddess is he, nor of a god. He hath
done deeds that methinks will be a sorrow to the Argives, lasting and long,
such evils hath he devised against the Achaians. But go now, run swiftly by the
ships, and summon Aias and Idomeneus, but I will betake me to noble Nestor, and
bid him arise, if perchance he will be fain to go to the sacred company of the
sentinels and lay on them his command. For to him above others would they
listen, for his own son is chief among the sentinels, he and the brother in
arms of Idomeneus, even Meriones, for to them above all we entrusted this
charge.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Menelaos of the loud war-cry answered him: &ldquo;How meanest thou this
word wherewith thou dost command and exhort me? Am I to abide there with them,
waiting till thou comest, or run back again to thee when I have well delivered
to them thy commandment?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him again: &ldquo;There do thou abide
lest we miss each other as we go, for many are the paths through the camp. But
call aloud, wheresoever thou goest, and bid men awake, naming each man by his
lineage, and his father&rsquo;s name, and giving all their dues of honour, nor
be thou proud of heart. Nay rather let us ourselves be labouring, for even thus
did Zeus from our very birth dispense to us the heaviness of toil.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So he spake, and sent his brother away, having clearly laid on him his
commandment. Then went he himself after Nestor, the shepherd of the host, whom
he found by his hut and black ship, in his soft bed: beside him lay his arms, a
shield, and two spears, and a shining helmet. Beside him lay his glittering
girdle wherewith the old man was wont to gird himself when he harnessed him for
war, the bane of men, and led on the host, for he yielded not to grievous old
age. Then he raised him on his elbow, lifting his head, and spake to the son of
Atreus, inquiring of him with this word: &ldquo;Who art thou that farest alone
by the ships, through the camp in the dark night, when other mortals are
sleeping? Seekest thou one of thy mules, or of thy comrades? speak, and come
not silently upon me. What need hast thou?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him: &ldquo;O Nestor, son of Neleus,
great glory of the Achaians, thou shalt know Agamemnon, son of Atreus, whom
above all men Zeus hath planted for ever among labours, while my breath abides
within my breast, and my knees move. I wander thus, for that sweet sleep rests
not on mine eyes, but war is my care, and the troubles of the Achaians. Yea,
greatly I fear for the sake of the Danaans, nor is my heart firm, but I am
tossed to and fro, and my heart is leaping from my breast, and my good knees
tremble beneath me. But if thou wilt do aught, since neither on thee cometh
sleep, let us go thither to the sentinels, that we may see them, lest they be
fordone with toil, and so are slumbering, and have quite forgotten to keep
watch. And hostile men camp hard by, nor know we at all but that they are keen
to do battle in the night.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: &ldquo;Verily will I follow after
thee, but let us also rouse others again, both the son of Tydeus, spearman
renowned, and Odysseus, and swift Aias, and the strong son of Phyleus. But well
it would be if one were to go and call those also, the godlike Aias, and
Idomeneus the prince; for their ships are furthest of all, and nowise close at
hand. But Menelaos will I blame, dear as he is and worshipful, yea, even if
thou be angry with me, nor will I hide my thought, for that he slumbereth, and
to thee alone hath left the toil; now should he be toiling among all the chiefs
and beseeching them, for need no longer tolerable is coming upon us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him again: &ldquo;Old man, another day
I even bid thee blame him, for often is he slack, and willeth not to labour,
yielding neither to unreadiness nor heedlessness of heart, but looking toward
me, and expecting mine instance. But now he awoke far before me, and came to
me, and him I sent forward to call those concerning whom thou inquirest. But
let us be gone, and them shall we find before the gates, among the sentinels,
for there I bade them gather.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: &ldquo;So will none of the
Argives be wroth with him or disobey him, when soever he doth urge any one, and
give him his commands.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and did on his doublet about his breast, and beneath his bright
feet he bound goodly shoon, and all around him buckled a purple cloak, with
double folds and wide, and thick down all over it.
</p>

<p>
And he took a strong spear, pointed with sharp bronze, and he went among the
ships of the mail-clad Achaians. Then Odysseus first, the peer of Zeus in
counsel, did knightly Gerenian Nestor arouse out of sleep, with his voice, and
quickly the cry came all about his heart, and he came forth from the hut and
spake to them saying: &ldquo;Wherefore thus among the ships and through the
camp do ye wander alone, in the ambrosial night; what so great need cometh upon
you?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: &ldquo;Laertes&rsquo; son, be not
wroth, for great trouble besetteth the Achaians. Nay follow, that we may arouse
others too, even all that it behoveth to take counsel, whether we should fly,
or fight.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Odysseus of the many counsels came to the hut, and cast a
shield about his shoulders, and went after them.
</p>

<p>
And they went to seek Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and him they found outside his
hut, with his arms, and around him his comrades were sleeping with their
shields beneath their heads, but their spears were driven into the ground erect
on the spikes of the butts, and afar shone the bronze, like the lightning of
father Zeus. Now that hero was asleep, and under him was strewn the hide of an
ox of the field, but beneath his head was stretched a shining carpet. Beside
him went and stood knightly Nestor of Gerenia and stirred him with a touch of
his foot, and aroused him, chiding him to his face, saying: &ldquo;Wake, son of
Tydeus, why all night long dost thou sleep? Knowest thou not that the Trojans
on the high place of the plain are camped near the ships, and but a little
space holdeth them apart?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Diomedes sprang swiftly up out of sleep, and spake to him
winged words: &ldquo;Hard art thou, old man, and from toil thou never ceasest.
Now are there not other younger sons of the Achaians, who might rouse when
there is need each of the kings, going all around the host? but thou, old man,
art indomitable.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And him knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered again, &ldquo;Nay verily, my son,
all this that thou sayest is according unto right. Noble sons have I, and there
be many of the host, of whom each man might go and call the others. But a right
great need hath assailed the Achaians. For now to all of us it standeth on a
razor&rsquo;s edge, either pitiful ruin for the Achaians, or life. But come
now, if indeed thou dost pity me, rouse swift Aias, and the son of Phyleus, for
thou art younger than I.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Diomedes cast round his shoulders the skin of a great fiery
lion, that reached to his feet, and he grasped his spear, and started on his
way, and roused the others from their place and led them on.
</p>

<p>
Now when they had come among the assembled sentinels, they found not the
leaders of the sentinels asleep, but they all sat wide awake with their arms.
And even as hounds keep difficult guard round the sheep in a fold, having heard
a hardy wild beast that cometh through the wood among the hills, and much
clamour riseth round him of hounds and men, and sleep perisheth from them, even
so sweet sleep did perish from their eyes, as they watched through the wicked
night, for ever were they turning toward the plains, when they heard the
Trojans moving.
</p>

<p>
And that old man was glad when he saw them, and heartened them with his saying,
and calling out to them he spake winged words: &ldquo;Even so now, dear
children, do ye keep watch, nor let sleep take any man, lest we become a cause
of rejoicing to them that hate us.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So saying he sped through the moat, and they followed with him, the kings of
the Argives, who had been called to the council. And with them went Meriones,
and the glorious son of Nestor, for they called them to share their counsel. So
they went clean out of the delved foss, and sat down in the open, where the
mid-space was clear of dead men fallen, where fierce Hector had turned again
from destroying the Argives, when night covered all. There sat they down, and
declared their saying each to the other, and to them knightly Nestor of Gerenia
began discourse: &ldquo;O friends, is there then no man that would trust to his
own daring spirit, to go among the great-hearted Trojans, if perchance he might
take some straggler of the enemy, yea, or hear perchance some rumour among the
Trojans, and what things they devise among themselves, whether they are fain to
abide there by the ships, away from the city, or will retreat again to the
city, now that they have conquered the Achaians? All this might such an one
learn, and back to us come scathless: great would be his fame under heaven
among all men, and a goodly gift will be given him. For all the best men that
bear sway by the ships, each and all of them will give him a black ewe, with
her lamb at her foot, and ever will he be present at feasts and
clan-drinkings.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and thereon were they all silent, holding their peace, but to them
spake Diomedes of the loud war-cry: &ldquo;Nestor, my heart and manful spirit
urge me to enter the camp of the foemen hard by, even of the Trojans: and if
some other man will follow with me, more comfort and more courage will there
be. If two go together, one before another perceiveth a matter, how there may
be gain therein; but if one alone perceive aught, even so his wit is shorter,
and weak his device.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and many were they that wished to follow Diomedes. The two Aiantes
were willing, men of Ares&rsquo; company, and Meriones was willing, and right
willing the son of Nestor, and the son of Atreus, Menelaos, spearman renowned,
yea and the hardy Odysseus was willing to steal into the throng of Trojans, for
always daring was his heart within him. But among them spake the king of men,
Agamemnon: &ldquo;Diomedes son of Tydeus, joy of mine heart, thy comrade verily
shalt thou choose, whomsoever thou wilt, the best of them that be here, for
many are eager. But do not thou, out of reverent heart, leave the better man
behind, and give thyself the worse companion, yielding to regard for any, and
looking to their lineage, even if one be more kingly born.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, but was in fear for the sake of fair-haired Menelaos. But to them
again answered Diomedes of the loud war-cry: &ldquo;If indeed ye bid me choose
myself a comrade, how then could I be unmindful of godlike Odysseus, whose
heart is passing eager, and his spirit so manful in all manner of toils; and
Athene loveth him. But while he cometh with me, even out of burning fire might
we both return, for he excelleth in understanding.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then him again answered the steadfast noble Odysseus: &ldquo;Son of Tydeus,
praise me not overmuch, neither blame me aught, for thou speakest thus among
the Argives that themselves know all. But let us be going, for truly the night
is waning, and near is the dawn, and the stars have gone onward, and the night
has advanced more than two watches, but the third watch is yet left.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake they, and harnessed them in their dread armour. To the son of Tydeus
did Thrasymedes steadfast in war give a two-edged sword (for his own was left
by his ship) and a shield, and about his head set a helm of bull&rsquo;s hide,
without cone or crest, that is called a skull-cap, and keeps the heads of
stalwart youths. And Meriones gave Odysseus a bow and a quiver, and a sword,
and on his head set a helm made of leather, and with many a thong was it
stiffly wrought within, while without the white teeth of a boar of flashing
tusks were arrayed thick set on either side, well and cunningly, and in the
midst was fixed a cap of felt.
</p>

<p>
So when these twain had harnessed them in their dread armour, they set forth to
go, and left there all the best of the host. And to them did Pallas Athene send
forth an omen on the right, a heron hard by the way, and they beheld it not
with their eyes, through the dark night, but they heard its shrill cry. And
Odysseus was glad in the omen of the bird, and prayed to Athene: &ldquo;Listen
to me, thou child of aegis-bearing Zeus, that ever in all toils dost stand by
me, nor doth any motion of mine escape thee: but now again above all be thou
friendly to me, Athene, and grant that we come back with renown to the ships,
having wrought a great work, that shall be sorrow to the Trojans.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Next again prayed Diomedes of the loud war-cry: &ldquo;Listen now likewise to
me, thou child of Zeus, unwearied maiden, and follow with me as when with my
father thou didst follow, even noble Tydeus, into Thebes, when he went forth as
a messenger from the Achaians. Even so now stand thou by me willingly, and
protect me. And to thee will I sacrifice a yearling heifer, broad of brow,
unbroken, that never yet hath man led below the yoke. Her will I sacrifice to
thee, and gild her horns with gold.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake they in their prayer, and Pallas Athene heard them. And when they had
prayed to the daughter of mighty Zeus, they went forth on their way, like two
lions, through the dark night, amid the slaughter, amid the slain men, through
the arms and the black blood.
</p>

<p>
Nay, nor the stout-hearted Trojans did Hector suffer to sleep, but he called
together all the best of them, all that were chiefs and leaders of the Trojans,
them did he call together, and contrived a crafty counsel: &ldquo;Who is there
that would promise and perform for me this deed, for a great gift? yea his
reward shall be sufficient. For I will give him a chariot, and two horses of
arching neck, the best that be at the swift ships of the Achaians, to whosoever
shall dare the deed, and for himself shall win glory. And the deed is this; to
go near the swift-faring ships, and seek out whether the swift ships are
guarded, as of old, or whether already, being subdued beneath our hands, the
foes are devising of flight among themselves, and have no care to watch through
the night, being fordone with dread weariness.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, but they were all silent and held their peace. Now there was among
the Trojans one Dolon, the son of Eumedes the godlike herald, and he was rich
in gold, and rich in bronze: and verily he was ill favoured to look upon, but
swift of foot. So he spake then a word to the Trojans and to Hector:
&ldquo;Hector, my heart and manful spirit urge me to go near the swift-faring
ships, and spy out all. But come, I pray thee, hold up the staff, and swear to
me, that verily thou wilt give me the horses and the chariots bedight with
bronze that bear the noble son of Peleus. But to thee I will prove no vain spy,
nor disappoint thy hope. For I will go straight to the camp, until I may come
to the ship of Agamemnon, where surely the chiefs are like to hold council,
whether to fight or flee.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and Hector took the staff in his hand, and sware to him:
&ldquo;Now let Zeus himself be witness, the loud-thundering lord of Hera, that
no other man of the Trojans shall mount those horses, but thou, I declare,
shalt rejoice in them for ever.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and sware a bootless oath thereto, and aroused Dolon to go. And
straightway he cast on his shoulders his crooked bow, and did on thereover the
skin of a grey wolf, and on his head a helm of ferret-skin, and took a sharp
javelin, and went on his way to the ships from the host. But he was not like to
come back from the ships and bring word to Hector.
</p>

<p>
But when he had left the throng of men and horses, he went forth eagerly on the
way, and Odysseus of the seed of Zeus was ware of him as he approached, and
said unto Diomedes: &ldquo;Lo, here is some man, Diomedes, coming from the
camp, I know not whether as a spy to our ships, or to strip certain of the dead
men fallen. But let us suffer him to pass by us a little way on the plain, and
thereafter may we rush on him and take him speedily, and if it chance that he
outrun us by speed of foot, ever do thou hem him in towards the ships and away
from the camp, rushing on him with thy spear, lest in any wise he escape
towards the city.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So they spake, and turning out of the path they lay down among the bodies of
the dead; and swiftly Dolon ran past them in his witlessness. But when he was
as far off as is the length of the furrow made by mules, these twain ran after
him, and he stood still when he heard the sound, supposing in his heart that
they were friends come from among the Trojans to turn him back, at the
countermand of Hector. But when they were about a spear-cast off, or even less,
he knew them for foe-men, and stirred his swift limbs to fly, and speedily they
started in pursuit.
</p>

<p>
And as when two sharp-toothed hounds, well skilled in the chase, press ever
hard on a doe or a hare through a wooded land, and it runs screaming before
them, even so Tydeus&rsquo; son and Odysseus the sacker of cities cut Dolon off
from the host, and ever pursued hard after him. But when he was just about to
come among the sentinels, in his flight towards the ships, then Athene poured
strength into the son of Tydeus, that none of the mail-clad Achaians might
boast himself the first to smite, and he come second. And strong Diomedes
leaped upon him with the spear, and said: &ldquo;Stand, or I shall overtake
thee with the spear, and methinks that thou shalt not long avoid sheer
destruction at my hand.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
So spake he, and threw his spear, but of his own will he missed the man, and
passing over his right shoulder the point of the polished spear stuck fast in
the ground: and Dolon stood still, in great dread and trembling, and the teeth
chattered in his mouth, and he was green with fear. Then the twain came up with
him, panting, and gripped his hands, and weeping he spake: &ldquo;Take me
alive, and I will ransom myself, for within our house there is bronze, and
gold, and smithied iron, wherefrom my father would do you grace with ransom
untold, if he should learn that I am alive among the ships of the
Achaians.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Odysseus of the many counsels answered him and said: &ldquo;Take courage,
let not death be in thy mind, but come speak and tell me truly all the tale,
why thus from the host lost thou come all alone among the ships, through the
black night, when other mortals are sleeping? Comest thou to strip certain of
the dead men fallen, or did Hector send thee forth to spy out everything at the
hollow ships, or did thine own spirit urge thee on?&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
Then Dolon answered him, his limbs trembling beneath him: &ldquo;With many a
blind hope did Hector lead my wits astray, who vowed to give me the
whole-hooved horses of the proud son of Peleus, and his car bedight with
bronze: and he bade me fare through the swift black night, and draw nigh the
foemen, and seek out whether the swift ships are guarded, as of old, or
whether, already, being subdued beneath our hands, they are devising of flight
among themselves, and have no care to watch through the night, being fordone
with dread weariness.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
And smiling thereat did Odysseus of the many counsels make him answer:
&ldquo;Verily now thy soul was set on great rewards, even the horses of the
wise son of Aiakos, but hard are they for mortal men to master, and hard to
drive
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