The Story of Troy Part 13

Deep, deep in the great gulf below the earth, With iron gates and threshold forged of bra.s.s.

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.

But Minerva begged that she might be permitted to a.s.sist the Greeks by her advice. To this the king of heaven a.s.sented. Then mounting his chariot, to which were yoked his brazen-footed, swift-flying steeds, adorned with golden manes, he sped through the skies between the earth and starry heaven to the summit of Mount Ida. There in a sacred inclosure in which was an altar erected to him, the father of the G.o.ds sat looking down upon the towers of Ilium and the ships of the Greeks.

The two hosts, led by their great chiefs, were now engaged in fierce battle.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JUPITER ON MOUNT IDA.

_Drawn by Hubbell._]

The sounding darts in iron tempests flew; Victors and vanquish'd join promiscuous cries, Triumphant shouts and dying groans arise; With streaming blood the slippery fields are dyed, And slaughtered heroes swell the dreadful tide.

POPE, _Iliad_, Book VIII.

Thus the terrible conflict went on until midday, when Jupiter, taking in his hand the golden scales of fate, weighed the fortunes of the Trojans and Greeks.

By the midst He held the balance, and, behold, the fate Of Greece in that day's fight sank down until It touched the nourishing earth, while that of Troy Rose and flew upward toward the s.p.a.cious heaven.

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.

Then the mighty G.o.d thundered from Mount Ida, and sent his lightnings burning and flashing down against the army of the Greeks. In amazement and terror the Argive chiefs fled from the field. Nestor alone remained, though not willingly, for he too was seeking safety in flight when one of the horses of his chariot was killed by an arrow from the bow of Paris. The venerable king himself might have perished at the hands of Hector, had not Diomede hastened up and taken him into his own chariot.

Both warriors then advanced against the Trojan chief, and Diomede hurled his javelin. The weapon missed Hector, but killed his charioteer. Still rushing on, the brave son of Tydeus was about to cast another spear, when a terrific bolt of lightning flashed from the heavens and tore up the earth in front of his steeds. Looking upon this as a sign of the anger of Jupiter, the two heroes hastily retreated towards their camp.

Hector pursued them, and the Trojans, encouraged by his example, now pressed forward until the Greeks were driven in behind their trench and wall. Then Agamemnon, in deep despair, prayed to almighty Jove that he would at least permit him and his people to get away in safety with their ships.

"Now be at least one wish of mine fulfilled,-- That we may yet escape and get us hence; Nor let the Trojans thus destroy the Greeks."

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.

Jupiter heard the prayer of the king, and in pity for his distress sent a favorable omen. This was an eagle bearing in its talons a fawn, which it dropped down by the side of the altar where the Greek chiefs were just then offering sacrifice. Believing that the bird had come from Jove, the Greeks took courage, and rushing out through their gates, with Diomede and Agamemnon and Menelaus and Ajax at their head, they furiously attacked the Trojans and slew many of them. Teucer, the brother of Ajax Telamon, did great destruction with his bow and arrows, in the use of which he was as skillful even as Pandarus. After killing several of the enemy, he aimed twice at Hector, missing him, however, each time, but at the second shot he slew the Trojan leader's charioteer. Hector then jumped to the ground, and, seizing a great stone, hurled it with mighty force, striking the unfortunate Teucer on the neck, and felling him to the earth. And now the Trojans, rushing once more upon the Greeks, again drove them back to their camp.

They drave The Achaians backward to the yawning trench.

Then Hector came, with fury in his eyes, Among the foremost warriors. As a hound, Sure of his own swift feet, attacks behind The lion or wild boar, and tears his flank, Yet warily observes him as he turns, So Hector followed close the long-haired Greeks, And ever slew the hindmost as they fled.

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.

But night now put an end to the battle. This was a most welcome relief to the Greek leaders, thoroughly disheartened as they were at the sight of the enemy almost at their ships. On the other hand the warriors of Troy "most unwillingly beheld the sunset," for it prevented them from following up their victory. But Hector was confident that on the next day he would be able to destroy the Achaian host and fleet, and so end the war. He therefore addressed his troops, commanding them to remain on the field for the night, that they might be ready to fall upon the Greeks, should they attempt to go aboard their vessels, and "escape across the mighty deep."

So high in hope, they sat the whole night through In warlike lines, and many watch fires blazed.

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.

Meanwhile the Grecian leaders held a council of war, and Agamemnon advised that they should take to their ships, and set sail for Greece, as it now seemed to be the will of Jupiter that they should never capture Troy. Upon hearing this the chiefs sat for a time in gloomy silence. At length Diomede spoke out, censuring the king for his cowardly counsel.

"The G.o.ds," said he, "have given you, O son of Atreus, high rank and great power, but not much of courage. Return home if you are so inclined, but the other Greeks will remain until they have overthrown Troy, for it was by the direction of the immortals that we came here."

These words were loudly applauded by the a.s.sembled leaders. Then guards were placed to watch the wall and trench, after which Agamemnon gave the chiefs a banquet in his tent. When all had partaken of the good things set before them, the wise Nestor advised that an effort be made to appease the anger of Achilles. This proposal even Agamemnon warmly approved, for he now admitted that he had done a great wrong in taking away Briseis, and he declared that he would restore the maiden at once to Achilles, and send him rich gifts besides.

"I erred, and I deny it not.

That man indeed is equal to a host, Whom Jupiter doth love and honor thus, Humbling the Achaian people for his sake.

And now, since, yielding to my wayward mood I erred, let me appease him, if I may, With gifts of priceless worth."

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX.

Agamemnon then promised that he would send to Achilles a large sum in gold, with twenty shining caldrons, and twelve steeds which had won many prizes by their fleetness. Moreover, when they should return to Greece after having conquered the Trojans, he would give him one of his daughters to be his wife, and with her, as a marriage portion, seven rich cities of Argos.

The Greek chiefs were very glad to hear these proposals, and they resolved to appoint amba.s.sadors to send to Achilles to beg him to accept these gifts and make peace with Agamemnon. On the advice of Nestor they chose for this important mission the prudent Ulysses, an aged chief named Ph'nix, and the valiant warrior Ajax. Phnix had been the instructor of Achilles in his youth, and had been sent by King Peleus with the expedition to Troy to be his son's friend and counselor.

The three amba.s.sadors, with two heralds, accordingly set out for the camp of the Myrmidonian chief. They found him sitting in his tent with his friend Patroclus.

Amused at ease, the G.o.dlike man they found, Pleased with the solemn harp's harmonious sound.

(The well wrought harp from conquered Thebae came; Of polish'd silver was its costly frame).

With this he soothes his angry soul, and sings The immortal deeds of heroes and of kings.

POPE, _Iliad_, Book IX.

The amba.s.sadors were received with great respect. Achilles rose from his seat and welcomed them as warriors and friends. Then food and drink were placed before them, and after they had refreshed themselves, Ulysses stated the object of their visit. He described the danger of the Grecian army, threatened with destruction by the terrible Hector and his victorious hosts. He next told of the many gifts which Agamemnon had offered, and then in earnest words he begged Achilles to lay aside his anger, and come to the relief of his countrymen in their great peril.

But the wrath of the son of Peleus was not thus to be appeased. He replied to Ulysses in a long speech, recounting his services during the war, and bitterly complaining of the ingrat.i.tude and selfishness of Agamemnon.

"Twelve cities have I with my fleet laid waste, And with my Myrmidons have I o'erthrown Eleven upon this fertile Trojan coast.

Full many a precious spoil from these I bore, And to Atrides Agamemnon gave.

He, loitering in his fleet, received them all; Few he distributed, and many kept."

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX.

As for the apologies which Agamemnon now made, the wrathful hero declared that he could have no confidence in a man who had deceived him, nor would he accept the offered gifts.

"Let him ne'er again, Though shameless, dare to look me in the face.

I will not join in council nor in act With him: he has deceived and wronged me once, And now he cannot wheedle me with words.

Let once suffice. I leave him to himself, To perish. All-providing Jupiter Hath made him mad. I hate his gifts; I hold In utter scorn the giver."

BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX.

In vain also were the entreaties of Phnix and Ajax. They too tried to persuade the hero to dismiss from his mind the thought of his wrongs, and lead his brave Myrmidons once more into the field for the honor of his country. But Achilles persisted in his refusal to take further part in the war, and so there was nothing left for the amba.s.sadors but to return to the tent of Agamemnon and report the failure of their mission.

In deep disappointment and distress the chiefs heard the story. Then again they held counsel together to consider what was best to do,--whether to prepare for another battle, or to betake themselves at once to their ships and set sail for Greece. Nestor proposed that some brave and prudent chief should venture into the Trojan camp, and, if possible, find out what were the plans of Hector.

"Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave, His life to hazard, and his country save?

Lives there a man, who singly dares to go To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?

Or favor'd by the night approach so near, Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?"

POPE, _Iliad_, Book X.

Diomede offered himself for this service, and being permitted to select a companion, he made choice of Ulysses. The two warriors at once put on their armor, and took up their weapons. Then they went out into the plain, each praying to Minerva to grant them success. Cautiously they moved forward towards the camp of the enemy.

With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way, Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain, Through dust, through blood, o'er arms, and hills of slain.

POPE, _Iliad_, Book X.