Complete Works of Homer

by Homer

  But let my body be returned, that Troy's two-sexed descent

  May waste it in the funeral pile. If I can slaughter him,

  Apollo honouring me so much, I'll spoil his conquered limb,

  And bear his arms to Ilion, where in Apollo's shrine

  I'll hang them, as my trophies due; his body I'll resign

  To be disposed by his friends in flamy funerals,

  And honoured with erected tomb, where Hellespontus falls

  Into iEgaeum, and doth reach even to your naval road,

  That, when our beings in the earth shall hide their period,

  Survivors, sailing the black sea, may thus his name renew:

  ' This is his monument, whose blood long since did fates imbrue,

  Whom passing far in fortitude illustrate Hector slew.'

  This shall posterity report, and my fame never die."

  This said, dumb silence seized them all; they shamed to deny,

  And feared to undertake. At last did Menelaus speak,

  Checked their remissness, and so sighed as if his heart would break :

  “Ah me! But only threat'ning Greeks, not worthy Grecian names '

  This more and more, not to be borne, makes grow our huge defames,

  If Hectors honourable proof be entertained by none.

  But you are earth and v.-ater all, which, symbolized in one,

  Have framed your faint unfiery spirits; ye sit without your hearts,

  Grossly inglorious; but myself will use acceptive darts,

  And arm against him, though you think I arm 'gainst too much odds;

  But conquest's garlands hang aloft, amongst th' immortal Gods."

  He armed, and gladly would have fought; but, Menelaus, then

  By Hector's far more strength thy soul had fled th' abodes of men,

  Had not the kings of Greece stood up, and thy attempt restrained;

  And even the king of men himself, that in such compass reigned,

  Who took him by the bold right hand, and sternly plucked him back :

  “Mad brother, 'tis no work for thee, thou seek'st thy wilful wrack!

  Contain, though it despite thee much, nor for this strife engage

  Th y person with a man more strong, and whom all fear t' enrage;

  Yea, whom Aeacides himself, in men-renowning war,

  Makes doubt t' encounter, whose huge strength surpasseth thine by far.

  Sit thou then by thy regiment; some other Greek will rise

  (Though he be dreadless, and no war will his desires suffice,

  That makes this challenge to our strength) our valours to avow;

  To whom, if he can 'scape with life, he will be glad to bow."

  This drew his brother from his will, who yielded, knowing it true,

  And his glad soldiers took his arms; when Nestor did pursue

  The same reproof he set on foot, and thus supplied his turn:

  “What huge indignity is this! How will our country mourn!

  Old Peleus that good king will weep, that worthy counsellor,

  That trumpet of the Myrmidons, who much did ask me for

  All men of name that went to Troy, with joy he did inquire

  Their valour and their towardness, and I made him admire;

  But, that ye all fear Hector now, if his grave ears shall hear,

  How will he lift his hands to heaven, and pray that death may bear

  His grieved soul into the deep! O would to heaven's great King,

  Minerva, and the God of light, that now my youthful spring

  Did flourish in my willing veins, as when at Phsea's towers.

  About the streams of Jardanus, my gathered Pylean powers,

  And dart-employed Arcadians, fought near raging Celadon!

  Amongst whom, first of all stood forth great Ereuthalion,

  Who th' arms of Areithous wore, brave Areithous,

  And, since he still fought with a club, surnamed Clavigerus,

  All men, and fair-girt ladies both, for honour called him so.

  He fought not with a keep-off spear, or with a far-shot bow,

  But with a massy club of iron he broke through armed bands.

  And yet Lycurgus was his death, but not with force of hands,

  With sleight (encount'ring in a lane, where his club wanted sway)

  He thrust him through his spacious waist, who fell, and upwards lay,

  In death, not bowing his face to earth; his arms he did despoil,

  Which iron Mars bestowed on him; and those, in Mars's toil

  Lycurgus ever after wore, but, when he aged grew,

  Enforced to keep his peaceful house, their use he did renew

  On mighty Ereuthalion's limbs, his soldier, loved well;

  And with these arms he challenged all that did in arms excel;

  All shook, and stood dismayed, none durst his adverse champion make.

  Yet this same forward mind of mine, of choice, would undertake

  To fight with all his confidence; though youngest enemy

  Of all the army we conduct, yet I fought with him, I,

  Minerva made me so renowned, and that most tall strong peer

  1 slew; his big bulk lay on earth, extended here and there,

  As it were covetous to spread the centre everywhere.

  O that my youth were now as fresh, and all my powers as sound,

  Soon should bold Hector be impugned! Yet you that most are crowned

  With fortitude of all our host, even you methiuks are slow,

  Not free, and set on fire with lust, t' encounter such a foe."

  With this, nine royal princes rose. Atrides for the first:

  Then Diomed; th' Ajaces then, that did th' encounter thirst;

  King Idomen and his consorts; Mars-like Meriones;

  Evemon's son, Eurypylus; and Andrasmonides,

  Whom all the Grecians Thoas called, sprung of Andraemon's blood;

  And wise Ulysses; every one, proposed for combat, stood.

  Again Gerenius Nestor spake : " Let lots be drawn by all;

  His hand shall help the well-armed Greeks on whom the lot doth fall,

  And to his wish shall he be helped, if he escape with life

  The harmful, danger-breathing fit of his adventurous strife."

  Each marked his lot, and cast it in to Agamemnon's casque.

  The soldiers prayed, held up their hands, and this of Jove did ask,

  With eyes advanced to heaven : " O Jove, so lead the herald's hand,

  That Ajax, or great Tydeus' son, may our wished champion stand,

  Or else the king himself that rules the rich Mycenian land."

  This said, old Nestor mixed the lots. The foremost lot surveyed

  With Ajax Telamon was signed, as all the soldiers prayed;

  One of the heralds drew it forth, who brought and showed it round,

  Beginning at the right hand first, to all the most renowned.

  None knowing it, every man denied; but when he forth did pass

  To him which marked and cast it in, which famous Ajax was,

  He stretched his hand, and into it the herald put the lot,

  Who, viewing it, th' inscription knew; the duke denied not,

  But joyfully acknowledged it, and threw it at his feet,

  And said : " O friends, the lot is mine, which to my soul is sweet;

  For now I hope my fame shall rise in noble Hector's fall.

  But, whilst I arm myself, do you on great Saturnius call,'

  But silently, or to yourselves, that not a Trojan hear,

  Or openly, if you think good, since none alive we fear.

  Ncne with a will, if I will not, can my bold powers affright,

  At least for plain fierce swing of strength, or want of skill in fight;

  For I will well prove that my birth, and breed, in Salamine

  Was not all consecrate to meat, or mere effects of wine."

  This said, the well-given soldiers prayed, np went to heav
en their eyne :

  “O Jove, that Ida dost protect, most happy, most divine,

  Send victory to Ajax' side; fame; grace his goodly limb;

  Or if thy love bless Hector's life, that thou hast care of him,

  Bestow on both like power, like fame." This said, in bright arms shone

  The good strong Ajax; who, when all his war attire was on,

  Marched like the hugely-figured Mars, when angry Jupiter,

  With strength on people proud of strength, sends him forth to infer

  Wreakful contention, and comes on with presence full of fear;

  So th' Achive rampire, Telamon, did 'twixt the hosts appear;

  Smiled; yet of terrible aspect; on earth, with ample pace,

  He boldly stalked, and shook aloft his dart with deadly grace.

  It did the Grecians good to see; but heartquakes shook the joints

  Of all the Trojans. Hector's self felt thoughts, with horrid points,

  Tempt his hold bosom; but he now must make no counterflight,

  Nor, with his honour, now refuse, that had provoked the fight.

  Ajax came near; and like a tower his shield his bosom barred,

  The right side brass, and seven ox-hides within it quilted hard;

  Old Tychius, the best currier that did in Hvla dwell,

  Did frame it for exceeding proof, and wrought it wondrous well.

  With this stood he to Hector close, and with this brave began :

  “Now, Hector, thou shalt clearly know, thus meeting man to man,

  What other leaders arm our host besides great Thetis' son,

  Who with his hardy lion's heart hath armies overrun;

  But he lies at our crook'd-sterned fleet, a rival with our king,

  In height of spirit; yet to Troy he many knights did bring,

  Coequal with Aeacides, all able to sustain

  All thy bold challenge can import. Begin then, words are vain."

  The helm-graced Hector answered him : " Renowned Telamon,

  Prince of the soldiers came from Greece, assay not me, like one

  Young and immartial, with great words, as to an Amazon dame;

  I have the habit of all fights, and know the bloody frame

  Of every slaughter; I well know the ready right hand charge,

  I know the left, and every sway of my secureful targe;

  I triumph in the cruelty of fixed combat fight,

  And manage horse to all designs; I think then with good right

  I may be confident as far as this my challenge goes,

  Without being taxed with a vaunt, borne out with empty shows.

  But, being a soldier so renowned, I will not work on thee

  With least advantage of that skill I know doth strengthen me,

  And so with privity of sleight win that for which I strive,

  But at thy best, even open strength, if my endeavours thrive."

  Thus sent he his long javelin forth. It struck his foe's huge shield

  Near to the upper skirt of brass, which was the eighth it held.

  Six folds the untamed dart struck through, and in the seventh tough hide

  The poiut was checked. Then Ajax threw; his angry lance did glide

  Quite through his bright orbicular targe, his curace, shirt of mail,

  And did his manly stomach's mouth with dangerous taint assail;

  But, in the bowing of himself, black death too short did strike.

  Then both, to pluck their javelins forth, encountered lion-like,

  Whose bloody violence is increased by that raw food they eat,

  Or boars whose strength wild nourishment doth make so wondrous great.

  Again Priamides did wound in midst his shield of brass,

  Yet pierced not through the upper plate, the head reflected was.

  But Ajax, following his lance, smote through his target quite,

  And stayed bold Hector rushing in; the lance held way outright,

  And hurt his neck; out gushed the blood. Yet Hector ceased not so

  But in his strong hand took a flint, as he did backwards go,

  Black, sharp, and big, laid in the field; the sevenfold targe it smit

  Full on the boss, and round about the brass did ring with it.

  But Ajax a far greater stone lift up, and, wreathing round,

  With all his body laid to it, he sent it forth to wound,

  And gave unmeasured force to it; the round stone broke within

  His rundled target; his loved knees to languish did begin;

  And he leaned, stretched out on his shield; but Phoebus raised him straight.

  Then had they laid on wounds with swords, in use of closer fight,

  Unless the heralds, messengers of Gods and godlike men,

  The one of Troy, the other Greece, had held betwixt them then

  Imperial sceptres; when the one, Idseus, grave and wise,

  Said to them : " Now no more, my sons; the Sovereign of the skies

  Doth love you both; both soldiers are, all witness with good right;

  But now night lays her mace on earth; 'tis good t' obey the night."

  “Idseus," Telamon replied, " to Hector speak, not me;

  He that called all our Achive peers to station-fight, 'twas he;

  If he first cease I gladly yield.'' Great Hector then began :

  “Ajax, since Jove to thy big form made thee so strong a man,

  And gave thee skill to use thy strength, so much, that for thy spear

  Thou art most excellent of Greece, now let us fight forbear.

  Hereafter we shall war again, till Jove our herald be,

  And grace with conquest which he will. Heaven yields to night, and we.

  Go thou and comfort all thy fleet, all friends and men of thine,

  As I in Troy my favourers, who in the fane divine

  Have offered orisons for me; and come, let us impart

  Some ensigns of our strife, to show each other's suppled heart,

  That men of Troy and Greece may say, Thus their high quarrel ends.

  Those that, encountering, were such foes, are now, being separate, friends."

  He gave a sword, whose handle was with silver studs through driven,

  Scabbard and all, with hangers rich. By Telamon was given

  A fair well-glossed purple waist. Thus Hector went to Troy,

  And after him a multitude, filled with his safety's joy,

  Despairing he could ever 'scape the puissant fortitude

  And unimpeached Ajax' hands. The Greeks like joy renewed

  For their reputed victory, and brought him to the king

  Who to the great Saturnides preferred an offering,

  An ox that fed on five fair springs; they flayed and quartered him,

  And then, in pieces cut, on spits they roasted every limb;

  Which neatly dressed they drew it off. Work done, they fell to feast;

  All had enough; but Telamon, the king, fed past the rest

  With good large pieces of the chine. Thus thirst and hunger stayed,

  Nestor, whose counsels late were best, vows new, and first he said :

  “Atrides, and my other lords, a sort of Greeks are dead,

  Whose black blood near Scamander's stream inhuman Mars hath shed;

  Their souls to hell descended are. It fits thee then, our king,

  To make our soldiers cease from war; and, by the day's first spring,

  Let us ourselves, assembled all, the bodies bear to fire,

  With mules and oxen near our fleet, that, when we home retire-,

  Each man may carry to the sons of fathers slaughtered here

  Their honoured bones. One tomb for all, for ever let us rear,

  Circling the pile without the field; at which we will erect,

  Walls, and a ravelin, that may safe our fleet and us protect.

  And in them let us fashion gates, solid, and barred about,

  Through which our horse and chariots may well ge
t in and out.

  Without all, let us dig a dike, so deep it may avail

  Our forces 'gainst the charge of horse, and foot, that come t' assail.

  And thus th' attempts that I see swell in Troy's proud heart shall fail."

  The kings do his advice approve. So Troy doth court convent

  At Priam's gate, in th' Ilion tower, fearful and turbulent.

  Amongst all, wise Antenor spake : " Trojans, and Dardan friends,

  And peers' assistants, give good ear to what my care commends

  To your consents, for all our good. Resolve, let us restore

  The Argive Helen, with her wealth, to him she had before.

  We now defend but broken faiths. If, therefore, ye refuse,

  No good event can I expect of all the wars we use."

  He ceased; and Alexander spake, husband to th' Argive queen :

  “Antenor, to mine ears thy words harsh and ungracious been.

  Thou canst use better if thou wilt; but if these truly fit

  Thy serious thoughts, the Gods with age have reft thy graver wit.

  To warlike Trojans I will speak; I clearly do deny

  To yield my wife, but all her wealth I'll render willingly,

  Whatever I from Argos brought, and vow to make it more,

  Which I have ready in my house, if peace I may restore."

  Priam, surnamed Dardanides, godlike, in counsels grave,

  In his son's favour well advised, this resolution gave :

  “My royal friends of every state, there is sufficient done,

  For this late council we have called, in th' offer of my son.

  Now then let all take needful food, then let the watch be set

  And every court of guard held strong; so, when the morn doth wet

  The high raised battlements of Troy, Idseus shall be sent

  To th' Argive fleet, and Atreus' sons, t' unfold my son's intent,

  From whose fact our contention springs; and, if they will, obtain

  Respite from heat of fight, till fire consume our soldiers slain;

  And after, our most fatal war let us importune still,

  Till Jove the conquest have disposed to his unconquered will."

  All heard, and did obey the king; and, in their quarters, all,

  That were to set the watch that night, did to their suppers fall.

  Idseus in the morning went, and th' Achive peers did find

  In counsel at Atrides' ship; his audience was assigned;

  And in the midst of all the kings the vocal herald said :

  “Atrides! My renowned king, and other kings, his aid,

  Propose by me, in their commands, the offers Paris makes,