The Iliad of Homer Part 17

"O Hector, now thou, alone with me alone, shalt plainly know, what kind of chiefs are present with the Greeks, even besides Achilles, the breaker of ranks, the lion-hearted. But he, indeed, abides at his high-beaked sea-traversing ships, enraged against Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people. Yet we are such, even many of us, who can go against thee; but begin the battle and the strife."

Him then in turn the mighty crest-tossing Hector addressed: "Thou Jove-sprung Ajax, son of Telamon, ruler of forces, tamper not with me as with a weak boy, or a woman, who knows not warlike deeds. But I well know both battles and man-slaughterings. I know how to shift my dry shield to the right and to the left; wherefore to me it belongs to fight unwearied. I am also skilled to rush to the battle of swift steeds. I know too, how, in hostile array, to move skilfully in honour of glowing Mars. But I do not desire to wound thee, being such, watching stealthily, but openly, if haply I may strike thee."

He spoke, and brandishing hurled forth his long-shadowed spear, and smote the mighty seven-hided shield of Ajax on the outside bra.s.s, which was the eighth [layer] thereon. And the unwearied bra.s.s cutting through, penetrated six folds, and was stuck fast in the seventh hide. Next, Jove-sprung Ajax in turn sent forth his very long spear, and struck the all-equal shield of Priam's son. Through the shining shield pa.s.sed the impetuous spear, and was fastened in his very ingeniously-wrought corslet, and from the opposite side the spear cut his tunic near the flank. But he inclined himself, and avoided black death. Then they both, having drawn out their long spears with their hands, joined battle, like unto raw-devouring lions, or wild boars, whose strength is not feeble.

Then indeed the son of Priam struck the midst of his [Ajax's] shield with his spear; it broke not through the bra.s.s, but the point of it was bent. But Ajax, bounding forward, pierced his shield: and the spear went right through, and repelled him as he rushed on: it glanced over his neck, cutting it, and black gore gushed forth. But not even thus did crest-tossing Hector cease from the battle: but retiring back, he seized in his hand, a black, rough, huge stone, lying in the plain. With it he struck the mighty seven-hided shield of Ajax, in the midst of the boss, and the bra.s.s rang around. Ajax next taking up a much larger stone, whirling, discharged it, and applied immense strength. And he broke through the shield, having struck with a rock like unto a millstone, and he wounded him in the knee; and he was stretched supine, having come into violent contact with his shield; but Apollo quickly raised him. And now in close combat hand to hand, they would have wounded each other with their swords, had not the heralds, the messengers of G.o.ds and men, arrived, one of the Trojans, the other of the brazen-mailed Greeks, Talthybius and Idaeus, both prudent men. And between both armies they held their sceptres, but the herald Idaeus, skilled in prudent counsels, said:

"No longer, my dear sons, war or fight, for cloud-collecting Jove loves you both: ye both are warriors, and this we all know. Night is now approaching, and it is good to obey night." [259]

[Footnote 259: Cf. aen. ii. 8:--

----"et jam nox humida clo Praecipitat, suadentque cadentia sidera somnos."]

But him Telamonian Ajax answering addressed: "Idaeus, order Hector to speak these words, for he challenged all the bravest [of our side] to battle. Let him begin, and I will entirely obey, if indeed he does so."

But him crest-tossing Hector addressed in turn: "Ajax, since some G.o.d has given thee size, and might, and prudence, and thou art the most excellent of the Greeks at the spear, let us now cease from battle and contest for this day; hereafter will we fight again, till the Deity shall separate us, and give the victory to either. Now night is approaching, and it is good to obey night, that thou mayest gladden all the Greeks at the ships, and chiefly those friends and companions which are thine; but I will gladden the Trojans and the train-bearing Trojan matrons, through the great city of king Priam, the dames who, praying for me, are entering the deities' temple.[260] But come, let us both mutually give very glorious gifts, that some one of the Greeks and Trojans may say thus: 'They certainly fought in a soul-gnawing strife, but then again being reconciled, they parted in friendship.'"

[Footnote 260: ???? is defined by Apollonius, p. 26, ? t?p?? e??

?? s??????ta?. Hesychius, p. 79, makes it equivalent to ?????sa, and also calls it the place where combatants fight. Porphyry, Quaest. Hom. p. cvii. ed. Barnes, t?? ?a?? ?t?? ?e??? t?p?? ??ta, ? ?e??? ?????sa pe??????ta. So, also, the Scholiast.]

Thus then having spoken, he gave him a silver-studded sword, presenting it with the sheath and the well-wrought belt. But Ajax gave [to him] a belt, splendid with purple. Then they twain being separated, the one went to the people of the Greeks, and the other to the crowd of the Trojans: and they rejoiced when they saw him coming alive and safe, having escaped the strength and the invincible hands of Ajax; and led him to the city, not having had any hopes that he was safe. But the well-greaved Greeks, on the other hand, led away Ajax, rejoicing in victory, to divine Agamemnon. When now they were in the tents of the son of Atreus, then Agamemnon, king of men, sacrificed for them an ox, a male, five years old, to the most powerful son of Saturn. This they flayed, and dressed it; made divisions of the whole of it, and skilfully divided these into smaller portions, and fixed them on spits, and roasted them very cleverly, and drew off all. But when they had ceased from labour, and had prepared the banquet, they feasted, nor did their soul in anywise lack a due proportion of the feast. The valiant son of Atreus, far-ruling Agamemnon, honoured Ajax with an entire chine.[261]

But when they had dismissed the desire of drink and of food, for them the aged man Nestor first of all began to frame advice, whose counsel before also had appeared the best, who, wisely counselling, harangued them, and said:

[Footnote 261: The same honour is paid to aeneas in Virg. aen.

viii. 181. Cf. Xenoph. Rep. Lac. XV. 4.]

"Son of Atreus, and ye other chiefs of all the Greeks, many of the long-haired Achaeans have perished, whose black blood fierce Mars has now shed near fair-flowing Scamander, and their souls have descended to the shades! Therefore it behoves you to cause the battle of the Greeks to cease with the dawn, and let us, collected together, carry the bodies. .h.i.ther on chariots, with oxen and mules, and burn them at a little distance from the ships, that each may carry home the bones [of the deceased] to their children, when we return again to our father-land.

And let us, going out, heap up in the plain one common tomb for all, round the pyre, and beside it let us speedily erect lofty towers, as a bulwark of our ships and of ourselves; and in it let us make a well-fitted gate, that through it there may be a pa.s.sage for the chariots. But outside let us sink, near at hand, a deep trench, which, being circular, may serve as a defence to both steeds and men, lest at any time the war of the haughty Trojans should press sorely."

Thus he spoke, and all the princes approved of his counsel. But of the Trojans also was a panic-struck and turbulent council held in the lofty citadel of Ilium, at the gates of Priam; and to them wise Antenor thus began to harangue:

"Hear me, ye Trojans and Dardanians and allies, that I may tell you what the soul in my breast commands me. Come then, let us restore Argive Helen, and her treasures with her to the sons of Atreus to lead away; for now we are fighting after having violated the faithful leagues.

Wherefore I think that nothing better will be brought to pa.s.s by us, unless we act thus."

He, having thus said, sat down; but to them arose divine Alexander, the husband of fair-haired Helen, who answering him spoke winged words:

"O Antenor, thou no longer speakest these things grateful to me. Thou knowest how to devise another counsel better than this; but if, in truth, thou speakest this seriously, the G.o.ds themselves have now deprived thee of thy senses. But I will declare my opinion amidst the horse-subduing Trojans; I openly declare I will not give up my wife: but the treasures, whatever I have brought home from Argos, all these I am willing to give, and even to add others from my own home."

Thus having spoken, he sat down; but to them arose Priam, son of Darda.n.u.s, a counsellor equal to the G.o.ds; who thus wisely harangued them, and said:

"Hear me, ye Trojans, and Dardanians, and allies, that I may tell you what the soul in my breast commands. Now take repast through the army, as heretofore, and be attentive to the watch, and let each be mindful of guard. But in the morning let Idaeus proceed to the hollow ships, to announce to the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus, the resolution of Alexander, on whose account the contention has arisen; and let him add this prudent request also, whether they wish to desist from horrid-sounding war, until we burn the dead; afterwards will we fight again till fate separate us, and give the victory to one or other of us."

Thus he said: but they heard him very attentively, and obeyed. Then they took their repast throughout the city, by companies. In the morning Idaeus went to the hollow ships. He found the Greeks, the servants of Mars, in council, at the stern of[262] Agamemnon's ship: and the clear-voiced herald, standing in the midst of them, spoke thus:

"Ye sons of Atreus, and ye other chiefs of all the Greeks, Priam and the other ill.u.s.trious Trojans command me to tell you, if it be agreeable and pleasing to you, the determination of Alexander, on whose account this contention has arisen."

[Footnote 262: Dative for genitive, by the Schema Colophonium.

See Lesbonax, p. 181, ed. Valck.]

"Whatever treasures Alexander brought in the hollow ships to Troy, (would that he first had perished,) all these is he willing to give up, and even to add others from his own home: but he says that he will not restore the wedded spouse of glorious Menelaus: certainly the Trojans, at least, advise him. They also order me to make this proposal, to wit, whether ye are willing to desist from dreadful-sounding war, until we shall burn the dead: afterwards we shall fight again, till fate separate us, and give the victory to one of us."

Thus he said, but they all became mute in silence. At length Diomede, brave in the din of war, spoke thus amongst them:

"Let none now receive the treasures of Alexander, nor Helen: for it is plain, even [to him] who is a mere infant, that the issues of destruction impend over the Trojans."

Thus he said, and all the sons of the Greeks shouted, admiring the words of horse-breaking Diomede: and then Agamemnon, king of men, thus addressed Idaeus:

"Idaeus, thou thyself hearest, indeed, the sentiments of the Greeks, how they answer thee; and such also pleases me. But concerning the dead, I grudge not that [you] should burn them; for there is no grudge towards the dead bodies, when they are dead, hastily to perform their obsequies with fire:[263] but let loud-resounding Jove, the husband of Juno, be witness of the treaties."

[Footnote 263: Literally, "to appease [the dead]."]

Thus having said, he raised his sceptre to all the G.o.ds. But Idaeus returned to sacred Ilium. And the Trojans and Dardanians all sat a.s.sembled in council, expecting when Idaeus might return. He came, and declared his message, standing in the midst of them. But they prepared themselves very speedily for both purposes, some to carry away the bodies, and others to gather wood. The Greeks also on the other side hastened from their well-benched ships, some to carry away the bodies, and others to collect wood.

Then, indeed, the sun freshly struck the fields [with its rays], ascending heaven from the calmly-flowing, deep-moving ocean. But they met one another. Then was it difficult to distinguish each man [amongst the slain]; but washing off with water the b.l.o.o.d.y gore, and pouring over them warm tears, they placed them upon the chariots; nor did mighty Priam suffer them to give way to grief. In silence, therefore, they heaped the bodies on the pile, grieving at heart. But when they had burned them in the fire, they returned to sacred Ilium. In like manner also, on the other side, the well-greaved Greeks heaped the bodies on the pile, grieving in their heart; and having burned them with fire, they returned to the hollow ships. And when it was not yet morning, but still twilight, then a chosen band of Greeks arose about the pile; and going out from the plain, they made around it one common tomb, and near it they built a wall and lofty towers, a bulwark of their ships and of themselves. In them they made well-fitted gates, that through them there might be a pa.s.sage for the chariots. Without they dug a deep ditch, near it, broad and large, and in it fixed palisades. Thus the long-haired Greeks on their part laboured.

But the G.o.ds on the contrary sitting beside the thundering Jove, were admiring the mighty work of the brazen-mailed Greeks; but to them Neptune, the earth-shaker, thus began to speak:

"O father Jove, is there any mortal on the boundless earth, who will any more disclose his mind and counsel to the immortals? Dost thou not perceive how the long-haired Greeks have built a wall before their shipping, and have drawn a ditch all round, nor have they given splendid hecatombs to the G.o.ds? The fame of this [work] will certainly be wherever light is diffused: but they will forget that [wall] which I and Phbus Apollo, toiling, built round the city for the hero Laomedon." [264]

Him, greatly enraged, the cloud-compelling Jove addressed:

"Ha! thou far-ruling earth-shaker, what hast thou said? Another of the G.o.ds, who is much weaker than thou in hands and in might might have dreaded this idea; but thy glory shall a.s.suredly extend as far as light is diffused. Howbeit, when the crest-waving Greeks shall have departed with their ships into their dear fatherland, do thou, overthrowing this wall, sink it all in the deep, and again cover the great sh.o.r.e with sand. Thus may this mighty rampart of the Greeks be wholly effaced."

[Footnote 264: Grote, Hist. p. 78, well observes that the "subsequent animosity of Neptune against Troy was greatly determined by the sentiment of the injustice of Laomedon." On the discrepancy between this pa.s.sage and XXI. 442, see Muller, Dor.

vol. i. p. 249]

Thus were they conversing on such matters among themselves. But the sun had set, and the work of the Greeks was finished. They slaughtered oxen through the tents, and took their repast. Many ships (which Euneus, son of Jason, whom Hypsipyle bore to Jason, shepherd of the people, sent,) arrived from Lemnos, bringing wine. The son of Jason gave of wine a thousand measures, to be brought separately, as a gift to the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus. Thence the long-haired Greeks bought[265] wine, some for bra.s.s, some for shining iron, others for hides, some for the oxen themselves, and some for slaves; and they prepared an abundant feast. Through the whole night, indeed, the long-haired Greeks feasted; and the Trojans too, and their allies, through the city. And all night thundering fearfully, provident Jove was devising evils for both parties; but pale fear seized them. And they poured wine from their cups on the earth, nor did any one dare to drink before he had made a libation to the supreme son of Saturn. They then lay down, and enjoyed the boon of sleep.

[Footnote 265: Theophilus Jctus. iii. t.i.t. xxiii. -- 1. ?a? t??t?

?st? t? ?? t? p???e? ???????e??? t? t?? p?a??t?? ??a??a??

p??s?? ?a? ????as?a? s???stas?a?, ?a? t??t? t? e?d?? p??se??

???a??tat?? e??a?. He then alleges these lines of Homer as the earliest known instance of barter.]

BOOK THE EIGHTH.

ARGUMENT.

Jove a.s.sembles the G.o.ds, and forbids them to interfere between the Greeks and Trojans. He then repairs to Ida, where, having consulted the scales of destiny, he directs his lightning against the Greeks. Nestor, in the chariot of Diomede, goes against Hector, whose charioteer is slain by Diomede. Jove again interposes his thunders, and the Greeks seek refuge within the rampart. Upon a favourable omen accompanying the prayer of Agamemnon, Diomede and the rest set out, and Teucer performs great exploits, but is disabled by Hector. Juno and Minerva are prevented interfering by Jove, and Hector takes measures to insure the safety of Troy during the night.

Now did saffron-mantled morn diffuse herself over all the earth, and thunder-rejoicing Jove made an a.s.sembly of the G.o.ds on the highest peak of many-topped Olympus. And he himself harangued them, and all the other deities hearkened (to his command):[266]

"Hear me, all ye G.o.ds and all ye G.o.ddesses, that I may tell you what the soul in my breast prompts me. Let no female deity, therefore, nor any male, attempt to infringe this my injunction; but do ye all at once a.s.sent, that I may very speedily bring these matters to their issue.

Whomsoever of the G.o.ds I shall discover, having gone apart from [the rest], wishing to aid either the Trojans or the Greeks, disgracefully smitten shall he return to Olympus: or seizing, I will hurl him into gloomy Tartarus, very far hence, where there is a very deep gulf beneath the earth, and iron portals, and a brazen threshold, as far below Hades as heaven is from earth;[267] then shall he know by how much I am the most powerful of all the G.o.ds. But come, ye G.o.ds, and try me, that ye may all know. Having suspended a golden chain from heaven, do all ye G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses suspend yourselves therefrom; yet would ye not draw down from heaven to earth your supreme counsellor Jove, not even if ye labour ever so much: but whenever I, desiring, should wish to pull it, I could draw it up together, earth, and ocean, and all: then, indeed, would I bind the chain around the top of Olympus, and all these should hang aloft. By so much do I surpa.s.s both G.o.ds and men." [268]

[Footnote 266: _I. e._ dii obsequtii sunt, ut convocati convenirent.--Heyne.]