With this Hector left the fight, and ran full speed The son of Saturn bowed his portentous brows, after his men who were taking the armour of Achil-and Hector fitted the armour to his body, while terles to Troy, but had not yet got far. Standing for a rible Mars entered into him, and filled his whole while apart from the woeful fight, he changed his body with might and valour. With a shout he strode armour. His own he sent to the strong city of Ilius in among the allies, and his armour flashed about and to the Trojans, while he put on the immortal him so that he seemed to all of them like the great armour of the son of Peleus, which the gods had son of Peleus himself. He went about among them given to Peleus, who in his age gave it to his son; and cheered them on—Mesthles, Glaucus, Medon, but the son did not grow old in his father’s armour.
Thersilochus, Asteropæus, Deisenor and When Jove, lord of the storm-cloud, saw Hector Hippothous, Phorcys, Chromius and Ennomus the standing aloof and arming himself in the armour of augur. All these did he exhort saying, “Hear me, the son of Peleus, he wagged his head and muttered allies from other cities who are here in your thou-to himself saying, “A! poor wretch, you arm in the sands, it was not in order to have a crowd about me armour of a hero, before whom many another trembles, that I called you hither each from his several city, and you reck nothing of the doom that is already close but that with heart and soul you might defend the upon you. You have killed his comrade so brave and wives and little ones of the Trojans from the fierce strong, but it was not well that you should strip the Achæans. For this do I oppress my people with your armour from his head and shoulders. I do indeed en-food and the presents that make you rich. There-dow you with great might now, but as against this fore turn, and charge at the foe, to stand or fall as is you shall not return from battle to lay the armour of the game of war; whoever shall bring Patroclus, dead the son of Peleus before Andromache.” though he be, into the hands of the Trojans, and 271
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shall make Ajax give way before him, I will give him Argives, all you who with Agamemnon and one half of the spoils while I keep the other. He will Menelaus drink at the public cost, and give orders thus share like honour with myself.” each to his own people as Jove vouchsafes him power When he had thus spoken they charged full weight and glory, the fight is so thick about me that I can-upon the Danaans with their spears held out be-not distinguish you severally; come on, therefore, fore them, and the hopes of each ran high that he every man unbidden, and think it shame that should force Ajax son of Telamon to yield up the Patroclus should become meat and morsel for Tro-body—fools that they were, for he was about to jan hounds.”
take the lives of many. Then Ajax said to Menelaus, Fleet Ajax son of Oileus heard him and was first
“My good friend Menelaus, you and I shall hardly to force his way through the fight and run to help come out of this fight alive. I am less concerned for him. Next came Idomeneus and Meriones his esthe body of Patroclus, who will shortly become meat quire, peer of murderous Mars. As for the others for the dogs and vultures of Troy, than for the safety that came into the fight after these, who of his own of my own head and yours. Hector has wrapped us self could name them?
round in a storm of battle from every quarter, and The Trojans with Hector at their head charged in our destruction seems now certain. Call then upon a body. As a great wave that comes thundering in at the princes of the Danaans if there is any who can the mouth of some heaven-born river, and the rocks hear us.”
that jut into the sea ring with the roar of the break-Menelaus did as he said, and shouted to the ers that beat and buffet them—even with such a Danaans for help at the top of his voice. “My roar did the Trojans come on; but the Achæans in friends,” he cried, “princes and counsellors of the singleness of heart stood firm about the son of 272
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Menoetius, and fenced him with their bronze on winning glory by dragging him off to their city.
shields. Jove, moreover, hid the brightness of their At this moment Hippothous brave son of the helmets in a thick cloud, for he had borne no grudge Pelasgian Lethus, in his zeal for Hector and the Tro-against the son of Menoetius while he was still alive jans, was dragging the body off by the foot through and squire to the descendant of Æacus; therefore the press of the fight, having bound a strap round he was loth to let him fall a prey to the dogs of his the sinews near the ancle; but a mischief soon befoes the Trojans, and urged his comrades on to de-fell him from which none of those could save him fend him.
who would have gladly done so, for the son of At first the Trojans drove the Achæans back, and Telamon sprang forward and smote him on his they withdrew from the dead man daunted. The bronze-cheeked helmet. The plumed headpiece Trojans did not succeed in killing any one, never-broke about the point of the weapon, struck at once theless they drew the body away. But the Achæans by the spear and by the strong hand of Ajax, so did not lose it long, for Ajax, foremost of all the that the bloody brain came oozing out through the Danaans after the son of Peleus alike in stature and crest-socket. His strength then failed him and he prowess, quickly rallied them and made towards the let Patroclus’ foot drop from his hand, as he fell full front like a wild boar upon the mountains when he length dead upon the body; thus he died far from stands at bay in the forest glades and routs the the fertile land of Larissa, and never repaid his par-hounds and lusty youths that have attacked him—
ents the cost of bringing him up, for his life was cut even so did Ajax son of Telamon passing easily in short early by the spear of mighty Ajax. Hector then among the phalanxes of the Trojans, disperse those took aim at Ajax with a spear, but he saw it coming who had bestridden Patroclus and were most bent and just managed to avoid it; the spear passed on 273
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and struck Schedius son of noble Iphitus, captain had not roused Æneas, in the likeness of Periphas of the Phoceans, who dwelt in famed Panopeus and son of Epytus, an attendant who had grown old in reigned over much people; it struck him under the the service of Æneas’ aged father, and was at all middle of the collar-bone the bronze point went times devoted to him. In his likeness, then, Apollo right through him, coming out at the bottom of his said, “Æneas, can you not manage, even though shoulder-blade, and his armour rang rattling round heaven be against us, to save high Ilius? I have him as he fell heavily to the ground. Ajax in his known men, whose numbers, courage, and self-reli-turn struck noble Phorcys son of Phænops in the ance have saved their people in spite of Jove, whereas middle of the belly as he was bestriding Hippothous, in this case he would much rather give victory to us and broke the plate of his cuirass; whereon the spear than to the Danaans, if you would only fight in-tore out his entrails and he clutched the ground in stead of being so terribly afraid.” his palm as he fell to earth. Hector and those who Æneas knew Apollo when he looked straight at were in the front rank then gave ground, while the him, and shouted to Hector saying, “Hector and all Argives raised a loud cry of triumph, and drew off other Trojans and allies, shame on us if we are beaten the bodies of Phorcys and Hippothous which they by the Achæans and driven back to Ilius through stripped presently of their armour.
our own cowardice. A god has just come up to me The Trojans would now have been worsted by the and told me that Jove the supreme disposer will be brave Achæans and driven back to Ilius through with us. Therefore let us make for the Danaans, their own cowardice, while the Argives, so great was that it may go hard with them ere they bear away their courage and endurance, would have achieved dead Patroclus to the ships.” a triumph even against the will of Jove, if Apollo As he spoke he sprang out far in front of the others, 274
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who then rallied and again faced the Achæans. Æneas Thus did they fight as it were a flaming fire; it speared Leiocritus son of Arisbas, a valiant follower of seemed as though it had gone hard even with the Lycomedes, and Lycomedes was moved with pity as sun and moon, for they were hidden over all that he saw him fall; he therefore went close up, and speared part where the bravest heroes were fighting about Apisaon son of Hippasus shepherd of his people in the dead son of Menoetius, whereas the other the liver under the midriff, so that he died; he had Danaans and Achæans fought at their ease in full come from fertile Pæonia and was the best man of daylight with brilliant sunshine all round them, and them all after Asteropæus. Asteropæus flew forward there was not a cloud to be seen neither on plain to avenge him and attack the Danaans, but this might nor mountain. These last moreover would rest for a no longer be, inasmuch as those about Patroclus were while and leave off fighting, for they were some dis-well covered by their shields, and held their spears in tance apart and beyond the range of one another’s front of them, for Ajax had given them strict orders weapons, whereas those who were in the thick of that no man was either to give ground, or to stand the fray suffered both from battle and darkness. All out before the others, but all were to hold well to-the best of them were being worn out by the great gether about the body and fight hand to hand. Thus weight of their armour, but the two valiant heroes, did huge Ajax bid them, and the earth ran red with Thrasymedes and Antilochus, had not yet heard of blood as the corpses fell thick on one another alike on the death of Patroclus, and believed him to be still the side of the Trojans and allies, and on that of the alive and leading the van against the Trojans; they Danaans; for these last, too, fought no bloodless fight were keeping themselves in reserve against the death though many fewer of them perished, through the or rout of their own comrades, for so Nestor had care they took to defend and stand by one another.
ordered when he sent them from the ships into battle.
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Thus through the livelong day did they wage fierce Patroclus was dead, and deemed that he would rewar, and the sweat of their toil rained ever on their turn alive as soon as he had gone close up to the legs under them, and on their hands and eyes, as gates. He knew that he was not to sack the city they fought over the squire of the fleet son of Peleus.
neither with nor without himself, for his mother It was as when a man gives a great ox-hide all had often told him this when he had sat alone with drenched in fat to his men, and bids them stretch it; her, and she had informed him of the counsels of whereon they stand round it in a ring and tug till the great Jove. Now, however, she had not told him how moisture leaves it, and the fat soaks in for the many great a disaster had befallen him in the death of the that pull at it, and it is well stretched—even so did one who was far dearest to him of all his comrades.
the two sides tug the dead body hither and thither The others still kept on charging one another within the compass of but a little space—the Trojans round the body with their pointed spears and kill-steadfastly set on drag ing it into Ilius, while the ing each other. Then would one say, “My friends, Achæans were no less so on taking it to their ships; we can never again show our faces at the ships—
and fierce was the fight between them. Not Mars better, and greatly better, that earth should open himself the lord of hosts, nor yet Minerva, even in and swallow us here in this place, than that we their fullest fury could make light of such a battle.
should let the Trojans have the triumph of bearing Such fearful turmoil of men and horses did Jove off Patroclus to their city.” on that day ordain round the body of Patroclus.
The Trojans also on their part spoke to one an-Meanwhile Achilles did not know that he had fallen, other saying, “Friends, though we fall to a man befor the fight was under the wall of Troy a long way side this body, let none shrink from fighting.” With off the ships. He had no idea, therefore, that such words did they exhort each other. They fought 276
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and fought, and an iron clank rose through the void share the sorrows that befall mankind? for of all air to the brazen vault of heaven. The horses of the creatures that live and move upon the earth there is descendant of Æacus stood out of the fight and wept none so pitiable as he is—still, Hector son of Priam when they heard that their driver had been laid low shall drive neither you nor your chariot. I will not by the hand of murderous Hector. Automedon, val-have it. It is enough that he should have the armour iant son of Diores, lashed them again and again; over which he vaunts so vainly. Furthermore I will many a time did he speak kindly to them, and many give you strength of heart and limb to bear a time did he upbraid them, but they would nei-Automedon safely to the ships from battle, for I ther go back to the ships by the waters of the broad shall let the Trojans triumph still further, and go on Hellespont, nor yet into battle among the Achæans; killing till they reach the ships; whereon night shall they stood with their chariot stock still, as a pillar fall and darkness overshadow the land.” set over the tomb of some dead man or woman, As he spoke he breathed heart and strength into and bowed their heads to the ground. Hot tears fell the horses so that they shook the dust from out of from their eyes as they mourned the loss of their their manes, and bore their chariot swiftly into the charioteer, and their noble manes drooped all wet fight that raged between Trojans and Achæans. Be-from under the yokestraps on either side the yoke.
hind them fought Automedon full of sorrow for his The son of Saturn saw them and took pity upon comrade, as a vulture amid a flock of geese. In and their sorrow. He wagged his head, and muttered to out, and here and there, full speed he dashed amid himself, saying, “Poor things, why did we give you the throng of the Trojans, but for all the fury of his to King Peleus who is a mortal, while you are your-pursuit he killed no man, for he could not wield his selves ageless and immortal? Was it that you might spear and keep his horses in hand when alone in 277
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the chariot; at last, however, a comrade, Alcimedon, them. I am sure, if you think well, that we might son of Lærces son of Hæmon caught sight of him take them; they will not dare face us if we both and came up behind his chariot. “Automedon,” said attack them.”
he, “what god has put this folly into your heart and The valiant son of Anchises was of the same mind, robbed you of your right mind, that you fight the and the pair went right on, with their shoulders Trojans in the front rank single-handed? He who covered under shields of tough dry ox-hide, over-was your comrade is slain, and Hector plumes him-laid with much bronze. Chromius and Aretus went self on being armed in the armour of the descen-also with them, and their hearts beat high with hope dant of Æacus.”
that they might kill the men and capture the Automedon son of Diores answered, “Alcimedon, horses—fools that they were, for they were not to there is no one else who can control and guide the return scatheless from their meeting with immortal steeds so well as you can, save only Automedon, who prayed to father Jove and was Patroclus—while he was alive—peer of gods in coun-forthwith filled with courage and strength abound-sel. Take then the whip and reins, while I go down ing. He turned to his trusty comrade Alcimedon from the car and fight.
and said, “Alcimedon, keep your horses so close up Alcimedon sprang on to the chariot, and caught that I may feel their breath upon my back; I doubt up the whip and reins, while Automedon leaped that we shall not stay Hector son of Priam till he has from off the car. When Hector saw him he said to killed us and mounted behind the horses; he will Æneas who was near him, “Æneas, counsellor of the then either spread panic among the ranks of the mail-clad Trojans, I see the steeds of the fleet son of Achæans, or himself be killed among the foremost.” Æacus come into battle with weak hands to drive On this he cried out to the two Ajaxes and 278
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Menelaus, “Ajaxes captains of the Argives, and while the butt-end went on quivering till Mars Menelaus, give the dead body over to them that robbed it of its force. They would then have fought are best able to defend it, and come to the rescue of hand to hand with swords had not the two Ajaxes us living; for Hector and Æneas who are the two forced their way through the crowd when they heard best men among the Trojans, are pressing us hard their comrade calling, and parted them for all their in the full tide of war. Nevertheless the issue lies on fury—for Hector, Æneas, and Chromius were afraid the lap of heaven, I will therefore hurl my spear and drew back, leaving Aretus to lie there struck to and leave the rest to Jove.” the heart. Automedon, peer of fleet Mars, then He poised and hurled as he spoke, whereon the stripped him of his armour and vaunted over him spear struck the round shield of Aretus, and went saying, “I have done little to assuage my sorrow for right through it for the shield stayed it not, so that the son of Menoetius, for the man I have killed is it was driven through his belt into the lower part of not so good as he was.”
his belly. As when some sturdy youth, axe in hand, As he spoke he took the blood-stained spoils and deals his blow behind the horns of an ox and severs laid them upon his chariot; then he mounted the the tendons at the back of its neck so that it springs car with his hands and feet all steeped in gore as a forward and then drops, even so did Aretus give lion that has been gorging upon a bull.
one bound and then fall on his back the spear quiv-And now the fierce groanful fight again raged ering in his body till it made an end of him. Hector about Patroclus, for Minerva came down from then aimed a spear at Automedon but he saw it heaven and roused its fury by the command of far-coming and stooped forward to avoid it, so that it seeing Jove, who had changed his mind and sent flew past him and the point stuck in the ground, her to encourage the Danaans. As when Jove bends 279
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his bright bow in heaven in token to mankind ei-him as bold as a fly, which, though driven off will ther of war or of the chill storms that stay men yet come again and bite if it can, so dearly does it from their labour and plague the flocks—even so, love man’s blood—even so bold as this did she make wrapped in such radiant raiment, did Minerva go him as he stood over Patroclus and threw his spear.
in among the host and speak man by man to each.
Now there was among the Trojans a man named First she took the form and voice of Phoenix and Podes, son of Eetion, who was both rich and val-spoke to Menelaus son of Atreus, who was stand-iant. Hector held him in the highest honour for he ing near her. “Menelaus,” said she, “it will be shame was his comrade and boon companion; the spear of and dishonour to you, if dogs tear the noble com-Menelaus struck this man in the girdle just as he rade of Achilles under the walls of Troy. Therefore had turned in flight, and went right through him.
be staunch, and urge your men to be so also.” Whereon he fell heavily forward, and Menelaus son Menelaus answered, “Phoenix, my good old of Atreus drew off his body from the Trojans into friend, may Minerva vouchsafe me strength and the ranks of his own people.
keep the darts from off me, for so shall I stand by Apollo then went up to Hector and spurred him Patroclus and defend him; his death has gone to on to fight, in the likeness of Phænops son of Asius my heart, but Hector is as a raging fire and deals who lived in Abydos and was the most favoured of his blows without ceasing, for Jove is now granting all Hector’s guests. In his likeness Apollo said, “Hec-him a time of triumph.”
tor, who of the Achæans will fear you henceforward Minerva was pleased at his having named herself now that you have quailed before Menelaus who before any of the other gods. Therefore she put has ever been rated poorly as a soldier? Yet he has strength into his knees and shoulders, and made now got a corpse away from the Trojans single-280
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handed, and has slain your own true comrade, a plate over his chest near the nipple; but the spear man brave among the foremost, Podes son of Eetion.
broke in the shaft, and the Trojans cheered aloud.
A dark cloud of grief fell upon Hector as he heard, Hector then aimed at Idomeneus son of Deucalion and he made his way to the front clad in full armour.
as he was standing on his chariot, and very narrowly Thereon the son of Saturn seized his bright tas-missed him, but the spear hit Coiranus, a follower selled ægis, and veiled Ida in cloud: he sent forth and charioteer of Meriones who had come with him his lightnings and his thunders, and as he shook from Lyctus. Idomeneus had left the ships on foot his ægis he gave victory to the Trojans and routed and would have afforded a great triumph to the Tro-the Achæans.
jans if Coiranus had not driven quickly up to him, The panic was begun by Peneleos the Boeotian, he therefore brought life and rescue to Idomeneus, for while keeping his face turned ever towards the but himself fell by the hand of murderous Hector.
foe he had been hit with a spear on the upper part For Hector hit him on the jaw under the ear; the end of the shoulder; a spear thrown by Polydamas had of the spear drove out his teeth and cut his tongue in grazed the top of the bone, for Polydamas had come two pieces, so that he fell from his chariot and let up to him and struck him from close at hand. Then the reins fall to the ground. Meriones gathered them Hector in close combat struck Leitus son of noble up from the ground and took them into his own Alectryon in the hand by the wrist, and disabled him hands, then he said to Idomeneus, “Lay on, till you from fighting further. He looked about him in dis-get back to the ships, for you must see that the day may, knowing that never again should he wield spear is no longer ours.”
in battle with the Trojans. While Hector was in pur-On this Idomeneus lashed the horses to the ships, suit of Leitus, Idomeneus struck him on the breast-for fear had taken hold upon him.
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Ajax and Menelaus noted how Jove had turned Father Jove heard him and had compassion upon the scale in favour of the Trojans, and Ajax was first his tears. Forthwith he chased away the cloud of to speak. “Alas,” said he, “even a fool may see that darkness, so that the sun shone out and all the fight-father Jove is helping the Trojans. All their weapons ing was revealed. Ajax then said to Menelaus, “Look, strike home; no matter whether it be a brave man or Menelaus, and if Antilochus son of Nestor be still a coward that hurls them, Jove speeds all alike, living, send him at once to tell Achilles that by far whereas ours fall each one of them without effect.
the dearest to him of all his comrades has fallen.” What, then, will be best both as regards rescuing the Menelaus heeded his words and went his way as body, and our return to the joy of our friends who a lion from a stockyard—the lion is tired of attack-will be grieving as they look hitherwards; for they ing the men and hounds, who keep watch the whole will make sure that nothing can now check the ter-night through and will not let him feast on the fat rible hands of Hector, and that he will fling himself of their herd. In his lust of meat he makes straight upon our ships. I wish that some one would go and at them but in vain, for darts from strong hands tell the son of Peleus at once, for I do not think he assail him, and burning brands which daunt him can have yet heard the sad news that the dearest of for all his hunger, so in the morning he slinks sulk-his friends has fallen. But I can see not a man among ily away—even so did Menelaus sorely against his the Achæans to send, for they and their chariots are will leave Patroclus, in great fear lest the Achæans alike hidden in darkness. O father Jove, lift this cloud should be driven back in rout and let him fall into from over the sons of the Achæans; make heaven the hands of the foe. He charged Meriones and the serene, and let us see; if you will that we perish, let two Ajaxes straitly saying, “Ajaxes and Meriones, us fall at any rate by daylight.” leaders of the Argives, now indeed remember how 282
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good Patroclus was; he was ever courteous while rescue the body and bear it to the ships. As for the alive, bear it in mind now that he is dead.” armour, Hector already has it.” With this Menelaus left them, looking round him Antilochus was struck with horror. For a long time as keenly as an eagle, whose sight they say is keener he was speechless; his eyes filled with tears and he than that of any other bird—however high he may could find no utterance, but he did as Menelaus be in the heavens, not a hare that runs can escape had said, and set off running as soon as he had him by crouching under bush or thicket, for he will given his armour to a comrade, Laodocus, who was swoop down upon it and make an end of it—even wheeling his horses round, close beside him.
so, O Menelaus, did your keen eyes range round Thus, then, did he run weeping from the field, to the mighty host of your followers to see if you could carry the bad news to Achilles son of Peleus. Nor find the son of Nestor still alive. Presently Menelaus were you, O Menelaus, minded to succour his ha-saw him on the extreme left of the battle cheering rassed comrades, when Antilochus had left the on his men and exhorting them to fight boldly.
Pylians—and greatly did they miss him—but he sent Menelaus went up to him and said, “Antilochus, them noble Thrasymedes, and himself went back come here and listen to sad news, which I would to Patroclus. He came running up to the two Ajaxes indeed were untrue. You must see with your own and said, “I have sent Antilochus to the ships to eyes that heaven is heaping calamity upon the tell Achilles, but rage against Hector as he may, he Danaans, and giving victory to the Trojans. Patroclus cannot come, for he cannot fight without armour.
has fallen, who was the bravest of the Achæans, What then will be our best plan both as regards and sorely will the Danaans miss him. Run instantly rescuing the dead, and our own escape from death to the ships and tell Achilles, that he may come to amid the battle-cries of the Trojans?” 283
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Ajax answered, “Menelaus, you have said well: In this wise did the two heroes strain every nerve do you, then, and Meriones stoop down, raise the to bear the body to the ships out of the fight. The body, and bear it out of the fray, while we two be-battle raged round them like fierce flames that when hind you keep off Hector and the Trojans, one in once kindled spread like wildfire over a city, and heart as in name, and long used to fighting side by the houses fall in the glare of its burning—even such side with one another.”
was the roar and tramp of men and horses that On this Menelaus and Meriones took the dead pursued them as they bore Patroclus from the field.
man in their arms and lifted him high aloft with a Or as mules that put forth all their strength to draw great effort. The Trojan host raised a hue and cry some beam or great piece of ship’s timber down a behind them when they saw the Achæans bearing rough mountain-track, and they pant and sweat as the body away, and flew after them like hounds at-they, go even so did Menelaus and pant and sweat tacking a wounded boar at the loo of a band of as they bore the body of Patroclus. Behind them young huntsmen. For a while the hounds fly at him the two Ajaxes held stoutly out. As some wooded as though they would tear him in pieces, but now mountain-spur that stretches across a plain will turn and again he turns on them in a fury, scaring and water and check the flow even of a great river, nor scattering them in all directions—even so did the is there any stream strong enough to break through Trojans for a while charge in a body, striking with it—even so did the two Ajaxes face the Trojans and sword and with spears pointed ai both the ends, stern the tide of their fighting though they kept but when the two Ajaxes faced them and stood at pouring on towards them and foremost among them bay, they would turn pale and no man dared press all was Æneas son of Anchises with valiant Hector.
on to fight further about the dead.
As a flock of daws or starlings fall to screaming and 284
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chattering when they see a falcon, foe to i’ll small Trojans, and see the light of the sun no longer. I birds, come soaring near them, even so did the fear the brave son of Menoetius has fallen through Achæan youth raise a babel of cries as they fled his own daring and yet I bade him return to the before Æneas and Hector, unmindful of their former ships as soon as he had driven back those that were prowess. In the rout of the Danaans much goodly bringing fire against them, and not join battle with armour fell round about the trench, and of fighting Hector.”
there was no end.
As he was thus pondering, the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, weeping bitterly BOOK XVIII
the while. “Alas,” he cried, “son of noble Peleus, I bring you bad tidings, would indeed that they were THUS THEN DID THEY FIGHT as it were a flaming fire.
untrue. Patroclus has fallen, and a fight is raging Meanwhile the fleet runner Antilochus, who had about his naked body—for Hector holds his been sent as messenger, reached Achilles,