Allen 1931 · Murray (1924)
marks lines athetized/bracketed in the editorial tradition.
13
1 Ζεὺς δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα νηυσὶ πέλασσε,
τοὺς μὲν ἔα παρὰ τῇσι πόνον τ' ἐχέμεν καὶ ὀϊζὺν
νωλεμέως, αὐτὸς δὲ πάλιν τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινὼ
νόσφιν ἐφ' ἱπποπόλων Θρῃκῶν καθορώμενος αἶαν
5 Μυσῶν τ' ἀγχεμάχων καὶ ἀγαυῶν ἱππημολγῶν
γλακτοφάγων Ἀβίων τε δικαιοτάτων ἀνθρώπων.
ἐς Τροίην δ' οὐ πάμπαν ἔτι τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινώ·
οὐ γὰρ ὅ γ' ἀθανάτων τινα ἔλπετο ὃν κατὰ θυμὸν
ἐλθόντ' ἢ Τρώεσσιν ἀρηξέμεν ἢ Δαναοῖσιν.
10 Οὐδ' ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε κρείων ἐνοσίχθων·
καὶ γὰρ ὃ θαυμάζων ἧστο πτόλεμόν τε μάχην τε
ὑψοῦ ἐπ' ἀκροτάτης κορυφῆς Σάμου ὑληέσσης
Θρηϊκίης· ἔνθεν γὰρ ἐφαίνετο πᾶσα μὲν Ἴδη,
φαίνετο δὲ Πριάμοιο πόλις καὶ νῆες Ἀχαιῶν.
15 ἔνθ' ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἐξ ἁλὸς ἕζετ' ἰών, ἐλέαιρε δ' Ἀχαιοὺς
Τρωσὶν δαμναμένους, Διὶ δὲ κρατερῶς ἐνεμέσσα.
Αὐτίκα δ' ἐξ ὄρεος κατεβήσετο παιπαλόεντος
κραιπνὰ ποσὶ προβιβάς· τρέμε δ' οὔρεα μακρὰ καὶ ὕλη
ποσσὶν ὑπ' ἀθανάτοισι Ποσειδάωνος ἰόντος.
20 τρὶς μὲν ὀρέξατ' ἰών, τὸ δὲ τέτρατον ἵκετο τέκμωρ
Αἰγάς, ἔνθα δέ οἱ κλυτὰ δώματα βένθεσι λίμνης
χρύσεα μαρμαίροντα τετεύχαται ἄφθιτα αἰεί.
ἔνθ' ἐλθὼν ὑπ' ὄχεσφι τιτύσκετο χαλκόποδ' ἵππω
ὠκυπέτα χρυσέῃσιν ἐθείρῃσιν κομόωντε,
25 χρυσὸν δ' αὐτὸς ἔδυνε περὶ χροΐ, γέντο δ' ἱμάσθλην
χρυσείην εὔτυκτον, ἑοῦ δ' ἐπεβήσετο δίφρου,
βῆ δ' ἐλάαν ἐπὶ κύματ'· ἄταλλε δὲ κήτε' ὑπ' αὐτοῦ
πάντοθεν ἐκ κευθμῶν, οὐδ' ἠγνοίησεν ἄνακτα·
γηθοσύνῃ δὲ θάλασσα διίστατο· τοὶ δὲ πέτοντο
30 ῥίμφα μάλ', οὐδ' ὑπένερθε διαίνετο χάλκεος ἄξων·
τὸν δ' ἐς Ἀχαιῶν νῆας ἐΰσκαρθμοι φέρον ἵπποι.
Ἔστι δέ τι σπέος εὐρὺ βαθείης βένθεσι λίμνης
μεσσηγὺς Τενέδοιο καὶ Ἴμβρου παιπαλοέσσης·
ἔνθ' ἵππους ἔστησε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων
35 λύσας ἐξ ὀχέων, παρὰ δ' ἀμβρόσιον βάλεν εἶδαρ
ἔδμεναι· ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶ πέδας ἔβαλε χρυσείας
ἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρ' ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν
νοστήσαντα ἄνακτα· ὃ δ' ἐς στρατὸν ᾤχετ' Ἀχαιῶν.
Τρῶες δὲ φλογὶ ἶσοι ἀολλέες ἠὲ θυέλλῃ
40 Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ ἄμοτον μεμαῶτες ἕποντο
ἄβρομοι αὐΐαχοι· ἔλποντο δὲ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
αἱρήσειν, κτενέειν δὲ παρ' αὐτόθι πάντας ἀρίστους.
ἀλλὰ Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος
Ἀργείους ὄτρυνε βαθείης ἐξ ἁλὸς ἐλθὼν
45 εἰσάμενος Κάλχαντι δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν·
Αἴαντε πρώτω προσέφη μεμαῶτε καὶ αὐτώ·
Αἴαντε σφὼ μέν τε σαώσετε λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν
ἀλκῆς μνησαμένω, μὴ δὲ κρυεροῖο φόβοιο.
ἄλλῃ μὲν γὰρ ἔγωγ' οὐ δείδια χεῖρας ἀάπτους
50 Τρώων, οἳ μέγα τεῖχος ὑπερκατέβησαν ὁμίλῳ·
ἕξουσιν γὰρ πάντας ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί·
τῇ δὲ δὴ αἰνότατον περιδείδια μή τι πάθωμεν,
ᾗ ῥ' ὅ γ' ὁ λυσσώδης φλογὶ εἴκελος ἡγεμονεύει
Ἕκτωρ, ὃς Διὸς εὔχετ' ἐρισθενέος πάϊς εἶναι.
55 σφῶϊν δ' ὧδε θεῶν τις ἐνὶ φρεσὶ ποιήσειεν
αὐτώ θ' ἑστάμεναι κρατερῶς καὶ ἀνωγέμεν ἄλλους·
τώ κε καὶ ἐσσύμενόν περ ἐρωήσαιτ' ἀπὸ νηῶν
ὠκυπόρων, εἰ καί μιν Ὀλύμπιος αὐτὸς ἐγείρει.
Ἦ καὶ σκηπανίῳ γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος
60 ἀμφοτέρω κεκόπων πλῆσεν μένεος κρατεροῖο,
γυῖα δ' ἔθηκεν ἐλαφρὰ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν.
αὐτὸς δ' ὥς τ' ἴρηξ ὠκύπτερος ὦρτο πέτεσθαι,
ὅς ῥά τ' ἀπ' αἰγίλιπος πέτρης περιμήκεος ἀρθεὶς
ὁρμήσῃ πεδίοιο διώκειν ὄρνεον ἄλλο,
65 ὣς ἀπὸ τῶν ἤϊξε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων.
τοῖιν δ' ἔγνω πρόσθεν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴας,
αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Αἴαντα προσέφη Τελαμώνιον υἱόν·
Αἶαν ἐπεί τις νῶϊ θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσι
μάντεϊ εἰδόμενος κέλεται παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχεσθαι,
70 οὐδ' ὅ γε Κάλχας ἐστὶ θεοπρόπος οἰωνιστής·
ἴχνια γὰρ μετόπισθε ποδῶν ἠδὲ κνημάων
ῥεῖ' ἔγνων ἀπιόντος· ἀρίγνωτοι δὲ θεοί περ·
καὶ δ' ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι
μᾶλλον ἐφορμᾶται πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι,
75 μαιμώωσι δ' ἔνερθε πόδες καὶ χεῖρες ὕπερθε.
Τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·
οὕτω νῦν καὶ ἐμοὶ περὶ δούρατι χεῖρες ἄαπτοι
μαιμῶσιν, καί μοι μένος ὤρορε, νέρθε δὲ ποσσὶν
ἔσσυμαι ἀμφοτέροισι· μενοινώω δὲ καὶ οἶος
80 Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ ἄμοτον μεμαῶτι μάχεσθαι.
Ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον
χάρμῃ γηθόσυνοι, τήν σφιν θεὸς ἔμβαλε θυμῷ·
τόφρα δὲ τοὺς ὄπιθεν γαιήοχος ὦρσεν Ἀχαιούς,
οἳ παρὰ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἀνέψυχον φίλον ἦτορ.
85 τῶν ῥ' ἅμα τ' ἀργαλέῳ καμάτῳ φίλα γυῖα λέλυντο,
καί σφιν ἄχος κατὰ θυμὸν ἐγίγνετο δερκομένοισι
Τρῶας, τοὶ μέγα τεῖχος ὑπερκατέβησαν ὁμίλῳ.
τοὺς οἵ γ' εἰσορόωντες ὑπ' ὀφρύσι δάκρυα λεῖβον·
οὐ γὰρ ἔφαν φεύξεσθαι ὑπ' ἐκ κακοῦ· ἀλλ' ἐνοσίχθων
90 ῥεῖα μετεισάμενος κρατερὰς ὄτρυνε φάλαγγας.
Τεῦκρον ἔπι πρῶτον καὶ Λήϊτον ἦλθε κελεύων
Πηνέλεών θ' ἥρωα Θόαντά τε Δηΐπυρόν τε
Μηριόνην τε καὶ Ἀντίλοχον μήστωρας ἀϋτῆς·
τοὺς ὅ γ' ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
95 αἰδὼς Ἀργεῖοι, κοῦροι νέοι· ὔμμιν ἔγωγε
μαρναμένοισι πέποιθα σαωσέμεναι νέας ἁμάς·
εἰ δ' ὑμεῖς πολέμοιο μεθήσετε λευγαλέοιο,
νῦν δὴ εἴδεται ἦμαρ ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι.
ὢ πόποι ἦ μέγα θαῦμα τόδ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι
100 δεινόν, ὃ οὔ ποτ' ἔγωγε τελευτήσεσθαι ἔφασκον,
Τρῶας ἐφ' ἡμετέρας ἰέναι νέας, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ
φυζακινῇς ἐλάφοισιν ἐοίκεσαν, αἵ τε καθ' ὕλην
θώων παρδαλίων τε λύκων τ' ἤϊα πέλονται
αὔτως ἠλάσκουσαι ἀνάλκιδες, οὐδ' ἔπι χάρμη·
105 ὣς Τρῶες τὸ πρίν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας Ἀχαιῶν
μίμνειν οὐκ ἐθέλεσκον ἐναντίον, οὐδ' ἠβαιόν·
νῦν δὲ ἑκὰς πόλιος κοίλῃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ μάχονται
ἡγεμόνος κακότητι μεθημοσύνῃσί τε λαῶν,
οἳ κείνῳ ἐρίσαντες ἀμυνέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλουσι
110 νηῶν ὠκυπόρων, ἀλλὰ κτείνονται ἀν' αὐτάς.
ἀλλ' εἰ δὴ καὶ πάμπαν ἐτήτυμον αἴτιός ἐστιν
ἥρως Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
οὕνεκ' ἀπητίμησε ποδώκεα Πηλεΐωνα,
ἡμέας γ' οὔ πως ἔστι μεθιέμεναι πολέμοιο.
115 ἀλλ' ἀκεώμεθα θᾶσσον· ἀκεσταί τοι φρένες ἐσθλῶν.
ὑμεῖς δ' οὐκ ἔτι καλὰ μεθίετε θούριδος ἀλκῆς
πάντες ἄριστοι ἐόντες ἀνὰ στρατόν. οὐδ' ἂν ἔγωγε
ἀνδρὶ μαχεσσαίμην ὅς τις πολέμοιο μεθείη
λυγρὸς ἐών· ὑμῖν δὲ νεμεσσῶμαι περὶ κῆρι.
120 ὦ πέπονες τάχα δή τι κακὸν ποιήσετε μεῖζον
τῇδε μεθημοσύνῃ· ἀλλ' ἐν φρεσὶ θέσθε ἕκαστος
αἰδῶ καὶ νέμεσιν· δὴ γὰρ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρωρεν.
Ἕκτωρ δὴ παρὰ νηυσὶ βοὴν ἀγαθὸς πολεμίζει
καρτερός, ἔρρηξεν δὲ πύλας καὶ μακρὸν ὀχῆα.
125 Ὥς ῥα κελευτιόων γαιήοχος ὦρσεν Ἀχαιούς.
ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' Αἴαντας δοιοὺς ἵσταντο φάλαγγες
καρτεραί, ἃς οὔτ' ἄν κεν Ἄρης ὀνόσαιτο μετελθὼν
οὔτε κ' Ἀθηναίη λαοσσόος· οἳ γὰρ ἄριστοι
κρινθέντες Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα δῖον ἔμιμνον,
130 φράξαντες δόρυ δουρί, σάκος σάκεϊ προθελύμνῳ·
ἀσπὶς ἄρ' ἀσπίδ' ἔρειδε, κόρυς κόρυν, ἀνέρα δ' ἀνήρ·
ψαῦον δ' ἱππόκομοι κόρυθες λαμπροῖσι φάλοισι
νευόντων, ὡς πυκνοὶ ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισιν·
ἔγχεα δ' ἐπτύσσοντο θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν
135 σειόμεν'· οἳ δ' ἰθὺς φρόνεον, μέμασαν δὲ μάχεσθαι.
Τρῶες δὲ προὔτυψαν ἀολλέες, ἦρχε δ' ἄρ' Ἕκτωρ
ἀντικρὺ μεμαώς, ὀλοοίτροχος ὣς ἀπὸ πέτρης,
ὅν τε κατὰ στεφάνης ποταμὸς χειμάρροος ὤσῃ
ῥήξας ἀσπέτῳ ὄμβρῳ ἀναιδέος ἔχματα πέτρης·
140 ὕψι δ' ἀναθρῴσκων πέτεται, κτυπέει δέ θ' ὑπ' αὐτοῦ
ὕλη· ὃ δ' ἀσφαλέως θέει ἔμπεδον, εἷος ἵκηται
ἰσόπεδον, τότε δ' οὔ τι κυλίνδεται ἐσσύμενός περ·
ὣς Ἕκτωρ εἷος μὲν ἀπείλει μέχρι θαλάσσης
ῥέα διελεύσεσθαι κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
145 κτείνων· ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πυκινῇς ἐνέκυρσε φάλαγξι
στῆ ῥα μάλ' ἐγχριμφθείς· οἳ δ' ἀντίοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν
νύσσοντες ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν
ὦσαν ἀπὸ σφείων· ὃ δὲ χασσάμενος πελεμίχθη.
ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Τρώεσσι γεγωνώς·
150 Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ
παρμένετ'· οὔ τοι δηρὸν ἐμὲ σχήσουσιν Ἀχαιοὶ
καὶ μάλα πυργηδὸν σφέας αὐτοὺς ἀρτύναντες,
ἀλλ' ὀΐω χάσσονται ὑπ' ἔγχεος, εἰ ἐτεόν με
ὦρσε θεῶν ὤριστος, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης.
155 Ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.
Δηΐφοβος δ' ἐν τοῖσι μέγα φρονέων ἐβεβήκει
Πριαμίδης, πρόσθεν δ' ἔχεν ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐΐσην
κοῦφα ποσὶ προβιβὰς καὶ ὑπασπίδια προποδίζων.
Μηριόνης δ' αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο δουρὶ φαεινῷ
160 καὶ βάλεν, οὐδ' ἀφάμαρτε, κατ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐΐσην
ταυρείην· τῆς δ' οὔ τι διήλασεν, ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὶν
ἐν καυλῷ ἐάγη δολιχὸν δόρυ· Δηΐφοβος δὲ
ἀσπίδα ταυρείην σχέθ' ἀπὸ ἕο, δεῖσε δὲ θυμῷ
ἔγχος Μηριόναο δαΐφρονος· αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἥρως
165 ἂψ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο, χώσατο δ' αἰνῶς
ἀμφότερον, νίκης τε καὶ ἔγχεος ὃ ξυνέαξε.
βῆ δ' ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
οἰσόμενος δόρυ μακρόν, ὅ οἱ κλισίηφι λέλειπτο.
Οἳ δ' ἄλλοι μάρναντο, βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.
170 Τεῦκρος δὲ πρῶτος Τελαμώνιος ἄνδρα κατέκτα
Ἴμβριον αἰχμητὴν πολυΐππου Μέντορος υἱόν·
ναῖε δὲ Πήδαιον πρὶν ἐλθεῖν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,
κούρην δὲ Πριάμοιο νόθην ἔχε, Μηδεσικάστην·
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Δαναῶν νέες ἤλυθον ἀμφιέλισσαι,
175 ἂψ ἐς Ἴλιον ἦλθε, μετέπρεπε δὲ Τρώεσσι,
ναῖε δὲ πὰρ Πριάμῳ· ὃ δέ μιν τίεν ἶσα τέκεσσι.
τόν ῥ' υἱὸς Τελαμῶνος ὑπ' οὔατος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ
νύξ', ἐκ δ' ἔσπασεν ἔγχος· ὃ δ' αὖτ' ἔπεσεν μελίη ὣς
ἥ τ' ὄρεος κορυφῇ ἕκαθεν περιφαινομένοιο
180 χαλκῷ ταμνομένη τέρενα χθονὶ φύλλα πελάσσῃ·
ὣς πέσεν, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ βράχε τεύχεα ποικίλα χαλκῷ.
Τεῦκρος δ' ὁρμήθη μεμαὼς ἀπὸ τεύχεα δῦσαι·
Ἕκτωρ δ' ὁρμηθέντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.
ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος
185 τυτθόν· ὃ δ' Ἀμφίμαχον Κτεάτου υἷ' Ἀκτορίωνος
νισόμενον πόλεμον δὲ κατὰ στῆθος βάλε δουρί·
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχε' ἐπ' αὐτῷ.
Ἕκτωρ δ' ὁρμήθη κόρυθα κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖαν
κρατὸς ἀφαρπάξαι μεγαλήτορος Ἀμφιμάχοιο·
190 Αἴας δ' ὁρμηθέντος ὀρέξατο δουρὶ φαεινῷ
Ἕκτορος· ἀλλ' οὔ πῃ χροὸς εἴσατο, πᾶς δ' ἄρα χαλκῷ
σμερδαλέῳ κεκάλυφθ'· ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἀσπίδος ὀμφαλὸν οὖτα,
ὦσε δέ μιν σθένεϊ μεγάλῳ· ὃ δὲ χάσσατ' ὀπίσσω
νεκρῶν ἀμφοτέρων, τοὺς δ' ἐξείρυσσαν Ἀχαιοί.
195 Ἀμφίμαχον μὲν ἄρα Στιχίος δῖός τε Μενεσθεὺς
ἀρχοὶ Ἀθηναίων κόμισαν μετὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν·
Ἴμβριον αὖτ' Αἴαντε μεμαότε θούριδος ἀλκῆς
ὥς τε δύ' αἶγα λέοντε κυνῶν ὕπο καρχαροδόντων
ἁρπάξαντε φέρητον ἀνὰ ῥωπήϊα πυκνὰ
200 ὑψοῦ ὑπὲρ γαίης μετὰ γαμφηλῇσιν ἔχοντε,
ὥς ῥα τὸν ὑψοῦ ἔχοντε δύω Αἴαντε κορυστὰ
τεύχεα συλήτην· κεφαλὴν δ' ἁπαλῆς ἀπὸ δειρῆς
κόψεν Ὀϊλιάδης κεχολωμένος Ἀμφιμάχοιο,
ἧκε δέ μιν σφαιρηδὸν ἑλιξάμενος δι' ὁμίλου·
205 Ἕκτορι δὲ προπάροιθε ποδῶν πέσεν ἐν κονίῃσι.
Καὶ τότε δὴ περὶ κῆρι Ποσειδάων ἐχολώθη
υἱωνοῖο πεσόντος ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,
βῆ δ' ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
ὀτρυνέων Δαναούς, Τρώεσσι δὲ κήδεα τεῦχεν.
210 Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἄρα οἱ δουρικλυτὸς ἀντεβόλησεν
ἐρχόμενος παρ' ἑταίρου, ὅ οἱ νέον ἐκ πολέμοιο
ἦλθε κατ' ἰγνύην βεβλημένος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.
τὸν μὲν ἑταῖροι ἔνεικαν, ὃ δ' ἰητροῖς ἐπιτείλας
ἤϊεν ἐς κλισίην· ἔτι γὰρ πολέμοιο μενοίνα
215 ἀντιάαν· τὸν δὲ προσέφη κρείων ἐνοσίχθων
εἰσάμενος φθογγὴν Ἀνδραίμονος υἷϊ Θόαντι
ὃς πάσῃ Πλευρῶνι καὶ αἰπεινῇ Καλυδῶνι
Αἰτωλοῖσιν ἄνασσε, θεὸς δ' ὣς τίετο δήμῳ·
Ἰδομενεῦ Κρητῶν βουληφόρε ποῦ τοι ἀπειλαὶ
220 οἴχονται, τὰς Τρωσὶν ἀπείλεον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν;
Τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·
ὦ Θόαν οὔ τις ἀνὴρ νῦν γ' αἴτιος, ὅσσον ἔγωγε
γιγνώσκω· πάντες γὰρ ἐπιστάμεθα πτολεμίζειν.
οὔτέ τινα δέος ἴσχει ἀκήριον οὔτέ τις ὄκνῳ
225 εἴκων ἀνδύεται πόλεμον κακόν· ἀλλά που οὕτω
μέλλει δὴ φίλον εἶναι ὑπερμενέϊ Κρονίωνι
νωνύμνους ἀπολέσθαι ἀπ' Ἄργεος ἐνθάδ' Ἀχαιούς.
ἀλλὰ Θόαν, καὶ γὰρ τὸ πάρος μενεδήϊος ἦσθα,
ὀτρύνεις δὲ καὶ ἄλλον ὅθι μεθιέντα ἴδηαι·
230 τὼ νῦν μήτ' ἀπόληγε κέλευέ τε φωτὶ ἑκάστῳ.
Τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων·
Ἰδομενεῦ μὴ κεῖνος ἀνὴρ ἔτι νοστήσειεν
ἐκ Τροίης, ἀλλ' αὖθι κυνῶν μέλπηθρα γένοιτο,
ὅς τις ἐπ' ἤματι τῷδε ἑκὼν μεθίῃσι μάχεσθαι.
235 ἀλλ' ἄγε τεύχεα δεῦρο λαβὼν ἴθι· ταῦτα δ' ἅμα χρὴ
σπεύδειν, αἴ κ' ὄφελός τι γενώμεθα καὶ δύ' ἐόντε.
συμφερτὴ δ' ἀρετὴ πέλει ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλα λυγρῶν,
νῶϊ δὲ καί κ' ἀγαθοῖσιν ἐπισταίμεσθα μάχεσθαι.
Ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη θεὸς ἂμ πόνον ἀνδρῶν·
240 Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ὅτε δὴ κλισίην εὔτυκτον ἵκανε
δύσετο τεύχεα καλὰ περὶ χροΐ, γέντο δὲ δοῦρε,
βῆ δ' ἴμεν ἀστεροπῇ ἐναλίγκιος, ἥν τε Κρονίων
χειρὶ λαβὼν ἐτίναξεν ἀπ' αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου
δεικνὺς σῆμα βροτοῖσιν· ἀρίζηλοι δέ οἱ αὐγαί·
245 ὣς τοῦ χαλκὸς ἔλαμπε περὶ στήθεσσι θέοντος.
Μηριόνης δ' ἄρα οἱ θεράπων ἐῢς ἀντεβόλησεν
ἐγγὺς ἔτι κλισίης· μετὰ γὰρ δόρυ χάλκεον ᾔει
οἰσόμενος· τὸν δὲ προσέφη σθένος Ἰδομενῆος·
Μηριόνη Μόλου υἱὲ πόδας ταχὺ φίλταθ' ἑταίρων
250 τίπτ' ἦλθες πόλεμόν τε λιπὼν καὶ δηϊοτῆτα;
ἠέ τι βέβληαι, βέλεος δέ σε τείρει ἀκωκή,
ἦέ τευ ἀγγελίης μετ' ἔμ' ἤλυθες; οὐδέ τοι αὐτὸς
ἧσθαι ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λιλαίομαι, ἀλλὰ μάχεσθαι.
Τὸν δ' αὖ Μηριόνης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·
255 Ἰδομενεῦ, Κρητῶν βουληφόρε χαλκοχιτώνων,
ἔρχομαι εἴ τί τοι ἔγχος ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λέλειπται
οἰσόμενος· τό νυ γὰρ κατεάξαμεν ὃ πρὶν ἔχεσκον
ἀσπίδα Δηϊφόβοιο βαλὼν ὑπερηνορέοντος.
Τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·
260 δούρατα δ' αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα καὶ ἓν καὶ εἴκοσι δήεις
ἑσταότ' ἐν κλισίῃ πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα
Τρώϊα, τὰ κταμένων ἀποαίνυμαι· οὐ γὰρ ὀΐω
ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων ἑκὰς ἱστάμενος πολεμίζειν.
τώ μοι δούρατά τ' ἔστι καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι
265 καὶ κόρυθες καὶ θώρηκες λαμπρὸν γανόωντες.
Τὸν δ' αὖ Μηριόνης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·
καί τοι ἐμοὶ παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηῒ μελαίνῃ
πόλλ' ἔναρα Τρώων· ἀλλ' οὐ σχεδόν ἐστιν ἑλέσθαι.
οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδ' ἐμέ φημι λελασμένον ἔμμεναι ἀλκῆς,
270 ἀλλὰ μετὰ πρώτοισι μάχην ἀνὰ κυδιάνειραν
ἵσταμαι, ὁππότε νεῖκος ὀρώρηται πολέμοιο.
ἄλλόν πού τινα μᾶλλον Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων
λήθω μαρνάμενος, σὲ δὲ ἴδμεναι αὐτὸν ὀΐω.
Τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·
275 οἶδ' ἀρετὴν οἷός ἐσσι· τί σε χρὴ ταῦτα λέγεσθαι;
εἰ γὰρ νῦν παρὰ νηυσὶ λεγοίμεθα πάντες ἄριστοι
ἐς λόχον, ἔνθα μάλιστ' ἀρετὴ διαείδεται ἀνδρῶν,
ἔνθ' ὅ τε δειλὸς ἀνὴρ ὅς τ' ἄλκιμος ἐξεφαάνθη·
τοῦ μὲν γάρ τε κακοῦ τρέπεται χρὼς ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ,
280 οὐδέ οἱ ἀτρέμας ἧσθαι ἐρητύετ' ἐν φρεσὶ θυμός,
ἀλλὰ μετοκλάζει καὶ ἐπ' ἀμφοτέρους πόδας ἵζει,
ἐν δέ τέ οἱ κραδίη μεγάλα στέρνοισι πατάσσει
κῆρας ὀϊομένῳ, πάταγος δέ τε γίγνετ' ὀδόντων·
τοῦ δ' ἀγαθοῦ οὔτ' ἂρ τρέπεται χρὼς οὔτέ τι λίην
285 ταρβεῖ, ἐπειδὰν πρῶτον ἐσίζηται λόχον ἀνδρῶν,
ἀρᾶται δὲ τάχιστα μιγήμεναι ἐν δαῒ λυγρῇ·
οὐδέ κεν ἔνθα τεόν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας ὄνοιτο.
εἴ περ γάρ κε βλεῖο πονεύμενος ἠὲ τυπείης
οὐκ ἂν ἐν αὐχέν' ὄπισθε πέσοι βέλος οὐδ' ἐνὶ νώτῳ,
290 ἀλλά κεν ἢ στέρνων ἢ νηδύος ἀντιάσειε
πρόσσω ἱεμένοιο μετὰ προμάχων ὀαριστύν.
ἀλλ' ἄγε μηκέτι ταῦτα λεγώμεθα νηπύτιοι ὣς
ἑσταότες, μή πού τις ὑπερφιάλως νεμεσήσῃ·
ἀλλὰ σύ γε κλισίην δὲ κιὼν ἕλευ ὄβριμον ἔγχος.
295 Ὣς φάτο, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ
καρπαλίμως κλισίηθεν ἀνείλετο χάλκεον ἔγχος,
βῆ δὲ μετ' Ἰδομενῆα μέγα πτολέμοιο μεμηλώς.
οἷος δὲ βροτολοιγὸς Ἄρης πόλεμον δὲ μέτεισι,
τῷ δὲ Φόβος φίλος υἱὸς ἅμα κρατερὸς καὶ ἀταρβὴς
300 ἕσπετο, ὅς τ' ἐφόβησε ταλάφρονά περ πολεμιστήν·
τὼ μὲν ἄρ' ἐκ Θρῄκης Ἐφύρους μέτα θωρήσσεσθον,
ἠὲ μετὰ Φλεγύας μεγαλήτορας· οὐδ' ἄρα τώ γε
ἔκλυον ἀμφοτέρων, ἑτέροισι δὲ κῦδος ἔδωκαν·
τοῖοι Μηριόνης τε καὶ Ἰδομενεὺς ἀγοὶ ἀνδρῶν
305 ἤϊσαν ἐς πόλεμον κεκορυθμένοι αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.
τὸν καὶ Μηριόνης πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·
Δευκαλίδη πῇ τὰρ μέμονας καταδῦναι ὅμιλον;
ἢ ἐπὶ δεξιόφιν παντὸς στρατοῦ, ἦ ἀνὰ μέσσους,
ἦ ἐπ' ἀριστερόφιν; ἐπεὶ οὔπωθι ἔλπομαι οὕτω
310 δεύεσθαι πολέμοιο κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς.
Τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·
νηυσὶ μὲν ἐν μέσσῃσιν ἀμύνειν εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλοι
Αἴαντές τε δύω Τεῦκρός θ', ὃς ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν
τοξοσύνῃ, ἀγαθὸς δὲ καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ ὑσμίνῃ·
315 οἵ μιν ἅδην ἐλόωσι καὶ ἐσσύμενον πολέμοιο
Ἕκτορα Πριαμίδην, καὶ εἰ μάλα καρτερός ἐστιν.
αἰπύ οἱ ἐσσεῖται μάλα περ μεμαῶτι μάχεσθαι
κείνων νικήσαντι μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους
νῆας ἐνιπρῆσαι, ὅτε μὴ αὐτός γε Κρονίων
320 ἐμβάλοι αἰθόμενον δαλὸν νήεσσι θοῇσιν.
ἀνδρὶ δέ κ' οὐκ εἴξειε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας,
ὃς θνητός τ' εἴη καὶ ἔδοι Δημήτερος ἀκτὴν
χαλκῷ τε ῥηκτὸς μεγάλοισί τε χερμαδίοισιν.
οὐδ' ἂν Ἀχιλλῆϊ ῥηξήνορι χωρήσειεν
325 ἔν γ' αὐτοσταδίῃ· ποσὶ δ' οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐρίζειν.
νῶϊν δ' ὧδ' ἐπ' ἀριστέρ' ἔχε στρατοῦ, ὄφρα τάχιστα
εἴδομεν ἠέ τῳ εὖχος ὀρέξομεν, ἦέ τις ἡμῖν.
Ὣς φάτο, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ
ἦρχ' ἴμεν, ὄφρ' ἀφίκοντο κατὰ στρατὸν ᾗ μιν ἀνώγει,
330 Οἳ δ' ὡς Ἰδομενῆα ἴδον φλογὶ εἴκελον ἀλκὴν
αὐτὸν καὶ θεράποντα σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισι,
κεκλόμενοι καθ' ὅμιλον ἐπ' αὐτῷ πάντες ἔβησαν·
τῶν δ' ὁμὸν ἵστατο νεῖκος ἐπὶ πρυμνῇσι νέεσσιν.
ὡς δ' ὅθ' ὑπὸ λιγέων ἀνέμων σπέρχωσιν ἄελλαι
335 ἤματι τῷ ὅτε τε πλείστη κόνις ἀμφὶ κελεύθους,
οἵ τ' ἄμυδις κονίης μεγάλην ἱστᾶσιν ὀμίχλην,
ὣς ἄρα τῶν ὁμόσ' ἦλθε μάχη, μέμασαν δ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ
ἀλλήλους καθ' ὅμιλον ἐναιρέμεν ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.
ἔφριξεν δὲ μάχη φθισίμβροτος ἐγχείῃσι
340 μακρῇς, ἃς εἶχον ταμεσίχροας· ὄσσε δ' ἄμερδεν
αὐγὴ χαλκείη κορύθων ἄπο λαμπομενάων
θωρήκων τε νεοσμήκτων σακέων τε φαεινῶν
ἐρχομένων ἄμυδις· μάλα κεν θρασυκάρδιος εἴη
ὃς τότε γηθήσειεν ἰδὼν πόνον οὐδ' ἀκάχοιτο.
345 Τὼ δ' ἀμφὶς φρονέοντε δύω Κρόνου υἷε κραταιὼ
ἀνδράσιν ἡρώεσσιν ἐτεύχετον ἄλγεα λυγρά.
Ζεὺς μέν ῥα Τρώεσσι καὶ Ἕκτορι βούλετο νίκην
κυδαίνων Ἀχιλῆα πόδας ταχύν· οὐδέ τι πάμπαν
ἤθελε λαὸν ὀλέσθαι Ἀχαιϊκὸν Ἰλιόθι πρό,
350 ἀλλὰ Θέτιν κύδαινε καὶ υἱέα καρτερόθυμον.
Ἀργείους δὲ Ποσειδάων ὀρόθυνε μετελθὼν
λάθρῃ ὑπεξαναδὺς πολιῆς ἁλός· ἤχθετο γάρ ῥα
Τρωσὶν δαμναμένους, Διὶ δὲ κρατερῶς ἐνεμέσσα.
ἦ μὰν ἀμφοτέροισιν ὁμὸν γένος ἠδ' ἴα πάτρη,
355 ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς πρότερος γεγόνει καὶ πλείονα ᾔδη.
τώ ῥα καὶ ἀμφαδίην μὲν ἀλεξέμεναι ἀλέεινε,
λάθρῃ δ' αἰὲν ἔγειρε κατὰ στρατὸν ἀνδρὶ ἐοικώς.
τοὶ δ' ἔριδος κρατερῆς καὶ ὁμοιΐου πτολέμοιο
πεῖραρ ἐπαλλάξαντες ἐπ' ἀμφοτέροισι τάνυσσαν
360 ἄρρηκτόν τ' ἄλυτόν τε, τὸ πολλῶν γούνατ' ἔλυσεν.
Ἔνθα μεσαιπόλιός περ ἐὼν Δαναοῖσι κελεύσας
Ἰδομενεὺς Τρώεσσι μετάλμενος ἐν φόβον ὦρσε.
πέφνε γὰρ Ὀθρυονῆα Καβησόθεν ἔνδον ἐόντα,
ὅς ῥα νέον πολέμοιο μετὰ κλέος εἰληλούθει,
365 ᾔτεε δὲ Πριάμοιο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην
Κασσάνδρην ἀνάεδνον, ὑπέσχετο δὲ μέγα ἔργον,
ἐκ Τροίης ἀέκοντας ἀπωσέμεν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν.
τῷ δ' ὁ γέρων Πρίαμος ὑπό τ' ἔσχετο καὶ κατένευσε
δωσέμεναι· ὃ δὲ μάρναθ' ὑποσχεσίῃσι πιθήσας.
370 Ἰδομενεὺς δ' αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο δουρὶ φαεινῷ,
καὶ βάλεν ὕψι βιβάντα τυχών· οὐδ' ἤρκεσε θώρηξ
χάλκεος, ὃν φορέεσκε, μέσῃ δ' ἐν γαστέρι πῆξε.
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών· ὃ δ' ἐπεύξατο φώνησέν τε·
Ὀθρυονεῦ περὶ δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομ' ἁπάντων
375 εἰ ἐτεὸν δὴ πάντα τελευτήσεις ὅσ' ὑπέστης
Δαρδανίδῃ Πριάμῳ· ὃ δ' ὑπέσχετο θυγατέρα ἥν.
καί κέ τοι ἡμεῖς ταῦτά γ' ὑποσχόμενοι τελέσαιμεν,
δοῖμεν δ' Ἀτρεΐδαο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην
Ἄργεος ἐξαγαγόντες ὀπυιέμεν, εἴ κε σὺν ἄμμιν
380 Ἰλίου ἐκπέρσῃς εὖ ναιόμενον πτολίεθρον.
ἀλλ' ἕπε', ὄφρ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶ συνώμεθα ποντοπόροισιν
ἀμφὶ γάμῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἐεδνωταὶ κακοί εἰμεν.
Ὣς εἰπὼν ποδὸς ἕλκε κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην
ἥρως Ἰδομενεύς· τῷ δ' Ἄσιος ἦλθ' ἐπαμύντωρ
385 πεζὸς πρόσθ' ἵππων· τὼ δὲ πνείοντε κατ' ὤμων
αἰὲν ἔχ' ἡνίοχος θεράπων· ὃ δὲ ἵετο θυμῷ
Ἰδομενῆα βαλεῖν· ὃ δέ μιν φθάμενος βάλε δουρὶ
λαιμὸν ὑπ' ἀνθερεῶνα, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσεν.
ἤριπε δ' ὡς ὅτε τις δρῦς ἤριπεν ἢ ἀχερωῒς
390 ἠὲ πίτυς βλωθρή, τήν τ' οὔρεσι τέκτονες ἄνδρες
ἐξέταμον πελέκεσσι νεήκεσι νήϊον εἶναι·
ὣς ὃ πρόσθ' ἵππων καὶ δίφρου κεῖτο τανυσθεὶς
βεβρυχὼς κόνιος δεδραγμένος αἱματοέσσης.
ἐκ δέ οἱ ἡνίοχος πλήγη φρένας ἃς πάρος εἶχεν,
395 οὐδ' ὅ γ' ἐτόλμησεν δηΐων ὑπὸ χεῖρας ἀλύξας
ἂψ ἵππους στρέψαι, τὸν δ' Ἀντίλοχος μενεχάρμης
δουρὶ μέσον περόνησε τυχών· οὐδ' ἤρκεσε θώρηξ
χάλκεος ὃν φορέεσκε, μέσῃ δ' ἐν γαστέρι πῆξεν.
αὐτὰρ ὃ ἀσθμαίνων εὐεργέος ἔκπεσε δίφρου,
400 ἵππους δ' Ἀντίλοχος μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱὸς
ἐξέλασε Τρώων μετ' ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.
Δηΐφοβος δὲ μάλα σχεδὸν ἤλυθεν Ἰδομενῆος
Ἀσίου ἀχνύμενος, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.
ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος
405 Ἰδομενεύς· κρύφθη γὰρ ὑπ' ἀσπίδι πάντοσ' ἐΐσῃ,
τὴν ἄρ' ὅ γε ῥινοῖσι βοῶν καὶ νώροπι χαλκῷ
δινωτὴν φορέεσκε, δύω κανόνεσσ' ἀραρυῖαν·
τῇ ὕπο πᾶς ἐάλη, τὸ δ' ὑπέρπτατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,
καρφαλέον δέ οἱ ἀσπὶς ἐπιθρέξαντος ἄϋσεν
410 ἔγχεος· οὐδ' ἅλιόν ῥα βαρείης χειρὸς ἀφῆκεν,
ἀλλ' ἔβαλ' Ἱππασίδην Ὑψήνορα ποιμένα λαῶν
ἧπαρ ὑπὸ πραπίδων, εἶθαρ δ' ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἔλυσε.
Δηΐφοβος δ' ἔκπαγλον ἐπεύξατο μακρὸν ἀΰσας·
οὐ μὰν αὖτ' ἄτιτος κεῖτ' Ἄσιος, ἀλλά ἕ φημι
415 εἰς Ἄϊδός περ ἰόντα πυλάρταο κρατεροῖο
γηθήσειν κατὰ θυμόν, ἐπεί ῥά οἱ ὤπασα πομπόν.
Ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀργείοισι δ' ἄχος γένετ' εὐξαμένοιο,
Ἀντιλόχῳ δὲ μάλιστα δαΐφρονι θυμὸν ὄρινεν·
ἀλλ' οὐδ' ἀχνύμενός περ ἑοῦ ἀμέλησεν ἑταίρου,
420 ἀλλὰ θέων περίβη καί οἱ σάκος ἀμφεκάλυψε.
τὸν μὲν ἔπειθ' ὑποδύντε δύω ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι
Μηκιστεὺς Ἐχίοιο πάϊς καὶ δῖος Ἀλάστωρ,
νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς φερέτην βαρέα στενάχοντα.
Ἰδομενεὺς δ' οὐ λῆγε μένος μέγα, ἵετο δ' αἰεὶ
425 ἠέ τινα Τρώων ἐρεβεννῇ νυκτὶ καλύψαι
ἢ αὐτὸς δουπῆσαι ἀμύνων λοιγὸν Ἀχαιοῖς.
ἔνθ' Αἰσυήταο διοτρεφέος φίλον υἱὸν
ἥρω' Ἀλκάθοον, γαμβρὸς δ' ἦν Ἀγχίσαο,
πρεσβυτάτην δ' ὤπυιε θυγατρῶν Ἱπποδάμειαν
430 τὴν περὶ κῆρι φίλησε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ
ἐν μεγάρῳ· πᾶσαν γὰρ ὁμηλικίην ἐκέκαστο
κάλλεϊ καὶ ἔργοισιν ἰδὲ φρεσί· τοὔνεκα καί μιν
γῆμεν ἀνὴρ ὤριστος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ·
τὸν τόθ' ὑπ' Ἰδομενῆϊ Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσε
435 θέλξας ὄσσε φαεινά, πέδησε δὲ φαίδιμα γυῖα·
οὔτε γὰρ ἐξοπίσω φυγέειν δύνατ' οὔτ' ἀλέασθαι,
ἀλλ' ὥς τε στήλην ἢ δένδρεον ὑψιπέτηλον
ἀτρέμας ἑσταότα στῆθος μέσον οὔτασε δουρὶ
ἥρως Ἰδομενεύς, ῥῆξεν δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ χιτῶνα
440 χάλκεον, ὅς οἱ πρόσθεν ἀπὸ χροὸς ἤρκει ὄλεθρον·
δὴ τότε γ' αὖον ἄϋσεν ἐρεικόμενος περὶ δουρί.
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, δόρυ δ' ἐν κραδίῃ ἐπεπήγει,
ἥ ῥά οἱ ἀσπαίρουσα καὶ οὐρίαχον πελέμιζεν
ἔγχεος· ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτ' ἀφίει μένος ὄβριμος Ἄρης·
445 Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἔκπαγλον ἐπεύξατο μακρὸν ἀΰσας
Δηΐφοβ' ἦ ἄρα δή τι ἐΐσκομεν ἄξιον εἶναι
τρεῖς ἑνὸς ἀντὶ πεφάσθαι; ἐπεὶ σύ περ εὔχεαι οὕτω.
δαιμόνι' ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐναντίον ἵστασ' ἐμεῖο,
ὄφρα ἴδῃ οἷος Ζηνὸς γόνος ἐνθάδ' ἱκάνω,
450 ὃς πρῶτον Μίνωα τέκε Κρήτῃ ἐπίουρον·
Μίνως δ' αὖ τέκεθ' υἱὸν ἀμύμονα Δευκαλίωνα,
Δευκαλίων δ' ἐμὲ τίκτε πολέσσ' ἄνδρεσσιν ἄνακτα
Κρήτῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ· νῦν δ' ἐνθάδε νῆες ἔνεικαν
σοί τε κακὸν καὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἄλλοισι Τρώεσσιν.
455 Ὣς φάτο, Δηΐφοβος δὲ διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν
ἤ τινά που Τρώων ἑταρίσσαιτο μεγαθύμων
ἂψ ἀναχωρήσας, ἦ πειρήσαιτο καὶ οἶος.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι
βῆναι ἐπ' Αἰνείαν· τὸν δ' ὕστατον εὗρεν ὁμίλου
460 ἑσταότ'· αἰεὶ γὰρ Πριάμῳ ἐπεμήνιε δίῳ
οὕνεκ' ἄρ' ἐσθλὸν ἐόντα μετ' ἀνδράσιν οὔ τι τίεσκεν.
ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
Αἰνεία Τρώων βουληφόρε νῦν σε μάλα χρὴ
γαμβρῷ ἀμυνέμεναι, εἴ πέρ τί σε κῆδος ἱκάνει.
465 ἀλλ' ἕπευ Ἀλκαθόῳ ἐπαμύνομεν, ὅς σε πάρος γε
γαμβρὸς ἐὼν ἔθρεψε δόμοις ἔνι τυτθὸν ἐόντα·
τὸν δέ τοι Ἰδομενεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἐξενάριξεν.
Ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε,
βῆ δὲ μετ' Ἰδομενῆα μέγα πτολέμοιο μεμηλώς.
470 ἀλλ' οὐκ Ἰδομενῆα φόβος λάβε τηλύγετον ὥς,
ἀλλ' ἔμεν' ὡς ὅτε τις σῦς οὔρεσιν ἀλκὶ πεποιθώς,
ὅς τε μένει κολοσυρτὸν ἐπερχόμενον πολὺν ἀνδρῶν
χώρῳ ἐν οἰοπόλῳ, φρίσσει δέ τε νῶτον ὕπερθεν·
ὀφθαλμὼ δ' ἄρα οἱ πυρὶ λάμπετον· αὐτὰρ ὀδόντας
475 θήγει, ἀλέξασθαι μεμαὼς κύνας ἠδὲ καὶ ἄνδρας·
ὣς μένεν Ἰδομενεὺς δουρικλυτός, οὐδ' ὑπεχώρει,
Αἰνείαν ἐπιόντα βοηθόον· αὖε δ' ἑταίρους
Ἀσκάλαφόν τ' ἐσορῶν Ἀφαρῆά τε Δηΐπυρόν τε
Μηριόνην τε καὶ Ἀντίλοχον μήστωρας ἀϋτῆς·
480 τοὺς ὅ γ' ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
δεῦτε φίλοι, καί μ' οἴῳ ἀμύνετε· δείδια δ' αἰνῶς
Αἰνείαν ἐπιόντα πόδας ταχύν, ὅς μοι ἔπεισιν,
ὃς μάλα καρτερός ἐστι μάχῃ ἔνι φῶτας ἐναίρειν·
καὶ δ' ἔχει ἥβης ἄνθος, ὅ τε κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον.
485 εἰ γὰρ ὁμηλικίη γε γενοίμεθα τῷδ' ἐπὶ θυμῷ
αἶψά κεν ἠὲ φέροιτο μέγα κράτος, ἠὲ φεροίμην.
Ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἕνα φρεσὶ θυμὸν ἔχοντες
πλησίοι ἔστησαν, σάκε' ὤμοισι κλίναντες.
Αἰνείας δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐκέκλετο οἷς ἑτάροισι
490 Δηΐφοβόν τε Πάριν τ' ἐσορῶν καὶ Ἀγήνορα δῖον,
οἵ οἱ ἅμ' ἡγεμόνες Τρώων ἔσαν· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
λαοὶ ἕπονθ', ὡς εἴ τε μετὰ κτίλον ἕσπετο μῆλα
πιόμεν' ἐκ βοτάνης· γάνυται δ' ἄρα τε φρένα ποιμήν·
ὣς Αἰνείᾳ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γεγήθει
495 ὡς ἴδε λαῶν ἔθνος ἐπισπόμενον ἑοῖ αὐτῷ.
Οἳ δ' ἀμφ' Ἀλκαθόῳ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν
μακροῖσι ξυστοῖσι· περὶ στήθεσσι δὲ χαλκὸς
σμερδαλέον κονάβιζε τιτυσκομένων καθ' ὅμιλον
ἀλλήλων· δύο δ' ἄνδρες ἀρήϊοι ἔξοχον ἄλλων
500 Αἰνείας τε καὶ Ἰδομενεὺς ἀτάλαντοι Ἄρηϊ
ἵεντ' ἀλλήλων ταμέειν χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.
Αἰνείας δὲ πρῶτος ἀκόντισεν Ἰδομενῆος·
ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,
αἰχμὴ δ' Αἰνείαο κραδαινομένη κατὰ γαίης
505 ᾤχετ', ἐπεί ῥ' ἅλιον στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ὄρουσεν.
Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἄρα Οἰνόμαον βάλε γαστέρα μέσσην,
ῥῆξε δὲ θώρηκος γύαλον, διὰ δ' ἔντερα χαλκὸς
ἤφυσ'· ὃ δ' ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.
Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἐκ μὲν νέκυος δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος
510 ἐσπάσατ', οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔτ' ἄλλα δυνήσατο τεύχεα καλὰ
ὤμοιιν ἀφελέσθαι· ἐπείγετο γὰρ βελέεσσιν.
οὐ γὰρ ἔτ' ἔμπεδα γυῖα ποδῶν ἦν ὁρμηθέντι,
οὔτ' ἄρ' ἐπαΐξαι μεθ' ἑὸν βέλος οὔτ' ἀλέασθαι.
τώ ῥα καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ μὲν ἀμύνετο νηλεὲς ἦμαρ,
515 τρέσσαι δ' οὐκ ἔτι ῥίμφα πόδες φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιο.
τοῦ δὲ βάδην ἀπιόντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ
Δηΐφοβος· δὴ γάρ οἱ ἔχεν κότον ἐμμενὲς αἰεί.
ἀλλ' ὅ γε καὶ τόθ' ἅμαρτεν, ὃ δ' Ἀσκάλαφον βάλε δουρὶ
υἱὸν Ἐνυαλίοιο· δι' ὤμου δ' ὄβριμον ἔγχος
520 ἔσχεν· ὃ δ' ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.
οὐδ' ἄρα πώ τι πέπυστο βριήπυος ὄβριμος Ἄρης
υἷος ἑοῖο πεσόντος ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ,
ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἄρ' ἄκρῳ Ὀλύμπῳ ὑπὸ χρυσέοισι νέφεσσιν
ἧστο Διὸς βουλῇσιν ἐελμένος, ἔνθά περ ἄλλοι
525 ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἦσαν ἐεργόμενοι πολέμοιο.
Οἳ δ' ἀμφ' Ἀσκαλάφῳ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν·
Δηΐφοβος μὲν ἀπ' Ἀσκαλάφου πήληκα φαεινὴν
ἥρπασε, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ
δουρὶ βραχίονα τύψεν ἐπάλμενος, ἐκ δ' ἄρα χειρὸς
530 αὐλῶπις τρυφάλεια χαμαὶ βόμβησε πεσοῦσα.
Μηριόνης δ' ἐξ αὖτις ἐπάλμενος αἰγυπιὸς ὣς
ἐξέρυσε πρυμνοῖο βραχίονος ὄβριμον ἔγχος,
ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο. τὸν δὲ Πολίτης
αὐτοκασίγνητος περὶ μέσσῳ χεῖρε τιτήνας
535 ἐξῆγεν πολέμοιο δυσηχέος, ὄφρ' ἵκεθ' ἵππους
ὠκέας, οἵ οἱ ὄπισθε μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο
ἕστασαν ἡνίοχόν τε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλ' ἔχοντες·
οἳ τόν γε προτὶ ἄστυ φέρον βαρέα στενάχοντα
τειρόμενον· κατὰ δ' αἷμα νεουτάτου ἔρρεε χειρός.
540 Οἳ δ' ἄλλοι μάρναντο, βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.
ἔνθ' Αἰνέας Ἀφαρῆα Καλητορίδην ἐπορούσας
λαιμὸν τύψ' ἐπὶ οἷ τετραμμένον ὀξέϊ δουρί·
ἐκλίνθη δ' ἑτέρωσε κάρη, ἐπὶ δ' ἀσπὶς ἑάφθη
καὶ κόρυς, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ θάνατος χύτο θυμοραϊστής.
545 Ἀντίλοχος δὲ Θόωνα μεταστρεφθέντα δοκεύσας
οὔτασ' ἐπαΐξας, ἀπὸ δὲ φλέβα πᾶσαν ἔκερσεν,
ἥ τ' ἀνὰ νῶτα θέουσα διαμπερὲς αὐχέν' ἱκάνει·
τὴν ἀπὸ πᾶσαν ἔκερσεν· ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι
κάππεσεν, ἄμφω χεῖρε φίλοις ἑτάροισι πετάσσας.
550 Ἀντίλοχος δ' ἐπόρουσε, καὶ αἴνυτο τεύχε' ἀπ' ὤμων
παπταίνων· Τρῶες δὲ περισταδὸν ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος
οὔταζον σάκος εὐρὺ παναίολον, οὐδὲ δύναντο
εἴσω ἐπιγράψαι τέρενα χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ
Ἀντιλόχου· πέρι γάρ ῥα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων
555 Νέστορος υἱὸν ἔρυτο καὶ ἐν πολλοῖσι βέλεσσιν.
οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτ' ἄνευ δηΐων ἦν, ἀλλὰ κατ' αὐτοὺς
στρωφᾶτ'· οὐδέ οἱ ἔγχος ἔχ' ἀτρέμας, ἀλλὰ μάλ' αἰεὶ
σειόμενον ἐλέλικτο· τιτύσκετο δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν
ἤ τευ ἀκοντίσσαι, ἠὲ σχεδὸν ὁρμηθῆναι.
560 Ἀλλ' οὐ λῆθ' Ἀδάμαντα τιτυσκόμενος καθ' ὅμιλον
Ἀσιάδην, ὅ οἱ οὖτα μέσον σάκος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ
ἐγγύθεν ὁρμηθείς· ἀμενήνωσεν δέ οἱ αἰχμὴν
κυανοχαῖτα Ποσειδάων βιότοιο μεγήρας.
καὶ τὸ μὲν αὐτοῦ μεῖν' ὥς τε σκῶλος πυρίκαυστος
565 ἐν σάκει Ἀντιλόχοιο, τὸ δ' ἥμισυ κεῖτ' ἐπὶ γαίης·
ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων·
Μηριόνης δ' ἀπιόντα μετασπόμενος βάλε δουρὶ
αἰδοίων τε μεσηγὺ καὶ ὀμφαλοῦ, ἔνθα μάλιστα
γίγνετ' Ἄρης ἀλεγεινὸς ὀϊζυροῖσι βροτοῖσιν.
570 ἔνθά οἱ ἔγχος ἔπηξεν· ὃ δ' ἑσπόμενος περὶ δουρὶ
ἤσπαιρ' ὡς ὅτε βοῦς τόν τ' οὔρεσι βουκόλοι ἄνδρες
ἰλλάσιν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα βίῃ δήσαντες ἄγουσιν·
ὣς ὃ τυπεὶς ἤσπαιρε μίνυνθά περ, οὔ τι μάλα δήν,
ὄφρά οἱ ἐκ χροὸς ἔγχος ἀνεσπάσατ' ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν
575 ἥρως Μηριόνης· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε.
Δηΐπυρον δ' Ἕλενος ξίφεϊ σχεδὸν ἤλασε κόρσην
Θρηϊκίῳ μεγάλῳ, ἀπὸ δὲ τρυφάλειαν ἄραξεν.
ἣ μὲν ἀποπλαγχθεῖσα χαμαὶ πέσε, καί τις Ἀχαιῶν
μαρναμένων μετὰ ποσσὶ κυλινδομένην ἐκόμισσε·
580 τὸν δὲ κατ' ὀφθαλμῶν ἐρεβεννὴ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν.
Ἀτρεΐδην δ' ἄχος εἷλε βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον·
βῆ δ' ἐπαπειλήσας Ἑλένῳ ἥρωϊ ἄνακτι
ὀξὺ δόρυ κραδάων· ὃ δὲ τόξου πῆχυν ἄνελκε.
τὼ δ' ἄρ' ὁμαρτήδην ὃ μὲν ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι
585 ἵετ' ἀκοντίσσαι, ὃ δ' ἀπὸ νευρῆφιν ὀϊστῷ.
Πριαμίδης μὲν ἔπειτα κατὰ στῆθος βάλεν ἰῷ
θώρηκος γύαλον, ἀπὸ δ' ἔπτατο πικρὸς ὀϊστός.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀπὸ πλατέος πτυόφιν μεγάλην κατ' ἀλωὴν
θρῴσκωσιν κύαμοι μελανόχροες ἢ ἐρέβινθοι
590 πνοιῇ ὕπο λιγυρῇ καὶ λικμητῆρος ἐρωῇ,
ὣς ἀπὸ θώρηκος Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο
πολλὸν ἀποπλαγχθεὶς ἑκὰς ἔπτατο πικρὸς ὀϊστός.
Ἀτρεΐδης δ' ἄρα χεῖρα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος
τὴν βάλεν ᾗ ῥ' ἔχε τόξον ἐΰξοον· ἐν δ' ἄρα τόξῳ
595 ἀντικρὺ διὰ χειρὸς ἐλήλατο χάλκεον ἔγχος.
ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων
χεῖρα παρακρεμάσας· τὸ δ' ἐφέλκετο μείλινον ἔγχος.
καὶ τὸ μὲν ἐκ χειρὸς ἔρυσεν μεγάθυμος Ἀγήνωρ,
αὐτὴν δὲ ξυνέδησεν ἐϋστρεφεῖ οἰὸς ἀώτῳ
600 σφενδόνῃ, ἣν ἄρα οἱ θεράπων ἔχε ποιμένι λαῶν.
Πείσανδρος δ' ἰθὺς Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο
ἤϊε· τὸν δ' ἄγε μοῖρα κακὴ θανάτοιο τέλος δὲ
σοὶ Μενέλαε δαμῆναι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι.
οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες
605 Ἀτρεΐδης μὲν ἅμαρτε, παραὶ δέ οἱ ἐτράπετ' ἔγχος,
Πείσανδρος δὲ σάκος Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο
οὔτασεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ δυνήσατο χαλκὸν ἐλάσσαι·
ἔσχεθε γὰρ σάκος εὐρύ, κατεκλάσθη δ' ἐνὶ καυλῷ
ἔγχος· ὃ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσι χάρη καὶ ἐέλπετο νίκην.
610 Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον
ἆλτ' ἐπὶ Πεισάνδρῳ· ὃ δ' ὑπ' ἀσπίδος εἵλετο καλὴν
ἀξίνην εὔχαλκον ἐλαΐνῳ ἀμφὶ πελέκκῳ
μακρῷ ἐϋξέστῳ· ἅμα δ' ἀλλήλων ἐφίκοντο.
ἤτοι ὃ μὲν κόρυθος φάλον ἤλασεν ἱπποδασείης
615 ἄκρον ὑπὸ λόφον αὐτόν, ὃ δὲ προσιόντα μέτωπον
ῥινὸς ὕπερ πυμάτης· λάκε δ' ὀστέα, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε
πὰρ ποσὶν αἱματόεντα χαμαὶ πέσον ἐν κονίῃσιν,
ἰδνώθη δὲ πεσών· ὃ δὲ λὰξ ἐν στήθεσι βαίνων
τεύχεά τ' ἐξενάριξε καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα·
620 λείψετέ θην οὕτω γε νέας Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων
Τρῶες ὑπερφίαλοι δεινῆς ἀκόρητοι ἀϋτῆς,
ἄλλης μὲν λώβης τε καὶ αἴσχεος οὐκ ἐπιδευεῖς
ἣν ἐμὲ λωβήσασθε κακαὶ κύνες, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ
Ζηνὸς ἐριβρεμέτεω χαλεπὴν ἐδείσατε μῆνιν
625 ξεινίου, ὅς τέ ποτ' ὔμμι διαφθέρσει πόλιν αἰπήν·
οἵ μευ κουριδίην ἄλοχον καὶ κτήματα πολλὰ
μὰψ οἴχεσθ' ἀνάγοντες, ἐπεὶ φιλέεσθε παρ' αὐτῇ·
νῦν αὖτ' ἐν νηυσὶν μενεαίνετε ποντοπόροισι
πῦρ ὀλοὸν βαλέειν, κτεῖναι δ' ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς.
630 ἀλλά ποθι σχήσεσθε καὶ ἐσσύμενοί περ Ἄρηος.
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἦ τέ σέ φασι περὶ φρένας ἔμμεναι ἄλλων
ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ θεῶν· σέο δ' ἐκ τάδε πάντα πέλονται·
οἷον δὴ ἄνδρεσσι χαρίζεαι ὑβριστῇσι
Τρωσίν, τῶν μένος αἰὲν ἀτάσθαλον, οὐδὲ δύνανται
635 φυλόπιδος κορέσασθαι ὁμοιΐου πτολέμοιο.
πάντων μὲν κόρος ἐστὶ καὶ ὕπνου καὶ φιλότητος
μολπῆς τε γλυκερῆς καὶ ἀμύμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο,
τῶν πέρ τις καὶ μᾶλλον ἐέλδεται ἐξ ἔρον εἷναι
ἢ πολέμου· Τρῶες δὲ μάχης ἀκόρητοι ἔασιν.
640 Ὣς εἰπὼν τὰ μὲν ἔντε' ἀπὸ χροὸς αἱματόεντα
συλήσας ἑτάροισι δίδου Μενέλαος ἀμύμων,
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' ἐξ αὖτις ἰὼν προμάχοισιν ἐμίχθη.
Ἔνθά οἱ υἱὸς ἐπᾶλτο Πυλαιμένεος βασιλῆος
Ἁρπαλίων, ὅ ῥα πατρὶ φίλῳ ἕπετο πτολεμίξων
645 ἐς τροίην, οὐδ' αὖτις ἀφίκετο πατρίδα γαῖαν·
ὅς ῥα τότ' Ἀτρεΐδαο μέσον σάκος οὔτασε δουρὶ
ἐγγύθεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ δυνήσατο χαλκὸν ἐλάσσαι
ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων
πάντοσε παπταίνων μή τις χρόα χαλκῷ ἐπαύρῃ.
650 Μηριόνης δ' ἀπιόντος ἵει χαλκήρε' ὀϊστόν,
καί ῥ' ἔβαλε γλουτὸν κάτα δεξιόν· αὐτὰρ ὀϊστὸς
ἀντικρὺ κατὰ κύστιν ὑπ' ὀστέον ἐξεπέρησεν.
ἑζόμενος δὲ κατ' αὖθι φίλων ἐν χερσὶν ἑταίρων
θυμὸν ἀποπνείων, ὥς τε σκώληξ ἐπὶ γαίῃ
655 κεῖτο ταθείς· ἐκ δ' αἷμα μέλαν ῥέε, δεῦε δὲ γαῖαν.
τὸν μὲν Παφλαγόνες μεγαλήτορες ἀμφεπένοντο,
ἐς δίφρον δ' ἀνέσαντες ἄγον προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρὴν
ἀχνύμενοι· μετὰ δέ σφι πατὴρ κίε δάκρυα λείβων,
ποινὴ δ' οὔ τις παιδὸς ἐγίγνετο τεθνηῶτος.
660 Τοῦ δὲ Πάρις μάλα θυμὸν ἀποκταμένοιο χολώθη·
ξεῖνος γάρ οἱ ἔην πολέσιν μετὰ Παφλαγόνεσσι·
τοῦ ὅ γε χωόμενος προΐει χαλκήρε' ὀϊστόν.
ἦν δέ τις Εὐχήνωρ Πολυΐδου μάντιος υἱὸς
ἀφνειός τ' ἀγαθός τε Κορινθόθι οἰκία ναίων,
665 ὅς ῥ' εὖ εἰδὼς κῆρ' ὀλοὴν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβαινε·
πολλάκι γάρ οἱ ἔειπε γέρων ἀγαθὸς Πολύϊδος
νούσῳ ὑπ' ἀργαλέῃ φθίσθαι οἷς ἐν μεγάροισιν,
ἢ μετ' Ἀχαιῶν νηυσὶν ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι·
τώ ῥ' ἅμα τ' ἀργαλέην θωὴν ἀλέεινεν Ἀχαιῶν
670 νοῦσόν τε στυγερήν, ἵνα μὴ πάθοι ἄλγεα θυμῷ.
τὸν βάλ' ὑπὸ γναθμοῖο. καὶ οὔατος· ὦκα δὲ θυμὸς
ᾤχετ' ἀπὸ μελέων, στυγερὸς δ' ἄρα μιν σκότος εἷλεν.
Ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο δέμας πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο·
Ἕκτωρ δ' οὐκ ἐπέπυστο Διῒ φίλος, οὐδέ τι ᾔδη
675 ὅττί ῥά οἱ νηῶν ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ δηϊόωντο
λαοὶ ὑπ' Ἀργείων. τάχα δ' ἂν καὶ κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν
ἔπλετο· τοῖος γὰρ γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος
ὄτρυν' Ἀργείους, πρὸς δὲ σθένει αὐτὸς ἄμυνεν·
ἀλλ' ἔχεν ᾗ τὰ πρῶτα πύλας καὶ τεῖχος ἐσᾶλτο
680 ῥηξάμενος Δαναῶν πυκινὰς στίχας ἀσπιστάων,
ἔνθ' ἔσαν Αἴαντός τε νέες καὶ Πρωτεσιλάου
θῖν' ἔφ' ἁλὸς πολιῆς εἰρυμέναι· αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε
τεῖχος ἐδέδμητο χθαμαλώτατον, ἔνθα μάλιστα
ζαχρηεῖς γίγνοντο μάχῃ αὐτοί τε καὶ ἵπποι.
685 Ἔνθα δὲ Βοιωτοὶ καὶ Ἰάονες ἑλκεχίτωνες
Λοκροὶ καὶ Φθῖοι καὶ φαιδιμόεντες Ἐπειοὶ
σπουδῇ ἐπαΐσσοντα νεῶν ἔχον, οὐδὲ δύναντο
ὦσαι ἀπὸ σφείων φλογὶ εἴκελον Ἕκτορα δῖον
οἳ μὲν Ἀθηναίων προλελεγμένοι· ἐν δ' ἄρα τοῖσιν
690 ἦρχ' υἱὸς Πετεῶο Μενεσθεύς, οἳ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο
Φείδας τε Στιχίος τε Βίας τ' ἐΰς· αὐτὰρ Ἐπειῶν
Φυλεΐδης τε Μέγης Ἀμφίων τε Δρακίος τε,
πρὸ Φθίων δὲ Μέδων τε μενεπτόλεμός τε Ποδάρκης.
ἤτοι ὃ μὲν νόθος υἱὸς Ὀϊλῆος θείοιο
695 ἔσκε Μέδων Αἴαντος ἀδελφεός· αὐτὰρ ἔναιεν
ἐν Φυλάκῃ γαίης ἄπο πατρίδος ἄνδρα κατακτὰς
γνωτὸν μητρυιῆς Ἐριώπιδος, ἣν ἔχ' Ὀϊλεύς·
αὐτὰρ ὃ Ἰφίκλοιο πάϊς τοῦ Φυλακίδαο.
οἳ μὲν πρὸ Φθίων μεγαθύμων θωρηχθέντες
700 ναῦφιν ἀμυνόμενοι μετὰ Βοιωτῶν ἐμάχοντο·
Αἴας δ' οὐκέτι πάμπαν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς υἱὸς
ἵστατ' ἀπ' Αἴαντος Τελαμωνίου οὐδ' ἠβαιόν,
ἀλλ' ὥς τ' ἐν νειῷ βόε οἴνοπε πηκτὸν ἄροτρον
ἶσον θυμὸν ἔχοντε τιταίνετον· ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρά σφι
705 πρυμνοῖσιν κεράεσσι πολὺς ἀνακηκίει ἱδρώς·
τὼ μέν τε ζυγὸν οἶον ἐΰξοον ἀμφὶς ἐέργει
ἱεμένω κατὰ ὦλκα· τέμει δέ τε τέλσον ἀρούρης·
ὣς τὼ παρβεβαῶτε μάλ' ἕστασαν ἀλλήλοιιν.
ἀλλ' ἤτοι Τελαμωνιάδῃ πολλοί τε καὶ ἐσθλοὶ
710 λαοὶ ἕπονθ' ἕταροι, οἵ οἱ σάκος ἐξεδέχοντο
ὁππότε μιν κάματός τε καὶ ἱδρὼς γούναθ' ἵκοιτο.
οὐδ' ἄρ' Ὀϊλιάδῃ μεγαλήτορι Λοκροὶ ἕποντο·
οὐ γάρ σφι σταδίῃ ὑσμίνῃ μίμνε φίλον κῆρ·
οὐ γὰρ ἔχον κόρυθας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας,
715 οὐδ' ἔχον ἀσπίδας εὐκύκλους καὶ μείλινα δοῦρα,
ἀλλ' ἄρα τόξοισιν καὶ ἐϋστρεφεῖ οἶος ἀώτῳ
Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμ' ἕποντο πεποιθότες, οἷσιν ἔπειτα
ταρφέα βάλλοντες Τρώων ῥήγνυντο φάλαγγας·
δή ῥα τόθ' οἳ μὲν πρόσθε σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισι
720 μάρναντο Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇ,
οἳ δ' ὄπιθεν βάλλοντες ἐλάνθανον· οὐδέ τι χάρμης
Τρῶες μιμνήσκοντο· συνεκλόνεον γὰρ ὀϊστοί.
Ἔνθά κε λευγαλέως νηῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων
Τρῶες ἐχώρησαν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν,
725 εἰ μὴ Πουλυδάμας θρασὺν Ἕκτορα εἶπε παραστάς·
Ἕκτορ ἀμήχανός ἐσσι παραρρητοῖσι πιθέσθαι.
οὕνεκά τοι περὶ δῶκε θεὸς πολεμήϊα ἔργα
τοὔνεκα καὶ βουλῇ ἐθέλεις περιίδμεναι ἄλλων·
ἀλλ' οὔ πως ἅμα πάντα δυνήσεαι αὐτὸς ἑλέσθαι.
730 ἄλλῳ μὲν γὰρ ἔδωκε θεὸς πολεμήϊα ἔργα,
ἄλλῳ δ' ὀρχηστύν, ἑτέρῳ κίθαριν καὶ ἀοιδήν,
ἄλλῳ δ' ἐν στήθεσσι τιθεῖ νόον εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς
ἐσθλόν, τοῦ δέ τε πολλοὶ ἐπαυρίσκοντ' ἄνθρωποι,
καί τε πολέας ἐσάωσε, μάλιστα δὲ καὐτὸς ἀνέγνω.
735 αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα·
πάντῃ γάρ σε περὶ στέφανος πολέμοιο δέδηε·
Τρῶες δὲ μεγάθυμοι ἐπεὶ κατὰ τεῖχος ἔβησαν
οἳ μὲν ἀφεστᾶσιν σὺν τεύχεσιν, οἳ δὲ μάχονται
παυρότεροι πλεόνεσσι κεδασθέντες κατὰ νῆας.
740 ἀλλ' ἀναχασσάμενος κάλει ἐνθάδε πάντας ἀρίστους·
ἔνθεν δ' ἂν μάλα πᾶσαν ἐπιφρασσαίμεθα βουλὴν
ἤ κεν ἐνὶ νήεσσι πολυκλήϊσι πέσωμεν
αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσι θεὸς δόμεναι κράτος, ἦ κεν ἔπειτα
πὰρ νηῶν ἔλθωμεν ἀπήμονες. ἦ γὰρ ἔγωγε
745 δείδω μὴ τὸ χθιζὸν ἀποστήσωνται Ἀχαιοὶ
χρεῖος, ἐπεὶ παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀνὴρ ἆτος πολέμοιο
μίμνει, ὃν οὐκέτι πάγχυ μάχης σχήσεσθαι ὀΐω.
Ὣς φάτο Πουλυδάμας, ἅδε δ' Ἕκτορι μῦθος ἀπήμων,
αὐτίκα δ' ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε
750 καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
Πουλυδάμα σὺ μὲν αὐτοῦ ἐρύκακε πάντας ἀρίστους,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κεῖσ' εἶμι καὶ ἀντιόω πολέμοιο·
αἶψα δ' ἐλεύσομαι αὖτις ἐπὴν εὖ τοῖς ἐπιτείλω.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ὁρμήθη ὄρεϊ νιφόεντι ἐοικὼς
755 κεκλήγων, διὰ δὲ Τρώων πέτετ' ἠδ' ἐπικούρων.
οἳ δ' ἐς Πανθοΐδην ἀγαπήνορα Πουλυδάμαντα
πάντες ἐπεσσεύοντ', ἐπεὶ Ἕκτορος ἔκλυον αὐδήν.
αὐτὰρ ὃ Δηΐφοβόν τε βίην θ' Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος
Ἀσιάδην τ' Ἀδάμαντα καὶ Ἄσιον Ὑρτάκου υἱὸν
760 φοίτα ἀνὰ προμάχους διζήμενος, εἴ που ἐφεύροι.
τοὺς δ' εὗρ' οὐκέτι πάμπαν ἀπήμονας οὐδ' ἀνολέθρους·
ἀλλ' οἳ μὲν δὴ νηυσὶν ἔπι πρυμνῇσιν Ἀχαιῶν
χερσὶν ὑπ' Ἀργείων κέατο ψυχὰς ὀλέσαντες,
οἳ δ' ἐν τείχει ἔσαν βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.
765 τὸν δὲ τάχ' εὗρε μάχης ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ δακρυοέσσης
δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον Ἑλένης πόσιν ἠϋκόμοιο
θαρσύνονθ' ἑτάρους καὶ ἐποτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι,
ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος προσέφη αἰσχροῖς ἐπέεσσι·
Δύσπαρι εἶδος ἄριστε γυναιμανὲς ἠπεροπευτὰ
770 ποῦ τοι Δηΐφοβός τε βίη θ' Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος
Ἀσιάδης τ' Ἀδάμας ἠδ' Ἄσιος Ὑρτάκου υἱός;
ποῦ δέ τοι Ὀθρυονεύς; νῦν ὤλετο πᾶσα κατ' ἄκρης
Ἴλιος αἰπεινή· νῦν τοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.
Τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής·
775 Ἕκτορ ἐπεί τοι θυμὸς ἀναίτιον αἰτιάασθαι,
ἄλλοτε δή ποτε μᾶλλον ἐρωῆσαι πολέμοιο
μέλλω, ἐπεὶ οὐδ' ἐμὲ πάμπαν ἀνάλκιδα γείνατο μήτηρ·
ἐξ οὗ γὰρ παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχην ἤγειρας ἑταίρων,
ἐκ τοῦ δ' ἐνθάδ' ἐόντες ὁμιλέομεν Δαναοῖσι
780 νωλεμέως· ἕταροι δὲ κατέκταθεν οὓς σὺ μεταλλᾷς.
οἴω Δηΐφοβός τε βίη θ' Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος
οἴχεσθον, μακρῇσι τετυμμένω ἐγχείῃσιν
ἀμφοτέρω κατὰ χεῖρα· φόνον δ' ἤμυνε Κρονίων.
νῦν δ' ἄρχ' ὅππῃ σε κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει·
785 ἡμεῖς δ' ἐμμεμαῶτες ἅμ' ἑψόμεθ', οὐδέ τί φημι
ἀλκῆς δευήσεσθαι, ὅση δύναμίς γε πάρεστι.
πὰρ δύναμιν δ' οὐκ ἔστι καὶ ἐσσύμενον πολεμίζειν.
Ὣς εἰπὼν παρέπεισεν ἀδελφειοῦ φρένας ἥρως·
βὰν δ' ἴμεν ἔνθα μάλιστα μάχη καὶ φύλοπις ἦεν
790 ἀμφί τε κεβριόνην καὶ ἀμύμονα Πουλυδάμαντα
Φάλκην Ὀρθαῖόν τε καὶ ἀντίθεον Πολυφήτην
Πάλμύν τ' Ἀσκάνιόν τε Μόρυν θ' υἷ' Ἱπποτίωνος,
οἵ ῥ' ἐξ Ἀσκανίης ἐριβώλακος ἦλθον ἀμοιβοὶ
ἠοῖ τῇ προτέρῃ· τότε δὲ Ζεὺς ὦρσε μάχεσθαι.
795 οἳ δ' ἴσαν ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀτάλαντοι ἀέλλῃ,
ἥ ῥά θ' ὑπὸ βροντῆς πατρὸς Διὸς εἶσι πέδον δέ,
θεσπεσίῳ δ' ὁμάδῳ ἁλὶ μίσγεται, ἐν δέ τε πολλὰ
κύματα παφλάζοντα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης
κυρτὰ φαληριόωντα, πρὸ μέν τ' ἄλλ', αὐτὰρ ἐπ' ἄλλα·
800 ὣς Τρῶες πρὸ μὲν ἄλλοι ἀρηρότες, αὐτὰρ ἐπ' ἄλλοι,
χαλκῷ μαρμαίροντες ἅμ' ἡγεμόνεσσιν ἕποντο.
Ἕκτωρ δ' ἡγεῖτο βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ
Πριαμίδης· πρόσθεν δ' ἔχεν ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐΐσην
ῥινοῖσιν πυκινήν, πολλὸς δ' ἐπελήλατο χαλκός·
805 ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κροτάφοισι φαεινὴ σείετο πήληξ.
πάντῃ δ' ἀμφὶ φάλαγγας ἐπειρᾶτο προποδίζων,
εἴ πώς οἱ εἴξειαν ὑπασπίδια προβιβῶντι·
ἀλλ' οὐ σύγχει θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.
Αἴας δὲ πρῶτος προκαλέσσατο μάκρα βιβάσθων·
810 δαιμόνιε σχεδὸν ἐλθέ· τί ἢ δειδίσσεαι αὔτως
Ἀργείους; οὔ τοί τι μάχης ἀδαήμονές εἰμεν,
ἀλλὰ Διὸς μάστιγι κακῇ ἐδάμημεν Ἀχαιοί.
ἦ θήν πού τοι θυμὸς ἐέλπεται ἐξαλαπάξειν
νῆας· ἄφαρ δέ τε χεῖρες ἀμύνειν εἰσὶ καὶ ἡμῖν.
815 ἦ κε πολὺ φθαίη εὖ ναιομένη πόλις ὑμὴ
χερσὶν ὑφ' ἡμετέρῃσιν ἁλοῦσά τε περθομένη τε.
σοὶ δ' αὐτῷ φημὶ σχεδὸν ἔμμεναι ὁππότε φεύγων
ἀρήσῃ Διὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἄλλις ἀθανάτοισι
θάσσονας ἰρήκων ἔμεναι καλλίτριχας ἵππους,
820 οἵ σε πόλιν δ' οἴσουσι κονίοντες πεδίοιο.
Ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις
αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης· ἐπὶ δ' ἴαχε λαὸς Ἀχαιῶν
θάρσυνος οἰωνῷ· ὃ δ' ἀμείβετο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ·
Αἶαν ἁμαρτοεπὲς βουγάϊε ποῖον ἔειπες·
825 εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼν οὕτω γε Διὸς πάϊς αἰγιόχοιο
εἴην ἤματα πάντα, τέκοι δέ με πότνια Ἥρη,
τιοίμην δ' ὡς τίετ' Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἀπόλλων,
ὡς νῦν ἡμέρη ἧδε κακὸν φέρει Ἀργείοισι
πᾶσι μάλ', ἐν δὲ σὺ τοῖσι πεφήσεαι, αἴ κε ταλάσσῃς
830 μεῖναι ἐμὸν δόρυ μακρόν, ὅ τοι χρόα λειριόεντα
δάψει· ἀτὰρ Τρώων κορέεις κύνας ἠδ' οἰωνοὺς
δημῷ καὶ σάρκεσσι πεσὼν ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.
Ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο· τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο
ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ, ἐπὶ δ' ἴαχε λαὸς ὄπισθεν.
835 Ἀργεῖοι δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐπίαχον, οὐδὲ λάθοντο
ἀλκῆς, ἀλλ' ἔμενον Τρώων ἐπιόντας ἀρίστους.
ἠχὴ δ' ἀμφοτέρων ἵκετ' αἰθέρα καὶ Διὸς αὐγάς.
1Now Zeus, when he had brought the Trojans and Hector to the ships, left the combatants there to have toil and woe unceasingly, but himself turned away his bright eyes, and looked afar, upon the land of the Thracian horsemen,5 and of the Mysians that fight in close combat, and of the lordly Hippemolgi that drink the milk of mares, and of the Abii, the most righteous of men. To Troy he no longer in any wise turned his bright eyes, for he deemed not in his heart that any of the immortals would draw nigh to aid either Trojans or Danaans.10 But the lord, the Shaker of Earth, kept no blind watch, for he sat marvelling at the war and the battle, high on the topmost peak of wooded Samothrace, for from thence all Ida was plain to see; and plain to see were the city of Priam, and the ships of the Achaeans.15 There he sat, being come forth from the sea, and he had pity on the Achaeans that they were overcome by the Trojans, and against Zeus was he mightily wroth. Forthwith then he went down from the rugged mount, striding forth with swift footsteps, and the high mountains trembled and the woodland beneath the immortal feet of Poseidon as he went.20 Thrice he strode in his course, and with the fourth stride he reached his goal, even Aegae, where was his famous palace builded in the depths of the mere, golden and gleaming, imperishable for ever. Thither came he, and let harness beneath his car his two bronze hooved horses, swift of flight, with flowing manes of gold;25 and with gold he clad himself about his body, and grasped the well-wrought whip of gold, and stepped upon his car, and set out to drive over the waves. Then gambolled the sea-beasts beneath him on every side from out the deeps, for well they knew their lord, and in gladness the sea parted before him;30 right swiftly sped they on, and the axle of bronze was not wetted beneath; and unto the ships of the Achaeans did the prancing steeds bear their lord.
There is a wide cavern in the depths of the deep mere, midway between Tenedos and rugged Imbros. There Poseidon,the Shaker of Earth, stayed his horses,35 and loosed them from the car, and cast before them food ambrosial to graze upon, and about their feet he put hobbles of gold, neither to be broken nor loosed, that they might abide fast where they were against the return of their lord; and himself he went to the host of the Achaeans. But the Trojans, all in one body, like flame or tempest-blast were following furiously after40 Hector, son of Priam, with loud shouts and cries, and they deemed that they would take the ships of the Achaeans, and slay thereby all the bravest. Howbeit Poseidon, the Enfolder and Shaker of Earth, set him to urge on the Argives, when he had come forth from the deep sea,45 in the likeness of Calchas, both in form and untiring voice. To the two Aiantes spake he first, that were of themselves full eager: Ye Aiantes twain, ye two shall save the host of the Achaeans, if ye are mindful of your might, and think not of chill rout. Not otherwhere do I dread the invincible hands50 of the Trojans that have climbed over the great wall in their multitude, for the well-greaved Achaeans will hold back all; nay it is here that I have wondrous dread lest some evil befall us, here where yon madman is leading on like a flame of fire, even Hector, that boasts him to be a son of mighty Zeus.55 But in the hearts of you twain may some god put it, here to stand firm yourselves, and to bid others do the like; so might ye drive him back from the swift-faring ships, despite his eagerness, aye, even though the Olympian himself be urging him on.
Therewith the Enfolder and Shaker of Earth60 smote the twain with his staff, and filled them with valorous strength and made their limbs light, their feet and their hands above. And himself, even as a hawk, swift of flight, speedeth forth to fly, and poising himself aloft above a high sheer rock, darteth over the plain to chase some other bird;65 even so from them sped Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth. And of the twain swift Aias, son of Oïleus, was first to mark the god, and forthwith spake to Aias, son of Telamon: Aias, seeing it is one of the gods who hold Olympus that in the likeness of the seer biddeth the two of us fight beside the ships—70not Calchas is he, the prophet, and reader of omens, for easily did I know the tokens behind him of feet and of legs as he went from us; and plain to be known are the gods —lo, mine own heart also within my breast is the more eager to war and do battle,75 and my feet beneath and my hands above are full fain. Then in answer spake to him Telamonian Aias: Even so too mine own hands invincible are fain now to grasp the spear, and my might is roused, and both my feet are swift beneath me; and I am eager to meet even in single fight80 Hector, Priam's son, that rageth incessantly.
On this wise spake they one to the other, rejoicing in the fury of fight which the god put in their hearts; and meanwhile the Enfolder of Earth roused the Achaeans that were in the rear beside the swift ships, and were refreshing their hearts.85 Their limbs were loosed by their grievous toil and therewithal sorrow waxed in their hearts, as they beheld the Trojans that had climbed over the great wall in their multitude. Aye, as they looked upon these they let tears fall from beneath their brows, for they deemed not that they should escape from ruin. But the Shaker of Earth,90 lightly passing among them, aroused their strong battalions. To Teucer first he came and to Leïtus, to bid them on, and to the warrior Peneleos, and Thoas and Deïpyrus, and Meriones and Antilochus, masters of the war-cry; to these he spake, spurring them on with winged words:95 Shame, ye Argives, mere striplings! It was in your fighting that I trusted for the saving of our ships; but if ye are to flinch from grievous war, then of a surety hath the day now dawned for us to be vanquished beneath the Trojans. Out upon it! Verily a great marvel is this that mine eyes behold,100 a dread thing that I deemed should never be brought to pass: the Trojans are making way against our ships, they that heretofore were like panic-stricken hinds that in the woodland become the prey of jackals and pards and wolves, as they wander vainly in their cowardice, nor is there any fight in them.105 Even so the Trojans aforetime had never the heart to abide and face the might and the hands of the Achaeans, no not for a moment. But lo, now far from the city they are fighting at the hollow ships because of the baseness of our leader and the slackness of the folk, that, being at strife with him, have no heart to defend110 the swift-faring ships, but are slain in the midst of them. But if in very truth the warrior son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, is the cause of all, for that he wrought dishonour on the swift-footed son of Peleus, yet may we in no wise prove slack in war.115 Nay, let us atone for the fault with speed: the hearts of good men admit of atonement. But it is no longer well that ye are slack in furious valour, all ye that are the best men in the host. Myself I would not quarrel with one that was slack in war, so he were but a sorry wight, but with you I am exceeding wroth at heart.120 Ye weaklings, soon ye shall cause yet greater evil by this slackness. Nay, take in your hearts, each man of you, shame and indignation; for in good sooth mighty is the conflict that has arisen. Hector, good at the war-cry, is fighting at the ships, strong in his might, and hath broken the gates and the long bar.
125 Thus did the Earth-enfolder arouse the Achaeans with his word of command, and round about the twain Aiantes their battalions took their stand, so strong in might, that not Ares might have entered in and made light of them, nor yet Athene, the rouser of hosts; for they that were the chosen bravest abode the onset of the Trojans and goodly Hector,130 fencing spear with spear, and shield with serried shield; buckler pressed on buckler, helm on helm, and man on man; and the horse-hair crests on the bright helmet-ridges touched each other, as the men moved their heads, in such close array stood they one by another, and spears in stout hands overlapped each other, as they were brandished,135 and their minds swerved not, but they were fain to fight. Then the Trojans drave forward in close throng and Hector led them, pressing ever forward, like a boulder from a cliff that a river swollen by winter rains thrusteth from the brow of a hill, when it has burst with its wondrous flood the foundations of the ruthless stone;140 high aloft it leapeth, as it flies, and the woods resound beneath it, and it speedeth on its course and is not stayed until it reacheth the level plain, but then it rolleth no more for all its eagerness; even so Hector for a time threatened lightly to make his way even to the sea through the huts and ships of the Achaeans,145 slaying as he went, but when he encountered the close-set battalions, then was he stayed, as he drew close against them. And the sons of the Achaeans faced him, thrusting with swords and two-edged spears, and drave him back from them, so that he gave ground and was made to reel. Then he uttered a piercing shout, calling aloud to the Trojans:150 Ye Trojans and Lycians and Dardanians that fight in close combat, stand ye fast. No long space shall the Achaeans hold me back, for all they have arrayed themselves in fashion like a wall; nay, methinks, they will give ground before my spear, if verily the highest of gods hath urged me on, the loud-thundering lord of Hera.
155 So saying, he aroused the strength and spirit of every man. Then among them with high heart strode Deïphobus, son of Priam, and before him he held his shield that was well-balanced upon every side, stepping forward lightly on his feet and advancing under cover of his shield. And Meriones aimed at him with his bright spear,160 and cast, and missed not, but smote the shield of bull's hide, that was well balanced upon every side, yet drave not in any wise therethrough; nay, well ere that might be, the long spear-shaft was broken in the socket; and Deïphobus held from him the shield of bull's hide, and his heart was seized with fear165 of the spear of wise-hearted Meriones; but that warrior shrank back into the throng of his comrades, and waxed wondrous wroth both for the loss of victory and for the spear which he had shattered. And he set out to go along the huts and ships of the Achaeans to fetch him a long spear that he had left in his hut. But the rest fought on, and a cry unquenchable arose.170 And Teucer, son of Telamon, was first to slay his man, even the spearman Imbrius, the son of Mentor, rich in horses. He dwelt in Pedaeum before the sons of the Achaeans came, and had to wife a daughter of Priam that was born out of wedlock, even Medesicaste; but when the curved ships of the Danaans came175 he returned back to Ilios and was pre-eminent among the Trojans, and he dwelt in the house of Priam, who held him in like honour with his own children. Him did the son of Telamon smite beneath the ear with a thrust of his long spear, and again drew forth the spear; and he fell like an ash-tree that, on the summit of a mountain that is seen from afar on every side,180 is cut down by the bronze, and bringeth its tender leafage to the ground; even so fell he, and about him rang his armour dight with bronze. And Teucer rushed forth eager to strip from him his armour, but Hector, even as he rushed, cast at him with his bright spear. Howbeit Teucer, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze by a little,185 but Hector smote Amphimachus, son of Cteatus, the son of Actor, in the breast with his spear as he was coming into the battle; and he fell with a thud, and upon him his armour clanged. Then Hector rushed forth to tear from the head of great-hearted Amphimachus the helm that was fitted to his temples,190 but Aias lunged with his bright spear at Hector as he rushed, yet in no wise reached he his flesh, for he was all clad in dread bronze; but he smote the boss of his shield, and thrust him back with mighty strength, so that he gave ground backward from the two corpses, and the Achaeans drew them off.
195 Amphimachus then did Stichius and goodly Menestheus, leaders of the Athenians, carry to the host of the Achaeans, and Imbrius the twain Aiantes bare away, their hearts fierce with furious valour. And as when two lions that have snatched away a goat from sharp-toothed hounds, bear it through the thick brush,200 holding it in their jaws high above the ground, even so the twain warrior Aiantes held Imbrius on high, and stripped him of his armour. And the head did the son of Oïleus cut from the tender neck, being wroth for the slaying of Amphimachus, and with a swing he sent it rolling through the throng like a ball;205 and it fell in the dust before the feet of Hector. Then verily Poseidon waxed mightily wroth at heart when his son's son fell in the dread conflict, and he went his way along the huts and ships of the Achaeans to arouse the Danaans; but for the Trojans was he fashioning woes.210 And there met him Idomeneus, famed for his spear, on his way from a comrade that he had but now found coming from the battle smitten in the knee with the sharp bronze. Him his comrades bare forth, but Idomeneus had given charge to the leeches, and was going to his hut, for he was still fain to confront the battle;215 and the lord, the Shaker of Earth, spake to him, likening his voice to that of Andraemon's son Thoas, that in all Pleuron and steep Calydon was lord over the Aetolians, and was honoured of the folk even as a god: Idomeneus, thou counsellor of the Cretans, where now I pray thee,220 are the threats gone, wherewith the sons of the Achaeans threatened the Trojans? And to him Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer: O Thoas, there is no man now at fault, so far as I wot thereof; for we are all skilled in war. Neither is any man holden of craven error,225 nor doth any through dread withdraw him from evil war, but even thus, I ween, must it be the good pleasure of the son of Cronos, supreme in might, that the Achaeans should perish here far from Argos, and have no name. But, Thoas, seeing that aforetime thou wast ever staunch in fight, and dost also urge on another, wheresoever thou seest one shrinking from fight,230 therefore now cease thou not, but call to every man.
And Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth, answered him: Idomeneus, never may that man any more return home from Troy-land, but here may he become the sport of dogs, whoso in this day's course of his own will shrinketh from fight.235 Up then, take thine harness and get thee forth: herein beseems it that we play the man together, in hope there may be help in us, though we be but two. Prowess comes from fellowship even of right sorry folk, but we twain know well how to do battle even with men of valour. So spake he, and went back again, a god into the toil of men;240 and Idomeneus, as soon as he was come to his well-built hut, did on his fair armour about his body, and grasped two spears, and went his way like the lightning that the son of Cronos seizeth in his hand and brandisheth from gleaming Olympus, showing forth a sign to mortals, and brightly flash the rays thereof;245 even so shone the bronze about his breast as he ran. And Meriones, his valiant squire, met him, while yet he was near the hut; for he was on his way to fetch him a spear of bronze; and mighty Idomeneus spake to him: Meriones, Molus' son, swift of foot, thou dearest of my comrades,250 wherefore art thou come, leaving the war and battle? Art thou haply wounded, and doth the point of a dart distress thee? Or art thou come after me on some message? Nay, of mine own self am I fain, not to abide in the huts, but to fight. To him again the wise Meriones made answer:255 Idomeneus, counsellor of the brazen-coated Cretans, I am on my way to fetch a spear, if perchance thou hast one left in the huts; for the one that I bare of old have I shattered, as I cast at the shield of the overweening Deïphobus. And to him Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer:260 Spears, if thou wilt, thou shalt find, be it one or twenty, standing in the hut against the bright entrance wall, spears of the Trojans whereof it is my wont to despoil their slain. For I am not minded to fight with the foemen while standing afar off; wherefore I have spears and bossed shields,265 and helms, and corselets gleaming bright.
Then to him the wise Meriones made answer: Aye, in mine own hut also and my black ship are many spoils of the Trojans, but I have them not at hand to take thereof. For I deem that I too am not forgetful of valour,270 but I take my stand amid the foremost in battle, where men win glory, whenso the strife of war ariseth. Some other of the brazen-coated Achaeans might sooner be unaware of my fighting, but thou methinks of thine own self knowest it well. And to him Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer:275 I know what manner of man thou art in valour; what need hast thou to tell the tale thereof? For if now all the best of us were being told off besides the ships for an ambush, wherein the valour of men is best discerned—there the coward cometh to light and the man of valour; for the colour of the coward changeth ever to another hue,280 nor is the spirit in his breast stayed that he should abide steadfast, but he shifteth from knee to knee and resteth on either foot, and his heart beats loudly in his breast as he bodeth death, and the teeth chatter in his mouth; but the colour of the brave man changeth not,285 neither feareth he overmuch when once he taketh his place in the ambush of warriors, but he prayeth to mingle forthwith in woeful war— not even in such case, I say, would any man make light of thy courage or the strength of thy hands. For if so be thou wert stricken by a dart in the toil of battle, or smitten with a thrust, not from behind in neck or back would the missile fall;290 nay, but on thy breast would it light or on thy belly, as thou wert pressing on into the dalliance of the foremost fighters. But come, no longer let us loiter here and talk thus like children, lest haply some man wax wroth beyond measure; nay, but go thou to the hut, and get thee a mighty spear.
295 So spake he, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, speedily took from the hut a spear of bronze, and followed Idomeneus with high thought of battle. And even as Ares, the bane of mortals, goeth forth to war, and with him followeth Rout, his son, valiant alike and fearless,300 that turneth to flight a warrior, were he never so staunch of heart—these twain arm themselves and go forth from Thrace to join the Ephyri or the great-hearted Phlegyes, yet they hearken not to both sides, but give glory to one or the other; even in such wise did Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of men,305 go forth into the fight, harnessed in flaming bronze. And Meriones spake first to Idomeneus, saying: Son of Deucalion, at what point art thou eager to enter the throng? On the right of all the host, or in the centre, or shall it be on the left? For verily, methinks, in no other place310 do the long-haired Achaeans so fail in the fight. And to him again Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer: Among the midmost ships there be others for defence, the two Aiantes, and Teucer, best of all the Achaeans in bowmanship,315 and a good man too in close fight; these shall drive Hector, Priam's son, to surfeit of war, despite his eagerness, be he never so stalwart. Hard shall it be for him, how furious soever for war, to overcome their might and their invincible hands, and to fire the ships, unless the son of Cronos should himself320 cast a blazing brand upon the swift ships. But to no man would great Telamonian Aias yield, to any man that is mortal, and eateth the grain of Demeter, and may be cloven with the bronze or crushed with great stones. Nay, not even to Achilles, breaker of the ranks of men,325 would he give way, in close fight at least; but in fleetness of foot may no man vie with Achilles. But for us twain, do thou, even as thou sayest,make for the left of the host, that we may know forthwith whether we shall give glory to another or another to us.
So spake he, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, led the way until they came to the host, at the point whither Idomeneus bade him go.330 Now when the Trojans had sight of Idomeneus, in might as it were a flame, himself and his squire clad in armour richly dight, they called one to another through the throng, and all made at him; and by the sterns of the ships arose a strife of men clashing together. And as gusts come thick and fast when shrill winds are blowing,335 on a day when dust lies thickest on the roads, and the winds raise up confusedly a great cloud of dust; even so their battle clashed together, and they were eager in the throng to slay one another with the sharp bronze. And the battle, that brings death to mortals, bristled with long spears340 which they held for the rending of flesh, and eyes were blinded by the blaze of bronze from gleaming helmets, and corselets newly burnished, and shining shields, as men came on confusedly. Sturdy in sooth would he have been of heart that took joy at sight of such toil of war, and grieved not.345 Thus were the two mighty sons of Cronos, divided in purpose, fashioning grievous woes for mortal warriors. Zeus would have victory for the Trojans and Hector, so giving glory to Achilles, swift of foot; yet was he in no wise minded that the Achaean host should perish utterly before the face of Ilios,350 but was fain only to give glory to Thetis and to her son, strong of heart. But Poseidon went among the Argives and urged them on, stealing forth secretly from the grey sea; for it vexed him that they were being overcome by the Trojans, and against Zeus was he exceeding wroth. Both the twain verily were of one stock and of one parentage,355 but Zeus was the elder born and the wiser. Therefore it was that Poseidon avoided to give open aid, but secretly sought ever to rouse the Argives throughout the host, in the likeness of a man. So these twain knotted the ends of the cords of mighty strife and evil war, and drew them taut over both armies,360 a knot none might break nor undo, that loosed the knees of many men.
Then Idomeneus, albeit his hair was flecked with grey, called to the Danaans, and leaping amid the Trojans turned them to flight. For he slew Othryoneus of Cabesus, a sojourner in Troy, that was but newly come following the rumour of war;365 and he asked in marriage the comeliest of the daughters of Priam, even Cassandra; he brought no gifts of wooing, but promised a mighty deed, that he would drive forth perforce out of Troy-land the sons of Achaeans. To him the old man Priam promised that he would give her, and bowed his head thereto, and Othryoneus fought, trusting in his promise.370 But Idomeneus aimed at him with his bright spear, and cast and smote him as he strode proudly on, nor did the corselet of bronze that he wore avail him, but the spear was fixed full in his belly, and he fell with a thud and Idomeneus exulted over him and spake, saying: Othryoneus, verily above all mortal men do I count thee happy,375 if in good sooth thou shalt accomplish all that thou didst promise to Dardanian Priam; and he promised thee his own daughter. Aye, and we too would promise the like and would bring all to pass, and would give thee the comeliest of the daughters of the son of Atreus, bringing her forth from Argos that thou mightest wed her;380 if only thou wilt make cause with us and sack the well-peopled city of Ilios. Nay, follow with us, that at the seafaring ships we may make agreement about the marriage, for thou mayest be sure we deal not hardly in exacting gifts of wooing. So saying, the warrior Idomeneus dragged him by the foot through the mighty conflict. But Asius came to bear aid to Othryoneus,385 on foot in front of his horses; and these twain the squire that was his charioteer ever drave so that their breath smote upon the shoulders of Asius. And he was ever fain of heart to cast at Idomeneus; but the other was too quick for him, and smote him with a cast of his spear on the throat beneath the chin, and drave the bronze clean through. And he fell as an oak falls, or a poplar,390 or a tall pine that among the mountains shipwrights fell with whetted axes to be a ship's timber; even so before his horses and chariot Asius lay out-stretched, moaning aloud and clutching at the bloody dust. And the charioteer, stricken with terror, kept not the wits that afore he had,395 neither dared turn the horses back and so escape from out the hands of the foemen; but Antilochus, staunch in fight, aimed at him, and pierced him through the middle with his spear, nor did the corselet of bronze that he wore avail him, but he fixed the spear full in his belly. And gasping he fell from out his well-built car,400 and the horses Antilochus, son of great-souled Nestor, drave forth from the Trojans into the host of the well-greaved Achaeans.
Then Deïphobus in sore grief for Asius drew very nigh to Idomeneus, and cast at him with his bright spear. Howbeit Idomeneus, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze,405 for he hid beneath the cover of his shield that was well-balanced upon every side, the which he was wont to bear, cunningly wrought with bull's hide and gleaming bronze, and fitted with two rods; beneath this he gathered himself together, and the spear of bronze flew over; and harshly rang his shield, as the spear grazed thereon.410 Yet nowise in vain did Deïphobus let the spear fly from his heavy hand, but he smote Hypsenor, son of Hippasus, shepherd of the people, in the liver beneath the midriff, and straightway loosed his knees. And Deïphobus exulted over him in terrible wise, and cried aloud: Hah, in good sooth not unavenged lies Asius; nay, methinks,415 even as he fareth to the house of Hades, the strong warder, will he be glad at heart, for lo, I have given him one to escort him on his way! So spake he, and upon the Argives came sorrow by reason of his exulting, and beyond all did he stir the soul of wise-hearted Antilochus; howbeit, despite his sorrow, he was not unmindful of his dear comrade,420 but ran and bestrode him, and covered him with his shield. Then two trusty comrades stooped down, even Mecisteus, son of Echius, and goodly Alastor, and bare Hypsenor, groaning heavily, to the hollow ships.
And Idomeneus slackened not in his furious might, but was ever fain425 to enwrap some one of the Trojans in the darkness of night, or himself to fall in warding off ruin from the Achaeans. Then the dear son of Aesyetes, fostered of Zeus, the warrior Alcathous—son by marriage was he to Anchises, and had married the eldest of his daughters, Hippodameia,430 whom her father and queenly mother heartily loved in their hall, for that she excelled all maidens of her years in comeliness, and in handiwork, and in wisdom; wherefore the best man in wide Troy had taken her to wife—this Alcathous did Poseidon subdue beneath Idomeneus,435 for he cast a spell upon his bright eyes and ensnared his glorious limbs that he might nowise flee backwards nor avoid the spear; but as he stood fixed, even as a pillar or a tree, high and leafy, the warrior Idomeneus smote him with a thrust of his spear full upon the breast,440 and clave his coat of bronze round about him, that aforetime ever warded death from his body, but now it rang harshly as it was cloven about the spear. And he fell with a thud, and the spear was fixed in his heart, that still beating made the butt thereof to quiver; howbeit, there at length did mighty Ares stay its fury.445 But Idomeneus exulted over him in terrible wise, and cried aloud: Deïphobus, shall we now deem perchance that due requital hath been made—three men slain for one—seeing thou boasteth thus? Nay, good sir, but stand forth thyself and face me, that thou mayest know what manner of son of Zeus am I that am come hither.450 For Zeus at the first begat Minos to be a watcher over Crete, and Minos again got him a son, even the peerless Deucalion, and Deucalion begat me, a lord over many men in wide Crete; and now have the ships brought me hither a bane to thee and thy father and the other Trojans.
455 So spake he, and Deïphobus was divided in counsel, whether he should give ground and take to him as comrade some one of the great-souled Trojans, or should make trial by himself alone. And as he pondered this thing seemed to him the better—to go after Aeneas; and he found him standing last amid the throng,460 for ever was Aeneas wroth against goodly Priam, for that brave though he was amid warriors Priam honoured him not a whit. Then Deïphobus drew near and spake to him winged words: Aeneas, counsellor of the Trojans, now in sooth it behoveth thee to bear aid to thy sister's husband, if in any wise grief for thy kin cometh upon thee.465 Nay, come thou with me, that we may bear aid to Alcathous, who, for all he was but thy sister's husband, reared thee in the halls when thou wast yet a little child; he, I tell thee, hath been slain of Idomeneus, famed for his spear. So spake he, and roused the heart in the breast of Aeneas, and he went to seek Idomeneus, with high thoughts of war.470 Howbeit terror gat not hold of Idomeneus, as he had been some petted boy, but he abode like a boar in the mountains, that trusteth in his strength, and abideth the great, tumultuous throng of men that cometh against him, in a lonely place; he bristleth up his back and his two eyes blaze with fire,475 and he whetteth his tusks, eager to ward off dogs and men; even so Idomeneus, famed for his spear, abode the oncoming of Aeneas to bear aid, and gave not ground, but called to his comrades, looking unto Ascalaphus, Aphareus, and Deïpyrus, and Meriones, and Antilochus, masters of the war-cry;480 to these he spake winged words, and spurred them on: Hither, friends, and bear aid to me that am alone, and sorely do I dread the oncoming of Aeneas, swift of foot, that cometh against me; right strong is he to slay men in battle, and he hath the flower of youth, wherein is the fulness of strength.485 Were we but of like age and our mood such as now it is, then forthwith should he win great victory, or haply I.
So spake he, and they all, having one spirit in their breasts, took their stand, each hard by the other, leaning their shields against their shoulders. And Aeneas over against them called to his comrades,490 looking unto Deïphobus, and Paris, and goodly Agenor, that with himself were leaders of the Trojans; and after them followed the host, as sheep follow after the ram to water from the place of feeding, and the shepherd joyeth in his heart; even so the heart of Aeneas was glad in his breast,495 when he saw the throng of the host that followed after him. Then over Alcathous they clashed in close fight with their long spears, and about their breasts the bronze rang terribly as they aimed each at the other in the throng; and above all the rest two men of valour,500 Aeneas and Idomeneus, peers of Ares, were eager each to cleave the other's flesh with the pitiless bronze. And Aeneas first cast at Idomeneus, but he, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze, and the lance of Aeneas sank quivering down in to the earth,505 for that it sped in vain from his mighty hand. But Idomeneus cast and smote Oenomaus, full upon the belly, and brake the plate of his corselet, and the bronze let forth the bowels therethrough; and he fell in the dust and clutched the earth in his palm. And Idomeneus drew forth from out the corpse the far-shadowing spear,510 yet could he not prevail likewise to strip the rest of the fair armour from his shoulders, since he was sore pressed with missiles. For the joints of his feet were not firm as of old in a charge, that he might rush forth after his own cast, or avoid another's. Wherefore in close fight he warded off the pitiless day of doom,515 but in flight his feet no longer bare him swiftly from the war. And as he drew back step by step Deïphobus cast at him with his shining spear, for verily he ever cherished a ceaseless hate against him. Howbeit this time again he missed him, and smote with his spear Ascalaphus, son of Enyalius, and through the shoulder the mighty spear held its way;520 and he fell in the dust and clutched the ground with his palm. But as yet loud-voiced dread Ares wist not at all that his son had fallen in the mighty conflict; but he sat on the topmost peak of Olympus beneath the golden clouds, constrained by the will of Zeus,525 where also were the other immortal gods, being held aloof from the war.
Then over Ascalaphus they clashed in close fight, and Deïphobus tore from Ascalaphus his shining helm, but Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, leapt upon Deïphobus and smote his arm with his spear,530 and from his hand the crested helm fell to the ground with a clang. And Meriones sprang forth again like a vulture, and drew forth the mighty spear from the upper arm of Deïphobus, and shrank back in the throng of his comrades. But Polites, the own brother of Deïphobus, stretched his arms around his waist,535 and led him forth from out the dolorous war, until he came to the swift horses that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him to the city groaning heavily and sore distressed and down ran the blood from his newly wounded arm.540 But the rest fought on, and a cry unquenchable arose. Then Aeneas leapt upon Aphareus, son of Caletor, that was turned toward him, and struck him on the throat with his sharp spear, and his head sank to one side, and his shield was hurled upon him and his helm withal, and death that slayeth the spirit encompassed him.545 Then Antilochus, biding his time, leapt upon Thoön, as he turned his back, and smote him with a thrust, and wholly severed the vein that runneth along the back continually until it reacheth the neck; this he severed wholly, and Thoön fell on his back in the dust, stretching out both his hands to his dear comrades.550 But Antilochus leapt upon him and set him to strip the armour from off his shoulders, looking warily around the while; for the Trojans encircled him and thrust from this side and from that upon his broad, shining shield; howbeit they prevailed not to pierce through and graze the tender flesh of Antilochus with the pitiless bronze; for mightily did Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth,555 guard Nestor's son, even in the midst of many darts. For never aloof from the foe was Antilochus, but he ranged among them, nor ever was his spear at rest, but was ceaselessly brandished and shaken; and he ever aimed in heart to cast at some foeman, or rush upon him in close fight.
560 But as he was aiming amid the throng he was not unmarked of Adamas, son of Asius, who smote him full upon the shield with a thrust of the sharp bronze, setting upon him from nigh at hand. But the spear-point was made of none avail by Poseidon, the dark-haired god,565 who begrudged it the life of Antilochus. And the one part of the spear abode here, like a charred stake, in the shield of Antilochus, and half lay on the ground; and Adamas shrank back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate. But Meriones followed after him as he went and cast with his spear, and smote him midway between the privy parts and the navel, where most of all Ares is cruel to wretched mortals.570 Even there he fixed his spear, and the other, leaning over the shaft which pierced him, writhed as a bull that herdsmen amid the mountains have bound with twisted withes and drag with them perforce; even so he, when he was smitten, writhed a little while, but not long, till the warrior Meriones came near and drew the spear forth from out his flesh;575 and darkness enfolded his eyes. Then in close fight Helenus smote Deïpyrus on the temple with a great Thracian sword, and tore away his helm, and the helm, dashed from his head, fell to the ground, and one of the Achaeans gathered it up as it rolled amid the feet of the fighters;580 and down upon the eyes of Deïpyrus came the darkness of night, and enfolded him. But the son of Atreus was seized with grief thereat, even Menelaus, good at the war-cry, and he strode forth with a threat against the prince, the warrior Helenus, brandishing his sharp spear, while the other drew the centre-piece of his bow. So the twain at the one moment let fly,585 the one with his sharp spear, and the other with an arrow from the string. Then the son of Priam smote Menelaus on the breast with his arrow, on the plate of his corselet, and off therefrom glanced the bitter arrow. And as from a broad shovel in a great threshing-floor the dark-skinned beans or pulse590 leap before the shrill wind and the might of the winnower; even so from the corselet of glorious Menelaus glanced aside the bitter arrow and sped afar. But the son of Atreus, Menelaus, good at the war-cry, cast, and smote Helenus on the hand wherewith he was holding the polished bow, and into the bow595 clean through the hand was driven the spear of bronze. Then back he shrank into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate, letting his hand hang down by his side; and the ashen spear trailed after him. This then great-souled Agenor drew forth from his hand, and bound the hand with a strip of twisted sheep's wool,600 even a sling that his squire carried for him, the shepherd of the host.
But Peisander made straight at glorious Menelaus; howbeit an evil fate was leading him to the end of death, to be slain by thee, Menelaus, in the dread conflict. And when they were come near, as they advanced one against the other,605 the son of Atreus missed, and his spear was turned aside; but Peisander thrust and smote the shield of glorious Menelaus, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean through, for the wide shield stayed it and the spear brake in the socket; yet had he joy at heart, and hope for victory.610 But the son of Atreus drew his silver-studded sword, and leapt upon Peisander; and he from beneath his shield grasped a goodly axe of fine bronze, set on a haft of olive-wood, long and well-polished; and at the one moment they set each upon the other. Peisander verily smote Menelaus upon the horn of his helmet with crest of horse-hair615—on the topmost part beneath the very plume; but Menelaus smote him as he came against him, on the forehead above the base of the nose; and the bones crashed loudly, and the two eyeballs, all bloody, fell before his feet in the dust, and he bowed and fell; and Menelaus set his foot upon his breast, and despoiled him of his arms, and exulted, saying:620 ln such wise of a surety shall ye leave the ships of the Danaans, drivers of swift horses, ye overweening Trojans, insatiate of the dread din of battle. Aye, and of other despite and shame lack ye naught, wherewith ye have done despite unto me, ye evil dogs, and had no fear at heart of the grievous wrath of Zeus, that thundereth aloud, the god of hospitality,625 who shall some day destroy your high city. For ye bare forth wantonly over sea my wedded wife and therewithal much treasure, when it was with her that ye had found entertainment; and now again ye are full fain to fling consuming fire on the sea-faring ships, and to slay the Achaean warriors.630 Nay, but ye shall be stayed from your fighting, how eager soever ye be! Father Zeus, in sooth men say that in wisdom thou art above all others, both men and gods, yet it is from thee that all these things come; in such wise now dost thou shew favour to men of wantonness, even the Trojans, whose might is always froward,635 nor can they ever have their fill of the din of evil war. Of all things is there satiety, of sleep, and love, and of sweet song, and the goodly dance; of these things verily a man would rather have his fill than of war; but the Trojans are insatiate of battle.
640 With this peerless Menelaus stripped from the body the bloody armour and gave it to his comrades, and himself went back again, and mingled with the foremost fighters. Then there leapt forth against him the son of king Pylaemenes, even Harpalion, that followed his dear father to Troy unto the war,645 but came not back again to his dear native land. He then thrust with his spear full upon the shield of the son of Atreus, from nigh at hand, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean through, and back he shrank into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate, glancing warily on every side, lest some man should wound his flesh with the bronze.650 But as he drew back, Meriones let fly at him a bronze-tipped arrow, and smote him on the right buttock, and the arrow passed clean through even to the bladder beneath the bone. And sitting down where he was in the arms of his dear comrades he breathed forth his life, and lay stretched out like a worm on the earth;655 and the black blood flowed forth and wetted the ground. Him the great-hearted Paphlagonians tended, and setting him in a chariot they bare him to sacred Ilios, sorrowing the while, and with them went his father, shedding tears; but there was no blood-price gotten for his dead son.660 And for his slaying waxed Paris mightily wroth at heart, for among the many Paphlagonians Harpalion had been his host; and in wrath for his sake he let fly a bronze-tipped arrow. A certain Euchenor there was, son of Polyidus the seer, a rich man and a valiant, and his abode was in Corinth.665 He embarked upon his ship knowing full well the deadly fate to be, for often had his old sire, good Polyidus, told it him, to wit, that he must either perish of dire disease in his own halls, or amid the ships of the Achaeans be slain by the Trojans; wherefore he avoided at the same time the heavy fine of the Achaeans670 and the hateful disease, that he might not suffer woes at heart. Him Paris smote beneath the jaw, under the ear, and forthwith his spirit departed from his limbs, and hateful darkness gat hold of him.
So fought they like unto blazing fire; but Hector, dear to Zeus, had not heard, nor wist at all675 that on the left of the ships his hosts were being slain by the Argives; and soon would the Achaeans have gotten them glory, of such might was the Enfolder and Shaker of Earth that urged on the Argives and withal aided them by his own strength. Nay, Hector pressed on where at the first he had leapt within the gate and the wall,680 and had burst the close ranks of the Danaan shield-men, even in the place where were the ships of Aias and Protesilaus, drawn up along the beach of the grey sea, and beyond them the wall was builded lowest; there, as in no place beside, the men and their horses waxed furious in fight.685 There the Boeotians and the Ionians, of trailing tunics, and the Locrians, and Phthians, and glorious Epeians, had much ado to stay his onset upon the ships, and availed not to thrust back from themselves goodly Hector, that was like a flame of fire,—even they that were picked men of the Athenians;690 and among them Menestheus, son of Peteos, was leader, and there followed with him Pheidas and Stichius and valiant Bias, while the Epeians were led by Meges, son of Phyleus, and Araphion and Dracius, and in the forefront of the Phthians were Medon and Podarces, staunch in fight. The one, verily, even Medon, was a bastard son of godlike Oïleus695 and brother of Aias, but he dwelt in Phylace, far from his native land, for that he had slain a man of the kin of his stepmother Eriopis, that Oïleus had to wife; and the other, Podarces, was the son of Iphiclus, son of Phylacus. These, harnessed in their armour, in the forefront of the great-souled Phthians,700 were fighting in defence of the ships together with the Boeotians. And Aias, the swift son of Oïleus, would no more in any wise depart from the side of Aias, son of Telamon, no not for an instant; but even as in fallow land two wine-dark oxen with one accord strain at the jointed plough, and about705 the roots of their horns oozeth up the sweat in streams—the twain the polished yoke alone holdeth apart as they labour through the furrow, till the plough cutteth to the limit or the field; even in such wise did the two Aiantes take their stand and abide each hard by the other's side. After the son of Telamon verily there followed many valiant hosts of his comrades,710 who would ever take from him his shield, whenso weariness and sweat came upon his limbs. But the Locrians followed not with the great-hearted son of Oïleus, for their hearts abode not steadfast in close fight, seeing they had no brazen helms with thick plumes of horse-hair,715 neither round shields, nor spears of ash, but trusting in bows and well-twisted slings of sheep's wool had they followed with him to Ilios; with these thereafter they shot thick and fast, and sought to break the battalions of the Trojans. So the one part in front with their war-gear, richly dight,720 fought with the Trojans and with Hector in his harness of bronze, and the others behind kept shooting from their cover; and the Trojans bethought them no more of fight, for the arrows confounded them.
Then in sorry wise would the Trojans have given ground from the ships and huts unto windy Ilios,725 had not Polydamas drawn nigh to bold Hector, and said: Hector, hard to deal with art thou, that thou shouldest hearken to words of persuasion. Forasmuch as god has given to thee as to none other works of war, therefore in counsel too art thou minded to have wisdom beyond all; but in no wise shalt thou be able of thine own self to compass all things.730 To one man hath God given works of war, to another the dance, to another the lyre and song, and in the breast of another Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, putteth a mind of understanding, wherefrom many men get profit, and many he saveth; but he knoweth it best himself.735 So will I speak what seemeth to me to be best. Behold all about thee blazeth a circle of war, and the great-souled Trojans, now that they have passed over the wall, are some of them standing aloof with their arms, and others are fighting, fewer men against more, scattered among the ships.740 Nay, fall thou back, and call hither all the bravest. Then shall we consider all manner of counsel, whether we shall fall upon the many-benched ships, if so be the god willeth to give us victory, or thereafter shall return unscathed back from the ships. Verily, for myself,745 I fear lest the Achaeans shall pay back the debt of yesterday, seeing there abideth by the ships a man insatiate of war, who no longer, methinks, will hold him utterly aloof from battle. So spake Polydamas, and his prudent counsel was well pleasing unto Hector, and forthwith he leapt in his armour from his chariot to the ground;750 and he spake and addressed him with winged words: Polydamas, do thou hold back here all the bravest, but I will go thither and confront the war, and quickly will I come again, when to the full I have laid on them my charge.
So spake he, and set forth, in semblance like a snowy mountain,755 and with loud shouting sped he through the Trojans and allies. And they hasted one and all toward the kindly Polydamas, son of Panthous when they heard the voice of Hector. But he ranged through the foremost fighters, in quest of Deïphobus, and the valiant prince Helenus, and Adamas, son of Asius, and Asius, son of Hyrtacus,760 if haply he might find them. But he found them no more in any wise unscathed or free from bane, but some were lying at the sterns of the ships of the Achaeans, slain by the hands of the Argives, and some were within the wall, smitten by darts or wounded with spear-thrusts.765 But one he presently found on the left of the tearful battle, even goodly Alexander, the lord of fair-tressed Helen, heartening his comrades and urging them on to fight; and he drew near and spake to him with words of shame: Evil Paris, most fair to look upon, thou that art mad after women, thou beguiler,770 where, I pray thee, is Deïphobus, and the valiant prince Helenus, and Adamas, son of Asius, and Asius, son of Hyrtacus? Aye, and where, tell me, is Othryoneus? Now is steep Ilios wholly plunged into ruin; now, thou mayest see, is utter destruction sure. Then spake unto him again godlike Alexander:775 Hector, seeing it is thy mind to blame one in whom is no blame, at some other time have I haply withdrawn me from war rather than now, for my mother bare not even me wholly a weakling. For from the time thou didst rouse the battle of thy comrades beside the ships, even from that time we abide here and have dalliance with the Danaans780 ceaselessly; but our comrades are dead of whom thou makest question. Only Deïphobus and the valiant prince Helenus have departed, both of them smitten in the arm with long spears; yet the son of Cronos warded off death. But now lead thou on whithersoever thy heart and spirit bid thee,785 and as for us, we will follow with thee eagerly, nor, methinks, shall we be anywise wanting in valour, so far as we have strength; but beyond his strength may no man fight, how eager soever he be.
So spake the warrior, and turned his brother's mind; and they set out to go where the battle and the din were fiercest,790 round about Cebriones and peerless Polydamas, and Phalces, and Orthaeus, and godlike Polyphetes, and Palmys, and Ascanius, and Morys, son of Hippotion, who had come from deep-soiled Ascania on the morn before to relieve their fellows, and now Zeus roused them to fight.795 And they came on like the blast of direful winds that rusheth upon the earth beneath the thunder of father Zeus, and with wondrous din mingleth with the sea, and in its track are many surging waves of the loud-resounding sea, high-arched and white with foam, some in the van and after them others;800 even so the Trojans, in close array, some in the van and after them others, flashing with bronze, followed with their leaders. And Hector, son of Priam, led them, the peer of Ares, the bane of mortals. Before him he held his shield that was well-balanced upon every side, his shield thick with hides, whereon abundant bronze had been welded,805 and about his temples waved the crest of his shining helm. And everywhere on this side and on that he strode forward and made trial of the battalions, if so be they would give way before him, as he advanced under cover of his shield; yet could he not confound the heart in the breast of the Achaeans. And Aias came on with long strides, and was first to challenge him:810 Good sir, draw nigh; wherefore seekest thou thus vainly to affright the Argives? In no wise, I tell thee, are we ignorant of battle, but by the evil scourge of Zeus were we Achaeans subdued. Verily, thy heart hopeth, I ween, to despoil our ships, but be sure we too have hands to defend them.815 In good sooth your well-peopled city is like, ere that, to be taken and laid waste beneath our hands. And for thine own self, I declare that the day is near when in flight thou shalt pray to father Zeus and the other immortals, that thy fair-maned horses may be swifter than falcons—820they that shall bear thee citywards, coursing in dust over the plain.
Even as he thus spake, there flew forth a bird upon the right hand, an eagle of lofty flight; and thereat the host of the Achaeans shouted aloud, heartened by the omen; but glorious Hector made answer: Aias, witless in speech, thou braggart, what a thing hast thou said.825 I would that I mine own self were all my days as surely the son of Zeus, that beareth the aegis, and my mother were the queenly Hera, and that I were honoured even as are Athene and Apollo, as verily this day beareth evil for the Argives, one and all; and among them shalt thou too be slain, if thou have the heart830 to abide my long spear, that shall rend thy lily-like skin; and thou shalt glut with thy fat and thy flesh the dogs and birds of the Trojans, when thou art fallen amid the ships of the Achaeans. So spake he, and led the way; and they followed after with a wondrous din, and the host shouted behind. And the Argives over against them shouted in answer, and forgat not their valour, but abode the oncoming of the best of the Trojans; and the clamour of the two hosts went up to the aether and the splendour of Zeus.
There is a wide cavern in the depths of the deep mere, midway between Tenedos and rugged Imbros. There Poseidon,the Shaker of Earth, stayed his horses,35 and loosed them from the car, and cast before them food ambrosial to graze upon, and about their feet he put hobbles of gold, neither to be broken nor loosed, that they might abide fast where they were against the return of their lord; and himself he went to the host of the Achaeans. But the Trojans, all in one body, like flame or tempest-blast were following furiously after40 Hector, son of Priam, with loud shouts and cries, and they deemed that they would take the ships of the Achaeans, and slay thereby all the bravest. Howbeit Poseidon, the Enfolder and Shaker of Earth, set him to urge on the Argives, when he had come forth from the deep sea,45 in the likeness of Calchas, both in form and untiring voice. To the two Aiantes spake he first, that were of themselves full eager: Ye Aiantes twain, ye two shall save the host of the Achaeans, if ye are mindful of your might, and think not of chill rout. Not otherwhere do I dread the invincible hands50 of the Trojans that have climbed over the great wall in their multitude, for the well-greaved Achaeans will hold back all; nay it is here that I have wondrous dread lest some evil befall us, here where yon madman is leading on like a flame of fire, even Hector, that boasts him to be a son of mighty Zeus.55 But in the hearts of you twain may some god put it, here to stand firm yourselves, and to bid others do the like; so might ye drive him back from the swift-faring ships, despite his eagerness, aye, even though the Olympian himself be urging him on.
Therewith the Enfolder and Shaker of Earth60 smote the twain with his staff, and filled them with valorous strength and made their limbs light, their feet and their hands above. And himself, even as a hawk, swift of flight, speedeth forth to fly, and poising himself aloft above a high sheer rock, darteth over the plain to chase some other bird;65 even so from them sped Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth. And of the twain swift Aias, son of Oïleus, was first to mark the god, and forthwith spake to Aias, son of Telamon: Aias, seeing it is one of the gods who hold Olympus that in the likeness of the seer biddeth the two of us fight beside the ships—70not Calchas is he, the prophet, and reader of omens, for easily did I know the tokens behind him of feet and of legs as he went from us; and plain to be known are the gods —lo, mine own heart also within my breast is the more eager to war and do battle,75 and my feet beneath and my hands above are full fain. Then in answer spake to him Telamonian Aias: Even so too mine own hands invincible are fain now to grasp the spear, and my might is roused, and both my feet are swift beneath me; and I am eager to meet even in single fight80 Hector, Priam's son, that rageth incessantly.
On this wise spake they one to the other, rejoicing in the fury of fight which the god put in their hearts; and meanwhile the Enfolder of Earth roused the Achaeans that were in the rear beside the swift ships, and were refreshing their hearts.85 Their limbs were loosed by their grievous toil and therewithal sorrow waxed in their hearts, as they beheld the Trojans that had climbed over the great wall in their multitude. Aye, as they looked upon these they let tears fall from beneath their brows, for they deemed not that they should escape from ruin. But the Shaker of Earth,90 lightly passing among them, aroused their strong battalions. To Teucer first he came and to Leïtus, to bid them on, and to the warrior Peneleos, and Thoas and Deïpyrus, and Meriones and Antilochus, masters of the war-cry; to these he spake, spurring them on with winged words:95 Shame, ye Argives, mere striplings! It was in your fighting that I trusted for the saving of our ships; but if ye are to flinch from grievous war, then of a surety hath the day now dawned for us to be vanquished beneath the Trojans. Out upon it! Verily a great marvel is this that mine eyes behold,100 a dread thing that I deemed should never be brought to pass: the Trojans are making way against our ships, they that heretofore were like panic-stricken hinds that in the woodland become the prey of jackals and pards and wolves, as they wander vainly in their cowardice, nor is there any fight in them.105 Even so the Trojans aforetime had never the heart to abide and face the might and the hands of the Achaeans, no not for a moment. But lo, now far from the city they are fighting at the hollow ships because of the baseness of our leader and the slackness of the folk, that, being at strife with him, have no heart to defend110 the swift-faring ships, but are slain in the midst of them. But if in very truth the warrior son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, is the cause of all, for that he wrought dishonour on the swift-footed son of Peleus, yet may we in no wise prove slack in war.115 Nay, let us atone for the fault with speed: the hearts of good men admit of atonement. But it is no longer well that ye are slack in furious valour, all ye that are the best men in the host. Myself I would not quarrel with one that was slack in war, so he were but a sorry wight, but with you I am exceeding wroth at heart.120 Ye weaklings, soon ye shall cause yet greater evil by this slackness. Nay, take in your hearts, each man of you, shame and indignation; for in good sooth mighty is the conflict that has arisen. Hector, good at the war-cry, is fighting at the ships, strong in his might, and hath broken the gates and the long bar.
125 Thus did the Earth-enfolder arouse the Achaeans with his word of command, and round about the twain Aiantes their battalions took their stand, so strong in might, that not Ares might have entered in and made light of them, nor yet Athene, the rouser of hosts; for they that were the chosen bravest abode the onset of the Trojans and goodly Hector,130 fencing spear with spear, and shield with serried shield; buckler pressed on buckler, helm on helm, and man on man; and the horse-hair crests on the bright helmet-ridges touched each other, as the men moved their heads, in such close array stood they one by another, and spears in stout hands overlapped each other, as they were brandished,135 and their minds swerved not, but they were fain to fight. Then the Trojans drave forward in close throng and Hector led them, pressing ever forward, like a boulder from a cliff that a river swollen by winter rains thrusteth from the brow of a hill, when it has burst with its wondrous flood the foundations of the ruthless stone;140 high aloft it leapeth, as it flies, and the woods resound beneath it, and it speedeth on its course and is not stayed until it reacheth the level plain, but then it rolleth no more for all its eagerness; even so Hector for a time threatened lightly to make his way even to the sea through the huts and ships of the Achaeans,145 slaying as he went, but when he encountered the close-set battalions, then was he stayed, as he drew close against them. And the sons of the Achaeans faced him, thrusting with swords and two-edged spears, and drave him back from them, so that he gave ground and was made to reel. Then he uttered a piercing shout, calling aloud to the Trojans:150 Ye Trojans and Lycians and Dardanians that fight in close combat, stand ye fast. No long space shall the Achaeans hold me back, for all they have arrayed themselves in fashion like a wall; nay, methinks, they will give ground before my spear, if verily the highest of gods hath urged me on, the loud-thundering lord of Hera.
155 So saying, he aroused the strength and spirit of every man. Then among them with high heart strode Deïphobus, son of Priam, and before him he held his shield that was well-balanced upon every side, stepping forward lightly on his feet and advancing under cover of his shield. And Meriones aimed at him with his bright spear,160 and cast, and missed not, but smote the shield of bull's hide, that was well balanced upon every side, yet drave not in any wise therethrough; nay, well ere that might be, the long spear-shaft was broken in the socket; and Deïphobus held from him the shield of bull's hide, and his heart was seized with fear165 of the spear of wise-hearted Meriones; but that warrior shrank back into the throng of his comrades, and waxed wondrous wroth both for the loss of victory and for the spear which he had shattered. And he set out to go along the huts and ships of the Achaeans to fetch him a long spear that he had left in his hut. But the rest fought on, and a cry unquenchable arose.170 And Teucer, son of Telamon, was first to slay his man, even the spearman Imbrius, the son of Mentor, rich in horses. He dwelt in Pedaeum before the sons of the Achaeans came, and had to wife a daughter of Priam that was born out of wedlock, even Medesicaste; but when the curved ships of the Danaans came175 he returned back to Ilios and was pre-eminent among the Trojans, and he dwelt in the house of Priam, who held him in like honour with his own children. Him did the son of Telamon smite beneath the ear with a thrust of his long spear, and again drew forth the spear; and he fell like an ash-tree that, on the summit of a mountain that is seen from afar on every side,180 is cut down by the bronze, and bringeth its tender leafage to the ground; even so fell he, and about him rang his armour dight with bronze. And Teucer rushed forth eager to strip from him his armour, but Hector, even as he rushed, cast at him with his bright spear. Howbeit Teucer, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze by a little,185 but Hector smote Amphimachus, son of Cteatus, the son of Actor, in the breast with his spear as he was coming into the battle; and he fell with a thud, and upon him his armour clanged. Then Hector rushed forth to tear from the head of great-hearted Amphimachus the helm that was fitted to his temples,190 but Aias lunged with his bright spear at Hector as he rushed, yet in no wise reached he his flesh, for he was all clad in dread bronze; but he smote the boss of his shield, and thrust him back with mighty strength, so that he gave ground backward from the two corpses, and the Achaeans drew them off.
195 Amphimachus then did Stichius and goodly Menestheus, leaders of the Athenians, carry to the host of the Achaeans, and Imbrius the twain Aiantes bare away, their hearts fierce with furious valour. And as when two lions that have snatched away a goat from sharp-toothed hounds, bear it through the thick brush,200 holding it in their jaws high above the ground, even so the twain warrior Aiantes held Imbrius on high, and stripped him of his armour. And the head did the son of Oïleus cut from the tender neck, being wroth for the slaying of Amphimachus, and with a swing he sent it rolling through the throng like a ball;205 and it fell in the dust before the feet of Hector. Then verily Poseidon waxed mightily wroth at heart when his son's son fell in the dread conflict, and he went his way along the huts and ships of the Achaeans to arouse the Danaans; but for the Trojans was he fashioning woes.210 And there met him Idomeneus, famed for his spear, on his way from a comrade that he had but now found coming from the battle smitten in the knee with the sharp bronze. Him his comrades bare forth, but Idomeneus had given charge to the leeches, and was going to his hut, for he was still fain to confront the battle;215 and the lord, the Shaker of Earth, spake to him, likening his voice to that of Andraemon's son Thoas, that in all Pleuron and steep Calydon was lord over the Aetolians, and was honoured of the folk even as a god: Idomeneus, thou counsellor of the Cretans, where now I pray thee,220 are the threats gone, wherewith the sons of the Achaeans threatened the Trojans? And to him Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer: O Thoas, there is no man now at fault, so far as I wot thereof; for we are all skilled in war. Neither is any man holden of craven error,225 nor doth any through dread withdraw him from evil war, but even thus, I ween, must it be the good pleasure of the son of Cronos, supreme in might, that the Achaeans should perish here far from Argos, and have no name. But, Thoas, seeing that aforetime thou wast ever staunch in fight, and dost also urge on another, wheresoever thou seest one shrinking from fight,230 therefore now cease thou not, but call to every man.
And Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth, answered him: Idomeneus, never may that man any more return home from Troy-land, but here may he become the sport of dogs, whoso in this day's course of his own will shrinketh from fight.235 Up then, take thine harness and get thee forth: herein beseems it that we play the man together, in hope there may be help in us, though we be but two. Prowess comes from fellowship even of right sorry folk, but we twain know well how to do battle even with men of valour. So spake he, and went back again, a god into the toil of men;240 and Idomeneus, as soon as he was come to his well-built hut, did on his fair armour about his body, and grasped two spears, and went his way like the lightning that the son of Cronos seizeth in his hand and brandisheth from gleaming Olympus, showing forth a sign to mortals, and brightly flash the rays thereof;245 even so shone the bronze about his breast as he ran. And Meriones, his valiant squire, met him, while yet he was near the hut; for he was on his way to fetch him a spear of bronze; and mighty Idomeneus spake to him: Meriones, Molus' son, swift of foot, thou dearest of my comrades,250 wherefore art thou come, leaving the war and battle? Art thou haply wounded, and doth the point of a dart distress thee? Or art thou come after me on some message? Nay, of mine own self am I fain, not to abide in the huts, but to fight. To him again the wise Meriones made answer:255 Idomeneus, counsellor of the brazen-coated Cretans, I am on my way to fetch a spear, if perchance thou hast one left in the huts; for the one that I bare of old have I shattered, as I cast at the shield of the overweening Deïphobus. And to him Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer:260 Spears, if thou wilt, thou shalt find, be it one or twenty, standing in the hut against the bright entrance wall, spears of the Trojans whereof it is my wont to despoil their slain. For I am not minded to fight with the foemen while standing afar off; wherefore I have spears and bossed shields,265 and helms, and corselets gleaming bright.
Then to him the wise Meriones made answer: Aye, in mine own hut also and my black ship are many spoils of the Trojans, but I have them not at hand to take thereof. For I deem that I too am not forgetful of valour,270 but I take my stand amid the foremost in battle, where men win glory, whenso the strife of war ariseth. Some other of the brazen-coated Achaeans might sooner be unaware of my fighting, but thou methinks of thine own self knowest it well. And to him Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer:275 I know what manner of man thou art in valour; what need hast thou to tell the tale thereof? For if now all the best of us were being told off besides the ships for an ambush, wherein the valour of men is best discerned—there the coward cometh to light and the man of valour; for the colour of the coward changeth ever to another hue,280 nor is the spirit in his breast stayed that he should abide steadfast, but he shifteth from knee to knee and resteth on either foot, and his heart beats loudly in his breast as he bodeth death, and the teeth chatter in his mouth; but the colour of the brave man changeth not,285 neither feareth he overmuch when once he taketh his place in the ambush of warriors, but he prayeth to mingle forthwith in woeful war— not even in such case, I say, would any man make light of thy courage or the strength of thy hands. For if so be thou wert stricken by a dart in the toil of battle, or smitten with a thrust, not from behind in neck or back would the missile fall;290 nay, but on thy breast would it light or on thy belly, as thou wert pressing on into the dalliance of the foremost fighters. But come, no longer let us loiter here and talk thus like children, lest haply some man wax wroth beyond measure; nay, but go thou to the hut, and get thee a mighty spear.
295 So spake he, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, speedily took from the hut a spear of bronze, and followed Idomeneus with high thought of battle. And even as Ares, the bane of mortals, goeth forth to war, and with him followeth Rout, his son, valiant alike and fearless,300 that turneth to flight a warrior, were he never so staunch of heart—these twain arm themselves and go forth from Thrace to join the Ephyri or the great-hearted Phlegyes, yet they hearken not to both sides, but give glory to one or the other; even in such wise did Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of men,305 go forth into the fight, harnessed in flaming bronze. And Meriones spake first to Idomeneus, saying: Son of Deucalion, at what point art thou eager to enter the throng? On the right of all the host, or in the centre, or shall it be on the left? For verily, methinks, in no other place310 do the long-haired Achaeans so fail in the fight. And to him again Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer: Among the midmost ships there be others for defence, the two Aiantes, and Teucer, best of all the Achaeans in bowmanship,315 and a good man too in close fight; these shall drive Hector, Priam's son, to surfeit of war, despite his eagerness, be he never so stalwart. Hard shall it be for him, how furious soever for war, to overcome their might and their invincible hands, and to fire the ships, unless the son of Cronos should himself320 cast a blazing brand upon the swift ships. But to no man would great Telamonian Aias yield, to any man that is mortal, and eateth the grain of Demeter, and may be cloven with the bronze or crushed with great stones. Nay, not even to Achilles, breaker of the ranks of men,325 would he give way, in close fight at least; but in fleetness of foot may no man vie with Achilles. But for us twain, do thou, even as thou sayest,make for the left of the host, that we may know forthwith whether we shall give glory to another or another to us.
So spake he, and Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, led the way until they came to the host, at the point whither Idomeneus bade him go.330 Now when the Trojans had sight of Idomeneus, in might as it were a flame, himself and his squire clad in armour richly dight, they called one to another through the throng, and all made at him; and by the sterns of the ships arose a strife of men clashing together. And as gusts come thick and fast when shrill winds are blowing,335 on a day when dust lies thickest on the roads, and the winds raise up confusedly a great cloud of dust; even so their battle clashed together, and they were eager in the throng to slay one another with the sharp bronze. And the battle, that brings death to mortals, bristled with long spears340 which they held for the rending of flesh, and eyes were blinded by the blaze of bronze from gleaming helmets, and corselets newly burnished, and shining shields, as men came on confusedly. Sturdy in sooth would he have been of heart that took joy at sight of such toil of war, and grieved not.345 Thus were the two mighty sons of Cronos, divided in purpose, fashioning grievous woes for mortal warriors. Zeus would have victory for the Trojans and Hector, so giving glory to Achilles, swift of foot; yet was he in no wise minded that the Achaean host should perish utterly before the face of Ilios,350 but was fain only to give glory to Thetis and to her son, strong of heart. But Poseidon went among the Argives and urged them on, stealing forth secretly from the grey sea; for it vexed him that they were being overcome by the Trojans, and against Zeus was he exceeding wroth. Both the twain verily were of one stock and of one parentage,355 but Zeus was the elder born and the wiser. Therefore it was that Poseidon avoided to give open aid, but secretly sought ever to rouse the Argives throughout the host, in the likeness of a man. So these twain knotted the ends of the cords of mighty strife and evil war, and drew them taut over both armies,360 a knot none might break nor undo, that loosed the knees of many men.
Then Idomeneus, albeit his hair was flecked with grey, called to the Danaans, and leaping amid the Trojans turned them to flight. For he slew Othryoneus of Cabesus, a sojourner in Troy, that was but newly come following the rumour of war;365 and he asked in marriage the comeliest of the daughters of Priam, even Cassandra; he brought no gifts of wooing, but promised a mighty deed, that he would drive forth perforce out of Troy-land the sons of Achaeans. To him the old man Priam promised that he would give her, and bowed his head thereto, and Othryoneus fought, trusting in his promise.370 But Idomeneus aimed at him with his bright spear, and cast and smote him as he strode proudly on, nor did the corselet of bronze that he wore avail him, but the spear was fixed full in his belly, and he fell with a thud and Idomeneus exulted over him and spake, saying: Othryoneus, verily above all mortal men do I count thee happy,375 if in good sooth thou shalt accomplish all that thou didst promise to Dardanian Priam; and he promised thee his own daughter. Aye, and we too would promise the like and would bring all to pass, and would give thee the comeliest of the daughters of the son of Atreus, bringing her forth from Argos that thou mightest wed her;380 if only thou wilt make cause with us and sack the well-peopled city of Ilios. Nay, follow with us, that at the seafaring ships we may make agreement about the marriage, for thou mayest be sure we deal not hardly in exacting gifts of wooing. So saying, the warrior Idomeneus dragged him by the foot through the mighty conflict. But Asius came to bear aid to Othryoneus,385 on foot in front of his horses; and these twain the squire that was his charioteer ever drave so that their breath smote upon the shoulders of Asius. And he was ever fain of heart to cast at Idomeneus; but the other was too quick for him, and smote him with a cast of his spear on the throat beneath the chin, and drave the bronze clean through. And he fell as an oak falls, or a poplar,390 or a tall pine that among the mountains shipwrights fell with whetted axes to be a ship's timber; even so before his horses and chariot Asius lay out-stretched, moaning aloud and clutching at the bloody dust. And the charioteer, stricken with terror, kept not the wits that afore he had,395 neither dared turn the horses back and so escape from out the hands of the foemen; but Antilochus, staunch in fight, aimed at him, and pierced him through the middle with his spear, nor did the corselet of bronze that he wore avail him, but he fixed the spear full in his belly. And gasping he fell from out his well-built car,400 and the horses Antilochus, son of great-souled Nestor, drave forth from the Trojans into the host of the well-greaved Achaeans.
Then Deïphobus in sore grief for Asius drew very nigh to Idomeneus, and cast at him with his bright spear. Howbeit Idomeneus, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze,405 for he hid beneath the cover of his shield that was well-balanced upon every side, the which he was wont to bear, cunningly wrought with bull's hide and gleaming bronze, and fitted with two rods; beneath this he gathered himself together, and the spear of bronze flew over; and harshly rang his shield, as the spear grazed thereon.410 Yet nowise in vain did Deïphobus let the spear fly from his heavy hand, but he smote Hypsenor, son of Hippasus, shepherd of the people, in the liver beneath the midriff, and straightway loosed his knees. And Deïphobus exulted over him in terrible wise, and cried aloud: Hah, in good sooth not unavenged lies Asius; nay, methinks,415 even as he fareth to the house of Hades, the strong warder, will he be glad at heart, for lo, I have given him one to escort him on his way! So spake he, and upon the Argives came sorrow by reason of his exulting, and beyond all did he stir the soul of wise-hearted Antilochus; howbeit, despite his sorrow, he was not unmindful of his dear comrade,420 but ran and bestrode him, and covered him with his shield. Then two trusty comrades stooped down, even Mecisteus, son of Echius, and goodly Alastor, and bare Hypsenor, groaning heavily, to the hollow ships.
And Idomeneus slackened not in his furious might, but was ever fain425 to enwrap some one of the Trojans in the darkness of night, or himself to fall in warding off ruin from the Achaeans. Then the dear son of Aesyetes, fostered of Zeus, the warrior Alcathous—son by marriage was he to Anchises, and had married the eldest of his daughters, Hippodameia,430 whom her father and queenly mother heartily loved in their hall, for that she excelled all maidens of her years in comeliness, and in handiwork, and in wisdom; wherefore the best man in wide Troy had taken her to wife—this Alcathous did Poseidon subdue beneath Idomeneus,435 for he cast a spell upon his bright eyes and ensnared his glorious limbs that he might nowise flee backwards nor avoid the spear; but as he stood fixed, even as a pillar or a tree, high and leafy, the warrior Idomeneus smote him with a thrust of his spear full upon the breast,440 and clave his coat of bronze round about him, that aforetime ever warded death from his body, but now it rang harshly as it was cloven about the spear. And he fell with a thud, and the spear was fixed in his heart, that still beating made the butt thereof to quiver; howbeit, there at length did mighty Ares stay its fury.445 But Idomeneus exulted over him in terrible wise, and cried aloud: Deïphobus, shall we now deem perchance that due requital hath been made—three men slain for one—seeing thou boasteth thus? Nay, good sir, but stand forth thyself and face me, that thou mayest know what manner of son of Zeus am I that am come hither.450 For Zeus at the first begat Minos to be a watcher over Crete, and Minos again got him a son, even the peerless Deucalion, and Deucalion begat me, a lord over many men in wide Crete; and now have the ships brought me hither a bane to thee and thy father and the other Trojans.
455 So spake he, and Deïphobus was divided in counsel, whether he should give ground and take to him as comrade some one of the great-souled Trojans, or should make trial by himself alone. And as he pondered this thing seemed to him the better—to go after Aeneas; and he found him standing last amid the throng,460 for ever was Aeneas wroth against goodly Priam, for that brave though he was amid warriors Priam honoured him not a whit. Then Deïphobus drew near and spake to him winged words: Aeneas, counsellor of the Trojans, now in sooth it behoveth thee to bear aid to thy sister's husband, if in any wise grief for thy kin cometh upon thee.465 Nay, come thou with me, that we may bear aid to Alcathous, who, for all he was but thy sister's husband, reared thee in the halls when thou wast yet a little child; he, I tell thee, hath been slain of Idomeneus, famed for his spear. So spake he, and roused the heart in the breast of Aeneas, and he went to seek Idomeneus, with high thoughts of war.470 Howbeit terror gat not hold of Idomeneus, as he had been some petted boy, but he abode like a boar in the mountains, that trusteth in his strength, and abideth the great, tumultuous throng of men that cometh against him, in a lonely place; he bristleth up his back and his two eyes blaze with fire,475 and he whetteth his tusks, eager to ward off dogs and men; even so Idomeneus, famed for his spear, abode the oncoming of Aeneas to bear aid, and gave not ground, but called to his comrades, looking unto Ascalaphus, Aphareus, and Deïpyrus, and Meriones, and Antilochus, masters of the war-cry;480 to these he spake winged words, and spurred them on: Hither, friends, and bear aid to me that am alone, and sorely do I dread the oncoming of Aeneas, swift of foot, that cometh against me; right strong is he to slay men in battle, and he hath the flower of youth, wherein is the fulness of strength.485 Were we but of like age and our mood such as now it is, then forthwith should he win great victory, or haply I.
So spake he, and they all, having one spirit in their breasts, took their stand, each hard by the other, leaning their shields against their shoulders. And Aeneas over against them called to his comrades,490 looking unto Deïphobus, and Paris, and goodly Agenor, that with himself were leaders of the Trojans; and after them followed the host, as sheep follow after the ram to water from the place of feeding, and the shepherd joyeth in his heart; even so the heart of Aeneas was glad in his breast,495 when he saw the throng of the host that followed after him. Then over Alcathous they clashed in close fight with their long spears, and about their breasts the bronze rang terribly as they aimed each at the other in the throng; and above all the rest two men of valour,500 Aeneas and Idomeneus, peers of Ares, were eager each to cleave the other's flesh with the pitiless bronze. And Aeneas first cast at Idomeneus, but he, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze, and the lance of Aeneas sank quivering down in to the earth,505 for that it sped in vain from his mighty hand. But Idomeneus cast and smote Oenomaus, full upon the belly, and brake the plate of his corselet, and the bronze let forth the bowels therethrough; and he fell in the dust and clutched the earth in his palm. And Idomeneus drew forth from out the corpse the far-shadowing spear,510 yet could he not prevail likewise to strip the rest of the fair armour from his shoulders, since he was sore pressed with missiles. For the joints of his feet were not firm as of old in a charge, that he might rush forth after his own cast, or avoid another's. Wherefore in close fight he warded off the pitiless day of doom,515 but in flight his feet no longer bare him swiftly from the war. And as he drew back step by step Deïphobus cast at him with his shining spear, for verily he ever cherished a ceaseless hate against him. Howbeit this time again he missed him, and smote with his spear Ascalaphus, son of Enyalius, and through the shoulder the mighty spear held its way;520 and he fell in the dust and clutched the ground with his palm. But as yet loud-voiced dread Ares wist not at all that his son had fallen in the mighty conflict; but he sat on the topmost peak of Olympus beneath the golden clouds, constrained by the will of Zeus,525 where also were the other immortal gods, being held aloof from the war.
Then over Ascalaphus they clashed in close fight, and Deïphobus tore from Ascalaphus his shining helm, but Meriones, the peer of swift Ares, leapt upon Deïphobus and smote his arm with his spear,530 and from his hand the crested helm fell to the ground with a clang. And Meriones sprang forth again like a vulture, and drew forth the mighty spear from the upper arm of Deïphobus, and shrank back in the throng of his comrades. But Polites, the own brother of Deïphobus, stretched his arms around his waist,535 and led him forth from out the dolorous war, until he came to the swift horses that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him to the city groaning heavily and sore distressed and down ran the blood from his newly wounded arm.540 But the rest fought on, and a cry unquenchable arose. Then Aeneas leapt upon Aphareus, son of Caletor, that was turned toward him, and struck him on the throat with his sharp spear, and his head sank to one side, and his shield was hurled upon him and his helm withal, and death that slayeth the spirit encompassed him.545 Then Antilochus, biding his time, leapt upon Thoön, as he turned his back, and smote him with a thrust, and wholly severed the vein that runneth along the back continually until it reacheth the neck; this he severed wholly, and Thoön fell on his back in the dust, stretching out both his hands to his dear comrades.550 But Antilochus leapt upon him and set him to strip the armour from off his shoulders, looking warily around the while; for the Trojans encircled him and thrust from this side and from that upon his broad, shining shield; howbeit they prevailed not to pierce through and graze the tender flesh of Antilochus with the pitiless bronze; for mightily did Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth,555 guard Nestor's son, even in the midst of many darts. For never aloof from the foe was Antilochus, but he ranged among them, nor ever was his spear at rest, but was ceaselessly brandished and shaken; and he ever aimed in heart to cast at some foeman, or rush upon him in close fight.
560 But as he was aiming amid the throng he was not unmarked of Adamas, son of Asius, who smote him full upon the shield with a thrust of the sharp bronze, setting upon him from nigh at hand. But the spear-point was made of none avail by Poseidon, the dark-haired god,565 who begrudged it the life of Antilochus. And the one part of the spear abode here, like a charred stake, in the shield of Antilochus, and half lay on the ground; and Adamas shrank back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate. But Meriones followed after him as he went and cast with his spear, and smote him midway between the privy parts and the navel, where most of all Ares is cruel to wretched mortals.570 Even there he fixed his spear, and the other, leaning over the shaft which pierced him, writhed as a bull that herdsmen amid the mountains have bound with twisted withes and drag with them perforce; even so he, when he was smitten, writhed a little while, but not long, till the warrior Meriones came near and drew the spear forth from out his flesh;575 and darkness enfolded his eyes. Then in close fight Helenus smote Deïpyrus on the temple with a great Thracian sword, and tore away his helm, and the helm, dashed from his head, fell to the ground, and one of the Achaeans gathered it up as it rolled amid the feet of the fighters;580 and down upon the eyes of Deïpyrus came the darkness of night, and enfolded him. But the son of Atreus was seized with grief thereat, even Menelaus, good at the war-cry, and he strode forth with a threat against the prince, the warrior Helenus, brandishing his sharp spear, while the other drew the centre-piece of his bow. So the twain at the one moment let fly,585 the one with his sharp spear, and the other with an arrow from the string. Then the son of Priam smote Menelaus on the breast with his arrow, on the plate of his corselet, and off therefrom glanced the bitter arrow. And as from a broad shovel in a great threshing-floor the dark-skinned beans or pulse590 leap before the shrill wind and the might of the winnower; even so from the corselet of glorious Menelaus glanced aside the bitter arrow and sped afar. But the son of Atreus, Menelaus, good at the war-cry, cast, and smote Helenus on the hand wherewith he was holding the polished bow, and into the bow595 clean through the hand was driven the spear of bronze. Then back he shrank into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate, letting his hand hang down by his side; and the ashen spear trailed after him. This then great-souled Agenor drew forth from his hand, and bound the hand with a strip of twisted sheep's wool,600 even a sling that his squire carried for him, the shepherd of the host.
But Peisander made straight at glorious Menelaus; howbeit an evil fate was leading him to the end of death, to be slain by thee, Menelaus, in the dread conflict. And when they were come near, as they advanced one against the other,605 the son of Atreus missed, and his spear was turned aside; but Peisander thrust and smote the shield of glorious Menelaus, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean through, for the wide shield stayed it and the spear brake in the socket; yet had he joy at heart, and hope for victory.610 But the son of Atreus drew his silver-studded sword, and leapt upon Peisander; and he from beneath his shield grasped a goodly axe of fine bronze, set on a haft of olive-wood, long and well-polished; and at the one moment they set each upon the other. Peisander verily smote Menelaus upon the horn of his helmet with crest of horse-hair615—on the topmost part beneath the very plume; but Menelaus smote him as he came against him, on the forehead above the base of the nose; and the bones crashed loudly, and the two eyeballs, all bloody, fell before his feet in the dust, and he bowed and fell; and Menelaus set his foot upon his breast, and despoiled him of his arms, and exulted, saying:620 ln such wise of a surety shall ye leave the ships of the Danaans, drivers of swift horses, ye overweening Trojans, insatiate of the dread din of battle. Aye, and of other despite and shame lack ye naught, wherewith ye have done despite unto me, ye evil dogs, and had no fear at heart of the grievous wrath of Zeus, that thundereth aloud, the god of hospitality,625 who shall some day destroy your high city. For ye bare forth wantonly over sea my wedded wife and therewithal much treasure, when it was with her that ye had found entertainment; and now again ye are full fain to fling consuming fire on the sea-faring ships, and to slay the Achaean warriors.630 Nay, but ye shall be stayed from your fighting, how eager soever ye be! Father Zeus, in sooth men say that in wisdom thou art above all others, both men and gods, yet it is from thee that all these things come; in such wise now dost thou shew favour to men of wantonness, even the Trojans, whose might is always froward,635 nor can they ever have their fill of the din of evil war. Of all things is there satiety, of sleep, and love, and of sweet song, and the goodly dance; of these things verily a man would rather have his fill than of war; but the Trojans are insatiate of battle.
640 With this peerless Menelaus stripped from the body the bloody armour and gave it to his comrades, and himself went back again, and mingled with the foremost fighters. Then there leapt forth against him the son of king Pylaemenes, even Harpalion, that followed his dear father to Troy unto the war,645 but came not back again to his dear native land. He then thrust with his spear full upon the shield of the son of Atreus, from nigh at hand, yet availed not to drive the bronze clean through, and back he shrank into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate, glancing warily on every side, lest some man should wound his flesh with the bronze.650 But as he drew back, Meriones let fly at him a bronze-tipped arrow, and smote him on the right buttock, and the arrow passed clean through even to the bladder beneath the bone. And sitting down where he was in the arms of his dear comrades he breathed forth his life, and lay stretched out like a worm on the earth;655 and the black blood flowed forth and wetted the ground. Him the great-hearted Paphlagonians tended, and setting him in a chariot they bare him to sacred Ilios, sorrowing the while, and with them went his father, shedding tears; but there was no blood-price gotten for his dead son.660 And for his slaying waxed Paris mightily wroth at heart, for among the many Paphlagonians Harpalion had been his host; and in wrath for his sake he let fly a bronze-tipped arrow. A certain Euchenor there was, son of Polyidus the seer, a rich man and a valiant, and his abode was in Corinth.665 He embarked upon his ship knowing full well the deadly fate to be, for often had his old sire, good Polyidus, told it him, to wit, that he must either perish of dire disease in his own halls, or amid the ships of the Achaeans be slain by the Trojans; wherefore he avoided at the same time the heavy fine of the Achaeans670 and the hateful disease, that he might not suffer woes at heart. Him Paris smote beneath the jaw, under the ear, and forthwith his spirit departed from his limbs, and hateful darkness gat hold of him.
So fought they like unto blazing fire; but Hector, dear to Zeus, had not heard, nor wist at all675 that on the left of the ships his hosts were being slain by the Argives; and soon would the Achaeans have gotten them glory, of such might was the Enfolder and Shaker of Earth that urged on the Argives and withal aided them by his own strength. Nay, Hector pressed on where at the first he had leapt within the gate and the wall,680 and had burst the close ranks of the Danaan shield-men, even in the place where were the ships of Aias and Protesilaus, drawn up along the beach of the grey sea, and beyond them the wall was builded lowest; there, as in no place beside, the men and their horses waxed furious in fight.685 There the Boeotians and the Ionians, of trailing tunics, and the Locrians, and Phthians, and glorious Epeians, had much ado to stay his onset upon the ships, and availed not to thrust back from themselves goodly Hector, that was like a flame of fire,—even they that were picked men of the Athenians;690 and among them Menestheus, son of Peteos, was leader, and there followed with him Pheidas and Stichius and valiant Bias, while the Epeians were led by Meges, son of Phyleus, and Araphion and Dracius, and in the forefront of the Phthians were Medon and Podarces, staunch in fight. The one, verily, even Medon, was a bastard son of godlike Oïleus695 and brother of Aias, but he dwelt in Phylace, far from his native land, for that he had slain a man of the kin of his stepmother Eriopis, that Oïleus had to wife; and the other, Podarces, was the son of Iphiclus, son of Phylacus. These, harnessed in their armour, in the forefront of the great-souled Phthians,700 were fighting in defence of the ships together with the Boeotians. And Aias, the swift son of Oïleus, would no more in any wise depart from the side of Aias, son of Telamon, no not for an instant; but even as in fallow land two wine-dark oxen with one accord strain at the jointed plough, and about705 the roots of their horns oozeth up the sweat in streams—the twain the polished yoke alone holdeth apart as they labour through the furrow, till the plough cutteth to the limit or the field; even in such wise did the two Aiantes take their stand and abide each hard by the other's side. After the son of Telamon verily there followed many valiant hosts of his comrades,710 who would ever take from him his shield, whenso weariness and sweat came upon his limbs. But the Locrians followed not with the great-hearted son of Oïleus, for their hearts abode not steadfast in close fight, seeing they had no brazen helms with thick plumes of horse-hair,715 neither round shields, nor spears of ash, but trusting in bows and well-twisted slings of sheep's wool had they followed with him to Ilios; with these thereafter they shot thick and fast, and sought to break the battalions of the Trojans. So the one part in front with their war-gear, richly dight,720 fought with the Trojans and with Hector in his harness of bronze, and the others behind kept shooting from their cover; and the Trojans bethought them no more of fight, for the arrows confounded them.
Then in sorry wise would the Trojans have given ground from the ships and huts unto windy Ilios,725 had not Polydamas drawn nigh to bold Hector, and said: Hector, hard to deal with art thou, that thou shouldest hearken to words of persuasion. Forasmuch as god has given to thee as to none other works of war, therefore in counsel too art thou minded to have wisdom beyond all; but in no wise shalt thou be able of thine own self to compass all things.730 To one man hath God given works of war, to another the dance, to another the lyre and song, and in the breast of another Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, putteth a mind of understanding, wherefrom many men get profit, and many he saveth; but he knoweth it best himself.735 So will I speak what seemeth to me to be best. Behold all about thee blazeth a circle of war, and the great-souled Trojans, now that they have passed over the wall, are some of them standing aloof with their arms, and others are fighting, fewer men against more, scattered among the ships.740 Nay, fall thou back, and call hither all the bravest. Then shall we consider all manner of counsel, whether we shall fall upon the many-benched ships, if so be the god willeth to give us victory, or thereafter shall return unscathed back from the ships. Verily, for myself,745 I fear lest the Achaeans shall pay back the debt of yesterday, seeing there abideth by the ships a man insatiate of war, who no longer, methinks, will hold him utterly aloof from battle. So spake Polydamas, and his prudent counsel was well pleasing unto Hector, and forthwith he leapt in his armour from his chariot to the ground;750 and he spake and addressed him with winged words: Polydamas, do thou hold back here all the bravest, but I will go thither and confront the war, and quickly will I come again, when to the full I have laid on them my charge.
So spake he, and set forth, in semblance like a snowy mountain,755 and with loud shouting sped he through the Trojans and allies. And they hasted one and all toward the kindly Polydamas, son of Panthous when they heard the voice of Hector. But he ranged through the foremost fighters, in quest of Deïphobus, and the valiant prince Helenus, and Adamas, son of Asius, and Asius, son of Hyrtacus,760 if haply he might find them. But he found them no more in any wise unscathed or free from bane, but some were lying at the sterns of the ships of the Achaeans, slain by the hands of the Argives, and some were within the wall, smitten by darts or wounded with spear-thrusts.765 But one he presently found on the left of the tearful battle, even goodly Alexander, the lord of fair-tressed Helen, heartening his comrades and urging them on to fight; and he drew near and spake to him with words of shame: Evil Paris, most fair to look upon, thou that art mad after women, thou beguiler,770 where, I pray thee, is Deïphobus, and the valiant prince Helenus, and Adamas, son of Asius, and Asius, son of Hyrtacus? Aye, and where, tell me, is Othryoneus? Now is steep Ilios wholly plunged into ruin; now, thou mayest see, is utter destruction sure. Then spake unto him again godlike Alexander:775 Hector, seeing it is thy mind to blame one in whom is no blame, at some other time have I haply withdrawn me from war rather than now, for my mother bare not even me wholly a weakling. For from the time thou didst rouse the battle of thy comrades beside the ships, even from that time we abide here and have dalliance with the Danaans780 ceaselessly; but our comrades are dead of whom thou makest question. Only Deïphobus and the valiant prince Helenus have departed, both of them smitten in the arm with long spears; yet the son of Cronos warded off death. But now lead thou on whithersoever thy heart and spirit bid thee,785 and as for us, we will follow with thee eagerly, nor, methinks, shall we be anywise wanting in valour, so far as we have strength; but beyond his strength may no man fight, how eager soever he be.
So spake the warrior, and turned his brother's mind; and they set out to go where the battle and the din were fiercest,790 round about Cebriones and peerless Polydamas, and Phalces, and Orthaeus, and godlike Polyphetes, and Palmys, and Ascanius, and Morys, son of Hippotion, who had come from deep-soiled Ascania on the morn before to relieve their fellows, and now Zeus roused them to fight.795 And they came on like the blast of direful winds that rusheth upon the earth beneath the thunder of father Zeus, and with wondrous din mingleth with the sea, and in its track are many surging waves of the loud-resounding sea, high-arched and white with foam, some in the van and after them others;800 even so the Trojans, in close array, some in the van and after them others, flashing with bronze, followed with their leaders. And Hector, son of Priam, led them, the peer of Ares, the bane of mortals. Before him he held his shield that was well-balanced upon every side, his shield thick with hides, whereon abundant bronze had been welded,805 and about his temples waved the crest of his shining helm. And everywhere on this side and on that he strode forward and made trial of the battalions, if so be they would give way before him, as he advanced under cover of his shield; yet could he not confound the heart in the breast of the Achaeans. And Aias came on with long strides, and was first to challenge him:810 Good sir, draw nigh; wherefore seekest thou thus vainly to affright the Argives? In no wise, I tell thee, are we ignorant of battle, but by the evil scourge of Zeus were we Achaeans subdued. Verily, thy heart hopeth, I ween, to despoil our ships, but be sure we too have hands to defend them.815 In good sooth your well-peopled city is like, ere that, to be taken and laid waste beneath our hands. And for thine own self, I declare that the day is near when in flight thou shalt pray to father Zeus and the other immortals, that thy fair-maned horses may be swifter than falcons—820they that shall bear thee citywards, coursing in dust over the plain.
Even as he thus spake, there flew forth a bird upon the right hand, an eagle of lofty flight; and thereat the host of the Achaeans shouted aloud, heartened by the omen; but glorious Hector made answer: Aias, witless in speech, thou braggart, what a thing hast thou said.825 I would that I mine own self were all my days as surely the son of Zeus, that beareth the aegis, and my mother were the queenly Hera, and that I were honoured even as are Athene and Apollo, as verily this day beareth evil for the Argives, one and all; and among them shalt thou too be slain, if thou have the heart830 to abide my long spear, that shall rend thy lily-like skin; and thou shalt glut with thy fat and thy flesh the dogs and birds of the Trojans, when thou art fallen amid the ships of the Achaeans. So spake he, and led the way; and they followed after with a wondrous din, and the host shouted behind. And the Argives over against them shouted in answer, and forgat not their valour, but abode the oncoming of the best of the Trojans; and the clamour of the two hosts went up to the aether and the splendour of Zeus.