The Iliad of Homer Part 44

"Do not think, O son of Peleus, to affright me, like an infant boy, with words; since I also well know how to utter both threats and reproaches.

But we know each other's race, and we know our parents, hearing the words of mortal men long since uttered; although by sight, indeed, neither dost thou know mine, nor I thine. They say, indeed, that thou art the offspring of renowned Peleus, and of thy mother Thetis, the fair-haired sea-nymph; whereas I boast myself to be sprung from magnanimous Anchises, and Venus is my mother. Of these the one or the other shall this day lament their beloved son; for I think we shall not return from the battle thus separated by childish words. But if thou desirest to be taught these matters, that thou mayest well know our race (for many men know it), cloud-compelling Jove indeed first begat Darda.n.u.s.[652] And he built Dardania, for sacred Ilium, the city of articulate-speaking men, was not as yet built in the plain, and they still dwelt at the foot of many-rilled Ida. Darda.n.u.s again begat a son, king Erichthonius, who was then the richest of mortal men; whose three thousand mares pastured through the marsh, rejoicing in their tender foals. Boreas, however, was enamoured of some of these when pasturing, and having likened himself to an azure-maned steed, covered them; and they, becoming pregnant, brought forth twelve female foals; which when they bounded upon the fruitful earth, ran over the highest fruit of the stalks of corn, nor did they break them:[653] but when they sported over the broad back of the ocean, they ran along the surface of the ridge of the h.o.a.ry sea. But Erichthonius begat Tros, king of the Trojans. From Tros again were descended three ill.u.s.trious sons, Ilus, a.s.saracus, and G.o.dlike Ganymede, who indeed was the handsomest of mortal men; and whom the G.o.ds caught up into heaven, to pour out wine for Jove,[654] that, on account of his beauty, he might be with the immortals. Ilus again begat his renowned son Laomedon; but Laomedon begat t.i.thonus and Priam, Lampus, Clytius, and Hicetaon, a branch of Mars; and a.s.saracus Capys, who also begat his son Anchises. But Anchises begat me, and Priam n.o.ble Hector. Of this race and blood do I boast myself to be. But Jove increases and diminishes valour to men, as he pleases; for he is the most powerful of all. But come, let us no longer talk of these things, like little boys, standing in the middle combat of the strife. For it is possible for both to utter very many reproaches, so that a hundred-oared galley[655] would not contain the burthen; for the language of mortals is voluble,[656] and the discourses in it numerous and varied: and vast is the distribution[657] of words here and there. Whatsoever word thou mayest speak, such also wilt thou hear. But what need is there to us of disputes and railing, that we should quarrel with each other like women, who, being angry with a soul-destroying strife, proceeding into the middle of the way, chide each other with many things true and not true: for rage also suggests those things?[658] With words, however, thou shalt not turn me, courageous, from my valour, before thou lightest against me with thy bra.s.s; but come, quickly let us make trial of each other with brazen spears."

[Footnote 652: On Darda.n.u.s, the eponymus of Dardania, see Grote, vol. i. p. 387, where the whole legend of Troy is admirably discussed. Cf. Virg. aen. i. 292; iii. 167, where the Roman poet has made use of Homer in tracing the pedigree of aeneas to Jove.]

[Footnote 653: This hyperbole has been emulated by numberless poets. Cf. Oppian, Cyn. i. 231; Apollon. Rh. i. 183; Quintus Calab. viii. 156; Virg. aen. vii. 808; Claudian in 3rd Cons. Hon.

i. 97.]

[Footnote 654: Cf. Pindar, Ol. i. 69, and Serv. on aen. i. 32.]

[Footnote 655: Compare the Latin phrase, "plaustra convitiorum,"

and Duport, p. 116.]

[Footnote 656: St?ept?--?y?a ?a? e?????st??.--Eustath.]

[Footnote 657: ????, ?p????s?? ?f' ???te?a.--Eustath. See Kennedy.]

[Footnote 658: "_I.e._ prompts to utter all sorts of things, true and false."--Oxf. Tr.]

He spoke, and hurled his brazen spear against the dreadful shield, terrible [to be seen], and the huge buckler resounded with the stroke of the javelin. But the son of Peleus, alarmed, held the shield from him with his strong hand, for he supposed that the long spear of great-hearted aeneas would easily penetrate; foolish! nor did he reflect in his mind and soul, that the glorious gifts of the G.o.ds are not easy to be subdued by mortal men, nor to yield. Nor then did the heavy spear of warlike aeneas penetrate the shield; but the gold stopped it, the gift of the G.o.d. It penetrated, however, through two folds, but there were still three; since Vulcan had drawn five folds over it, two brazen, two inside of tin, and one golden; in which the brazen spear was stopped.

But Achilles next sent forth his long-shadowed spear, and struck against the shield of aeneas, equal on all sides, at the outside edge, where the thinnest bra.s.s ran round it, and the ox-hide was thinnest upon it; but the Pelian ash broke through, and the shield was crushed by it. But aeneas crouched,[659] and being terrified, held the shield from him; whilst the spear [pa.s.sing] over his back, stuck in the earth eager [to go on], for it had burst through both orbs of the mighty[660] shield.

But he, having escaped the long spear, stood still, but immoderate sadness was poured over his eyes, terrified, because the weapon had stuck so near him. But Achilles eagerly sprang upon him, drawing his sharp sword, and shouting dreadfully. Then aeneas seized in his hand a stone, a great weight, which not two men could bear, such as men now are; but he, though alone, easily wielded it. Then indeed had aeneas smitten him, rushing on, with the stone, either upon the helmet or the shield, which kept off grievous destruction from him; and Pelides, in close fight, had taken away his life with the sword, had not earth-shaking Neptune quickly perceived it, and immediately addressed this speech to the immortal G.o.ds:

[Footnote 659: See on ver. 168.]

[Footnote 660: Cf. b.u.t.tm. Lexil. p. 83. The Schol. and Hesych.

t. i. p. 296, interpret it "man-encircling."]

"Ye G.o.ds! certainly there now is grief to me, on account of magnanimous aeneas,[661] who will quickly descend to Hades, subdued by the son of Peleus, foolish, being persuaded by the words of far-darting Apollo; nor can he by any means avert[662] sad destruction from him. But why now should this guiltless[663] man suffer evils gratuitously, on account of sorrows due to others, for he always presents gifts agreeable to the G.o.ds who inhabit the wide heaven? But come, let us withdraw him from death, lest even the son of Saturn be angry, if indeed Achilles slay this man: moreover, it is fated that he should escape, that the race of Darda.n.u.s, whom Jove loved above all the children that were descended from him and mortal women, may not perish without offspring, and become extinct. For already hath the son of Saturn hated the race of Priam, and the might of aeneas shall now rule over the Trojans, and the sons of his sons, who may be born in after-times."

[Footnote 661: The remarks of Grote, vol. i. p. 428, sqq. on the character and position of aeneas throughout the Iliad, deserve much attention.]

[Footnote 662: "The examples of ??a?se?? are frequent enough in Homer to enable us safely to a.s.sert, from a comparison of them, that it never has (at least in his writings) the more general meaning of _to be useful, to help_, but, without an exception, the more definite sense of _to ward off_..... by examining pa.s.sages we find, that even where no accusative is expressed, the evil to be warded off may always be inferred from the context."--b.u.t.tm. Lexil. p. 542.]

[Footnote 663: He had wished to restore Helen. See Liv. i. 1.]

But him large-eyed venerable Juno then answered:

"O earth-shaker! do thou thyself reflect within thy mind, with respect to aeneas, whether thou wilt withdraw him, or suffer him, being brave, to be subdued by Achilles, the son of Peleus. For already we two, I and Pallas Minerva, have sworn many oaths amongst all the immortals, that we will never help to avert the evil day from the Trojans, not even when all Troy, fired, shall burn with consuming flame, and the warlike sons of the Greeks fire it."

But when earth-shaking Neptune heard this, he hastened to go through the battle and the clash of spears; and came where were aeneas and renowned Achilles. And immediately he shed a darkness upon the eyes of Achilles, son of Peleus, and he drew out the ashen spear, well guarded with bra.s.s, from the shield of magnanimous aeneas; and laid it before the feet of Achilles, and pushed on aeneas, lifting him high up from the ground. But aeneas leaped over many ranks of men and many of horses, impelled by the hand of the G.o.d, and came to the rear of the troubled fight, where the Caucones were arrayed for war. But very near him came earth-shaking Neptune, and addressing him, spoke winged words:

"O aeneas, which of the G.o.ds commanded thee, thus mad, to combat against Achilles, who is at once more valiant than thou, and more dear to the immortals? But retire whenever thou shalt be opposed to him, lest, even contrary to fate, thou arrive at the habitation of Pluto. But when Achilles shall have attained his death and destiny, then again, being confident, fight among the front ranks, because no other of the Greeks shall slay thee."

So saying, he left him there, when he had told him all, and immediately afterwards dissipated the thick darkness from the eyes of Achilles, and he then saw very clearly with his eyes; whereupon groaning, he addressed his magnanimous soul:

"Ye G.o.ds! certainly I behold this, a great marvel with mine eyes. The spear indeed lies upon the ground, nor do I at all perceive the man at whom I hurled it, desiring to kill him. Undoubtedly aeneas, too, was dear to the immortal G.o.ds, although I supposed that he boasted thus idly. Let him go; there will be no spirit in him hereafter to make trial of me, who even now rejoicing, has escaped from death. But come, having encouraged the warlike Greeks, I will make trial of the other Trojans, going against them."

He spoke, and sprang into the ranks, and cheered on every man:

"No longer now stand off from the Trojans, O n.o.ble Greeks, but on! let man advance against man, and let him be eager to engage. Difficult is it for me, although being valiant, to attack so many warriors, and to fight with them all. Not even Mars, who is an immortal G.o.d, nor yet Minerva, could charge and toil against the force of such a conflict. Yet whatever I can do with hands, with feet, and with strength, I declare that I will no longer be remiss, not ever so little; but I will go right through their line, nor do I think that any Trojan will rejoice, whoever may come near my javelin."

Thus he spoke, encouraging them; but ill.u.s.trious Hector, upbraiding, animated the Trojans, and said that he would go against Achilles:

"Ye magnanimous Trojans, fear not the son of Peleus. I, too, could fight with words even with the immortals, but with the spear it is difficult, for they are far more powerful. Nor shall Achilles give effect to all his words; but one part he shall fulfil, and the other leave half imperfect. Against him will I go, even though he were like to fire as to his hands; and to shining iron, as to his might."

Thus he spoke, inciting them; but the Trojans opposite quickly raised their spears; their strength was mingled together, and a shout arose.

Then also Phbus Apollo, standing near, addressed Hector:

"Hector, do not at all fight in the van with Achilles, but receive him in the crowd, and from the tumult, lest by any chance he hit thee, or strike thee with the sword in close combat."

Thus he spoke, and Hector sunk back again into the thick body of men, dismayed when he heard the voice of the G.o.d speaking. But Achilles leaped among the Trojans, clad with courage as to his soul, shouting dreadfully; and first slew gallant Iphition, son of Otrynteus, the leader of many people, whom the nymph Nas bore to Otrynteus, the sacker of cities, under snowy Tmolus, in the rich district of Hyda.[664] Him, eagerly rushing straight forward, n.o.ble Achilles struck with his javelin in the middle of the head; and it was entirely split in two. He gave a crash as he fell, and n.o.ble Achilles boasted over him:

[Footnote 664: A town of Maeonia in Lydia. See Steph. Byz. s. v.]

"O son of Otrynteus, most terrible of all men, thou liest; death is here upon thee. Thy birth, however, is at the Gygaean lake, where is thy paternal land, beside fishy Hyllus, and eddying Hermus."

Thus he spoke, boasting; but darkness covered his (Iphition's) eyes, but the horses of the Greeks tore him with the tires of the wheels in the front ranks. After him Achilles smote Demoleon, son of Antenor, a brave repeller of the fight, in the temples, through his brazen-cheeked helmet. Nor indeed did the brazen casque resist it, but through it the eager javelin broke the bone, and the whole brain within was defiled; and he subdued him, ardent. Next he wounded with his spear in the back, Hippodamas, as he was leaping down from his chariot, while flying before him. But he breathed out his soul, and groaned, like as when a bull, dragged round the Heliconian king,[665] bellows, as the youths drag him; and the earth-shaker is delighted with them: so, as he moaned, his fierce soul left his bones. But he went with his spear against G.o.dlike Polydorus,[666] the son of Priam; but him his father did not permit to fight, because he was the youngest among all, and dearest to him, and surpa.s.sed all in speed. Then, indeed, through youthful folly, exhibiting the excellence of his speed, he ran among the front ranks till he lost his life. Him n.o.ble swift-footed Achilles smote rushing by, in the middle of the back, where the golden rings of his belt clasped together, and the doubled corslet met. Right through at the navel pierced the point of the spear, and uttering a groan, he fell upon his knees; a black cloud enveloped him, and stooping down, he gathered his intestines in his hands. But when Hector perceived his brother Polydorus holding his intestines in his hands, and rolled on the earth, a darkness was immediately poured over his eyes, nor could he any longer be employed afar off, but advanced towards Achilles, like unto a flame, brandishing his sharp spear. On the other hand, Achilles, as soon as he saw him, leaped up, and boasting, spoke:

[Footnote 665: Neptune was a favourite G.o.d among the Ionians (cf.

Muller, Dor. vol. i. p. 417), but derived this name from Helice, a town in the northern coast of the Peloponnese, out of which the princ.i.p.al Achaean families were driven by Tisamenus, whose tomb was shown there. See Muller, id. p. 74.]

[Footnote 666: This is not the Polydorus of Virgil and Euripides, but the son of Laothoe, daughter of Altas, king of the Lelegans]

"Near is the man who has most stung my soul, who has slain my cherished companion; no longer indeed let us dread each other through the bridges[667] of war."

[Footnote 667: See iv. 371.]

He spoke, and sternly regarding [him], addressed n.o.ble Hector:

"Come nearer, that thou mayest the sooner reach the end of death."

But him, not daunted, crest-tossing Hector addressed:

"O son of Peleus, do not expect to terrify me now like a little boy, at least with words; since I myself also well know how to speak both revilings and reproaches. I know that thou indeed art brave, and that I am inferior to thee. But these things indeed are placed at the knees of the G.o.ds, whether, although being inferior, I shall take away thy life, striking thee with my spear, since my weapon also is sharp at the point."

He spoke, and, brandishing, sent forth his spear; and Minerva with a breath turned it back from glorious Achilles, having breathed very gently; but it came back to n.o.ble Hector, and lay before his feet. But Achilles, eager to slay him, rushed furiously on, shouting dreadfully; but Apollo, as a G.o.d, very easily s.n.a.t.c.hed him away, and covered him with abundant haze. Thrice indeed swift-footed n.o.ble Achilles rushed on with his brazen spear, and thrice he smote the deep haze. But when he rushed on the fourth time, like unto a G.o.d, he, dreadfully chiding, addressed to him winged words:

"Dog, now again hast thou escaped death. a.s.suredly evil came very near thee, but Phbus Apollo has now again preserved thee, to whom thou art wont to pray, when going into the clang of spears. Yet will I certainly finish thee, meeting thee hereafter, if indeed any of the G.o.ds be an ally to me also. At present, however, I will go after others of the Trojans, whomsoever I can."

So saying, he struck Dryops with his spear in the middle of the neck, and he fell before his feet. Him then he left, and then detained Demuchus, son of Philetor, brave and great, wounding [him] in the knee, with his spear, whom then striking with his great sword, he deprived of life. But attacking both, he pushed Laogonus and Darda.n.u.s, the sons of Bias, from their chariot to the ground, wounding one with his spear, and striking the other in close combat with his sword. Also Tros, the son of Alastor, who came towards him, taking him by the knees, if on any terms he would spare him, and dismiss him alive, nor slay him, taking pity on their equal age: fool! who knew not that he would not be persuaded. For he was by no means a tender-minded nor gentle man, but very ferocious.

He (Tros) indeed clasped his knees with his hands, desiring to supplicate him, but he (Achilles) wounded him in the liver with his sword; and his liver fell out, and the black blood from it filled his bosom, and darkness veiled his eyes, wanting life. But standing near Mulius, he smote him with his javelin on the ear, and immediately the brazen blade went through the other ear. Then, with his large-hilted sword, he smote Echeclus, son of Antenor, in the centre of the head, and the whole sword became tepid with blood; but purple Death and violent Fate seized his eyes. Then Deucalion, where the tendons of the elbow unite, there he pierced him through his hand with his brazen spear; but he, weighed down as to his hand, awaited him, perceiving death before him. But he (Achilles) smiting his neck with his sword, knocked the head off afar with its helmet, and the marrow sprang forth from the spine; and Deucalion lay extended on the ground. Then he hastened to go towards Rigmus, the renowned son of Pireus, who had come from fertile Thrace; whom he smote in the middle with his javelin, and the bra.s.s was fixed in his stomach; and he fell from his chariot: and Achilles wounded in the back, with his sharp javelin, Arethous, the attendant, while turning back the steeds, and threw him from the chariot: and the horses were thrown into confusion. And as the blazing fire burns through the deep dells of a dry mountain, and the dense forest is consumed, and the wind agitating, turns round the flame on all sides; thus he raged in every direction with his spear, like unto a deity, following those that were to be slain; and the black earth flowed with blood. As when any one yokes broad fore-headed bulls to trample out white barley on the well-levelled floor, and it easily becomes small beneath the feet of the bellowing oxen; so the solid-hoofed horses, driven by magnanimous Achilles, trod down together both corses and shields. And the whole axletree beneath was polluted with gore, and the rings which were round the chariot seat, which the drops from the horses' hoofs spattered, as well as from the felloes. But the son of Peleus was eager to bear away glory, and was polluted with gore as to his invincible hands.

BOOK THE TWENTY-FIRST.