Complete Works of Homer

by Homer

  Soft on her fragrant breast the babe she laid,

  Hush'd to repose, and with a smile survey'd.

  The troubled pleasure soon chastised by fear,

  She mingled with a smile a tender tear.

  The soften'd chief with kind compassion view'd,

  And dried the falling drops, and thus pursued:

  "Andromache! my soul's far better part,

  Why with untimely sorrows heaves thy heart?

  No hostile hand can antedate my doom,

  Till fate condemns me to the silent tomb.

  Fix'd is the term to all the race of earth;

  And such the hard condition of our birth:

  No force can then resist, no flight can save,

  All sink alike, the fearful and the brave.

  No more — but hasten to thy tasks at home,

  There guide the spindle, and direct the loom:

  Me glory summons to the martial scene,

  The field of combat is the sphere for men.

  Where heroes war, the foremost place I claim,

  The first in danger as the first in fame."

  Thus having said, the glorious chief resumes

  His towery helmet, black with shading plumes.

  His princess parts with a prophetic sigh,

  Unwilling parts, and oft reverts her eye

  That stream'd at every look; then, moving slow,

  Sought her own palace, and indulged her woe.

  There, while her tears deplored the godlike man,

  Through all her train the soft infection ran;

  The pious maids their mingled sorrows shed,

  And mourn the living Hector, as the dead.

  But now, no longer deaf to honour's call,

  Forth issues Paris from the palace wall.

  In brazen arms that cast a gleamy ray,

  Swift through the town the warrior bends his way.

  The wanton courser thus with reins unbound

  Breaks from his stall, and beats the trembling ground;

  Pamper'd and proud, he seeks the wonted tides,

  And laves, in height of blood his shining sides;

  His head now freed, he tosses to the skies;

  His mane dishevell'd o'er his shoulders flies;

  He snuffs the females in the distant plain,

  And springs, exulting, to his fields again.

  With equal triumph, sprightly, bold, and gay,

  In arms refulgent as the god of day,

  The son of Priam, glorying in his might,

  Rush'd forth with Hector to the fields of fight.

  And now, the warriors passing on the way,

  The graceful Paris first excused his stay.

  To whom the noble Hector thus replied:

  "O chief! in blood, and now in arms, allied!

  Thy power in war with justice none contest;

  Known is thy courage, and thy strength confess'd.

  What pity sloth should seize a soul so brave,

  Or godlike Paris live a woman's slave!

  My heart weeps blood at what the Trojans say,

  And hopes thy deeds shall wipe the stain away.

  Haste then, in all their glorious labours share,

  For much they suffer, for thy sake, in war.

  These ills shall cease, whene'er by Jove's decree

  We crown the bowl to heaven and liberty:

  While the proud foe his frustrate triumphs mourns,

  And Greece indignant through her seas returns."

  BOWS AND BOW CASE.

  IRIS.

  * * *

  BOOK VII.

  ARGUMENT

  THE SINGLE COMBAT OF HECTOR AND AJAX.

  The battle renewing with double ardour upon the return of Hector, Minerva is under apprehensions for the Greeks. Apollo, seeing her descend from Olympus, joins her near the Scaean gate. They agree to put off the general engagement for that day, and incite Hector to challenge the Greeks to a single combat. Nine of the princes accepting the challenge, the lot is cast and falls upon Ajax. These heroes, after several attacks, are parted by the night. The Trojans calling a council, Antenor purposes the delivery of Helen to the Greeks, to which Paris will not consent, but offers to restore them her riches. Priam sends a herald to make this offer, and to demand a truce for burning the dead, the last of which only is agreed to by Agamemnon. When the funerals are performed, the Greeks, pursuant to the advice of Nestor, erect a fortification to protect their fleet and camp, flanked with towers, and defended by a ditch and palisades. Neptune testifies his jealousy at this work, but is pacified by a promise from Jupiter. Both armies pass the night in feasting but Jupiter disheartens the Trojans with thunder, and other signs of his wrath.

  The three and twentieth day ends with the duel of Hector and Ajax, the next day the truce is agreed; another is taken up in the funeral rites of the slain and one more in building the fortification before the ships. So that somewhat about three days is employed in this book. The scene lies wholly in the field.

  So spoke the guardian of the Trojan state,

  Then rush'd impetuous through the Scaean gate.

  Him Paris follow'd to the dire alarms;

  Both breathing slaughter, both resolved in arms.

  As when to sailors labouring through the main,

  That long have heaved the weary oar in vain,

  Jove bids at length the expected gales arise;

  The gales blow grateful, and the vessel flies.

  So welcome these to Troy's desiring train,

  The bands are cheer'd, the war awakes again.

  Bold Paris first the work of death begun

  On great Menestheus, Areithous' son,

  Sprung from the fair Philomeda's embrace,

  The pleasing Arne was his native place.

  Then sunk Eioneus to the shades below,

  Beneath his steely casque he felt the blow

  Full on his neck, from Hector's weighty hand;

  And roll'd, with limbs relax'd, along the land.

  By Glaucus' spear the bold Iphmous bleeds,

  Fix'd in the shoulder as he mounts his steeds;

  Headlong he tumbles: his slack nerves unbound,

  Drop the cold useless members on the ground.

  When now Minerva saw her Argives slain,

  From vast Olympus to the gleaming plain

  Fierce she descends: Apollo marked her flight,

  Nor shot less swift from Ilion's towery height.

  Radiant they met, beneath the beechen shade;

  When thus Apollo to the blue-eyed maid:

  "What cause, O daughter of Almighty Jove!

  Thus wings thy progress from the realms above?

  Once more impetuous dost thou bend thy way,

  To give to Greece the long divided day?

  Too much has Troy already felt thy hate,

  Now breathe thy rage, and hush the stern debate;

  This day, the business of the field suspend;

  War soon shall kindle, and great Ilion bend;

  Since vengeful goddesses confederate join

  To raze her walls, though built by hands divine."

  To whom the progeny of Jove replies:

  "I left, for this, the council of the skies:

  But who shall bid conflicting hosts forbear,

  What art shall calm the furious sons of war?"

  To her the god: "Great Hector's soul incite

  To dare the boldest Greek to single fight,

  Till Greece, provoked, from all her numbers show

  A warrior worthy to be Hector's foe."

  At this agreed, the heavenly powers withdrew;

  Sage Helenus their secret counsels knew;

  Hector, inspired, he sought: to him address'd,

  Thus told the dictates of his sacred breast:

  "O son of Priam! let thy faithful ear

  Receive my words: thy friend and brother hear!

  Go forth persuasive, and a while engage

  The warrin
g nations to suspend their rage;

  Then dare the boldest of the hostile train

  To mortal combat on the listed plain.

  For not this day shall end thy glorious date;

  The gods have spoke it, and their voice is fate."

  He said: the warrior heard the word with joy;

  Then with his spear restrain'd the youth of Troy,

  Held by the midst athwart. On either hand

  The squadrons part; the expecting Trojans stand;

  Great Agamemnon bids the Greeks forbear:

  They breathe, and hush the tumult of the war.

  The Athenian maid, and glorious god of day,

  With silent joy the settling hosts survey:

  In form of vultures, on the beech's height

  They sit conceal'd, and wait the future fight.

  The thronging troops obscure the dusky fields,

  Horrid with bristling spears, and gleaming shields.

  As when a general darkness veils the main,

  (Soft Zephyr curling the wide wat'ry plain,)

  The waves scarce heave, the face of ocean sleeps,

  And a still horror saddens all the deeps;

  Thus in thick orders settling wide around,

  At length composed they sit, and shade the ground.

  Great Hector first amidst both armies broke

  The solemn silence, and their powers bespoke:

  "Hear, all ye Trojan, all ye Grecian bands,

  What my soul prompts, and what some god commands.

  Great Jove, averse our warfare to compose,

  O'erwhelms the nations with new toils and woes;

  War with a fiercer tide once more returns,

  Till Ilion falls, or till yon navy burns.

  You then, O princes of the Greeks! appear;

  'Tis Hector speaks, and calls the gods to hear:

  From all your troops select the boldest knight,

  And him, the boldest, Hector dares to fight.

  Here if I fall, by chance of battle slain,

  Be his my spoil, and his these arms remain;

  But let my body, to my friends return'd,

  By Trojan hands and Trojan flames be burn'd.

  And if Apollo, in whose aid I trust,

  Shall stretch your daring champion in the dust;

  If mine the glory to despoil the foe;

  On Phoebus' temple I'll his arms bestow:

  The breathless carcase to your navy sent,

  Greece on the shore shall raise a monument;

  Which when some future mariner surveys,

  Wash'd by broad Hellespont's resounding seas,

  Thus shall he say, 'A valiant Greek lies there,

  By Hector slain, the mighty man of war,'

  The stone shall tell your vanquish'd hero's name.

  And distant ages learn the victor's fame."

  This fierce defiance Greece astonish'd heard,

  Blush'd to refuse, and to accept it fear'd.

  Stern Menelaus first the silence broke,

  And, inly groaning, thus opprobrious spoke:

  "Women of Greece! O scandal of your race,

  Whose coward souls your manly form disgrace,

  How great the shame, when every age shall know

  That not a Grecian met this noble foe!

  Go then! resolve to earth, from whence ye grew,

  A heartless, spiritless, inglorious crew!

  Be what ye seem, unanimated clay,

  Myself will dare the danger of the day;

  'Tis man's bold task the generous strife to try,

  But in the hands of God is victory."

  These words scarce spoke, with generous ardour press'd,

  His manly limbs in azure arms he dress'd.

  That day, Atrides! a superior hand

  Had stretch'd thee breathless on the hostile strand;

  But all at once, thy fury to compose,

  The kings of Greece, an awful band, arose;

  Even he their chief, great Agamemnon, press'd

  Thy daring hand, and this advice address'd:

  "Whither, O Menelaus! wouldst thou run,

  And tempt a fate which prudence bids thee shun?

  Grieved though thou art, forbear the rash design;

  Great Hectors arm is mightier far than thine:

  Even fierce Achilles learn'd its force to fear,

  And trembling met this dreadful son of war.

  Sit thou secure, amidst thy social band;

  Greece in our cause shall arm some powerful hand.

  The mightiest warrior of the Achaian name,

  Though bold and burning with desire of fame,

  Content the doubtful honour might forego,

  So great the danger, and so brave the foe."

  He said, and turn'd his brother's vengeful mind;

  He stoop'd to reason, and his rage resign'd,

  No longer bent to rush on certain harms;

  His joyful friends unbrace his azure arms.

  He from whose lips divine persuasion flows,

  Grave Nestor, then, in graceful act arose;

  Thus to the kings he spoke: "What grief, what shame

  Attend on Greece, and all the Grecian name!

  How shall, alas! her hoary heroes mourn

  Their sons degenerate, and their race a scorn!

  What tears shall down thy silvery beard be roll'd,

  O Peleus, old in arms, in wisdom old!

  Once with what joy the generous prince would hear

  Of every chief who fought this glorious war,

  Participate their fame, and pleased inquire

  Each name, each action, and each hero's sire!

  Gods! should he see our warriors trembling stand,

  And trembling all before one hostile hand;

  How would he lift his aged arms on high,

  Lament inglorious Greece, and beg to die!

  Oh! would to all the immortal powers above,

  Minerva, Phoebus, and almighty Jove!

  Years might again roll back, my youth renew,

  And give this arm the spring which once it knew

  When fierce in war, where Jardan's waters fall,

  I led my troops to Phea's trembling wall,

  And with the Arcadian spears my prowess tried,

  Where Celadon rolls down his rapid tide.

  There Ereuthalion braved us in the field,

  Proud Areithous' dreadful arms to wield;

  Great Areithous, known from shore to shore

  By the huge, knotted, iron mace he bore;

  No lance he shook, nor bent the twanging bow,

  But broke, with this, the battle of the foe.

  Him not by manly force Lycurgus slew,

  Whose guileful javelin from the thicket flew,

  Deep in a winding way his breast assailed,

  Nor aught the warrior's thundering mace avail'd.

  Supine he fell: those arms which Mars before

  Had given the vanquish'd, now the victor bore:

  But when old age had dimm'd Lycurgus' eyes,

  To Ereuthalion he consign'd the prize.

  Furious with this he crush'd our levell'd bands,

  And dared the trial of the strongest hands;

  Nor could the strongest hands his fury stay:

  All saw, and fear'd, his huge tempestuous sway

  Till I, the youngest of the host, appear'd,

  And, youngest, met whom all our army fear'd.

  I fought the chief: my arms Minerva crown'd:

  Prone fell the giant o'er a length of ground.

  What then I was, O were your Nestor now!

  Not Hector's self should want an equal foe.

  But, warriors, you that youthful vigour boast,

  The flower of Greece, the examples of our host,

  Sprung from such fathers, who such numbers sway,

  Can you stand trembling, and desert the day?"

  His warm reproofs the listening kings inflame;


  And nine, the noblest of the Grecian name,

  Up-started fierce: but far before the rest

  The king of men advanced his dauntless breast:

  Then bold Tydides, great in arms, appear'd;

  And next his bulk gigantic Ajax rear'd;

  Oileus follow'd; Idomen was there,

  And Merion, dreadful as the god of war:

  With these Eurypylus and Thoas stand,

  And wise Ulysses closed the daring band.

  All these, alike inspired with noble rage,

  Demand the fight. To whom the Pylian sage:

  "Lest thirst of glory your brave souls divide,

  What chief shall combat, let the gods decide.

  Whom heaven shall choose, be his the chance to raise

  His country's fame, his own immortal praise."

  The lots produced, each hero signs his own:

  Then in the general's helm the fates are thrown,

  The people pray, with lifted eyes and hands,

  And vows like these ascend from all the bands:

  "Grant, thou Almighty! in whose hand is fate,

  A worthy champion for the Grecian state:

  This task let Ajax or Tydides prove,

  Or he, the king of kings, beloved by Jove."

  Old Nestor shook the casque. By heaven inspired,

  Leap'd forth the lot, of every Greek desired.

  This from the right to left the herald bears,

  Held out in order to the Grecian peers;

  Each to his rival yields the mark unknown,

  Till godlike Ajax finds the lot his own;

  Surveys the inscription with rejoicing eyes,

  Then casts before him, and with transport cries:

  "Warriors! I claim the lot, and arm with joy;

  Be mine the conquest of this chief of Troy.

  Now while my brightest arms my limbs invest,

  To Saturn's son be all your vows address'd:

  But pray in secret, lest the foes should hear,

  And deem your prayers the mean effect of fear.

  Said I in secret? No, your vows declare

  In such a voice as fills the earth and air,

  Lives there a chief whom Ajax ought to dread?

  Ajax, in all the toils of battle bred!

  From warlike Salamis I drew my birth,

  And, born to combats, fear no force on earth."

  He said. The troops with elevated eyes,

  Implore the god whose thunder rends the skies:

  "O father of mankind, superior lord!

  On lofty Ida's holy hill adored:

  Who in the highest heaven hast fix'd thy throne,