Complete Works of Homer

by Homer

  The noble son of Peleus; but revenge

  On Agamemnon leader of the host

  Was all his thought, while in his gallant ships

  Sharp-keel'd to cut the foaming flood, he lay.

  Meantime, along the margin of the deep

  His soldiers hurled the disk, or bent the bow.

  Or to its mark dispatch'd the quivering lance.

  Beside the chariots stood the unharness'd steeds

  Cropping the lotus, or at leisure browsed

  On celery wild, from watery freshes gleaned.

  Beneath the shadow of the sheltering tent

  The chariot stood, while they, the charioteers

  Roam'd here and there the camp, their warlike lord

  Regretting sad, and idle for his sake.

  As if a fire had burnt along the ground,

  Such seem'd their march; earth groan'd their steps beneath;

  As when in Arimi, where fame reports

  Typhoëus stretch'd, the fires of angry Jove

  Down darted, lash the ground, so groan'd the earth

  Beneath them, for they traversed swift the plain.

  And now from Jove, with heavy tidings charged,

  Wind-footed Iris to the Trojans came.

  It was the time of council, when the throng

  At Priam's gate assembled, young and old:

  Them, standing nigh, the messenger of heaven

  Accosted with the voice of Priam's son,

  Polites. He, confiding in his speed

  For sure deliverance, posted was abroad

  On Æsyeta's tomb, intent to watch

  When the Achaian host should leave the fleet.

  The Goddess in his form thus them address'd.

  Oh, ancient Monarch! Ever, evermore

  Speaking, debating, as if all were peace;

  I have seen many a bright-embattled field,

  But never one so throng'd as this to-day.

  For like the leaves, or like the sands they come

  Swept by the winds, to gird the city round.

  But Hector! chiefly thee I shall exhort.

  In Priam's spacious city are allies

  Collected numerous, and of nations wide

  Disseminated various are the tongues.

  Let every Chief his proper troop command,

  And marshal his own citizens to war.

  She ceased; her Hector heard intelligent,

  And quick dissolved the council. All took arms.

  Wide flew the gates; forth rush'd the multitude,

  Horsemen and foot, and boisterous stir arose.

  In front of Ilium, distant on the plain,

  Clear all around from all obstruction, stands

  An eminence high-raised, by mortal men

  Call'd Bateia, but the Gods the tomb

  Have named it of Myrinna swift in fight.

  Troy and her aids there set the battle forth.

  Huge Priameian Hector, fierce in arms,

  Led on the Trojans; with whom march'd the most

  And the most valiant, dexterous at the spear.

  Æneas, (on the hills of Ida him

  The lovely Venus to Anchises bore,

  A Goddess by a mortal man embraced)

  Led the Dardanians; but not he alone;

  Archilochus with him and Acamas

  Stood forth, the offspring of Antenor, each,

  And well instructed in all forms of war.

  Fast by the foot of Ida, where they drank

  The limpid waters of Æsepus, dwelt

  The Trojans of Zeleia. Rich were they

  And led by Pandarus, Lycaon's son,

  Whom Phœbus self graced with the bow he bore.

  Apæsus, Adrastea, Terie steep,

  And Pitueia — them, Amphius clad

  In mail thick-woven, and Adrastus, ruled.

  They were the sons of the Percosian seer

  Merops, expert in the soothsayers' art

  Above all other; he his sons forbad

  The bloody fight, but disobedient they

  Still sought it, for their destiny prevailed.

  The warriors of Percote, and who dwelt

  In Practius, in Arisba, city fair,

  In Sestus, in Abydus, march'd behind

  Princely Hyrtacides; his tawny steeds,

  Strong-built and tall, from Sellcentes' bank

  And from Arisba, had him borne to Troy.

  Hippothous and Pilmus, branch of Mars,

  Both sons of Lethus the Pelasgian, they,

  Forth from Larissa for her fertile soil

  Far-famed, the spear-expert Pelasgians brought.

  The Thracians (all whom Hellespont includes

  Within the banks of his swift-racing tide)

  Heroic Acamas and Pirous led.

  Euphemus, offspring of Trœzenus, son

  Of Jove-protected Ceas, was the Chief

  Whom the spear-arm'd Ciconian band obey'd.

  Pæonia's archers follow'd to the field

  Pyræchmes; they from Amydon remote

  Were drawn, where Axius winds; broad Axius, stream

  Diffused delightful over all the vale.

  Pylæmenes, a Chief of giant might

  From the Eneti for forest-mules renowned

  March'd with his Paphlagonians; dwellers they

  In Sesamus and in Cytorus were,

  And by the stream Parthenius; Cromna these

  Sent forth, and those Ægialus on the lip

  And margin of the land, and some, the heights

  Of Erythini, rugged and abrupt.

  Epistrophus and Odius from the land

  Of Alybe, a region far remote,

  Where veins of silver wind, led to the field

  The Halizonians. With the Mysians came

  Chromis their Chief, and Ennomus; him skill'd

  In augury, but skill'd in vain, his art

  Saved not, but by Æacides the swift,

  With others in the Xanthus slain, he died.

  Ascanius, lovely youth, and Phorcis, led

  The Phrygians from Ascania far remote,

  Ardent for battle. The Mœonian race,

  (All those who at the foot of Tmolus dwelt,)

  Mesthles and Antiphus, fraternal pair,

  Sons of Pylæmenes commanded, both

  Of the Gygæan lake in Lydia born.

  Amphimachus and Nastes led to fight

  The Carians, people of a barbarous speech,

  With the Milesians, and the mountain-race

  Of wood-crown'd Phthira, and who dwelt beside

  Mæander, or on Mycale sublime.

  Them led Amphimachus and Nastes, sons

  Renown'd of Nomion. Like a simple girl

  Came forth Amphimachus with gold bedight,

  But him his trappings from a woful death

  Saved not, when whirled beneath the bloody tide

  To Peleus' stormy son his spoils he left.

  Sarpedon with the noble Glaucus led

  Their warriors forth from farthest Lycia, where

  Xanthus deep-dimpled rolls his oozy tide.

  * * *

  BOOK III.

  * * *

  ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK.

  The armies meet. Paris throws out a challenge to the Grecian Princes. Menelaus accepts it. The terms of the combat are adjusted solemnly by Agamemnon on the part of Greece, and by Priam on the part of Troy. The combat ensues, in which Paris is vanquished, whom yet Venus rescues. Agamemnon demands from the Trojans a performance of the covenant.

  * * *

  BOOK III.

  Now marshall'd all beneath their several chiefs,

  With deafening shouts, and with the clang of arms,

  The host of Troy advanced. Such clang is heard

  Along the skies, when from incessant showers

  Escaping, and from winter's cold, the cranes

  Take wing, and over Ocean speed away;

  Wo to the land of dwarfs! prepared they fly

/>   For slaughter of the small Pygmæan race.

  Not so the Greeks; they breathing valor came,

  But silent all, and all with faithful hearts

  On succor mutual to the last, resolved.

  As when the south wind wraps the mountain top

  In mist the shepherd's dread, but to the thief

  Than night itself more welcome, and the eye

  Is bounded in its ken to a stone's cast,

  Such from beneath their footsteps dun and dense

  Uprose the dust, for swift they cross the plain.

  When, host to host opposed, full nigh they stood,

  Then Alexander in the Trojan van

  Advanced was seen, all beauteous as a God;

  His leopard's skin, his falchion and his bow

  Hung from his shoulder; bright with heads of brass

  He shook two spears, and challenged to the fight

  The bravest Argives there, defying all.

  Him, striding haughtily his host before

  When Menelaus saw, such joy he felt

  As hunger-pinch'd the lion feels, by chance

  Conducted to some carcase huge, wild goat,

  Or antler'd stag; huntsmen and baying hounds

  Disturb not him, he gorges in their sight.

  So Menelaus at the view rejoiced

  Of lovely Alexander, for he hoped

  His punishment at hand. At once, all armed,

  Down from his chariot to the ground he leap'd

  When godlike Paris him in front beheld

  Conspicuous, his heart smote him, and his fate

  Avoiding, far within the lines he shrank.

  As one, who in some woodland height descrying

  A serpent huge, with sudden start recoils,

  His limbs shake under him; with cautious step

  He slow retires; fear blanches cold his cheeks;

  So beauteous Alexander at the sight

  Of Atreus' son dishearten'd sore, the ranks

  Of haughty Trojans enter'd deep again:

  Him Hector eyed, and thus rebuked severe.

  Curst Paris! Fair deceiver! Woman-mad!

  I would to all in heaven that thou hadst died

  Unborn, at least unmated! happier far

  Than here to have incurr'd this public shame!

  Well may the Grecians taunt, and laughing loud,

  Applaud the champion, slow indeed to fight

  And pusillanimous, but wondrous fair.

  Wast thou as timid, tell me, when with those

  Thy loved companions in that famed exploit,

  Thou didst consort with strangers, and convey

  From distant lands a warrior's beauteous bride

  To be thy father's and his people's curse,

  Joy to our foes, but to thyself reproach?

  Behold her husband! Darest thou not to face

  The warlike prince? Now learn how brave a Chief

  Thou hast defrauded of his blooming spouse.

  Thy lyre, thy locks, thy person, specious gifts

  Of partial Venus, will avail thee nought,

  Once mixt by Menelaus with the dust.

  But we are base ourselves, or long ago,

  For all thy numerous mischiefs, thou hadst slept

  Secure beneath a coverlet of stone.

  Then godlike Alexander thus replied.

  Oh Hector, true in temper as the axe

  Which in the shipwright's hand the naval plank

  Divides resistless, doubling all his force,

  Such is thy dauntless spirit whose reproach

  Perforce I own, nor causeless nor unjust.

  Yet let the gracious gifts uncensured pass

  Of golden Venus; man may not reject

  The glorious bounty by the Gods bestow'd,

  Nor follows their beneficence our choice.

  But if thy pleasure be that I engage

  With Menelaus in decision fierce

  Of desperate combat bid the host of Troy

  And bid the Grecians sit; then face to face

  Commit us, in the vacant field between,

  To fight for Helen and for all her wealth.

  Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her

  And hers possess'd shall bear them safe away;

  While ye (peace sworn and firm accord) shall dwell

  At Troy, and these to Argos shall return

  And to Achaia praised for women fair.

  He ceased, whom Hector heard with joy; he moved

  Into the middle space, and with his spear

  Advanced athwart push'd back the Trojan van,

  And all stood fast. Meantime at him the Greeks

  Discharged full volley, showering thick around

  From bow and sling; when with a mighty voice

  Thus Agamemnon, leader of the host.

  Argives! Be still — shoot not, ye sons of Greece!

  Hector bespeaks attention. Hear the Chief!

  He said, at once the Grecians ceased to shoot,

  And all sat silent. Hector then began.

  Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye Greeks mail-arm'd,

  While I shall publish in your ears the words

  Of Alexander, author of our strife.

  Trojans, he bids, and Grecians on the field

  Their arms dispose; while he, the hosts between,

  With warlike Menelaus shall in fight

  Contend for Helen, and for all her wealth.

  Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her

  And hers possess'd, shall bear them safe away,

  And oaths of amity shall bind the rest.

  He ceased, and all deep silence held, amazed;

  When valiant Menelaus thus began.

  Hear now me also, on whose aching heart

  These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope

  Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between,

  For ye have suffer'd in my quarrel much,

  And much by Paris, author of the war.

  Die he who must, and peace be to the rest.

  But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white,

  The other black; this to the Earth devote,

  That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply

  A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth,

  Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons

  Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn'd.

  Young men are ever of unstable mind;

  But when an elder interferes, he views

  Future and past together, and insures

  The compact, to both parties, uninfringed.

  So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts

  Awaken'd joyful hope that there should end

  War's long calamities. Alighted each,

  And drew his steeds into the lines. The field

  Glitter'd with arms put off, and side by side,

  Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war

  Stood front to front, small interval between.

  Then Hector to the city sent in haste

  Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite

  Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief,

  Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss'd

  For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice

  Of noble Agamemnon disobey'd.

  Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,

  To Helen came. Laödice she seem'd,

  Loveliest of all the daughters of the house

  Of Priam, wedded to Antenor's son,

  King Helicäon. Her she found within,

  An ample web magnificent she wove,

  Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake

  Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks

  Mail-arm'd, and Trojans of equestrian fame.

  Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address'd.

  Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!

  Greeks brazen-mail'd, and Trojans steed-renown'd.

  So lately on the cruel work of Mars
r />   Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit

  Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield

  Each leans, his long spear planted at his side.

  Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold,

  With quivering lances shall contend for thee,

  And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.

  So saying, the Goddess into Helen's soul

  Sweetest desire infused to see again

  Her former Lord, her parents, and her home.

  At once o'ermantled with her snowy veil

  She started forth, and as she went let fall

  A tender tear; not unaccompanied

  She went, but by two maidens of her train

  Attended, Æthra, Pittheus' daughter fair,

  And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps

  Convey'd them quickly to the Scæan gate.

  There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat,

  Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars,

  Antenor and Ucalegon the wise,

  All, elders of the people; warriors erst,

  But idle now through age, yet of a voice

  Still indefatigable as the fly's

  Which perch'd among the boughs sends forth at noon

  Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet.

  Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower,

  Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw,

  In accents quick, but whisper'd, thus remark'd.

  Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,

  Long war for so much beauty. Oh, how like

  In feature to the Goddesses above!

  Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away,

  Resistless as thou art and all divine,

  Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons.

  So they among themselves; but Priam call'd

  Fair Helen to his side. My daughter dear!

  Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern

  Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends.

  I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused,

  Not thou, this lamentable war to Troy.

  Name to me yon Achaian Chief for bulk

  Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed

  I may perceive than he; but with these eyes

  Saw never yet such dignity, and grace.

  Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems.

  To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex,

  My other Sire! by me for ever held

  In reverence, and with filial fear beloved!

  Oh that some cruel death had been my choice,

  Rather than to abandon, as I did,

  All joys domestic, matrimonial bliss,

  Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear,

  A wanderer with thy son. Yet I alas!

  Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep.