The Iliad of Homer Part 41

[Footnote 603: Or, "on the testimony of witnesses." See Kennedy.]

[Footnote 604: See Heyne on x. 56. So s??a se???, "the seat of justice."--aesch. Ag. 183.]

[Footnote 605: See Kennedy, who has collected the Homeric pa.s.sages concerning lawsuits.]

[Footnote 606: _I.e._ the enemy. The alternative was that the townsmen should either surrender half their possessions, or submit to indiscriminate pillage. See Kennedy.]

[Footnote 607: This custom of representing G.o.ds and heroes of larger stature than ordinary folk prevails almost universally in the Egyptian monuments and sculptures.]

[Footnote 608: "???a vel ??a est locus concionis, et ipse ctus."--Heyns.]

[Footnote 609: Cf. aen. vi.: "Tisiphoneque sedens, palla succincta cruenta." Stat. Theb. i. 109: "Riget horrida tergo Palla, et caerulei redeunt in pectore nodi."]

On it he also placed a soft fallow field,[610] rich glebe, wide, thrice-ploughed; and in it many ploughmen drove hither and thither, turning round their teams. But when, returning, they reached the end of the field, then a man, advancing, gave into their hands a cup of very sweet wine; but they turned themselves in series,[611] eager to reach the [other] end of the deep fallow. But it was all black behind, similar to ploughed land, which indeed was a marvel beyond [all others].

On it likewise he placed a field of deep corn, where reapers were cutting, having sharp sickles in their hands. Some handfuls fell one after the other upon the ground along the furrow, and the binders of sheaves tied others with bands. Three binders followed [the reapers], whilst behind them boys gathering the handfuls, [and] bearing them in their arms, continually supplied them; and amongst them the master stood by the swathe[612] in silence, holding a sceptre, delighted in heart.

But apart, beneath an oak, servants were preparing a banquet, and sacrificing a huge ox, they ministered; whilst women sprinkled much white barley[613] [on the meat], as a supper for the reapers.

[Footnote 610: With the whole of this description of the shield of Achilles, the lover of poetry should compare Milton, P.L. xi.

638, sqq. with the remarks of Bishop Newton.]

[Footnote 611: But Hesychius by ????? understood a??a?a?, "the furrows." See Schneid. on Nicand. Ther. 371.]

[Footnote 612: I here follow the Oxford translator. The term as??e?? is well in accordance with the simple manners of the early ages, when kings were farmers on a large scale. Many of our Saviour's parables present a similar a.s.sociation of agriculture with the regal dignity.]

[Footnote 613: Probably a religious rite. Cf. i. 449, 458.]

On it likewise he placed a vineyard, heavily laden with grapes, beautiful, golden; but the cl.u.s.ters throughout were black; and it was supported throughout by silver poles. Round it he drew an azure trench, and about it a hedge[614] of tin; but there was only one path to it, by which the gatherers went when they collected the vintage. Young virgins and youths, of tender minds, bore the luscious fruit in woven baskets,[615] in the midst of whom a boy played sweetly on a shrill harp; and with tender voice sang gracefully to the chord; whilst they, beating [the ground] in unison with dancing and shouts, followed, skipping with their feet.

[Footnote 614: ?f?te?se? ?pe???a, ?a? f?a??? a?t? pe??????e.

Matt, xxi 33. See Rosemuller on Jer. v. 5.]

[Footnote 615: "Vimineis calathis," Copa, 16. Propert. iii. 11, 31.]

In it he also wrought a herd of oxen with horns erect. But the kine were made of gold and of tin, and rushed out with a lowing from the stall to the pasture, beside a murmuring stream, along the breeze-waving reeds.[616] Four golden herdsmen accompanied the oxen, and nine dogs, swift of foot, followed. But two terrible lions detained the bull, roaring among the foremost oxen, and he was dragged away, loudly bellowing, and the dogs and youths followed for a rescue. They indeed, having torn off the skin of the great ox, lapped up his entrails and black blood; and the shepherds vainly pressed upon them, urging on their fleet dogs. These however refused to bite the lions, but, standing very near, barked, and shunned them.

On it ill.u.s.trious Vulcan also formed a pasture in a beautiful grove full of white sheep, and folds, and covered huts and cottages.

Ill.u.s.trious Vulcan likewise adorned it with a dance, like unto that which, in wide Gnossus, Daedalus contrived for fair-haired Ariadne. There danced youths and alluring[617] virgins, holding each other's hands at the wrist. These wore fine linen robes, but those were dressed in well-woven tunics, shining[618] as with oil; these also had beautiful garlands, and those wore golden swords, [hanging] from silver belts.

Sometimes, with skilful feet, they nimbly bounded [round]; as when a potter, sitting, shall make trial of a wheel fitted to his hands, whether it will run: and at other times again they ran back to their places through one another. But a great crowd surrounded the pleasing dance, amusing themselves; and amongst them two tumblers, beginning their song, spun round through the midst.

[Footnote 616: See Knight and Kennedy.]

[Footnote 617: Literally, "finders of oxen," i.e. so attractive as to be certain of receiving a good dowry, paid, after the ancient custom, in cattle.]

[Footnote 618: This must have been some kind of oil-cloth, unless we read st????te? with Kennedy. The meaning is very obscure.]

But in it he also formed the vast strength of the river Ocea.n.u.s, near the last border of the well-formed shield.

But when he had finished the shield, large and solid, he next formed for him a corslet, brighter than the splendour of fire. He also made for him a strong helmet, fitted to his temples, beautiful and variously ornamented, and on it placed a golden crest; and made greaves for him of ductile tin.

But when renowned Vulcan had with toil made all the armour, lifting it up, he laid it before the mother of Achilles; but she, like a hawk, darted down from snowy Olympus, bearing from Vulcan the shining armour.

BOOK THE NINETEENTH.

ARGUMENT.

Thetis, having brought Achilles his new armour, and promised to preserve the body of Patroclus from corruption, he is reconciled to Agamemnon, and being miraculously invigorated by Minerva, goes forth to battle, regardless of the prediction of his fate by his horse Xanthus.

Saffron-robed Morn was rising from the streams of ocean, that she might bear light to immortals and mortals;[619] but she (Thetis) came to the ships, bearing the gifts from the G.o.d. Her dear son she found lying upon Patroclus, bitterly lamenting, and his numerous companions were lamenting around him. But near to him stood the divine of G.o.ddesses, and hung upon his hand and spoke, and addressed him:

[Footnote 619:

"To resalute the world with sacred light Leucothea waked, and with fresh dews embalm'd The earth."--Par. Lost. xi. 132.]

"My son, let us suffer him now to lie, grieved although we be, since first he has been laid low by the counsel of the G.o.ds: but do thou receive these distinguished arms from Vulcan, very beautiful, such as no man has ever worn upon his shoulders."

Having thus spoken, the G.o.ddess placed the armour before Achilles; and they, all curiously wrought, clashed aloud. Then tremor seized all the Myrmidons, nor did any one dare to look directly at them, but they fled in fear. But when Achilles saw them, the more rage entered him; and his eyes shone terribly beneath his eyelids, like a flame; and he was delighted, holding in his hands the splendid gifts of the G.o.d. But after he had delighted his mind, beholding these artificial works, he immediately addressed to his mother winged words:

"Mother mine, the G.o.d hath indeed given arms, such as are fit to be works of immortals, nor that a mortal man could make. Truly now will I arm myself; but I very much fear lest, in the meantime, the flies, having entered the gallant son of Mentius, by his spear-inflicted wounds, create maggots, and pollute the corse, (for life in it is destroyed,) and all the parts of the body grow putrid."

But him the silver-footed G.o.ddess Thetis then answered:

"My child, let not these things be a care to thy mind. I will endeavour to drive away from him the fierce swarms, the flies which devour heroes slain in battle. For although he lie an entire year, his body shall always be uncorrupted, or even better. But do thou, having summoned the Grecian heroes to an a.s.sembly, having renounced thy wrath towards Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people, arm thyself quickly for war, and put on thy might."

Thus, therefore, having spoken, she infused into him the most daring courage, and then instilled into Patroclus, through the nostrils, ambrosia and ruby nectar,[620] that his body might be uncorrupted.

[Footnote 620: Milton, P.L. v. 633: "with angels' food, and rubied nectar flows."]

But n.o.ble Achilles went along the sh.o.r.e of the sea, shouting fearfully, and aroused the Grecian heroes; so that even those who used formerly to remain in the a.s.semblage of the ships, both those who were pilots, and who held the rudders of the ships, and the pursers [who] were at the ships, dispensers of food, even these then indeed went to the a.s.sembly, because Achilles appeared, for he had long abstained from the grievous battle. And two servants of Mars, the warlike son of Tydeus, and n.o.ble Ulysses, went limping, leaning upon a spear; for they still had painful wounds; and advancing, they sat in the front seats. But last came the king of men, Agamemnon, having a wound; for him also, in the sharp battle, c.o.o.n, son of Antenor, had wounded with his brazen spear. Then when all the Greeks were a.s.sembled, swift-footed Achilles, rising up amongst them, said:

"Son of Atreus, this would surely have been somewhat better for both thee and me,[621] when we two, grieved at heart, raged with soul-devouring contention for the sake of a girl. Would that Diana had slain her with an arrow in the ships on that day, when wasting, I took Lyrnessus; then indeed so many Greeks had not seized the mighty ground in their teeth under the hands of the enemy, I being continually enraged. This however was better for Hector and the Trojans, but I think the Greeks will long remember the contention of you and me. But let us leave these things as pa.s.sed, although grieved, subduing from necessity the soul within our bosoms. And now I terminate my wrath, nor is it at all fit that I always obstinately be enraged; but come quickly, incite the long-haired Achaeans to battle, in order that still I may make trial of the Trojans, going against them; if they wish to pa.s.s the night at the ships; but of them I think that any will very gladly bend the knee, whoever shall escape out of the destructive fight from my spear."

[Footnote 621: _I.e._ it would have been better for us to have been friends, as we now are, than enemies. The construction is interrupted, to suit the agitation of the speaker.]

Thus he spoke; but the well-greaved Greeks rejoiced, the magnanimous son of Peleus renouncing his wrath. But them, the king of men, Agamemnon, also addressed out of the same place, from his seat, nor advancing into the midst:

"O friends! heroes of the Greeks, servants of Mars, it is becoming indeed that ye should hearken to me, thus rising, nor is it convenient that thou shouldst interrupt; for [it is] difficult, even for one being skilled.[622] But in a great uproar of men, how can any one hear or speak? but he is interrupted, although being a clear-toned orator. I indeed will direct myself to the son of Peleus; but do ye, the other Greeks, understand, and carefully learn my meaning. Often already have the Greeks spoken this saying to me, and have rebuked me; but I am not to blame,[623] but Jove, and Fate, and Erinnys, roaming amid the shades, who, during the a.s.sembly, cast into my mind a sad injury, on that day, when I myself took away the reward of Achilles. But what could I do? for the deity accomplishes all things; pernicious Ate, the venerable daughter of Jove, who injures all. Her feet are tender, for she does not approach the ground, but she walks over the heads of men, injuring mankind, and one at least[624] [she] fetters. For at one time she injured even Jove, who, they say, is the most powerful of men and G.o.ds; but him Juno, being a female, deceived by her guile on that day when Alemene was about to bring forth mighty Hercules in well-walled Thebes.

He indeed, boasting, had said among all the G.o.ds:

"Hear me,[625] all ye G.o.ds and all ye G.o.ddesses, whilst I speak those things which the mind within my bosom urges. This day Ilithyia, presiding over births, shall bring into the light a certain man, who shall be ruler over all his neighbours,--[one] of those men of the blood of my race!"

[Footnote 622: _I.e._ even a good speaker can do nothing without a fair hearing.]