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 GREAT BOOKS
OF THE WESTERN WORLD
ROBERT MAYNARD HVTCHl'NS, EDITOR IN CHIEF

THE ILIAD OF HOMER

THE ODYSSEY

Mortimer J. Adler, Associate Editor

Members of the Advisory Board: Stringfellow Barr, Scott Buchanan, John Erskine,
Clarence H. Faust, Alexander Meiklejohn, Joseph J. Schwab, Mark Van Doren.
Editorial Consultants: A. F. B. Clark, F. L. Lucas, Walter Murdoch.
Wallace Brockway, Executive Editor
 THE ILIAD OF HOMER
AND
THE ODYSSEY
RENDERED INTO ENGLISH PROSE BY
SAMUEL BUTLER

William Benton, Puhlisher

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, INC.

CHICAGO ' LONDON • TORONTO • GENEVA • SYDNEY ' TOKYO • MANILA

 By arrangement with Jonathan Cape Limited, London

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

The Great Books
is published with the editorial advice of the faculties

oj The University of Chicago

No part of this work ma\ he reproduced or utilized in any form or b\ any

means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publisher.

©
1952
BY Encyclop.€di.\ Brit.\nnic.\, Inc.
Twenty-eighth Printing, 1986

Copyright under International Copyright Union

All Rights Reserved under Pan American and Universal Copyright

Conventions by Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-10314

International Standard Book Number: 0-85229-163-9
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Homer

Homer is not a to have existed, to whom the authorship of the

man known
Iliad and Odyssey imputed. Homer is the author of the Homeric poems, a
is

hypothesis constructed to account for their existence and quahty.

There were several "Lives of Homer" in antiquity. Their date is uncertain,
but the Homer they present is certainly a figure of romance and conjecture.
Seven cities, though not always the same seven, are recorded as claiming to be
the birth-place of Homer; proposed as containing his birth-date.
six centuries are
Homeric scholarship turns around the facts known about the existence of a
written text of the Iliad and Odyssey. It is established that the works of Homer,
"and no other poet," were recited at the Panathenaic festivals and that there
was a fixed order for these recitations. It is accordingly inferred that there was
some standard Athenian text by the second half of the sixth century b.c. If
there was such a text, it did not maintain itself, because the quotations from
Homer made in the fourth and third centuries b.c. show the texts then current
to have been widely divergent. This disagreement in the texts does not appear
to have been resolved until about 150 b.c, when the Alexandrian librarian,
Aristarchus of Samothrace, published editions which were afterwards regarded
as authoritative. It is not known whether Aristarchus prepared his edition from
many, widely differing manuscripts or whether he had recourse to an impressive
single text from earlier times. The modern vulgate text is thought to be derived
from that of Aristarchus.
Extrinsic evidence, then, does not reveal an Iliad or Odyssey, written poems,
in anything like their present form, before 550 B.C. However, intrinsic evi-
dence convinces scholars that such a date was a late stage in the history of
"Homeric" poetry. To reconstruct that history has always been the Homeric
problem. This reconstruction, when made by argument from the text of the
present poems, has sometimes seemed to involve a denial of their artistic unity.
Certain scholars have seen the epics as only imperfectly unified, resulting from
accretion to an imagined short original or from a joining of several remembered
songs. Further, the poems have been held to be neither of the same period,
nor by the same author; Samuel Butler contended on this last point that the
Odyssey was written by a woman.
In recent times, although the inclusion of traditional material and the proba-
bility of later interpolation are admitted, most scholars seem to believe in one
Iliad, one Odyssey, undated, and in one Homer, unknown, as author of them
both.
 r^^^^

THE ILIAD OF HOMER

^£^^

BOOK I

SING, O GODDESS, the anger of Achilles me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that
son of Peleus, that brought countless ills protectest Chryse and holy Cilia and rulest
upon the Achasans. Many a brave soul did Tenedos with thy might, hear me oh thou of
it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a Sminthe. If I have ever decked your temple
hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, with garlands, or burned your thigh-bones in
for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from fat of bulls or goats, grant my prayer, and let
the day on which the son of Atreus, king of your arrows avenge these my tears upon the
men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one Danaans."
another. [4^] Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his
[8] And which was it that set
of the gods prayer. He came down furious from the sum-
them on was the son of Jove and
to quarrel? It mits of Olympus, with his bow and his quiver
Leto; for he was angry with the king and sent a upon his shoulder, and the arrows rattled on his
pestilence upon the host to plague the people, back with the rage that trembled within him.
because the son of Atreus had dishonoured He sat himself down away from the ships with
Chryses his priest. Now Chryses had come to a face as dark as night, and his silver bow rang
the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, death as he shot his arrow in the midst of them.
and had brought with him a great ransom: First he smote their mules and their hounds,
moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of but presently he aimed his shafts at the people
Apollo wreathed with a suppliant's wreath, and themselves, and all day long the pyres of the
he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the dead were burning.
two sons of Atreus, who were their chiefs. [$i] For nine whole days he shot his arrows
[ly] "Sons of Atreus," he cried, "and all other among the people, but upon the tenth day
Achaeans, may the gods who dwell in Olympus Achilles called them in assembly— moved thereto
grant you to sack the city of Priam, and to by Juno, who saw the Achaeans in their death-
reach your homes in safety; but free my daugh- throes and had compassion upon them. Then,
ter, and accept a ransom for her, in reverence to when they were got together, he rose and spoke
Apollo, son of Jove." among them.
[22] On this the rest of the Achaeans with one [59] "Son of Atreus," said he, "I deem that
voice were for respecting the priest and taking we should now turn roving home if we would
the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamem- escape destruction, for we are being cut down
non, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him by war and pestilence at once. Let us ask some
roughly away. "Old man," said he, "let me not priest or prophet, or some reader of dreams (for
find you tarrying about our ships, nor yet com- dreams, too, are of Jove) who can tell us why
ing hereafter. Your sceptre of the god and your Phoebus Apollo is so angry, and say whether it
wreath shall you nothing. I will not free
profit is for some vow that we have broken, or heca-

her. She shall grow old in my house at Argos tomb that we have not offered, and whether he
far from her own home, busying herself with will accept the savour of lambs and goats with-
her loom and visiting my couch; so go, and do out blemish, so as to take away the plague from
not provoke me or it shall be the worse for you." us."
^337 The old man feared him and obeyed. [687 With these words he sat down, and Cal-
Not a word he spoke, but went by the shore of chas son of Thestor, wisest of augurs, who knew
the sounding sea and prayed apart to King things past present and to come, rose to speak.
Apollo whom lovely Leto had borne. "Hear He it was who had guided the Achaeans with
 THE ILIAD
through the prophesyings
their fleet to Ilius, how shall the Achaeans find you another prize?
with which Phoebus Apollo had inspired him. We common store from which to take
have no
With all sincerity and goodwill he addressed one. Those we took from the cities have been
them thus: — awarded; we cannot disallow the awards that
[y^] "Achilles, loved of heaven, you bid me have been made already. Give this girl, there-
tell you about the anger of King Apollo, I will fore, to the god, and if ever Jove grants us to
therefore do so; but consider first and swear that sack the city of Troy we will requite you three
you will stand by me heartily in word and deed, and fourfold."
for I know that I shall offend one who rules the 1 1^0] Then Agamemnon said, "Achilles, val-
Argives with might, and to whom all the Achae- iant though you be, you shall not thus outwit
ans are in subjection. A plain man cannot stand me. You shall not overreach and you shall not
against the anger of a king, who if he swallow persuade me. Are you to keep your own prize,
his displeasure now, will vet nurse revenge till while I sit tamely under my loss and give up the
he has wreaked it. Consider, therefore, whether girl at your bidding? Let the Achaeans find me a

or no you will protect me." prize in fair exchange to my liking, or I will

[84] And Achilles answered, "Fear not, but come and take your own, or that of Ajax or of
speak as it is borne in upon you from heaven, Ulysses; and he to whomsoever I may come shall
for by Apollo, Calchas, to whom you pray, and rue my coming. But of this we will take thought
whose oracles you reveal to us, not a Danaan at hereafter; for the present, let us draw a ship
our ships shall lay his hand upon you, while I into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly;
yet live to look upon the face of the earth— no, let us put a hecatomb on board, and let us send

not though you name Agamemnon himself, Chryseisalso; further, let some chief man among
who is by far the foremost of the Achasans." us be in command, either Ajax, or Idomeneus,
[gi] Thereon the seer spoke boldly. "The or yourself, son of Peleus, mighty warrior that
god," he said, "is angry neither about vow nor you are, that we may off^er sacrifice and appease
hecatomb, but for his priest's sake, whom Aga- the anger of the god."
memnon has dishonoured, in that he would not [148] Achilles scowled at him and answered,
free his daughter nor take a ransom for her; "You are steeped in insolence and lust of gain.
therefore has he sent these evils upon us, and With what heart can any of the Achaeans do
will yet send others. He will not deliver the your bidding, either on foray or in open fight-
Danaans from this pestilence till Agamemnon ing? I came not warring here for any ill the
has restored the girl without fee or ransom to Trojans had done me. I have no quarrel with
her father, and has sent a holy hecatomb to them. They have not raided my cattle nor my
Chryse. Thus we may perhaps appease him." horses, nor cut down my harvests on the rich
[loi] With these words he sat down, and plains of Phthia; for between me and them there
Agamemnon rose in anger. His heart was black is a great space, both mountain and sounding
with rage, and his eyes flashed fire as he scowled sea. We have followed you, Sir Insolence! for
on Calchas and said, "Seer of evil, you never yet your pleasure, not ours— to gain satisfaction
prophesied smooth things concerning me, but from the Trojans for your shameless self and for
have ever loved to foretell that which was evil. Menelaus. You forget this, and threaten to rob
You have brought me neither comfort nor per- me of the prize for which I have toiled, and
formance; and now you come seeing among the which the sons of the Achaeans have given me.
Danaans, and saying that Apollo has plagued us Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of
because I would not take a ransom for this girl, the Trojans do I receive so good a prize as you
the daughter of Chryses. I have set my heart on do, though it is my hands that do the better part
keeping her in my own house, for I love her of the fighting. When the sharing comes, your
better even than my own wife Clytemnestra, share is far the largest, and I, forsooth, must go
whose peer she is alike in form and feature, in back to my ships, take what I can get and be
understanding and accomplishments. Still I will thankful, when my labour of fighting is done.
give her up if I must, for I would have the peo- Now, therefore, I shall go back to Phthia; it
ple live, not die; but you must find me a prize will be much better for me to return home with
instead, or I alone among the Argives shall be my ships, for I will not stay here dishonoured to
without one. This is not well; for you behold, gather gold and substance for you."
all of you, that my prize is to go elsewhither." [171] And Agamemnon answered, "Fly if
/^i2i7 And Achilles answered, "Most noble you will, I shall make you no prayers to stay
.son of Atreus, covetous beyond all mankind. you. I have others here who will do me honour,
 BOOK I

and above all Jove, the lord of counsel. There is chosen men in ambuscade. You shun this as you
no king here so hateful to me as you are, for you do death itself. You had rather go round and
are ever quarrelsome and ill affected. What rob his prizes from any man who contradicts
though you be brave? Was it not heaven that you. You devour your people, for you are king
made you so? Go home, then, with your ships over a feeble folk; otherwise, son of Atreus,
and comrades to lord it over the Myrmidons. I henceforward you would insult no man. There-
care neither for you nor for your anger; and thus fore I say, and swear it with a great oath— nay,
will I do: since Phoebus Apollo is taking Chry- by this my sceptre which shall sprout neither
seis from me, I shall send her with my ship and leaf nor shoot, nor bud anew from the day on
my followers, but I shall come to your tent and which it left its parent stem upon the mountains
take your own prize Briseis, that you may learn —for the axe stripped it of leaf and bark, and
how much stronger I am than you are, and that now the sons of the Achaeans bear it as judges
another may fear to set himself up as equal or and guardians of the decrees of heaven— so
comparable with me." surely and solemnly do I swear that hereafter
[ i88] The son of Peleus was furious, and his they shall look fondly for Achilles and shall not
heart within his shaggy breast was divided find him. In the day of vour distress, when vour
whether to draw his sword, push the others men fall dying by the murderous hand of Hec-
aside, and kill the son of Atreus, or to restrain tor, you shall not know how to help them, and

himself and check his anger. While he was thus shall rend your heart with rage for the hour
in two minds, and was drawing his mighty when you offered insult to the bravest of the
sword from its scabbard, Minerva came down Achasans."
from heaven (for Juno had sent her in the love [2.4$] With this the son of Peleus dashed his
she bore to them both), and seized the son of gold-bestudded sceptre on the ground and took
Peleus by his yellow hair, visible to him alone, his seat, while the son of Atreus was beginning
for of the others no man could see her. Achilles fiercely from his place upon the other side.
turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed Then uprose smooth-tongued Nestor, the facile
from her eyes at once knew that she was Mi- speaker of the Pylians, and the words fell from
nerva. "Why are you here," said he, "daughter his lips sweeter than honey. Two generations
of aegis-bearing Jove? To see the pride of Aga- of men born and bred in Pylos had passed away
memnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you— and it under his rule, and he was now reigning over
shall surely be— he shall pay for this insolence the third. With all sincerity and goodwill, there-
with his life." fore, he addressed them thus: —
[206] And Minerva said, "I come from heav- [2^4] "Of a truth," he said, "a great sorrow
en, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your has befallen the Achaean land. Surely Priam
anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be
you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel be-
not draw your sword; rail at him if you will, and tween you two, who are so excellent in fight
your railing will not be vain, for I tell you— and and counsel. I am older than either of you;
it shall surely be— that you shall hereafter re- therefore be guided by me. Moreover I have
ceive gifts three times as splendid by reason of been the familiar friend of men even greater
this present insult. Hold, therefore, and obey." than you are, and they did not disregard my
[215] "Goddess," answered Achilles, "how- counsels. Never again can I behold such men
ever angry a man may be, he must do as you two as Pirithoiis and Dryas shepherd of his people,
command him. This will be best, for the gods or as Caeneus, Exadius, godlike Polyphemus,
ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed and Theseus son of ^geus, peer of the im-
them." mortals. These were the mightiest men ever
[2.19] He
stayed his hand on the silver hilt of born upon this earth: mightiest were they, and
his sword,and thrust it back into the scabbard when they fought the fiercest tribes of moun-
as Minerva bade him. Then she went back to tain savages they utterly overthrew them. I

Olympus among the other gods, and to the house came from and went about among
distant Pylos,
of aegis-bearing Jove. them, for they would have me come, and I
[2237 But the son of Peleus again began rail- fought as it was in me to do. Not a man now
ing at the son of Atreus, for he was still in a rage. li\'ingcould withstand them, but they heard mv
"Wine-bibber," he cried, "with the face of a words, and were persuaded by them. So be it
dog and the heart of a hind, you never dare to also with vourselves, for this is the more excel-
go out with the host in fight, nor yet with our lent way. Therefore, Agamemnon, though you
 1

THE ILIAD
be strong, take not this away, for the sons of
girl and dismissed them, whereon they went their
the Acha^anshave already given her to Achilles; way sorrowfully by the seaside, till they came to
and you, Achilles, strive not further with the the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. They
king, for no man who by the grace of Jove found Achilles sitting by his tent and his ships,
wields a sceptre has like honour with Agamem- and ill-pleased he was when he beheld them.
non. You are strong and have a goddess for They stood fearfully and reverently before him,
your mother; but Agamemnon is stronger than and never a word did they speak, but he knew
you, for he has more people under him. Son of them and said, "Welcome, heralds, messengers
Atreus, check your anger, I implore you; end of gods and men; draw near; my quarrel is not
this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of with you but with Agamemnon who has sent
battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans." you for the girl Briseis. Therefore, Patroclus,
[288] And Agamemnon answered, "Sir, all bring her and give her to them, but let them be
that you have said is true, but this fellow must witnesses by the blessed gods, by mortal men,
needs become our lord and master: he must be and by the fierceness of Agamemnon's anger,
lord of all, king of all, and captain of all, and that if ever again there be need of me to save
this shall hardly be. Granted that the gods have the people from ruin, they shall seek and they
made him a great warrior, have they also given shall not find. Agamemnon is mad with rage
him the right to speak with railing?" and knows not how to look before and after
[zgz] Achilles interrupted him. "I should be that the Achaeans may fight by their ships in
a mean coward," he cried, "were I to give in to safety."
you in all things. Order other people about, not [i4S] Patroclus did as his dear comrade had
me, for I shall obey no longer. Furthermore I bidden him. He brought Briseis from the tent
say— and lay my saying to your heart— I shall and gave her over to the heralds, who took her
fight neither vou nor any man about this girl, with them to the ships of the Achaeans—and the
for those that take were those also that gave. woman was loth to go. Then Achilles went all

But of all else that is at my ship vou shall carry alone by the side of the hoar sea, weeping and
away nothing by force. Try, that others may looking out upon the boundless waste of waters.
see; if you do, my spear shall be reddened with He hands in prayer to his immortal
raised his
your blood." mother, "Mother," he cried, "you bore me
[^04] When they had quarrelled thus an- doomed to live but for a little season; surely
grily, they rose, and broke up the assembly at Jove, who thunders from Olympus, might have
the ships of the Achaeans. The son of Peleus made that little glorious. It is not so. Agamem-
went back to his tents and ships with the son of non, son of Atreus, has done me dishonour, and
Mencetius and his company, while Agamem- has robbed me of my prize by force."
non drew a vessel into the water and chose a [357] ^^s he spoke he wept aloud, and his
crew of twenty oarsmen. He escorted Chryseis mother heard him where she was sitting in the
on board and sent moreover a hecatomb for the depths of the sea hard by the old man her father.
god. And Ulysses went as captain. Forthwith she rose as it were a grey mist out of
[3 2] These, then, went on board and sailed the waves, sat down before him as he stood
their ways over the sea. But the son of Atreus weeping, caressed him with her hand, and said,
bade the people purify themselves; so they puri- "My son, why are you weeping? What is it that
fiedthemselves and cast their filth into the sea. grieves you? Keep it not from me, but tell me,
Then they offered hecatombs of bulls and goats that we may know it together."
without blemish on the sea-shore, and the [^64] Achilles drew a deep sigh and said,
smoke with the savour of their sacrifice rose "You know it; why tell you what you know well

curling up towards heaven. already? We went to Thebe the strong city

[^18] Thus did they busy themselves of Eetion, sacked it, and brought hither the
throughout the host. But Agamemnon did not spoil.The sons of the Achaeans shared it duly
forget the threat that he had made Achilles, and among themselves, and chose lovely Chryseis
called his trusty messengers and squires Talthy- as the meed of Agamemnon; but Chryses,
bius and Eurybates. "Go," said he, "to the tent priest of Apollo, came to the ships of the
of Achilles, son of Peleus; take Briseis by the Achaeans to and brought
free his daughter,
hand and bring her hither; if he will not give with him ransom: moreover he bore
a great
her I shall come with others and take her— in his hand the sceptre of Apollo, wreathed
which will press him harder." with a suppliant's wreath, and he besought
[2,26] He charged them straightly further the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of
 BOOK I

Atreus who were their chiefs. among the Ethiopians, and the other gods went
[376] "On this the rest of the Achaeans with with him. He will return to Olympus twelve
one voice were for respecting the priest and tak- days hence; I will then go to his mansion paved
ing the ransom that he offered; but not so Aga- with bronze and will beseech him; nor do I
memnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent doubt that I shall be able to persuade him."
him roughly away. So he went back in anger, [428] On this she left him, still furious at
and Apollo, who loved him dearly, heard his the loss of her that had been taken from him.
prayer. Then the god sent a deadly dart upon Meanwhile Ulysses reached Chryse with the
the Argives, and the people died thick on one hecatomb. When they had come inside the har-
another, for the arrows went everywhither bour they furled the sails and laid them in the
among the wide host of the Achaeans. At last a ship's hold; they slackened the forestays, low-
seer in the fulness of his knowledge declared to ered the mast into its place, and rowed the ship
us the oracles of Apollo, and I was myself first to the place where they would have her lie;
to say that we should appease him. Whereon there they cast out their mooring-stones and
the son of Atreus rose in anger, and threatened made fast the hawsers. They then got out upon
that which he has since done. The Achaeans are the sea-shore and landed the hecatomb for
now taking the girl in a ship to Chryse, and Apollo; Chryseis also left the ship, and Ulysses
sending gifts of sacrifice to the god; but the led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands
heralds have just taken from my tent the daugh- of her father. "Chryses," said he, "King Aga-
ter of Briseus, whom the Achaeans had awarded memnon has sent me to bring you back vour
to myself. child, and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf
[393] "Help j'our brave son, therefore, if you of the Danaans, that we may propitiate the god,
are able. Go to Olympus, and if you have ever who has now brought much sorrow upon the
done him service in word or deed, implore the Argives."
aid of Jove. Ofttimes in my father's house have [446] So saying he gave the girl over to her
I heard you glory in that you alone of the im- father, who received her gladly, and they ranged
mortals saved the son of Saturn from ruin, when the holy hecatomb all orderly round the altar of
the others, wath Juno, Neptune, and Pallas the god. They washed their hands and took up
Minerva would have put him in bonds. It was the barley-meal to sprinkle over the victims,
you, goddess, who delivered him by calling to while Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed
Olympus the hundred-handed monster whom aloud on their behalf. "Hear me," he cried, "O
gods call Briareus, but men /Egason, for he is god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and
stronger even than his father; when therefore holy Cilia, and rulest Tenedos with thy mioht.
he took his seat all-glorious beside the son of Even as thou didst hear me aforetime when I
Saturn, the other gods were afraid, and did not prayed, and didst press hardly upon the Achae-
bind him. Go, then, to him, remind him of all ans, so hear me yet again, and stay this fearful
this, clasp his knees, and bid him give succour pestilence from the Danaans."
to the Trojans. Let the Achaeans be hemmed in [457] Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard
at the sterns of their ships, and perish on the his prayer. When they had done praying and
sea-shore, that they may reap what joy they may sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the
of their king, and that Agamemnon may rue his heads of the victims and killed and flayed them.
blindness in offering insult to the foremost of They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them
the Achaeans." round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of
[413] Thetis wept and answered, "My son, raw meat on the top of them, and then Chryses
woe is me that I should have borne or suckled laid them on the wood fire and poured wine
you. Would indeed that you had lived your over them, while the young men stood near him
span free from all sorrow at your ships, for it is with five-pronged spits in their hands. When
all too brief; alas, that you should be at once the thigh-bones were burned and they had
short of life and long of sorrow above your tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up
peers: woe, therefore, was the hour in which small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted
I bore you; nevertheless I will go to the snowy them till they were done, and drew them off:
heights of Olympus, and tell this tale to Jove, then, when they had finished their work and
if he will hear our prayer: meanwhile stay where the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man
you are with your ships, nurse your anger had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As
against the Achaeans, and hold aloof from fight. soon as they had had enough to eat and drink,
For Jove went yesterday to Oceanus, to a feast pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine and
8 THE ILIAD
water and handed it round, after giving every always railing at me before the other gods and
man his drink-offering. accusing me of giving aid to the Trojans. Go
[472] Thus all day long the young men wor- back now, lest she should find out. I will con-
shipped the god with song, hymning him and sider the matter, and will bring it about as you
chaunting the jovous pican, and the god took wish. See, I incline my head that you may be-
pleasure in their voices; but when the sun went lieve me. This is the most solemn token that I
down, and it came on dark, they laid themselves can give to any god. I never recall my word, or
down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, deceive, or fail to do what I say, when I have
and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered nodded my head."
Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the host [5287 As he spoke the son of Saturn bowed
of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind, his dark brows, and the ambrosial locks swayed
so they raised their mast and hoisted their white on his immortal head, till vast Olympus reeled.
sails aloft. As the sail bellied with the wind the [S32.] When the pair had thus laid their
ship flew through the deep blue water, and the plans, they parted— Jove to hisovvn house, while
foam hissed against her bows as she sped on- the goddess quitted the splendour of Olympus,
ward. When they reached the wide-stretching and plunged into the depths of the sea. The
host of the Achasans, they drew the vessel ashore, gods rose from their seats, before the coming of
high and dry upon the sands, set her strong their sire. Not one of them dared to remain sit-
props beneath her, and went their ways to their ting, but all stood up as he came among them.
own tents and ships. There, then, he took his seat. But Juno, when
[488] But Achilles abode at his ships and she saw him, knew that he and the old mer-
nursed his anger. He went not to the honour- man's daughter, silver-footed Thetis, had been
able assembly, and sallied not forth to fight, but hatching mischief, so she at once began to up-
gnawed at his own heart, pining for battle and braid him. "Trickster," she cried, "which of the
the war-crv. gods have you been taking into your counsels
[49^] Now after twelve days the immortal now? You are always settling matters in secret
gods came back in a body to Olympus, and Jove behind my back, and have never yet told me, if
led the way. Thetis was not unmindful of the you could help it, one word of your intentions."
charge her son had laid upon her, so she rose [544] "Juno," replied the gods and
sire of

from under the sea and went through great men, "you must not expect be informed of
to
heaven with early morning to Olympus, where all my counsels. You are my wife, but you would

she found the mighty son of Saturn sitting all find it hard to understand them. When it is
alone upon its topmost ridges. She sat herself proper for you to hear, there is no one, god or
down before him, and with her left hand seized man, who will be told sooner, but when I mean
his knees, while with her right she caught him to keep a matter to myself, you must not pry
under the chin, and besought him, saying— nor ask questions."
Iso^] "Father Jove, if I ever did you service [SS^] "Dread son of Saturn," answered Juno,
in word or deed among the immortals, hear my "what are you talking about? I? Pry and ask
prayer, and do honour to my son, whose life is questions? Never. I let you have your own way
to be cut short so early. King Agamemnon has in everything. Still, I have a strong misgiving
dishonoured him by taking his prize and keep- that the old merman's daughter Thetis has been
ing her. Honour him then yourself, Olympian talking you over, for she was with you and had
lord of counsel, and grant victory to the Trojans, hold of your knees this self-same morning. I be-
till the Achaeans give my son his due and load lieve, therefore, that you have been promising
him with riches in requital." her to give glory to Achilles, and to kill much
Isii] Jove sat for a while silent, and without people at the ships of the Achasans."
a word, but Thetis still kept firm hold of his [s6o] "Wife," said Jove, "I can do nothing
knees, and besought him a second time. "In- but you suspect me and find it out. You will
cline your head," said she, "and promise me take nothing by it, for I shall only dislike you
surely, or else deny me— for you have nothing the more, and it will go harder with you.
to fear— that I may learn how greatly you dis- Granted that it is as you say; I mean to have it
dain me." so; sit down and hold your tongue as I bid you

f 5 J y] At this Jove was much troubled and for if I once begin to lay my hands about you,
answered, "I shall have trouble if you set me though all heaven were on your side it would
quarrelling with Juno, for she will provoke me profit you nothing."
with her taunting speeches; even now she is [^68] On this Juno was frightened, so she
 BOOK I

curbed her stubborn will and sat down in si- threshold. All day long from morn till eve, was
lence. But the heavenly beings were disquieted I falling, till at sunset I came to ground in the
throughout the house of Jove, till the cunnino island of Lemnos, and there I lay, with very
workman Vulcan began to try and pacify his in me, till the Sintians came and
little life left
mother Juno. "It will be intolerable," said he, tended me."
"if vou two fall to wrangling and setting heaven
[595] Juno smiled at this, and as she smiled
m an uproar about a pack of mortals. If such she took the cup from her son's hands. Then
ill counsels are to prevail, we shall have no pleas- Vulcan drew sweet nectar from the mixing-
ure at our banquet. Let me then advise my bowl, and served it round among the gods, 00-
mother— and she must herself know that it will ing from left to right; and the blessed gods
be better— to make friends with my dear father laughed out a loud applause as they saw him
Jove, lest he again scold her and disturb our bustling about the heavenly mansion.
feast. If the Olympian Thunderer wants to hurl [Goi] Thus through the livelong day to the
us all from our seats, he can do he is far
so, for going down of the sun they feasted, and every
the strongest, so give him fair words, and he one had his full share, so that all were satisfied.
will then soon be in a good humour with us." Apollo struck his lyre, and the Muses lifted up
[5847 As he spoke, he took a double cup of their sweet voices, calling and answerino one
nectar, and placed it in his mother's hand. another. But when the sun's glorious lioht had
"Cheer up, my dear mother," said he, "and faded, they went home to bed, each in his own
make the best of it. I love you dearly, and abode, which lame Vulcan with his consummate
should be very sorry to see you get a thrashing; skill had fashioned for them. So Jove, the
however grieved I might be, I could not help Olympian Lord of Thunder, hied him to the
you, for there is no standing against Jove. Once bed in which he always slept; and when he had
before when I was trying to help you, he caught got on to it he went to sleep, with Juno of the
me by the foot and flung me from the heavenly golden throne by his side.
 BOOK II

NOW riors
the other gods and the armed war-
on the plain slept soundly, but
heavy cloak. He bound his sandals on to his
comely feet, and slung his silver-studded sword
Jove was wakeful, for he was think- about his shoulders; then he took the imperish-
inghow to do honour to Achilles, and destroy able staff of his father, and sallied forth to the
much people at the ships of the Achaeans. In ships of the Achaeans.
the end he deemed it would be best to send a [48] The goddess Dawn now wended her
King dream to King Agamemnon; so he called way to vast Olympus might herald day
that she
one to him and said to it, "Lying Dream, go to to Jove and to the other immortals, and Aga-
the ships of the Achaeans, into the tent of Aga- memnon sent the criers round to call the people
memnon, and say to him word for word as I in assembly; so they called them and the people
now bid you. Tell him to get the Achaeans in- gathered thereon. But first he summoned a
stantly under arms, for he shall take Troy. meeting of the elders at the ship of Nestor
There no longer divided counsels among
are king of Pylos, and when they were assembled
the gods; Juno has brought them to her own he laid a cunning counsel before them.
mind, and woe betides the Trojans." [56] "My friends," said he, "I have had a
[i6] The dream went when it had heard its dream from heaven in the dead of night, and its
message, and soon reached the ships of the face and figure resembled none but Nestor's.
Achaeans. It sought Agamemnon son of Atreus It hovered over my head and said, 'You are

and found him in his tent, wrapped in a pro- sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the wel-
found slumber. It hovered over his head in the fare of his host and so much other care upon
likeness of Nestor, son of Neleus, whom Aga- his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at
memnon honoured above all his councillors, once, for I am a messenger from Jove, who,
and said: — though he be not near, yet takes thought for
[2^] "You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one you and pities you. He bids you get the Achae-
who has the welfare of his host and so much ans instantly under arms, for you shall take
other care upon his shoulders should dock his Troy. There are no longer divided counsels
sleep. Hear me at once, for I come as a messen- among the gods; Juno has brought them over
ger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans
takes thought for you and pities you. He bids at the hands of Jove. Remember this.' The
you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for dream then vanished and I awoke. Let us now,
you shall take Troy. There are no longer di\'ided therefore, arm the sons of the Achaeans. But it
counsels among the gods; Juno has brought will be well that I should first sound them, and
them over to her own mind, and woe betides to this end I will tell them to fly with their
the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember ships; but do you others go about among the
this, and when you wake see that it does not host and prevent their doing so."
escape you." [76] He then sat down, and Nestor the
[35/ The dream then left him, and he prince of Pylos with all sincerity and goodwill
thought of things that were surely not to be addressed them thus: "My friends," said he,
accomplished. He thought that on that same "princes and councillors of the Argives, if any
day he was to take the city of Priam, but he other man of the Achaeans had told us of this
littleknew what was in the mind of Jove, who dream we should have declared it false, and
had many another hard-fought fight in store would have had nothing to do with it. But he
alike for Danaans and Trojans. Then presently who has seen it is the foremost man among us;
he woke, with the divine message still ring- we must therefore set about getting the people
ing in his ears; so he sat upright, and put on under arms."
his soft shirt so fair and new, and over this his [84] With this he led the way from the as-
 BOOK II II
sembly, and the other sceptred kings rose with ones athome look anxiously for our coming, but
him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon; the workthat we came hither to do has not been
but the people pressed forward to hear. They done. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say: let
swarmed hke bees that sally from some hollow us sail back to our own land, for we shall not
cave and flit in countless throng among the take Troy."
spring flowers, bunched and clusters;
in knots [142] With these words he moved the hearts
even so did the mighty multitude pour from of the multitude, so many ofthem as knew not
ships and tents to the assembly, and range them- the cunning counsel of Agamemnon. They
selves upon the wide-watered shore, while surged to and fro like the waves of the Icarian
among them ran Wildfire Rumour, messenger Sea, when the east and south winds break from
of Jo\'e, urging them ever to the fore. Thus they heaven's clouds to lash them; or as when the
gathered in a pell-mell of mad confusion, and west wind sweeps over a field of corn and the
the earth groaned under the tramp of men as ears bow beneath the blast, even so were they
the people sought their places. Nine heralds swayed as they flew with loud cries towards the
went crying about among them to stay their ships,and the dust from under their feet rose
tumult and bid them listen to the kings, till at heavenward. They cheered each other on to
last they were got into their several places and draw the ships into the sea; they cleared the
ceased their clamour. Then King Agamemnon channels in front of them; they began takino
rose, holding his sceptre. This was the work of away the stays from underneath them, and the
Vulcan, who gave it to Jove the son of Saturn. welkin rang with their glad cries, so eager were
Jove gave it to Mercury, slayer of Argus, guide they to return.
and guardian. King Mercury gave it to Pelops, [155] Then surely the Argives would have
the mighty charioteer, and Pelops to Atreus, returned after a fashion that was not fated. But
shepherd of his people. Atreus, when he died, Juno said to Minerva, "Alas, daughter of aegis-
left it to Thyestes, rich in flocks, and Thyestes bearing Jove, unweariable, shall the Argives flv
in his turn left it to be borne by Agamemnon, home own land over the broad sea, and
to their
that he might be lord of all Argos and of the leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still
isles. Leaning, then, on his sceptre, he addressed keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the
the Argives. Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their
[no] "My friends," he said, "heroes, servants homes? Go about at once among the host, and
of Mars, the hand of heaven has been laid speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw
heavily upon me. Cruel Jove gave me his solemn not their ships into the sea."
promise that should sack the city of Priam
I [166] Minerva was not slack to do her bid-
before returning, but he has played me false, ding. Down she darted from the topmost sum-
and is now bidding me go ingloriously back to mits of Olympus, and in a moment she was at
Argos with the loss of much people. Such is the the ships of the Achaeans. There she found
will of Jove, who has laid many a proud city in Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, standing alone.
the dust, as he will yet lay others, for his power He had not as yet laid a hand upon his ship, for
isabove all. It will be a sorry tale hereafter that he wasgrieved and went closeup to
sorry; so she
an Achaean host, at once so great and valiant, him and noble son of Laertes, are
said, "Ulysses,
battled in vain against men fewer in number you going to fling yourselves into your ships,
than themselves; but as yet the end is not in and be ofi^ home to your own land in this way?
sight. Think that the Achasans and Trojans Will you leave Priam and the Trojans the glory
have sworn to a solemn covenant, and that they of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many
have each been numbered— the Trojans by the of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their
roll of their householders, and we by companies homes? Go about at once amopg the host, and
of ten; think further that each of our companies speak fairly to them, man by man, that they
desired to have a Trojan householder to pour draw not their ships into the sea."
out their wine; we are so greatly more in num- [1837 Ulysses knew the voice as that of the
ber that full many a company would have to go goddess: he flung his cloak from him and set off
without its cup-bearer. But they have in the His servant Eurybates, a man of Ithaca,
to run.
town many allies from other places, and it is who waited on him, took charge of the cloak,
these that hinder me from being able to sack the whereon Ulysses went straight up to Agamem-
rich city of Ilius. Nine of Jove's years are oone; non and received from him his ancestral, im-
the timbers of our ships have rotted; their perishable staffs. With this he went about among
tackling is sound no longer. Our wives and little the ships of the Achaeans.
12 THE ILIAD
[ i8S] Whenever he met a king or chieftain, such misery. Weakling cowards, women rather
he stood by him and spoke him fairly. "Sir," than men, let us sail home, and leave this fel-
said he, "this Hight is cowardly and unworthy. low here at Troy to stew in his own meeds of
Stand to your post, and bid your people also honour, and discover whether we were of any
keep their places. You do not yet know the full service to him or no. Achilles is a much better
mind of Agamemnon; he was sounding us, and man than he is, and see how he has treated him
ere long will visit the Achacans with his dis- —robbing him of his prize and keeping it him-
pleasure. We were not all of us at the council self. Achilles takes itmeekly and shows no
to hear what he then said; see to it lest he be fight; if he did, son of Atreus, you would never
angry and do us a mischief; for the pride of again insult him."
kings is great, and the hand of Jove is with [24<)] Thus railed Thersites, but Ulysses at
them." once went up to him and rebuked him sternly.
when he came across any common
[198] But "Check your glib tongue, Thersites," said he,
man who was making a noise, he struck him "and babble not a word further. Chide not with
with his staff and rebuked him, saving, "Sirrah, princes when vou have none to back you. There
hold vour peace, and listen to better men than is no viler creature come before Troy with the

yourself. You are a coward and no soldier; you sons of Atreus. Drop this chatter about kings,
arc nobodv either in fight or council; we cannot and neither revile them nor keep harping about
all be kings; it is not well that there should be going home. We
do not yet know how things
many masters; one man must
be supreme— one are going to be, nor whether the Achaeans are
king to whom the son of scheming Saturn has to return with good success or evil. How dare
gi\'en the sceptre of sovereignty over you all." you gibe at Agamemnon because the Danaans
[loy] Thus masterfully did he go about have awarded him so many prizes? I tell you,
among the host, and the people hurried back therefore— and it shall surely be— that if I again
to the council from their tents and ships with catch vou talking such nonsense, I will either
a sound as the thunder of surf when it comes forfeit my own head and be no more called
crashing down upon the shore, and all the sea father of Telemachus, or I will take you, strip
is in an uproar. you stark naked, and whip vou out of the assem-
[2 1 2] The rest now took their seats and kept bly till you go blubbering back to the ships."
to their own several places, but Thersites still [26^] On this he beat him with his staff
went on wagging his unbridled tongue— a man about the back and shoulders till he dropped
of many words, and those unseemly; a monger and fell a-weeping. The golden sceptre raised
of sedition, a railer against all who were in au- a bloody weal on his back, so he sat down
thority, who cared not what he said, so that he frightened and in pain, looking foolish as he
might set the Achaeans in a laugh. He was the wiped the tears from his eyes. The people were
ugliest man of all those that came before Troy sorry for him, yet thev laughed heartily, and
—bandy-legged, lame of one foot, with his two one would turn to his neighbour saying, "Ulys-
shoulders rounded and hunched over his chest. ses has done many a good thing ere now in fight
His head ran up to a point, but there was little and council, but he never did the Argives a
hair on the top of it. Achilles and Ulysses hated better turn than when he stopped this fellow's
him worst of all, for it was with them that he mouth from prating further. He will give the
was most wont to wrangle; now, however, with kings no more of his insolence."
a shrill squeaky voice he began heaping his [2y8] Thus said the people. Then Ulysses
abuse on Agamemnon. The Achasans were an- rose, sceptre in hand, and Minerva in the like-
grv and disgusted, yet none the less he kept on ness of a herald bade the people be still, that
brawling and bawling at the son of Atreus. those who were far off might hear him and con-
^225] "Agamemnon," he cried, "what ails sider his council. He therefore with all sincerity
you now, and what more do you want? Your and goodwill addressed them thus: —
tents are filled with bronze and with fair women, [284] "King Agamemnon, the Achaeans are
for whenever we take a town we give you the for making you a by-word among all mankind.
pick of them. Would you have yet more gold, They forget the promise they made you when
which some Trojan is to give you as a ransom they set out from Argos, that you should not re-
for hisson, when I or another Achaean has taken turn till you had sacked the town of Troy, and,
him prisoner? or is it some young girl to hide like children or widowed women, they mur-
away and lie with? It is not well that you, the mur and would set off homeward. True it
ruler of the Achaeans, should bring them into is that they have had toil enough to be dis-
 BOOK II 13
heartened. A man chafes athaving to stay awav the right hands of fellowship wherein we have
from his wife even for a single month, when he put our trust? We waste our time in words, and
is on shipboard, at the mercy of wind and sea, for all our talking here shall be no further for-
but it is now nine long years that we have been ward. Stand, therefore, son of Atreus, by your
kept here; I cannot, therefore, blame the Achae- own steadfast purpose; lead the Argi\es on to
ans if they turn restive; still we shall be shamed battle, and leave this handful of men to rot,
if we go home empty after so long a stay— there- who scheme, and scheme in vain, to get back
fore, my friends, be patient vet a little longer to Argos ere they have learned whether Jove
that we may learn whether the prophesyings of be true or a liar. For the mighty son of Saturn
Calchas were false or true. surely promised that we should succeed, when
/30 17 "All who have not since perished must we Argives set sail to bring death and destruc-
remember as though it were yesterdav or the tion upon the Trojans. He showed us favour-
day before, how the ships of the Achasans were able signs bv flashing his lightninp on our right
detained in Aulis when we were on our way hands; therefore let none make haste to go till
hither to make war on Priam and the Trojans. he has first lain with the wife of some Trojan,
We were ranged round about a fountain otter- and avenged the toil and sorrow that he has
ing hecatombs to the gods upon their holy altars, suffered for the sake of IHlelen. Neverthless, if
and there was a fine plane-tree from beneath any man is in such haste to be at home again,
which there welled a stream of pure water. let him lay his hand to his ship that he may
Then we saw a prodigy; for Jove sent a fearful meet his doom in the sight of all. But, O king,
serpent out of the ground, with blood-red stains consider and give ear to my counsel, for the
upon its back, and it darted from under the altar word that I say may not be neglected lightly.
on to the plane-tree. Now there was a brood of Divide your men, Agamemnon, into their several
young sparrows, quite small, upon the topmost tribes and clans, that clans and tribes may stand
bough, peeping out from under the leaves, eight by and help one another. If you do this, and if
in all, and their mother that hatched them made the Achasans obey you, you will find out who,
nine. The serpent ate the poor cheeping things, both chiefs and peoples, are brave, and who are
while the old bird flew about lamenting her cowards; for they will vie one against the other.
little ones; but the serpent threw his coils about Thus you shall also learn whether it is through
her and caught her by the wing as she was the counsel of heaven or the cowardice of man
screaming. Then, when he had eaten both the that you shall fail to take the town."
sparrow and her young, the god who had sent [^69] And Agamemnon answered, "Nestor,
him made him become a sign; for the son of you ha\'e again outdone the sons of the Achas-
scheming Saturn turned him into stone, and ans in counsel. Would, by Father Jove, Miner-
we stood there wondering at that which had va, and Apollo, that I had among them ten more
come to pass. Seeing, then, that such a fearful such councillors, for the city of King Priam
portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, would then soon fall beneath our hands, and
Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of we should sack it. But the son of Saturn afflicts
heaven. 'Why, Achasans,' said he, 'are you thus me with bootless wranglings and strife. Achilles
speechless? Jove has sent us this sign, long in and I are quarrelling about this girl, in which
coming, and long ere it be fulfilled, though its matter I was the first to offend; if we can be of
fame As the serpent ate the
shall last for ever. one mind again, the Trojans will not stave off
and the sparrow that hatched
eight fledglings destruction for a day. Now, therefore, get your
them, which makes nine, so shall we fight nine morning meal, that our hosts may join in fight.
years at Troy, but in the tenth shall take the Whet well your spears; see well to the ordering
town.' This was what he said, and now it is all of your shields; give good feeds to your horses,
coming true. Stay here, therefore, all of you, till and look your chariots carefully over, that we
we take the city of Priam." may do battle the livelong day; for we shall ha\'e
/^333i Ori this the Argives raised a shout, till no rest, not for a moment, till night falls to part
the ships rang again with the uproar. Nestor, us. The bands that bear your shields shall be
knight of Gerene, then addressed them. "Shame wet with the sweat upon your shoulders, your
on you," he cried, "to stay talking here like chil- hands shall weary upon your spears, your horses
dren, when you should fight like men. Where shall steam in front of your chariots, and if I
are our covenants now, and where the oaths see any man shirking the fight, or trying to keep
that we have taken? Shall our counsels be out of it at the ships, there shall be no help for
flung into the fire, with our drink-offerings and him, but he shall be a prey to dogs and vultures."
14 THE ILIAD
[^94] Thus he spoke, and the Achaeans heeded his words. He at once sent the criers
roared applause. As when the waves run high round to call the people in assembly. So they
before the blast of the south wind and break on called them, and the people gathered thereon.
some lofty headland, dashing against it and The chiefs about the son of Atreus chose their
buffeting without ceasing, as the storms from
it men and marshalled them, while Minerva went
every quarter drive them, even so did the Achae- among them holding her priceless aegis that
ans rise and hurrv in all directions to their ships. knows neither age nor death. From it there
There thev lighted and
their fires at their tents waved a hundred tassels of pure gold, all deftly
got dinner, offering sacrifice every man to one woven, and each one of them worth a hundred
or other of the gods, and praying each one of With
oxen. this she darted furiously everywhere

them that he might live to come out of the fight. among the hosts of the Achasans, urging them
Agamemnon, king of men, sacrificed a fat five- forward, and putting courage into the heart of
vear-old bull to the mighty son of Saturn, and each, so that he might fight and do battle with-
invited the princes and elders of his host. First out ceasing. Thus war became sweeter in their
he asked Nestor and King Idomeneus, then the eves even than returning home in their ships.
two Ajaxes and the son of Tydeus, and sixthly As when some great forest fire is raging upon
Ulvsses, peer of gods in counsel; but Menelaus a mountain top and its light is seen afar, even
came of his own accord, for he knew how busy so as thev marched the gleam of their armour
his brother then was. They stood round the bull flashed up into the firmament of heaven.
with the barlev-meal in their hands, and Aga- [4S9] They were like great flocks of geese,
memnon prayed, saying, "Jove, most glorious, or cranes, or swans on the plain about the waters
supreme, that dwellest in heaven, and ridest of Cavster, that wing their way hither and
upon the storm-cloud, grant that the sun may thither, glorying in the pride of flight, and cry-

not go down, nor the night fall, till the palace ing as thev settletill the fen is alive with their

of Priam is laid low, and its gates are consumed screaming. Even thus did their tribes pour from
with fire. Grant that mv sword may pierce the ships and tents on to the plain of the Scaman-
shirt of Hector about his heart, and that full der, and the ground rang as brass under the feet
manv of his comrades may bite the dust as they of men and horses. They stood as thick upon
fall dving round him." the flower-bespangled field as leaves that bloom
[419] Thus he prayed, but the son of Saturn in summer.
would not fulfil his prayer. He accepted the [469] As countless swarms of flies buzz
sacrifice, yet none the less increased their toil around a herdsman's homestead in the time of
continually. When they had done praying and spring when the pails are drenched with milk,
sprinkling the barley-meal upon the victim, even so did the Achasans swarm on to the plain
thev drew back its head, killed it, and then to charge the Trojans and destroy them.
flayed it. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped [474] The chiefs disposed their men this

them round in two layers of fat, and set pieces way and that before the fight began, drafting
of raw meat on the top of them. These they them out as easily as goatherds draft their flocks
burned upon the split logs of firewood, but they when they have got mixed while feeding; and
spitted the inward meats, and held them in the among them went King Agamemnon, with a
flames to cook. When the thigh-bones were head and face like Jove the lord of thunder, a
burned, and they had tasted the inward meats, waist like Mars, and a chest like that of Nep-
thev cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon tune. As some great bull that lords it over the
spits, roasted them till they were done, and herds upon the plain, even so did Jove make the
drew them off^; then, when they had finished son of Atreus stand peerless among the multi-
their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, tude of heroes.
and every man had his full share, so that all [484] And now, O
Muses, dwellers in the
were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough mansions of Olympus, tell me— for you are god-
to eat and drink, Nestor, knight of Gerene, be- desses and are in all places so that you see all
gan to speak. "King Agamemnon," said he, "let things, while we know nothing but by report—
us not stay talking here, nor be slack in the who were the chiefs and princes of the Danaans?
work that heaven has put into our hands. Let As for the common soldiers, they were so many
the heralds summon the people to gather at that I could not name every single one of them
their several ships; we will then go about among though I had ten tongues, and though my voice
the host, that we may begin fighting at once." failed not and my heart were of bronze within

[441] Thus did he speak, and Agamemnon me, unless you, O Olympian Muses, daughters
 BOOK II 15
of aegis-bearing Jove, were torecount them to their hair long behind, brave warriors, who
me. Nevertheless, I will tell the captains of the would ever strive to tear open the corslets of
ships and all the fleet together. their foes with their long ashen spears. Of these
[494] Peneleos, Leitus, Arcesilaus, Prothoe- there came fifty ships.

nor, and Clonius were captains of the Boeotians. [546] And they that held the strong city of
These were thev that dwelt in Hyria and rocky Athens, the people of great Erechtheus, who
Aulis, and who held Schoenus, Scolus, and the was born of the soil itself, but Jove's daughter,
highlands of Eteonus, with Thespeia, Graia, Minerva, fostered him, and established him at
and the fair city of Mycalessus. They also held Athens in her own rich sanctuary. There, year
Harma, Eilesium, and Erythras; and they had by year, the Athenian youths worship him with
Eleon, Hyle, and Peteon; Ocalea and the strong sacrifices of bulls and rams. These were com-
fortress of Medeon; Copas, Eutresis, and Thisbe manded by Menestheus, son of Peteos. No man
the haunt of doves; Coronea, and the pastures living could equal him in the marshalling of
of Haliartus; Plataea and Glisas; the fortress of chariots and foot soldiers. Nestor could alone
Thebes the less; holy Onchestus with its fa- rival him, for he was older. With him there
mous grove of Neptune; Arne rich in vinevards; came fifty ships.

Midea, sacred Nisa, and Anthedon upon the [557] Ajax brought twelve ships from Sala-
sea. From these there came fifty ships, and in mis, and stationed them alongside those of the
each there were a hundred and twenty young Athenians.
men of the Boeotians. [559] The men of Argos, again, and those
Is 11] Ascalaphus and lalmenus, sons of who held the walls of Tiryns, with Hermione,
Mars, led the people that dwelt in Aspledon and Asine upon the gulf; Troezene, Eionae, and
and Orchomenus the realm of Minyas. Astyoche the vineyard lands of Epidaurus; the Achaean
a noble maiden bore them in the house of Actor youths, moreover, who came from /Egina and
son of Azeus; for she had gone with Mars se- Mases; these were led by Diomed of the loud
cretly into an upper chamber, and he had lain battle-cry, and Sthenelus son of famed Capa-
with her. With these there came thirty ships. neus. With them in command was Euryalus,
[5 1 7] The Phoceans were led by Schedius son of king Mecisteus, son of Talaus; but
and Epistrophus, sons of mighty Iphitus the son Diomed was chief over them all. With these
of Naubolus. These were they that held Cvpar- there came eighty ships.
issus, rocky Pytho, holy Crisa, Daulis, and Pan- [569] Those who held the strong city of My-
opeus; they also that dwelt in Anemorea and cenae, rich Corinth and Cleonae; Orneae, Arae-
Hyampolis, and about the waters of the river thyrea, and Licyon, where Adrastus reigned of
Cephissus, and Lilasa by the springs of the old; Hyperesia, high Gonoessa, and Pellene;
Cephissus; with their chieftains came forty /Egium and all the coast-land round about
ships, and they marshalled the forces of the Helice; these sent a hundred ships under the
Phoceans, which were stationed next to the command of King Agamemnon, son of Atreus.
BcEOtians, on their left. His force was far both finest and most numer-
[5277 Ajax, the fleet son of Oileus, com- ous, and in their midst was the king himself, all
manded the Locrians. He was not so great, nor glorious in his armour of gleaming bronze-
nearly so great, as Ajax the son of Telamon. He foremost among the heroes, for he was the
was a little man, and his breastplate was made greatest king, and had most men under him.
of linen, but in use of the spear he excelled all [581] And those that dwelt in Lacedaemon,
the Hellenes and the Achaeans. These dwelt in lying low among the hills, Pharis, Sparta, with
Cynus, Opoiis, Calliarus, Bessa, Scarphe, fair Messe the haunt of doves; Bryseae, Augeae,
Augeae, Tarphe, and Thronium about the river Amyclae, and Helos upon the sea; Laas, more-
Boagrius. With him there came forty ships of over, and Q£tylus; these were led by Menelaus
the Locrians who dwell beyond Euboea. of the loud battle-cry, brother to Agamemnon,
[537] The fierce Abantes held Euboea with and of them there were drawn up
sixty ships,
its cities, Chalcis, Eretria, Histiaea rich in vines, apart from the others. Among them went Mene-
Cerinthus upon the sea, and the rock-perched laus himself, strong in zeal, urging his men to
town of Dium; with them were also the men of fight; forhe longed to avenge the toil and sor-
Carystus and Styra; Elephenor of the race of row that he had suffered for the sake of Helen.
Mars was in command of these; he was son of [592] The men of Pylos and Arene, and
Chalcodon, and chief over all the Abantes. Thryum where is the ford of the river Alpheus;
With him they came, fleet of foot and wearing strong Aipy, Cyparisseis, and Amphigenea;
 1

i6 THE ILIAD
Pteleum, Helos, and Dorium, where the Muses /Etolians to be their king. And with Thoas
met Thamvris, and stilled his minstrelsy for there came fortv ships.
ever. He was returning from CEchalia, where [64^] 1 he famous spearsman Idomeneus led
Eurvtus lived and reigned, and boasted that he the Cretans, who held Cnossus, and the well-
would surpass even the Muses, daughters of wallcd citv of Gortvs; Lvctus also, Miletus and
aegis-bearing Jove, if thev should sing against Lycastus that lies upon the chalk; the populous
him; whereon thev were angrv, and maimed towns of Phasstus and Rhytium, with the other
him. Thev robbed him of his divine power of peoples that dwelt in the hundred cities of
song, and thenceforth he could strike the Ivre -
Crete. All these were led bv Idomeneus, and by
no more. These were commanded by Nestor, Meriones, peer of murderous Mars. And with
knight of Gerene, and with him there came these there came eighty ships.
ninety ships. [^53] Tlepolemus, son of Hercules, a man
[60^] And those that held Arcadia, under both brave and large of stature, brought nine
the high mountain of Cvllene, near the tomb of ships of lordlv warriors from Rhodes. These
/Epvtus, where the people fight hand to hand: dwelt in Rhodes which is divided among the
the men of Pheneus and Orchomenus rich
also, three cities of Lindus, lelvsus, and Cameirus,
and bleak Enispe;
in flocks; of Rhipas, Stratie, that lies upon the chalk. These were com-
of Tegea and fair Mantinea; of Stymphelus and manded by Tlepolemus, son of Hercules by
Parrhasia; of these King Agapenor son of An- Astvochea, whom he had carried off from
caeus was commander, and thev had sixtv ships. Ephvra, on the river Selle'is, after sacking many
Many Arcadians, good soldiers, came in each cities of valiant warriors. When Tlepolemus
one of them, but Agamemnon found them the grew up, he killed his father's uncle Licymnius,
ships in which to cross the sea, for they were who had been a famous warrior in his time, but
not a people that occupied their business upon was then grown old. On this he built himself a
the waters. fleet, gathered a great following, and fled be-

[6 5^ The men, moreover, of Buprasium and yond the sea, for he was menaced by the other
of Elis, so much of it as is enclosed between sons and grandsons of Hercules. After a voyage,
Hyrmine, Mvrsinus upon the sea-shore, the during which he suffered great hardship, he
rock Olene and Alesium These had four leaders,
. came to Rhodes, where the people divided into
and each of them had ten ships, with many three communities, according to their tribes,
Epeans on board. Their captains were Amphi- and were dearly loved by Jove, the lord of gods
machus and Thalpius— the one, son of Cteatus, and men; wherefore the son of Saturn showered
and the other, of Eurytus— both of the race of down great riches upon them.
Actor. The two others were Diores, son of [6ji] And Nireus brought three ships from
Amarynces, and Polyxenus, son of King Agas- Syme— Nireus, who was the handsomest man
thenes, son of Augeas. that came up under Ilius of all the Danaans
[62.4] And those of Duhchium with the Peleus— but he was a man of no
after the son of
sacred Echinean islands, who dwelt beyond the substance, and had but a small following.
sea off Elis; these were led by Meges, peer of [6y6] And those that held Nisyrus, Cra-
Mars, and the son of valiant Phyleus, dear to pathus, and Casus, with Cos, the city of Eury-
Jove, who quarrelled with his father, and went pylus, and the Calydnian islands, these were
to settle in Dulichium. With him there came commanded by Pheidippus and Antiphus, two
forty ships. sons of King Thessalus the son of Hercules.
[6^1] Ulysses led the brave Cephallenians, And with them there came thirty ships.
who held Ithaca, Neritum with its forests, Cro- [681] Those again who held Pelasgic Argos,
cylea, rugged /Egilips, Samos and Zacynthus, Alos, Alope, and Trachis; and those of Phthia
with the mainland also that was over against the and Hellas the land of fair women, who were
islands. These were led by Ulysses, peer of called Myrmidons, Hellenes, and Achaeans;
Jove in counsel, and with him therecame twelve these had fifty ships, over which Achilles was
ships. in command. But they now took no part in the
[6^8] Thoas, son of Andraemon, commanded war, inasmuch as there was no one to marshal
the /Etolians, who dwelt in Pleuron, Olenus, them; for Achilles stayed by his ships, furious
Pylene, Chalcis by the sea, and rocky Calydon, about the loss of the girl Briseis, whom he had
for the great king CEneus had now no sons liv- taken from Lyrnessus at his own great peril,
ing, and was himself dead, as was also golden- when he had sacked Lyrnessus and Thebe, and
haired Meleager, who had been set over the had overthrown Mynes and Epistrophus, sons
 BOOK II 17
of king Evenor, son of Selepus. For her sake of these brave Polypoetes was leader. He was
Achilles was still grieving, but ere long he was son of Pirithoiis,who was son of Jove himself,
again to join them. for Hippodameia bore him to Pirithoiis on the
[6gs] And those that held Phylace and the day when he took his revenge on the shaggy
flowery meadows of Pyrasus, sanctuary of Ceres; mountain savages, and drove them from Mt.
Iton, the mother of sheep; Antrum upon the Pelion to the Aithices. But Polypoetes was not
sea, and Pteleum upon the grass lands.
that lies sole in command, for with him wasLeonteus,of
Of had been captain
these brave Protesilaus the race of Mars, who was son of Coronus, the
while he was yet alive, but he was now lying son of Caeneus. And with these there came forty
under the earth. He had left a wife behind him ships.
in Phylace to tear her cheeks in sorrow, and his [748] Guneus brought two and twenty ships
house was only half finished, for he was slain from Cyphus, and he was followed by the
by a Dardanian warrior while leaping foremost Enienes and the valiant Perasbi, who dwelt
of the Achaeans upon the soil of Troy. Still, about wintry Dodona, and held the lands round
though his people mourned their chieftain, they the lovely river Titaresius, which sends its
were not without a leader, for Podarces, of the waters into the Peneus. They do not mingle
race of Mars, marshalled them; he was son of with the silver eddies of the Peneus, but flow
Iphiclus, rich in sheep, who was the son of on the top of them like oil; for the Titaresius is
Phylacus, and he was own brother to Protesilaus, a branch of dread Orcus and of the river Styx.
only younger, Protesilaus being at once the [7^6] Of the Magnetes, Prothoiis son of
elder and the more valiant. So the people were Tenthredon was commander. They were they
not without a leader, though they mourned him that dwelt about the river Peneus and Mt.
whom they had lost. With him there came forty Pelion. Prothoiis, fleet of foot, was their leader,
ships. and with him there came forty ships.
[711] And those that held Pheras by the [760] Such were the chiefs and princes of
Bcebean lake, with Boebe, Glaphyrae, and the the Danaans. Who, then, O Muse, was the
populous city of lolcus, these with their eleven foremost, whether man or horse, among those
ships were led by Eumelus, son of Admetus, that followed after the sons of Atreus?
whom Alcestis bore to him, loveliest of the [764] Of the horses, those of the son of
daughters of Pelias. Pheres were by far the finest. They were driven
[71%] And those that held Methone and by Eumelus, and were as fleet as birds. They
Thaumacia, with Melibcea and rugged Olizon, were of the same age and colour, and perfectly
these were led by the skilful archer Philoctetes, matched in height. Apollo, of the silver bow,
and they had seven ships, each with fifty oars- had bred them in Perea— both of them mares,
men all of them good archers; but Philoctetes and terrible as Mars in battle. Of the men,
was lying in great pain in the Island of Lemnos, Ajax, son of Telamon, was much the foremost
where the sons of the Achasans left him, for he so long as Achilles' anger lasted, for Achilles ex-
had been bitten by a poisonous water snake. celled him greatly and he had also better horses;
There he lay sick and sorry, and full soon did but Achilles was now
holding aloof at his ships
the Argives come to miss him. But his people, by reason of his quarrel with Agamemnon, and
though they felt his loss, were not leaderless, for his people passed their time upon the sea shore,
Medon, the bastard son of Oileus by Rhene, set throwing discs or aiming with spears at a mark,
them in array. and in archery. Their horses stood each by his
[729] Those, again, of Tricca and the stony own chariot, champing lotus and wild celery.
region of Ithome, and they that held CEchalia, The chariots were housed under cover, but
the city of CEchalian Eurytus, these were com- their owners, for lack of leadership, wandered
manded by the two sons of ^sculapius, skilled hither and thither about the host and went not
in the art of healing, Podalirius and Machaon. forth to fight.
And with them there came thirty ships. [780] Thus marched the host like a con-
[7^4] The men, moreover, of Ormenius,and suming fire, and the earth groaned beneath
by the fountain of Hypereia, with those that them as when the lord of thunder is angry and
held Asterius, and the white crests of Titanus, lashes the land about Typhoeus among the
these were led by Eurypylus, the son of Euae- Arimi, where they say Typhoeus lies. Even so
mon, and with them there came forty ships. did the earth groan beneath them as they sped
[7^8] Those that held Argissa and Gyrtone, over the plain.
Orthe, Elone, and the white city of Oloosson, [786] And now Iris, fleet as the wind, was
 THE ILIAD
sent by Jove to tell the bad news among the [^35] They that dwelt about Percote and
Trojans. 1 hev were gathered in assembly, old Practius,with Sestos, Abydos, and Arisbe—
and young, at Priam's gates, and Iris came close these were led by Asius, son of Hyrtacus, a
up Priam, speaking with the voice of Priam's
to brave commander— Asius, the son of Hyrtacus,
son Polites, who, being fleet of foot, was sta- whom powerful dark bay steeds, of the breed
his
tioned as watchman for the Trojans on the that comes from the river Selleis, had brought
tomb of old /Esvetes, to look out for any sally from Arisbe.
of the Achasans. In his likeness Iris spoke, say- [840] Hippothoiis led the tribes of Pelasgian
ing, "Old man, vou talk idly, as in time of peace, spearsmen, who dwelt in fertile Larisa— Hip-
while war is at hand. I have been in many a bat- pothoiis, and Pvlaeus of the race of Mars, two
tle, but ne\'er yet saw such a host as is now ad- sons of the Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus.
vancing. They are crossing the plain to attack [844] Acamas and the warrior Peiroiis com-
the citv as thick as leaves or as the sands of the manded the Thracians and those that came from
sea. Hector, I charge you above all others, do as beyond the mighty stream of the Hellespont.
I sav- There are many allies dispersed about the [846] Euphemus, son of Troezenus, the son
city of Priam from distant places and speaking of Ceos, was captain of theCiconian spearsmen.
divers tongues. Therefore, let each chief give [848] Pyraechmes led the Paeonian archers
•orders to his own people, setting them severally from distant Amydon, by the broad waters of
in arrav and leading them forth to battle." the river Axius, the fairest that flow upon the
[8oj] Thus she spoke, but Hector knew that earth.
it was the goddess, and at once broke up the [8^1] The Paphlagonians were commanded
assembly. The men flev\' to arms; all the gates by stout-hearted Pylaemenes f rom Enetae, where
were opened, and the people thronged through the mules run wild in herds. These were they
them, horse and foot, with the tramp as of a that held Cytorus and the country round Sesa-
great multitude. mus, with the cities by the river Parthenius,
[8i i] Now
there is a high mound before the Cromna, /Egialus, and lofty Erithini.
citv, risingby itself upon the plain. Men call it [8^6] Odius and Epistrophus were captains
Batieia, but the gods know that it is the tomb of over the Halizoni from distant Alybe, where
lithe Myrine. Here the Trojans and their allies there are mines of silver.
divided their forces. [8^8] Chromis, and Ennomus the augur, led
[8i ^] Priam's son, great Hector of the gleam- the Mysians, but his skill in augurj^ availed not
ing helmet, commanded the Trojans, and with to save him from destruction, for he fell by the
him were arrayed by far the greater number hand of the fleet descendant of /Eacus in the
and most valiant of those who were longing for river,where he slew others also of the Trojans.
the fray. [862] Phorcys, again, and noble Ascanius
[Sig] The Dardanians wereled by brave led the Phrygians from the far country of As-
/Eneas, whom Venus
bore to Anchises, when cania, and both were eager for the fray.
she, goddess though she was, had lain with him [864] Mesthles and Antiphus commanded
upon the mountain slopes of Ida. He was not the Meonians, sons of Talaemenes, born to him
alone, for with him were the two sons of An- of the Gygaean lake. These led the Meonians,
tenor, Archilochus and Acamas, both skilled who dwelt under Mt. Tmolus.
in all the arts of war. [86y] Nastes led the Carians, men of a
[824] They that dwelt in Telea under the strange speech. These held Miletus and the
lowest spurs of Mt. Ida,men of substance, who wooded mountain of Phthires, with the water
drink the limpid waters of the y^sepus, and are of the river Masander and the lofty crests of Mt.
of Trojan blood— these were led by Pandarus Mycale. These were commanded by Nastes and
son of Lycaon, whom Apollo had taught to use Amphimachus, the brave sons of Nomion. He
the bow. came into the fight with gold about him, like a
[8287 They that held Adresteia and the land girl; fool that he was, his gold was of no avail
of Apaesus, with Pityeia, and the high moun- to save him, for he fell in the river by the hand
tain of Tereia— these were led by Adrestus and of the fleet descendant of .^acus, and Achilles
Amphius, whose breastplate was of linen. These bore away his gold.
were the sons of Merops of Percote, who ex- [8ys] Sarpedon and Glaucus led the Lycians
celled in all kinds of divination. He
them told from their distant land, by the eddying waters
not to take part in the war, but they gave him of the Xanthus.
no heed, for fate lured them to destruction.
 BOOK III

WHEN the companies were thus

rayed, each under its own captain,
ar- us who is fair to see but who has neither wit nor
courage? Did vou not, such as vou are, get vour
the Trojans advanced as a flight of following together and sail beyond the seasr
wild fowl or cranes that scream overhead when Did you not from a far country carry off a
rain and winter drive them over the flowing lovely woman wedded among a people of war-
waters of Oceanus to bring o death and destruc- riors—to bring sorrow upon your father, vour
tion on the Pygmies, and they wrangle in the city, and your whole countr\', but jov to your
air as they fly; but the Achaeans marched si- enemies, and hang-dog shamefacedness to your-
lently, in high heart, and minded to stand by self? And now can vou not dare face Menelaus
one another. and learn what manner of man he is whose wife
[lo] As when the south wind spreads a cur- you have stolen? Where indeed would be your
tain of mist upon the mountain tops, bad for lyre and your love-tricks, your comely locks and
shepherds but better than night for thieves, and your fair favour, when you were lying in the
a man can see no further than he can throw a dust before him? The Trojans are a weak-kneed
stone, even so rose the dust from under their people, or ere this vou would have had a shirt
feet as they made all speed over the plain. of stones for the wrongs you have done them."
[ 1 5^ When they were close up with one an- [s8] And Alexandrus answered, "Hector,
other, Alexandrus came forward as champion your rebuke is just. You are hard as the axe
on the Trojan side. On his shoulders he bore which a shipwright wields at his work, and
the skin of a panther, his bow, and his sword, As the axe in his
cleaves the timber to his liking.
and he brandished two spears shod with bronze hand, so keen is the edge of your scorn. Still,
as a challenge to the bravest of the Achasans to taunt me not with the gifts that golden Venus
meet him in single fight. Alenelaus saw him has given me; they are precious; let not a man
thus stride out before the ranks, and was glad as disdain them, for the gods give them where they
a hungry lion that lights on the carcase of some are minded, and none can have them for the
goat or horned stag, and devours it there and asking. If you would have me do battle with
then, though dogs and youths set upon him. Menelaus, bid the Trojans and Achaeans take
Even thus was Menelaus glad when his eves their seats, while he and I fight in their midst
caught sight of Alexandrus, for he deemed that for Helen and all her wealth. Let him who shall
now he should be revenged. He sprang, there- be victorious and prove to be the better man
fore, from his chariot, clad in his suit of armour. take the woman and all she has, to bear them to
[^o] Alexandrus quailed as he saw Menelaus his home, but let the rest swear to a solemn
come forward, and shrank in fear of his life un- covenant of peace whereby you Trojans shall
der cover of his men. As one who starts back stay here in Trov, while the others go home to
aff"righted, trembling and pale, when he comes Argos and the land of the Achasans."
suddenly upon a serpent in some mountain [j6] When Hector heard this he was glad,
glade, even so did Alexandrus plunge into the and went about among the Trojan ranks hold-
throng of Trojan warriors, terror-stricken at ing his spear by the middle to keep them back,
the sight of the son of Atreus. and thev all sat down at his bidding: but the
[39] Then Hector upbraided him. "Paris," Achaeans still aimed at him with stones and
said he, "evil-hearted Paris, fair to see, but arrows, till Agamemnon shouted to them say-
woman-mad, and false of tongue, would that ing, "Hold, Argives, shoot not, sons of the Achae-
you had never been born, or that vou had died ans; Hector desires to speak."
unwed. Better so, than live to be disgraced and [S^] Thev ceased taking aim and were still,
looked askance at. Will not the Achaeans mock whereon Hector spoke. "Hear from my mouth,"
at us and say that we have sent one to champion said he, "Trojans and Achaeans, the saying of

19
20 lUE ILIAD
Alexandrus, through whom has
this quarrel him who is the victor."
come about. I le bids the Trojans and Achaeans [1^9] Thus spoke the goddess, and Helen's
lay their armour upon the ground, while he heart yearned after her former husband, her
and Menelaus fight in the midst of you for city, and her parents. She threw a white mantle
Helen and all her wealth. Let him who shall be over her head, and hurried from her room,
victorious and pro\e to be the better man take weeping as she went, not alone, but attended
thewoman and all she has, to bear them to his by two of her handmaids, /^thrae, daughter of
own home, but let the rest swear to a solemn Pittheus, and Clymene. And straightway they
covenant of peace." were at the Scaean gates.
[9^] Thus he spoke, and they all held their [146] The two sages, Ucalegon and Antenor,
peace, till Menelaus of the loud battle-cry ad- elders of the people, were seated by the Scaean
dressed them. "And now," he said, "hear me gates, with Priam, Panthoiis, Thymoetes, Lam-
too, for it is I who am the most aggrieved. I pus, Clytius, and Hiketaon of the race of Mars.
deem that the parting of Achaeans and Trojans These were too old to fight, but they were
is at hand, as well it may be, seeing how much fluent orators, and sat on the tower like cicales
vou have suffered for my quarrel with Alexan- that chirrup delicately from the boughs of some
drus and the wrong he did me. Let him who shall high tree in a wood. When they saw Helen
die, die, and let the others fight no more. Bring, coming towards the tower, they said softly to
then, two lambs, a white ram and a black ewe, one another, "Small wonder that Trojans and
for Earth and Sun, and we will bring a third for Achasans should endure so much and so long,
Jove. Moreover, you shall bid Priam come, that for the sake of a woman so marvellously and
he may swear to the covenant himself; for his divinely lovely. Still, fair though she be, let
sons are high-handed and ill to trust, and the them take her and go, or she will breed sorrow
oaths of Jove must not be transgressed or taken for us and for our children after us."
in vain. Young men's minds are light as air, but [161] But Priam bade her draw nigh. "My
when an old man comes he looks before and child," said he, "take your seat in front of me
after, deeming that which shall be fairest upoi. that you may see your former husband, your
both sides." kinsmen and your friends. I lay no blame upon
[ill] The Trojans and Achaeans were glad you, it is the gods, not you who are to blame.
when they heard this, for they thought that It is they that have brought about this terrible

they should now have rest. They backed their war with the Achaeans. Tell me, then, who is
chariots toward the ranks, got out of them, and yonder huge hero so great and goodly? I have
put off their armour, laying it down upon the seen men taller by a head, but none so comely
ground; and the hosts were near to one another and so royal. Surely he must be a king."
with a little space between them. Hector sent [171] "Sir," answered Helen, "father of my
two messengers to the city to bring the lambs husband, dear and reverend in my eyes, would
and to bid Priam come, while Agamemnon told that I had chosen death rather than to have come
Talthybius to fetch the other lamb from the here with your son, far from my bridal chamber,
ships, and he did as Agamemnon had said. my friends, my darling daughter, and all the
/^i2ij Meanwhile Iris went to Helen in the companions of my girlhood. But it was not to
form of her wife of the son of
sister-in-law, be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow. As
Antenor, for Helicaon, son of Antenor, had for your question, the hero of whom vou ask is
married Laodice, the fairest of Priam's daugh- Agamemnon, son of Atreus, a good king and a
ters. She found her in her own room, working brave soldier, brother-in-law as surely as that he
at a great web of purple linen, on which she lives, to my
abhorred and miserable self."
was embroidering the battles between Trojans [181] Theold man marvelled at him and
and Achaeans, that Mars had made them fight said, "Happy son of Atreus, child of good for-
for her sake. Iris then came close up to her and tune. I see that the Achaeans are subject to you
said, "Come hither, child, and see the strange in great multitudes. When I was in Phrygia I
doings of the Trojans and Achaeans; till now saw much horsemen, the people of Otreus and
they have been warring upon the plain, mad of Mygdon, who were camping upon the banks
with lust of battle, but now they have left off was their ally, and with
of the river Sangarius; I

fighting, and are leaning upon their shields, sit- them when the Amazons, peers of men, came
ting still with their spears planted beside them. up against them, but even they were not so
Alexandrus and Menelaus are going to fight many as the Achaeans."
about yourself, and you are to be the wife of [191] The old man next looked upon Ulys-
 BOOK III 21
ses; "Tell me," he said, "who is that other, were already lying under the earth in their own
shorter by a head than Agamemnon, but broader land of Lacedasmon.
across the chest and shoulders? His armour is [24$] Meanwhile the heralds were bringing
laidupon the ground, and he stalks in front of the holy oath-offerings through the citv— two
the ranks as it were some great woolly ram or- lambs and a goatskin of wine, the gift of earth;
dering his ewes." and Idasus brought the mixing bowl and the cups
[199] And Helen
answered, "He is Ulysses, of gold. He went up to Priam and said, "Son of
a man of great craft, son of Laertes. He was Laomedon, the princes of the Trojans and
born in rugged Ithaca, and excels in all manner Achasans bid you come down on to the plain
and subtle cunning."
of stratagems and swear to a solemn covenant. Alexandrus
[20^] On this Antenor said, "Madam, you and Menelaus are to fight for Helen in single
have spoken truly. Ulysses once came here as combat, that she and all her wealth may go with
envoy about yourself, and Menelaus with him. him who is the victor. We are to swear to a
I received them in my own house, and there- solemn covenant of peace whereby we others
fore know both of them by sight and conversa- shall dwell here in Troy, while the Achaeans
tion. When they stood up in presence of the return to Argos and the land of the Achaeans."
assembled Trojans, Menelaus was the broader ^2597 The old man trembled as he heard, but
shouldered, but when both were seated Ulysses bade his followers yoke the horses, and they
had the more royal presence. After a time they made all haste to do so. He mounted the chariot,
delivered their message, and the speech of gathered the reins in his hand, and Antenor
Menelaus ran trippingly on the tongue; he did took his seat beside him; they then drove
not say much, for he was a man of few words, through the Scaean gates on to the plain. When
but he spoke very clearly and to the point, they reached the ranks of the Trojans and
though he was the younger man of the two; Achasans they left the chariot, and with meas-
Ulysses, on the other hand, when he rose to ured pace advanced into the space between the
speak, was at first silent and kept his eyes fixed hosts.
upon the ground. There was no play nor grace- [iSy] Agamemnon and Ulysses both rose to
ful movement of his sceptre;he kept it straight meet them. The attendants brought on the oath-
and stiff like a man unpractised in oratory— one offerings and mixed the wine in the mixing-
might have taken him for a mere churl or simple- bowls; they poured water over the hands of the
ton; but when he raised his voice, and the words chieftains, and the son of Atreus drew the
came driving from his deep chest like winter dagger that hung by his sword, and cut wool
snow before the wind, then there was none to from the lambs' heads; this the men-servants
touch him, and no man thought further of gave about among the Trojan and Achasan
what he looked like." princes, and the son of Atreus lifted up his
/"2
257 Priam then caught sight of Ajax and hands in prayer. "Father Jove," he cried, "that
asked, "Who is that great and goodly warrior rulest in Ida, most glorious in power, and thou
whose head and broad shoulders tower above oh Sun, that seest and givest ear to all things,
the rest of the Argives?" Earth and Rivers, and ye who in the realms be-
[2287 "That," answered Helen, "is huge low chastise the soul of him that has broken his
Ajax, bulwark of the Achasans, and on the other oath, witness these rites and guard them, that
side of him, among the Cretans, stands Idomen- they be not vain. If Alexandrus kills Menelaus,
eus looking like a god, and with the captains of let him keep Helen and all her wealth, while
the Cretans round him. Often did Menelaus re- we sail home with our ships; but if Menelaus
ceive him our house when he came
as a guest in kills Alexandrus, let the Trojans give back
visiting us from Crete. I see, moreover, many Helen and all that she has; let them moreover
other Achaeans whose names I could tell you, pay such fine to the Achaeans as shall be agreed
but there are two whom I can nowhere find, upon, in testimony among those that shall be
Castor, breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty born hereafter. And if Priam and his sons re-
boxer; they are children of my mother, and own fuse such fine when Alexandrus has fallen, then
brothers to myself. Either they have not left will I stay here and fight on till I have got satis-
Lacedasmon, or else, though they have brought faction."
their ships, they will not show themselves in [2927 As he spoke he drew his knife across
battle for the shame and disgrace that I have the throats of the victims, and laid them down
brought upon them." gasping and dying upon the ground, for the
[2-43] She knew not that both these heroes knife had reft them of their strength. Then
22 THE ILIAD
they poured wine from the mixing-bowl into shield turned its point. Menelausnext tookaim,
the cups, and prayed to the everlasting gods, praying to Father Jove as hedid so. "King Jove,"
saying, Trojans and Achaeans among one an- he said, "grant me revenge on Alexandrus who
other, "Jove, most great and glorious, and ye has wronged me; subdue him under my hand
other everlasting gods, gr^nt that the brains of that in ages yet to come a man may shrink from
them who shall first sin against their oaths— of doing ill deeds in the house of his host."
them and their children— may be shed upon the [355]' tie poised his spear as he spoke, and
ground even as this wine, and let their wives hurled it at the shield of Alexandrus. Through
become the slaves of strangers." shield and cuirass it went, and tore the shirt by
[3 o 2] Thus they prayed, but not as yet would his flank, but Alexandrus swerved aside, and
Jove grant them their prayer. Then Priam, de- thus saved his life. Then the son of Atreus drew
scendant of Dardanus, spoke, saying, "Hear his sword, and drove at the projecting part of
me, Trojans and Achaeans, I will now go back his helmet, but the sword fell shivered in three
to the wind-beaten city of Ilius: I dare not with or four pieces from his hand, and he cried, look-
mv own eves witness this fight between my son ing towards Heaven, "Father Jove, of all gods
and Menelaus, for Jove and the other immortals thou art the most despiteful; I made sure of

alone know which shall fall." my revenge, but the sword has broken in my
[3 I o] On this he laid the two lambs on his hand, my spear has been hurled in vain, and I
chariot and took his seat. He gathered the reins have not killed him."
in his hand, and Antenor sat beside him; the [^6g] With this he flew at Alexandrus,
two then went back to Ilius. Hector and Ulys- caught him by the horsehair plume of his hel-
ses measured the ground, and cast lots from a met, and began dragging him towards the
helmet of bronze to see which should take aim Achaeans. The strap of the helmet that went
first. Meanwhile the two hosts lifted up their under his chin was choking him, and Menelaus
hands and prayed saying, "Father Jove, that would have dragged him off^ to his own great
rulest from Ida, most glorious in power, grant glory had not Jove's daughter Venus been quick
that he who first brought about this war be- to mark and to break the strap of oxhide, so
tween us may die, and enter the house of Hades, that the empty helmet came away in his hand.
while we others remain at peace and abide by This he flung to his comrades among the Achae-
our oaths." ans, and was again springing upon Alexandrus
[324] Great Hector now turned his head to run him through with a spear, but Venus
aside while he shook the helmet, and the lot of snatched him up in a moment (as a god can
Paris flew out first. The others took their sev- do), hid him under a cloud of darkness, and
each by his horses and the place
eral stations, conveyed him to his own bedchamber.
where his arms were lying, while Alexandrus, [3^3] Then she went to call Helen, and
husband of lovely Helen, put on his goodly found her on a high tower with the Trojan
armour. First he greaved his legs with greaves women crowding round her. She took the form
of good make and fitted with ancle-clasps of of an old woman who used to dress wool for her
silver; after this he donned the cuirass of his when she was still in Lacedasmon, and of whom
brother Lycaon, and fitted it body;
to his own she was very fond. Thus disguised she plucked
he hung his silver-studded sword of bronze her by her perfumed robe and said, "Come
about his shoulders, and then his mighty shield. hither; Alexandrus says you are to go to the
On his comely head he set his helmet, well- house; he is on his bed in his own room, radiant
wrought, with a crest of horse-hair that nodded with beauty and dressed in gorgeous apparel.
menacingly above it, and he grasped a redoubt- No one would think he had just come from
able spear that suited his hands. In like fashion fighting, but rather that he was going to a dance,
Menelaus also put on his armour. or had done dancing and was sitting down."
[^40] When they had thus armed, each [395] With these words she moved the heart
amid his own people, they strode fierce of aspect of Helen to anger. When she marked the beau-
into the open space, and both Trojans and tifulneck of the goddess, her lovely bosom, and
Achaeans were struck with awe as they beheld sparkling eyes, she marvelled at her and said,
them. They stood near one another on the meas- "Goddess, why do vou thus beguile me? Are
ured ground, brandishing their spears, and each you going to send me afield still further to some
furious against the other. Alexandrus aimed man whom you have taken up in Phrygia or fair
first, and struck the round shield of the son of Meonia? Menelaus has just vanquished Alex-
Atreus, but the spear did not pierce it, for the andrus, and is to take my hateful self back with
 BOOK III 23
him. You are come here to betray me. Go sit advise you not to do so, for if you are foolish

with Alexandrus yourself; henceforth be god- enough meet him in single combat, you will
to

dess no longer; never let your feet earn' you soon fall by his spear."
back to Olvmpus; worry about him and look [4^6] And Paris answered, "Wife, do not
after him till he make you his wife, or, for the vex me with your reproaches. This time, with
matter of that, his slave— but me? I shall not go; the help of Minerva, Menelaus has vanquished
I can garnish his bed no longer; I should be a me; another time I may myself be victor, for I
by-word among all the women of Troy. Besides, too have gods that will stand by me. Come, let
I have trouble on my mind." us lie down together and make friends. Never
[414] Venus was very angry, and said, "Bold yet was I so passionately enamoured of you as
hussy, do not provoke me; if you do, I shall at this moment— not even when I first carried
leave you to your fate and hate you as much as you off from Lacedasmon and sailed away with
I have loved you. I will stir up fierce hatred be- you— not even when I had converse with you
tween Trojans and Achaeans, and you shall upon the couch of love in the island of Cranae
come to a bad end." was I so enthralled by my desire of vou as now."
[4187 At this Helen was frightened. She On this he led her towards the bed, and his wife
wrapped her mantle about her and went in si- went with him.
lence, following the goddess and unnoticed by [447] Thus they laid themselves on the bed
the Trojan women. together; but the son of Atreus strode among
[421] When they came to the house of Alex- the throng, looking everywhere for Alexandrus,
andrus the maid-servants set about their work, and no man, neither of the Trojans nor of the
but Helen went into her own room, and the allies, could find him. If they had seen him they

laughter-loving goddess took a seat and set were in no mind to hide him, for they all of
it for her facing Alexandrus. On this Helen, them hated him as they did death itself. Then
daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, sat down, and Agamemnon, king of men, spoke, saying, "Hear
with eyes askance began to upbraid her hus- me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies. The vic-
band. tory has been with Menelaus; therefore give
[428] "So you are come from the fight," said back Helen with all her wealth, and pay such
she; "would that you had fallen rather by the fine as shall be agreed upon, in testimony
hand of that brave man who was my husband. among them that shall be bom hereafter."
You used to brag that you were a better man [461] Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and
with vour hands and spear than Menelaus; go, the Achasans shouted in applause.
then, and challenge him again— but I should
 BOOK IV

NOW THE gods were sitting with Jove

upon the golden floor while
in council
was none that I so much respected as Ilius with
Priam and his whole people. Equitable feasts
Hebe went round pouring out nectar were never wanting about my altar, nor the
for them to drink, and as they pledged one an- savour of burning fat, which is the honour due
other in their cups of gold they looked down to ourselves."
upon the town of Troy. The son of Saturn then [^i] "My own three favourite cities," an-
began to tease Juno, talking at her so as to swered Juno, "are Argos, Sparta, and Mycenae.
provoke her. "Menelaus," said he, "has two Sack them whenever you may be displeased
good friends among the goddesses, Juno of Ar- with them. I shall not defend them and I shall
gos, and Minerva of Alalcomene, but they only not care. Even if I did, and tried to stay you, I
sit still and look on, while Venus keeps ever by should take nothing by it, for you are much
Alexandrus' side to defend him in any danger; stronger than I am, but I will not have my own
indeed she has just rescued him when he made work wasted. I too am a god and of the same
sure that it was all over with him— for the vic- race with yourself. I am Saturn's eldest daugh-
tory really did lie with Menelaus. must We ter, and am honourable not on this ground only,

consider what we shall do about all this; shall but also because I am your wife, and you are
we set them fighting anew or make peace be- king over the gods. Let it be a case, then, of
tween them? If you will agree to this last Mene- give-and-take between us, and the rest of the
laus can take back Helen and the city of Priam gods will follow our lead. Tell Minerva to go
may remain still inhabited." and take part in the fight at once, and let her
[20] Minerva and Juno muttered their dis- contrive that the Trojans shall be the first to
content as they sat side by side hatching mis- break their oaths and set upon the Achasans."
chief for the Trojans. Minerva scowled at her [68] The sire of gods and men heeded her
father, for she was in a furious passion with words, and said to Minerva, "Go at once into
him, and said nothing, but Juno could not con- the Trojan and Achaean hosts, and contrive
tain herself. "Dread son of Saturn," said she, that the Trojans shall be the first to break their
"what, pray, is the meaning of all this? Is my upon the Achaeans."
oaths and set
trouble, then, to go for nothing, and the sweat [j^] This was what Minerva was already
that have sweated, to say nothing of my horses,
I eager to do, so down she darted from the top-
while getting the people together against Priam most summits of Olvmpus. She shot through
and his children? Do as you will, but we other the sky as some brilliant meteor which the son
gods shall not all of us approve your counsel." of scheming Saturn has sent as a sign to mari-
[^o] Jove was angrj' and answered, "My dear, ners or to some great army, and a fiery train of
what harm have Priam and his sons done you light follows in its wake. The Trojans and
that you are so hotly bent on sacking the city Achaeans were struck with awe as they beheld,
of Ilius? Will nothing do for you but you must and one would turn to his neighbour, saying,
go within their walls and eat Priam raw, with "Either we shall again have war and din of com-
his sons and all the other Trojans to boot? Have bat, or Jove the lord of battle will now make
it your own way then; for I would not have this peace between us."
matter become a bone of contention between f 757 Thus did they converse. Then Minerva
us. I say further, and lay my saying to your took the form of Laodocus, son of Antenor, and
heart, if ever I want to sack a city belonging to went through the ranks of the Trojans to find
friends of yours, vou must not try to stop me; Pandarus, the redoubtable son of Lycaon. She
vou will have to let me do it, for I am giving in found him standing among the stalwart heroes
to you sorely against my will. Of all inhabited who had followed him from the banks of the
cities under the sun and stars of heaven, there /Esopus, so she went close up to him and said,
24
 BOOK IV 25
"Brave son of Lycaon, will you do as I tell you? Caria strains purple dye on to a piece of ivory
If vou dare send an arrow at Menelaus you will that is to be the cheek-piece of a horse, and is to
win honour and thanks from all the Trojans, be laid up in a treasure-house— many a knight
and especially from prince Alexandrus— he is fain to bear it, but the king keeps it as an

would be the first to requite you very hand- ornament which both horse and driver may
of
somely if he could see Menelaus mount his be proud— evenso, O Menelaus, were your

funeral pyre, slain by an arrow from your hand. shapely thighs and your legs down to your fair
Take your aim then, and pray to Lycian Apollo, ancles stained with blood.
the famous archer; vow that when you get home [ 1 48] When King Agamemnon saw the blood
to your strong city of Zelea you will offer a heca- flowing from the wound he was afraid, and so
tomb of firstling lambs in his honour." was brave Menelaus himself till he saw that
[104] His fool's heart was persuaded, and the barbs of the arrow and the thread that
he took his bow from its case. This bow was bound the arrow-head to the shaft were still
made from the horns of a wild ibex which he outside the wound. Then he took heart, but
had killed as it was bounding from a rock; he Agamemnon heaved a deep sigh as he held
had stalked it, and it had fallen as the arrow Menelaus's hand in his own, and his comrades
struck it to the heart. Its horns were sixteen made moan in concert. "Dear brother," he cried,
palms long, and a worker in horn had made "I have been the death of you in pledging this
them into a bow, smoothing them well down, covenant and letting you come forward as our
and giving them tips of gold. When Pandarus champion. The Trojans have trampled on their
had strung his bow he laid it carefully on the oaths and have wounded you; nevertheless the
ground, and his brave followers held their oath, the blood of lambs, the drink offerings,
shields before him lest the Achasans should set and the hands of fellowship in which we
right
upon him before he had shot Menelaus. Then have put our be vain. If he that
trust shall not
he opened the lid of his quiver and took out a rules Olympus fulfil it not here and now, he
winged arrow that had never yet been shot, will yet fulfil it hereafter, and they shall pay
fraught with the pangs of death, f^e laid the dearly with their lives and with their wives and
arrow on the string and prayed to Lycian Apollo, children. The day will surely come when
the famous archer, vowing that when he got mighty Ilius shall be laid low, with Priam and
home to his strong city of Zelea he would offer Priam's people, when the son of Saturn from
a hecatomb of firstling lambs in his honour. He his high throne shall overshadow them with his
laid the notch of the arrow on the oxhide bow- awful aegis in punishment of their present
string, and drew both notch and string to his treachery. This shall surely be; but how, Mene-
breast till the arrow-head was near the bow; laus, shall I mourn you, if it be your lot now to
then when the bow was arched into a half- die? I should return to Argos as a by-word, for
circle he let fly, and the bow twanged, and the the Achaeans will at once go home. We shall
string sang as the arrow flew gladly on over the leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still
heads of the throng. keeping Helen, and the earth will rot your bones
[12.9] But the blessed gods did not forget as you lie here at Troy with your purpose not
thee, O Menelaus, and Jove's daughter, driver fulfilled. Then shall some braggart Trojan leap
of the spoil, was the first to stand before thee and upon your tomb and say, 'Ever thus may Aga-
ward off the piercing arrow. She turned it from memnon wreak his vengeance; he brought his
his skin as a mother whisks a fly from off her army in vain; he is gone home to his own land
child when it is sleeping sweetly; she guided it with empty ships, and has left Menelaus be-
to the part where the golden buckles of the belt hind him.' Thus will one of them say, and may
that passed over his double cuirass were fast- the earth then swallow me."
ened, so the arrow struck the belt that went [184] But Menelaus reassured him and said,
tightly round him. It went right through this "Take heart, and do not alarm the people; the
and through the cuirass of cunning workman- arrow has not struck me in a mortal part, for my
ship; it also pierced the belt beneath it, which outer belt of burnished metal first stayed it, and
he wore next his skin to keep out darts or arrows; under this my cuirass and the belt of mail which
it was this that served him in the best stead, the bronze-smiths made me."
nevertheless the arrow went through it and [188] And Agamemnon answered, "I trust,
grazed the top of the skin, so that blood began dear Menelaus, that it may be even so, but the
flowing from the wound. surgeon shall examine your wound and lay
[141] As when some woman of Meonia or herbs upon it to relieve your pain."
26 THE ILIAD
/ip^y He then said to Talthybius, "Talthy- you no shame to stand here like frightened
bius, tellMachaon, son to the great physician fawns who, when they can no longer scud over
/Esculapius, to come and see Menelaus imme- the plain, huddle together, but show no fight?
diately. Some Trojan or Lycian archer has You are as dazed and spiritless as deer. Would
wounded him with an arrow to our dismay, and you wait till the Trojans reach the sterns of our
to his own great glon,'." ships as they lie on the shore, to see whether
[198] Talthybius did as he was told, and the son of Saturn will hold his hand over you
went about the Machaon.
host trying to find to protect you?"
Presently he found him standing amid the [2^0] Thus did he go about giving his orders
brave warriors who had followed him from among the ranks. Passing through the crowd,
Tricca; thereon he went up to him and said, he came presently on the Cretans, arming
"Son of y^sculapius, King Agamemnon says round Idomeneus, who was at their head, fierce
you are to come and see Menelaus immediately. as a wild boar, while Meriones was bringing up
Some Trojan or Lycian archer has wounded the battalions that were in the rear. Agamem-
him with an arrow to ourdismay and to his own non was glad when he saw him, and spoke him
great glorv." fairly. "Idomeneus," said he, "I treat you with

[208] Thus did he speak, and Machaon was greater distinction than I do any other of the
moved to go. Thev passed through the spread- Achaeans, whether in war or in other things, or
ing host of the Achasans and went on till they at table. When their princes are mixing my
came to the place where Menelaus had been choicest wine in the mixing-bowls, thev have
wounded and was lying with the chieftains each of them a fixed allowance, but your cup is
gathered in a circle round him. Machaon passed kept always full like my own, that you may
into the middle of the ring and at once drew drink whenever you are minded. Go, therefore,
the arrow from the belt, bending its barbs back into battle, and show yourself the man you
through the force with which he pulled it out. have been always proud to be."
He undid the burnished belt, and beneath this [26^] Idomeneus answered, "I will be a
the cuirass and the belt of mail which the trusty comrade, as I promised vou from the first
bronze-smiths had made; then, when he had I would be. Urge on the other Achaeans, that

seen the wound, he wiped away the blood and we may join battle at once, for the Trojans have
applied some soothing drugs which Chiron had trampled upon their covenants. Death and de-
given to /Esculapius out of the good will he struction shall be theirs, seeing they have been
bore him. the first to break their oaths and to attack us."
[220] While they were thus busy about [272] The son of Atreus went on, glad at
Menelaus, the Trojans came forward against heart, till he came upon the two Ajaxes arming
them, for they had put on their armour, and themselves amid a host of foot-soldiers. As when
now renewed the fight. a goat-herd from some high post watches a
/^223] You would not have then found Aga- storm drive over the deep before the west wind
memnon asleep nor cowardlyand unwilling to —black as pitch is the offing and a mighty whirl-
fight,but eager rather for the fray. He left his wind draws towards him, so that he is afraid
chariot rich with bronze and his panting steeds and drives his flock into a cave,— even thus did
in charge of Eurymedon, son of Ptolemaeus the the ranks of stalwart youths move in a dark
son of Peiraeus, and bade him hold them in mass to battle under the Ajaxes, horrid with
readiness against the time his limbs should shield and spear. Glad was King Agamemnon
weary of going about and giving orders to so when he saw them. "No need," he cried, "to
many, for he went among the ranks on foot. give orders to such leaders of the Argives as you
WTien he saw men hasting to the front he stood are, for of your own selves you spur your men
by them and cheered them on. "Argives," said on to fight with might and main. Would, by
he, "slacken not one whit in your onset; father father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo that all were
Jove will be no helper of liars; the Trojans have so minded as you are, for the city of Priam
been the first to break their oaths and to attack would then soon fall beneath our hands, and
us; therefore they shall be devoured of vul- we should sack it."
tures; we shall take their city and carry off their /^2927 With this he left them and went on-
wives and children in our ships." ward to Nestor, the facile speaker of the Py-
[240] But he angrily rebuked those whom he lians, who was marshalling his men and urging
saw shirking and disinclined to fight. "Argives," them on, in company with Pelagon, Alastor,
he cried, "cowardly miserable creatures, have Chromius, Haemon, and Bias shepherd of his
 BOOK IV 27
people. He
placed his knights vxnth their char- ans engage the enemy in front of you."
iots in the front rank, while the foot-
and horses [^49] Ulysses glared at him and answered,
soldiers, brave men and many, whom he could "Son of Atreus, what are you talking about?
trust, were in the rear. The cowards he drove How can you say that we are slack? When the
into the middle, that they might fight whether Achaeans are in full fight with the Trojans, you
they would or no. He gave his orders to the shall see, if you care to do so, that the father of
knights first, bidding them hold their horses well Telemachus will join battle with the foremost
in hand, so as to avoid confusion. "Let no man," of them. You are talking idly."
he said, "relying on his strength or horseman- [35^] When Agamemnon saw that Ulysses
ship, get before the others and engage singly was angry, he smiled pleasantly at him and
with the Trojans, nor yet let him lag behind, or withdrew his words. "Ulysses," said he, "noble
you will weaken your attack; but let each when son of Laertes, excellent in all good counsel, I
he meets an enemv s chariot throw his spear have neither fault to find nor orders to give you,
from his own; this will be much the best; this is for I know your heart is right, and that you and
how the men of old took towns and strongholds; I are of a mind. Enough; I will make you

in this wise were thev minded." amends for what I have said, and if any ill has
[^ 10] Thus did the old man charge them, for now been spoken may the gods bring it to noth-
he had been in many a fight, and King Aga- ing."
memnon was glad. "I wish," he said to him, [^64] He then left them and went on to

"that your limbs were as supple and your others. Presently he saw the son of Tydeus,
strength as sure as your judgment is; but age, noble Diomed, standing by his chariot and
the common enemy of mankind, has laid his horses, with Sthenelus the son of Capaneus be-
hand upon you; would that it had fallen upon side him; whereon he began to upbraid him.
some other, and that you were still young." "Son of Tydeus," he said, "why stand you
[317] And Nestor, knight of Gerene, an- cowering here upon the brink of battle? Tydeus
swered, "Son of Atreus, I too would gladly be did not shrink thus, but was ever ahead of his
the man I was when I slew mighty Ereuthalion; men when leading them on against the foe — so,
but the gods will not give us ever^'thing at one at least, say they that saw him in battle, for I
and the same time. I was then young, and now never set eyes upon him myself. They say that
I am old; still I can go with my knights and give there was no man like him. He came once to
them that counsel which old men have a right Mycenae, not as an enemy but as a guest, in
to give. The wielding of the spear I leave to company with Polynices to recruit his forces,
those who are younger and stronger than my- for they were levv'ing war against the strong
self." city of Thebes, and prayed our people for a
[^26] Agamemnon went his way rejoicing, body of picked men to help them. The men of
and presently found Menestheus, son of Peteos, Mycenae were willing to let them have one, but
tarrying in his place, and with him were the Jove dissuaded them by showing them unfa-
Athenians loud of tongue in battle. Near him vourable omens. Tydeus. therefore, and Poly-
also tarried cunning Ulysses, with his sturdy nices went their way. When they had got as
Cephallenians round him; they had not yet farasthedeep-meadowed and rush-grown banks
heard the battle-cry, for the ranks of Trojans of the ^sopus, the Achaeans sent Tydeus as
and Achasans had only just begun to move, so their envoy, and he found the Cadmeans gath-
they were standing still, waiting for some other ered in great numbers to a banquet in the house
columns of the Achasans to attack the Trojans of Eteocles. Stranger though he was, he knew
and begin the fighting. When he saw this Aga- no fear on finding himself single-handed among
memnon rebuked them and said, "Son of Pe- so many, but challenged them to contests of all
teos, and you other, steeped in cunning, heart kinds, and in each one of them was at once
of guile,why stand you here cowering and wait- victorious, so mightily did Minerv'a help him.
ing on others? You two should be of all men The Cadmeans were incensed at his success,
foremost when there is hard fighting to be and set a force of fifty youths with two captains
done, for you are ever foremost to accept my in- —the godlike hero Mason, son of Hasmon,
vitation when we councillors of the Achaeans and Poh^hontes, son of Autophonus— at their
are holding feast. You enough then to
are glad head, to lie in wait for him on his return jour-
take your fill and to drink wine
of roast meats ney; but Tydeus slew evers' man of them, save
as long qs you please, whereas now you would only Mason, whom he let go in obedience to
not care though you saw ten columns of Achae- heaven's omens. Such was Tydeus of yEtolia.
28 THE ILIAD
His son can talk more glibly, but he cannot place shield clashed with shield and spear with
fight as his father did." spear in the rage of battle. The bossed shields
[401] Diomed made no answer, for he was beat one upon another, and was a tramp
there
shamed by the rebuke of Agamemnon; but the multitude— death-cry and shout of
as of a great

son of Capaneus took up his words and said, triumph of slain and slayers, and the earth ran
"Son of Atrcus, tell no lies, for you can speak red with blood. As torrents swollen with rain

truth if you will. We boast ourselves as even course madly down deep channels till the
their

better menthan our fathers; we took seven- angry floods meet in some gorge, and the shep-
gated Thebes, though the wall was stronger and herd on the hillside hears their roaring from
our men were fewer in number, for we trusted afar— even such was the toil and uproar of the
in the omens of the gods and in the help of Jove, hosts as they joined in battle.
whereas they perished through their own sheer [457] Antilochus slew an armed war-
First

folly; hold not, then, our fathers in like honour rior of the Trojans, Echepolus, son of Thalys-
with us." ius, fighting in the foremost ranks. He struck

[411] Diomed looked sternly at him and at the projecting part of his helmet and drove

said, "Hold your peace, my friend, as I bid you. the spear into his brow; the point of bronze
It is not amiss that Agamemnon should urge pierced the bone, and darkness veiled his eyes;
the Achasans forward, for the glor)' will be his headlong as a tower he fell amid the press of the
if we take the city, and his the shame if we are fight, and as he dropped King Elephenor, son

vanquished. Therefore let us acquit ourselves of Chalcodon and captain of the proud Abantes,
with valour." began dragging him out of reach of the darts
[419] As he spoke he sprang from his char- that were falling around him, in haste to strip
iot, and his armour rang so fiercely about his him of his armour. But his purpose was not for
body that even a brave man might well have long; Agenor saw him haling the body away,
been scared to hear it. and smote him in the side with his bronze-shod
[4227 As when some mighty wave that thun- spear— for as he stooped his side was left un-
ders on the beach when the west wind has protected by his shield— and thus he perished.
lashed it into fury— it has reared its head afar Then the fight between Trojans and Achaeans
and now comes crashing down on the shore; it grew furious over his body, and they flew upon
bows its arching crest high over the jagged each other like wolves, man and man crushing
rocks and spews its salt foam in all directions- one upon the other.
even so did the serried phalanxes of the Dana- [47^] Forthv\'ith Ajax, son of Telamon, slew
ans march steadfastly to battle. The chiefs gave the fair youth Simoeisius, son of Anthemion,
orders each to his own people, but the men said whom his mother bore by the banks of the Sim-
never a word; no man would think it, for huge she was coming down from Mt. Ida, where
ois, as

as the host was, it seemedthough there was

as she had been with her parents to see their flocks.
not a tongue among them, so silent were they Therefore he was named Simoeisius, but he
in their obedience; and as they marched the did not live to pay his parents for his rearing,
armour about their bodies glistened in the sun. for he was cut off untimely by the spear of
But the clamour of the Trojan ranks was as that mighty Ajax, who struck him in the breast by
of many thousand ewes that stand waiting to be the right nipple as he was coming on among the
milked in the yards of some rich flockmaster, foremost fighters; the spear went right through
and bleat incessantly in answer to the bleating his shoulder, and he fell as a poplar that has
of their lambs; for they had not one speech nor grown straight and tall in a meadow by some
language, but their tongues were diverse, and mere, and its top is thick with branches. Then
they came from many different places. These the wheelwright lays his axe to its roots that he
were inspired of Mars, but the others by Mi- mav fashion a felloe for the wheel of some
nerva—and with them came Panic, Rout, and goodly chariot, and it lies seasoning by the
Strife whose fury never tires, sister and friend waterside. In such wise did Ajax fell to earth
of murderous Mars, who, from being at first but Simoeisius, son of Anthemion. Thereon Anti-
low in stature, grows till she uprears her head to phus of the gleaming corslet, son of Priam,
heaven, though her feet are still on earth. She hurled a spear at Ajax from amid the crowd and
it was that went about among them and flung missed him, but he hit Leucus, the brave com-
down discord to the waxing of sorrow with even rade of Ulysses, in the groin, as he was dragging
hand between them. the body of Simoeisius over to the other side; so
[446] When they were got together in one he fell upon the body and loosed his hold upon
 BOOK IV 29
it. Ulysses was furious when he saw Leucus hurled it was son of Imbrasus, captain
Peiroiis,
slain, and strode in full armour through the of the Thracians, who had come from /Enus;
front ranks till he was quite close; then he the bones and both the tendons were crushed
glared round about him and took aim, and the bv the pitiless stone. He fell to the ground on
Trojans fell back as he did so. His dart was not his back, and in his death throes stretched out
sped in vain, for it struck Democoon, the bas- his hands towards his comrades. But Peiroiis,
tard son of Priam, who had come to him from who had wounded him, sprang on him and
Abvdos, where he had charge of his father's thrust a spear into his belly, so that his bowels
mares. Ulvsses, infuriated bv the death of his came gushing out upon the ground, and dark-
comrade, hit him with his spear on one temple, ness veiled his eves. As he was lea\ing the bodv,
and the bronze point came through on the other Thoas of /Etolia struck him in the chest near
side of his forehead. Thereon darkness veiled the nipple, and the point fixed itself in his
his eves, and his armour rang rattling round him lungs. Thoas came close up to him, pulled the
as he fell heavily to the ground. Hector, and spear out of his chest, and then drawing his
thev that were in front, then gave ground while sword, smote him in the middle of the belly so
the Argives raised a shout and drew off the that he died; but he did not strip him of his
dead, pressing further forward as thev did so. armour, for his Thracian comrades, men who
But Apollo looked down from Pergamus and wear their hair in a tuft at the top of their
called aloud to the Trojans, for he was dis- heads, stood round the body and kept him off
pleased. "Trojans, he cried, "rush on the foe,
"
with their long spears for all his great stature
and do not let vourselves be thus beaten bv the and \'alour; so he was driven back. Thus the
Argives. Their skins are not stone nor iron that two corpses lay stretched on earth near to
when you hit them you do them no harm. More- one another, the one captain of the Thracians
over, Achilles, the son of lovelv Thetis, is not and the other of the Epeans; and many another
fighting, but is nursing his anger at the ships." fell round them.

[514] Thus spoke the mightv god, crying to [539] ^^ri<^ riow no man would have made
them from the city, while Joxe's redoubtable light of the fighting if he could have gone about
daughter, the Trito-born, went about among among it scatheless and unwounded, with Mi-

the host of the Achgeans, and urged them for- nerva leading him by the hand, and protecting
ward whenever she beheld them slackening. him from the storm of spears and arrows. For
[5 ' 7] Then fate fell upon Diores, son of many Trojans and Achaeans on that day lav
Amarynceus, for he was struck by a jagged stretched side by side face downwards upon the
stone near the ancle of his right leg. He that earth.
 BOOK V
from his chariot. The spear of Agamemnon
THEN Pallas Minerva put valour into the
heart of Diomed, son of Tydeus, that he caught him on the broad of his back, just as he
might excel all the other Argives, and was turning in flight; it struck him between the
cover himself with glory. She made a stream of shoulders and went right through his chest, and
from his shield and helmet like the star
fire flare his armour rang rattling round him as he fell
that shines most brilliantly in summer after its heavily to the ground.
bath in the waters of Oceanus— even such a fire [4^] Then Idomeneus killed Phaesus, son of
did she kindle upon his head and shoulders as Borus the Meonian, who had come from Varne.
she bade him speed into the thickest hurly- Mighty Idomeneus speared him on the right
burly of the fight. shoulder as he was mounting his chariot, and
[9] Now there was a certain rich and hon- the darkness of death enshrouded him as he fell
ourable man among the Trojans, priest of Vul- heavily from the car.
can, and his name was Dares. He had two sons, [48] The squires of Idomeneus spoiled him
Phegeus and Idaeus, both of them skilled in all of his armour, while Menelaus, son of Atreus,
the arts of war. These two came forward from killed Scamandrius the son of Strophius, a
the main body of Trojans, and set upon Diomed, mighty huntsman and keen lover of the chase.
he being on foot, while they fought from their Diana herself had taught him how to kill every
chariot. When they were close up to one an- kind of wild creature that is bred in mountain
other, Phegeus took aim first, but his spear went forests, but neither she nor his famed skill in

over Diomed's left shoulder without hitting archery could now save him, for the spear of
him. Diomed then threw, and his spear sped Menelaus struck him in the back as he was fly-
not in vain, for it hit Phegeus on the breast near ing; it struck him between the shoulders and
the nipple, and he fell from his chariot. Idaeus went right through his chest, so that he fell
did not dare to bestride his brother's body, but headlong and his armour rang rattling round
sprang from the chariot and took to flight, or he him.
would have shared his brother's fate; w^hereon [^9] Meriones then killed Phereclus the son
Vulcan saved him by wrapping him in a cloud of Tecton, who was the son of Hermon, a man
of darkness, that his old father might not be whose hand was skilled in all manner of cun-
utterly overwhelmed with grief; but the son of ning workmanship, for Pallas Minerva had
Tydeus drove off with the horses, and bade his dearly loved him. He it was that made the
followers take them to the ships. The Trojans ships for Alexandrus, which were the beginning
were scared when they saw the two sons of of all mischief, and brought evil alike both on
Dares, one of them in flight and the other lying the Trojans and on Alexandrus himself; for he
dead by his chariot. Minerva, therefore, took heeded not the decrees of heaven. Meriones
Mars by the hand and said, "Mars, Mars, bane overtook him as he was flying, and struck him
of men, bloodstained stormer of cities, may we on the right buttock. The point of the spear
not now leave the Trojans and Achasans to went through the bone into the bladder, and
fight it out, and see to which of the two Jove death came upon him as he cried aloud and fell
will vouchsafe the victory? Let us go away, and forward on his knees.
thus avoid his anger." [6g] Meges, moreover, slew Pedasus, son of
[35] So saying, she drew Mars out of the Antenor, who, though he was a bastard, had
battle, and set him down upon the steep banks been brought up by Theano as one of her own
of the Scamander. Upon this the Danaans drove children, for the love she bore her husband.
the Trojans back, and each one of their chief- The son of Phyleus got close up to him and
tains killed his man. First King Agamemnon drove a spear into the nape of his neck: it went
flung mighty Odius, captain of the Halizoni, under his tongue all among his teeth, so he bit
30
 BOOK V 31
the cold bronze, and fell dead in the dust. quickened his hands and his feet. Then she
[j6] And Eurypylus, son of Euacmon, killed went close up to him and said, "Fear not,
Hypsenor, the son of noble Dolopion, who had Diomed, to do battle with the Trojans, for I
been made priest of the river Scamander, and have set in your heart the spirit of your knightly
was honoured among the people as though he father Tydeus. Moreover, I have withdrawn the
were a god. Eurypylus gave him chase as he was veil from your eyes, that you may know gods

flying before him, smote him with his sword and men apart. If, then, any other god comes
upon the arm, and lopped his strong hand from here and offers you battle, do not fight him; but
off it. The bloody hand fell to the ground, and should Jove's daughter Venus come, strike her
the shades of death, with fate that no man can with your spear and wound her."
withstand, came over his eyes. f 33^ When she had said this Minerva went
1

[8^] Thus furiously did the battle rage be- away, and the son of Tydeus again took his
tween them. As for the son of Tydeus, you place among the foremost fighters, three times
could not say whether he was more among the more fierce even than he had been before. He
Achaeans or the Trojans. He rushed across the was like a lion that some mountain shepherd
plain like a winter torrent that has burst its has wounded, but not killed, as he is springing
barrier in full flood; no dvkes, no walls of fruit- over the wall of a sheep-yard to attack the
ful vineyards can embank it when it is swollen sheep. The shepherd has roused the brute to
with rain from heaven, but in a moment it fury but cannot defend his flock, so he takes
comes tearing onward, and lays many a field shelter under cover of the buildings, while the
waste that many a strong man's hand has re- sheep, panic-stricken on being deserted, are
claimed—even so were the dense phalanxes of smothered in heaps one on top of the other, and
the Trojans driven in rout by the son of Tydeus, the angry lion leaps out over the sheep-yard
and many though they were, they dared not Even thus did Diomed go
wall. furiously about
abide his onslaught. among the Trojans.
[95] Now when the son of Lycaon saw [144] He killed Astynoiis, and Hypeiron
him scouring the plain and driving the Trojans shepherd of his people, the one with a thrust
pell-mell before him, he aimed an arrow and hit of his spear, which struck him above the nipple,
the front part of his cuirass near the shoulder: the other with a sword-cut on the collar-bone,
the arrow went right through the metal and that severed his shoulder from his neck and
pierced the flesh, so that the cuirass was covered back. He let both of them lie, and went in pur-
with blood. On this the son of Lycaon shouted suit of Abas and Polyidus, sons of the old reader
in triumph, "Knights Trojans, come on; the of dreams Eurydamas: they never came back
bravest of the Achaens is wounded, and he will for him to read them any more dreams, for
not hold out much longer if King Apollo was mighty Diomed made an end of them. He then
indeed with me when I sped from Lycia hither." gave chase to Xanthus and Thoon, the two sons
[106] Thus did he vaunt; but his arrow had of Phasnops, both of them very dear to him, for
not killed Diomed, who withdrew and made he was now worn out with age, and begat no
and horses of Sthenelus, the son
for the chariot more sons to inherit his possessions. But Diomed
of Capaneus. "Dear son of Capaneus," said he, took both their lives and left their father sor-
"come down from your chariot, and draw the rowing bitterly, for he nevermore saw them
arrow out of my shoulder." come home from battle alive, and his kinsmen
[ill] Sthenelus sprang from his chariot, and di\'ided his wealth among themselves.
drew the arrow from the wound, whereon the [ 1 59] Then he came upon two sons of Priam,
blood came spouting out through the hole that Echemmon and Chromius, as they were both in
had been made in his shirt. Then Diomed one chariot. He sprang upon them as a lion
prayed, saying, "Hear me, daughter of aegis- fastens on the neck of some cow or heifer when
bearing Jove, unweariable, if ever you loved my the herd is feeding in a coppice. For all their
father well and stood by him in the thick of a vain struggles he flung them both from their
fight, do the like now by me; grant me to come chariot and stripped the armour from their
within a spear's throw of that man and kill him. bodies. Then he gave their horses to his com-
He has been too quick for me and has wounded rades to take them back to the ships.
me; and now he is boasting that I shall not see [166] When /Eneas saw him thus making
the light of the sun much longer." havoc among the ranks, he went through the
[i2ij Thus he prayed, and Pallas Minerva fight amid the rain of spears to see if he could
heard him; she made his limbs supple and find Pandarus. When he had found the brave
32 THE ILIAD
son of Lycaon he said, "Pandarus, where is now man with chariot and horses and bring him to a
your bow, your winged arrows, and your re- trial of arms. Mount my chariot, and note how
nown as an archer, in respect of which no man cleverly the horses of Tros can speed hither and
here can rival you nor, is there any in Lycia thither over the plain in pursuit or flight. If
that can beat you? Lift then your hands to Jove Jove again vouchsafes glory to the son of Ty-
and send an arrow at this fellow who is going so deus they will carry us safely back to the city.
masterfully about, and has done such deadly Take hold, then, of the whip and reins while I
work among the Trojans. He has killed many a stand upon the car to fight, or else do you wait
brave man— unless indeed he is some god who this man's onset while I look after the horses."
is angry with the Trojans about their sacrifices, [z2g] "/Eneas," replied the son of Lycaon,
and has set his hand against them in his dis- "take the reins and drive; if we have to fly be-
pleasure." fore the son of Tydeus the horses will go better
[lyg] And theof Lycaon answered,
son for their own driver. If they miss the sound of
"/Eneas, I take him
none other than the son
for your voice when they expect it they may be
of Tydeus. I know him by his shield, the visor frightened, and refuse to take us out of the
of his helmet, and by his horses. It is possible fight. The
son of Tydeus will then kill both of
that he may be a god, but if he is the man I say us and take the horses. Therefore drive them
he is, he is not making all this havoc without yourself and I will be ready for him with my
heaven's help, but has some god by his side who spear."
is shrouded in a cloud of darkness, and who [2^9] They then mounted the chariot and
turned my arrow aside when it had hit him. I drove full-speed towards the son of Tydeus.
have taken aim at him already and hit him on Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, saw them coming
the right shoulder; my arrow went through the and said to Diomed, "Diomed, son of Tydeus,
breastpiece of his cuirass; and I made sure I man after my own heart, I see two heroes speed-
should send him hurrying to the world below, ing towards you, both of them men of might—
but it seems that I have not killed him. There the one a skilful archer, Pandarus, son of Ly-
must be a god who is angry with me. Moreover caon, the other, y^neas, whose sire is Anchises,
I have neither horse nor chariot. In my father's while his mother is Venus. Mount the chariot
stables there are eleven ex'cellent chariots, fresh and let us retreat. Do not, I pray you, press so
from the builder, quite new, with cloths spread furiously forward, or you may get killed."
over them; and by each of them there stand a [25 1 ] Diomed looked angrily at him and an-
pair of horses,champing barley and rye; my old swered: "Talk not of flight, for I shall not listen
father Lycaon urged me again and again when to you: I am of a race that knows neither flight
I was at home and on the point of starting, to nor fear, and my limbs are as yet unwearied. I
take chariots and horses with me that I might am in no mind to mount, but will go against
lead the Trojans in battle, but I would not listen them even as I am; Pallas Minerva bids me be
to him; it would have been much better if I afraid of no man, and even though one of them
had done so, but I was thinking about the escape, their steeds shall not take both back
horses, which had been used to eat their fill, again. I sav further, and lay my saving to your
and I was afraid that in such a great gathering heart— if Minerva sees fit to vouchsafe me the
of men they might be ill-fed, so I left them at glory of killing both, stay your horses here and
home and came on foot to Ilius armed only with make the reins fast to the rim of the chariot;
my bow and arrows. These it seems, are of no then be sure you spring upon /Eneas' horses and
use, for I have already hit two chieftains, the drive them from the Trojan to the Achaean
sons of Atreus and of Tydeus, and though I ranks. They are of the stock that great Jove gave
drew blood surely enough, I have only made to Tros in payment for his son Ganymede, and
them still more furious. I did ill to take my bow and move under the sun.
are the finest that live
down from its peg on the day I led my band of King Anchises stole the blood by putting his
Trojans to Ilius in I lector's service, and if ever I mares to them without Laomedon's knowledge,
get home again to set eyes on my native place, and they bore him six foals. Four are still in his
my wife, and the greatness of my house, may stables, but he gave the other two to /Eneas.
some one cut my head off then and there if I do We shall win great glory if we can take them."
not break the bow and set it on a hot fire— such [274] Thus did they converse, but the other
pranks as it plays me." two had now driven close up to them, and the
^21 8] /Eneas answered, "Say no more. son of Lycaon spoke first. "Great and mighty
Things will not mend till we two go against this son," said he, "of noble Tydeus, my arrow
 BOOK V 33
failed to lay you low, so I v\all now try with my y^Eneas's horsesand drove them from the Trojan
spear." to the Achaean ranks. When he had so done he

[280] He
poised his spear as he spoke and gave them over to his chosen comrade Deipylus,
hurled from him. It struck the shield of the
it whom he valued abo\e all others as the one
son of Tydeus; the bronze point pierced it and who was most like-minded with himself, to take
passed on till it reached the breastplate. Thereon them on to the ships. He then remounted his
the son of Lycaon shouted out and said, "You own chariot, seized the reins, and drove with
are hit clean through the belly; you will not all speed in search of the son of Tydeus.

stand out for long, and the glory of the fight is [330] Now the son of Tydeus was in pursuit
mine." of the Cvprian goddess, spear in hand, for he
[286] But Diomed all undismayed made an- knew her to be feeble and not one of those god-
swer, "You have missed, not hit, and before you desses that can lord it among men in battle like
two see the end of this matter one or other of Minerva or Envo the waster of cities, and when
vou shall glut tough-shielded Mars with his at last after along chase he caught her up, he
blood." flew at her and thrust his spear into the flesh of
[290] With this he hurled his spear, and Mi- her delicate hand. The point tore through the
nerva guided it on to Pandarus's nose near the ambrosial robe which the Graces had woven for
eye. It went crashing in among his white teeth; her, and pierced the skin between her wrist and
the bronze point cut through the root of his the palm of her hand, so that the immortal
tongue, coming out under his chin, and his blood, or ichor, that flows in the veins of the
glistening armour rang rattling round him as he blessed gods, came pouring from the wound;
fell heavily to the ground. The horses started for the gods do not eat bread nor drink wine,
aside for fear, and he was reft of life and hence they have no blood such as ours, and are
strength. immortal. Venus screamed aloud, and let her
[29 7 j /Eneas sprang from his chariot armed son fall, but Phoebus Apollo caught him in his
with shield and spear, fearing lest the Achaeans arms, and hid him in a cloud of darkness, lest
should caTTy off the body. He bestrode it as a some Danaan should drive a spear into his
lion in the pride of strength, with shield and breast and kill him; and Diomed shouted out as
spear before him and a cr^' of battle on his lips he left her, "Daughter of Jove, leave war and
—resolute to kill the first that should dare face battle alone, can you not be contented with be-
him. But the son of Tydeus caught up a mighty guiling silly women? If you meddle with fight-
stone, so huge and great that as men now are it ing you will get what will make you shudder
would take two to lift it; nevertheless he bore it at the very name of war."
aloft with ease unaided, and with this he struck [352] The goddess went dazed and discom-
/Eneas on the groin where the hip turns in the fited away, and Iris, fleet as the wind, drew her
joint that is called the "cup-bone." The stone from the throng, in pain and with her fair skin
crushed this joint, and broke both the sinews, all besmirched. She found fierce Mars waiting

while its jagged edges tore away all the flesh. on the left of the battle, with his spear and his
The hero fell on his knees, and propped himself two fleet steeds resting on a cloud; whereon she
with his hand resting on the ground till the fell on her knees before her brother and im-

darkness of night fell upon his eves. And now plored him to let her ha\'e his horses. "Dear
y^neas, king of men, would have perished then brother," she cried, "save me, and give me your
and there, had not his mother, Jove's daughter horses to take me to Olvmpus where the gods
Venus, who had conceived him by Anchises dwell. I am badly wounded by a mortal, the son
when he was herding cattle, been quick to of Tydeus, who would now fight even with
mark, and thrown her two white arms about the father Jove."
body of her dear son. She protected him by [3637 Thus she spoke, and Mars gave her his
covering him with a fold of her own fair gar- gold-bedizened steeds. She mounted the chariot
ment, lest some Danaan should drive a spear sick and sorry at heart, while Iris sat beside her
into his breast and kill him. and took the reins in her hand. She lashed her
f3 1 8] Thus, then, did she bear her dear son horses on and they flew forward nothing loth,
out of the fight. But the son of Capaneus was till in a trice they were at high Olympus, where
not unmindful of the orders that Diomed had the gods ha\'e their dwelling. There she stayed
given him. He made his own horses fast, away them, unloosed them from the chariot, and gave
from the hurly-burly, by binding the reins to then their ambrosial forage; but Venus flung
the rim of the chariot. Then he sprang upon herself on to the lap of her mother Dione, who
34 THE ILIAD
threw her arms about her and caressed her, say- I think the Cyprian must have been persuading
ing, "Which of the heavenly beings has been some one of the Achaean women to go with the
treating you in this way, as though you had Trojans of whom she is and while
so very fond,
been doing something wrong in the face of caressing one or other of them she must have
day?" torn her delicate hand with the gold pin of the
[375] ^ri<^ laughter-loving Venus answered, woman's brooch."
"Proud Diomed, the son of Tydeus, wounded [426] The sire of gods and men smiled, and
me because I was bearing my dear son y^neas, called golden Venus to his side. "My child,"
whom I love best of all mankind, out of the said he, "it has not been given you to be a war-
fight. The war is no longer one between Trojans rior.Attend, henceforth, to your own delightful
and Achaeans, for the Danaans have now taken matrimonial duties, and leave all this fighting
to fighting with the immortals." to Mars and to Minerva."

^3817 "Bear it, my child," replied Dione, [4^1] Thus did they converse. But Diomed
"and make the best of it. We dwellers in Olym- sprang upon /Eneas, though he knew him to be
pus have to put up with much at the hands of in the ver)' arms of Apollo. Not one whit did he
men, and we lay much suffering on one another. fear the mighty god, so set was he on killing
Mars had to suffer when Otus and Ephialtes, /Eneas and stripping him of his armour. Thrice
children of Aloeus, bound him in cruel bonds, did he spring forward with might and main to
so that he lay thirteen months imprisoned in a slay him, and thrice did Apollo beat back his
vessel of bronze. Mars would have then perished gleaming shield. When he was coming on for
had not fair Eeriboea, stepmother to the sons the fourth time, as though he were a god, Apollo
of Aloeus, told Mercury, who stolehim away shouted to him with an awful voice and said,
when he was already well-nigh worn out by the "Take heed, son of Tydeus, and draw off; think
severity of his bondage. Juno, again, suflFered not to match yourself against gods, for men that
when the mighty son of Amphitryon wounded walk the earth cannot hold their own with the
her on the right breast with a three-barbed ar- immortals."
row, and nothing could assuage her pain. So, [443] The
son of Tydeus then gave way for
also, did huge Hades, when this same man, the anger of the god,
a little space, to avoid the
son of aegis-bearing Jove, hit him with an arrow while Apollo took ^neas out of the crowd and
even at the gates of hell, and hurt him badly. set himin sacred Pergamus, where his temple
Thereon Hades went to the house of Jove on stood. There, within the mighty sanctuary,
great Olympus, angry and full of pain; and the Latona and Diana healed him and made him
arrow in his brawny shoulder caused him great glorious to behold, while Apollo of the silver
anguish till Paeeon healed him by spreading bow fashioned a wraith in the likeness of ^ne-
soothing herbs on the wound, for Hades was as, and armed as he was. Round this the Trojans
not of mortal mould. Daring, head-strong, evil- and Achaeans hacked at the bucklers about one
doer who recked not of his sin in shooting the another's breasts, hewing each other's round
gods that dwell in Olympus. And now Minerva shields and light hide-covered targets. Then
has egged this son of Tydeus on against your- Phoebus Apollo said to Mars, "Mars, Mars,
self, fool that he is for not reflecting that no bane of men, blood-stained stormer of cities,
man who fights with gods will live long or hear can you not go to this man, the son of Tydeus,
his children prattling about his knees when he who would now fight even with father Jove,
returns from battle. Let, then, the son of Ty- and draw him out of the battle? He first went
deus see that he does not have to fight with one up to the Cyprian and wounded her in the hand
who is stronger than you are. Then shall his near her wrist, and afterwards sprang upon me
brave wife y^gialeia, daughter of Adrestus, too, as though he were a god."
rouse her whole house from sleep, wailing for [460] He then took his seat on the top of
the loss of her wedded lord, Diomed the bravest Pergamus, while murderous Mars went about
of the Achaeans." among the ranks of the Trojans, cheering them
[416] So saying, she wiped the ichor from on, in the likeness of fleet Acamas chief of the
the wrist of her daughter with both hands, Thracians. "Sons of Priam," said he, "how long
whereon the pain left her, and her hand was will you let your people be thus slaughtered by
healed. But Minerva and Juno, who were look- the Achaeans? Would you wait till they are at
ing on, began to taunt Jove with their mocking the walls of Troy? /Eneas the son of Anchises
talk, and Minerva was first to speak. "Father has fallen, he whom we held in as high honour
Jove," said she, "do not be angry with me, but as Hector himself. Help me, then, to rescue our
 BOOK V 35
brave comrade from the stress of the fight." ably in their midst.
[470] With these words he put heart and [s^o] The two Ajaxes, Ulysses and Diomed,
soul into them all. Then Sarpedon rebuked cheered the Danaans on, fearless of the fury
Hector very sternly. "Hector," said he, "where and onset of the Trojans. They stood as still
is your prowess now? You used to say that as clouds which the son of Saturn has spread
though you had neither people nor allies you upon the mountain tops when there is no air
could hold the town alone with your brothers and fierce Boreas sleeps with the other boister-
and brothers-in-law. I see not one of them here; ous winds whose shrill blasts scatter the clouds
they cower as hounds before a lion; it is we, in all directions— even so did the Danaans stand
your allies, who bear the brunt of the battle. firm and unflinching against the Trojans. The
I have come from afar, even from Lycia and the son of Atreus went about among them and ex-
banks of the river Xanthus, where I have left horted them. "My friends," said he, "quit your-
my wife, my infant son, and much wealth to selves like brave men, and shun dishonour in
tempt whoever is needy; nevertheless, I head one another's eyes amid the stress of battle.
my Lycian soldiers and stand my ground against They that shun dishonour more often live than
any who would fight me though I have nothing get killed, but they that fly save neither life nor
here for the Achasans to plunder, while you name."
look on, without even bidding your men stand f>33-/ ^s he spoke he hurled his spear and
firm in defence of their wives. See that you fall hitone of those who were in the front rank, the
not into the hands of your foes as men caught in comrade of /Eneas, Deicoon son of Pergasus,
the meshes of a net, and they sack your fair city whom the Trojans held in no less honour than
forthwith. Keep this before your mind night the sons of Priam, for he was ever quick to
and day, and beseech the captains of your allies place himself among the foremost. The spear of
to hold on without flinching, and thus put away King Agamemnon struck his shield and went
their reproaches from you." right through it, for the shield stayed it not. It

[493] So spoke Sarpedon, and Hector smarted drove through his belt into the lower part of his
under his words. He sprang from his chariot belly, and his armour rang rattling round him
clad in his suit of armour, and went about as he fell heavily to the ground.
among the host brandishing his two spears, ex- [547] Then /Eneas killed two champions of
horting the men to fight and raising the terrible the Danaans, Crethon and Orsilochus. Their
cry of battle. Then they rallied and again faced father was a rich man who lived in the strong
the Achasans, but the Argives stood compact Phere and was descended from the river
city of
and firm, and were not driven back. As the Alpheus, whose broad stream flows through the
breezes sport with the chaffs upon some goodly land of the Pylians. The river begat Orsilochus,
threshing-floor, when men are winnowing— who ruled over much people and was father to
while yellow Ceres blows with the wind to sift Diodes, who in his turn begat twin sons, Cre-
the chaff from the grain, and the chafl^-heaps thon and Orsilochus, well skilled in all the arts
grow \vhiter and whiter— even so did the Achae- of war. These, when they grew up, went to
ans whiten in the dust which the horses' hoofs Ilius with the Argive fleet in the cause of
raised to the firmament of heaven, as their Menelaus and Agamemnon sons of Atreus, and
drivers turned them back to battle, and they there they both of them fell. As two lions whom
bore down with might upon the foe. Fierce their dam has reared in the depths of some
Mars, to help the Trojans, covered them in a mountain forest to plunder homesteads and
veil of darkness, and went about everywhere carry ofi^ sheep and cattle till they get killed by
among them, inasmuch as Phoebus Apollo had the hand of man, so were these two vanquished
told him that when he saw Pallas Minerva by /Eneas, and fell like high pine-trees to the
leave the fray he was to put courage into the ground.
hearts of the Trojans— for it was she who was [561] Brave Menelaus pitied them in their
helping the Danaans. Then Apollo sent /Eneas fall,and made his way to the front, clad in
forth from his rich sanctuary, and filled his gleaming bronze and brandishing his spear, for
heart with valour, whereon he took his place Mars egged him on to do so with intent that he
among his comrades,who were overjoyed at should be killed by /Eneas; but Antilochus the
seeing him sound, and of a good courage;
alive, son of Nestor saw him and sprang forward,
but they could not ask him how it had all hap- fearing that the king might come to harm and
pened, for they were too busy with the turmoil thus bring all their labour to nothing; when,
raised by Mars and by Strife, who raged insati- therefore /Eneas and Menelaus were setting
36 THE ILIAD
their hands and spears against one another Ajax struck him in the belt; the spear pierced
eager to do battle, Antiloehus placed himself by the lower part of his belly, and he fell heavily
the side of Menelaus. /Eneas, bold though he to the ground. Then Ajax ran towards him to

was, drew back on seeing the two heroes side strip him of his armour, but the Trojans rained

bv side him, so they drew the bodies

in front of spears upon him, manv of which fell upon his
of Crethon and Orsilochus to the ranks of the shield. He planted his heel upon the body and
Achaeans and committed the two poor fellows drew out his spear, but the darts pressed so
into the hands of their comrades. They then heavily upon him that he could not strip the
turned back and fought in the front ranks. goodly armour from his shoulders. The Trojan
[576] Thev killed Pylaemenes peer of Mars, chieftains, moreover, many and valiant, came
leader of the Paphlagonian warriors. Menelaus about him with their spears, so that he dared
struck him on the collar-bone, as he was stand- not stay; great, brave and valiant though he
ing on his chariot, while Antiloehus hit his was, they drove him from them and he was
charioteerand squire Mydon, the son of Atym- beaten back.
nius, who was turning his horses in flight. He [626] Thus, then, did the battle rage be-
hit him with a stone upon the elbow, and the tween them. Presently the strong hand of fate
reins, enriched with white ivory, fell from his impelled Tlepolemus, the son of Hercules, a
hands into the dust. Antiloehus rushed towards man both brave and of great stature, to fight
him and struck him on the temples with his Sarpedon; so the two, son and grandson of great
sword, whereon he fell head first from the char- Jove, drew near to one another, and Tlepolemus
iot to the ground. There he stood for a while spoke "Sarpedon," said he, "councillor of
first.

with his head and shoulders buried deep in the the Lycians, why should you come skulking
dust— for he had fallen on sandy soil— till his here— you who are a man of peace? They lie
horses kicked him and laid him flat on the who call you son of aegis-bearing Jove, for you
ground, as Antiloehus lashed them and drove are little like those who were of old his chil-
them off to the host of the Achaeans. dren. Far other was Hercules, my own brave
[590] But Hector marked them from across and lion-hearted father, who came here for the
the ranks, and with a loud cry rushed towards horses of Laomedon, and though he had six
them, followed by the strong battalions of the ships only, and few men to follow him, sacked
Trojans. Mars and dread Enyo led them on, she the city of Ilius and made a wilderness of her
fraught with ruthless turmoil of battle, while highways. You are a coward, and your people
Mars wielded a monstrous spear, and went are falling from you. For all your strength, and
about, now in front of Hector and now behind all your coming from Lycia, you will be no

him. help to the Trojans but will pass the gates of

[$9^1 Diomed shook with passion as he saw Hades vanquished by my hand."
them. As a man crossing a wide plain is dis- [647] And Sarpedon, captain of the Lycians,
mayed to find himself on the brink of some answered, "Tlepolemus, your father overthrew
great river rolling sv\'iftly to the sea— he sees its Ilius by reason of Laomedon's folly in refusing
boiling waters and starts back in fear— even so payment to one who had served him well. He
did the son of Tydeus give ground. Then he would not give your father the horses which
said to his men, "My friends, how can we won- he had come so far to fetch. As for yourself, you
der that Hector wields the spear so well? Some shall meet death by my spear. You shall yield
god is ever by his side to protect him, and now glorv to myself, and your soul to Hades of the
Mars is with him in the likeness of mortal man. noble steeds."
Keep your faces therefore towards the Trojans, [6^^] Thus spoke Sarpedon, and Tlepole-
but give ground backwards, for we dare not mus upraised his spear. They threw at the
fight with gods." same moment, and Sarpedon struck his foe in
[607] As he spoke the Trojans drew close up, the middle of his throat; the spear went right
and Hector killed two men, both in one chariot, through, and the darkness of death fell upon
Menesthes and Anchialus, heroes well versed his eyes. Tlepolemus's spear struck Sarpedon
in war. Ajax son of Telamon pitied them in on the left thigh with such force that it tore
their fall; he came close up and hurled his spear, through the flesh and grazed the bone, but his
hitting Amphius the son of Selagus, a man of father as yet warded ofl^ destruction from him.
great wealth who and owned
lived in Paesus [66^] His comrades bore Sarpedon out of
much corn-growing land, but his lot had led the fight, in great pain by the weight of the
him to come to the aid of Priam and his sons. spear that was dragging from his wound. They
 BOOK V 37
were in such haste and stress as they bore him the august goddess, daughter of great Saturn,
that no one thought of drawing the spear from began to harness her gold-bedizened steeds.
his thigh so as to let him walk uprightly. Mean- Hebe with all speed fitted on the eight-spoked
while the Achaeans carried off the body of wheels of bronze that were on either side of the
Tlepolemus, whereon Ulysses was moved to iron axle-tree. The felloes of the wheels were of
pitv, and panted for the fray as he beheld them. gold, imperishable, and over these there was a
He doubted whether to pursue the son of Jove, tire of bronze, wondrous to behold. The naves
or to make slaughter of the Lycian rank and of the wheels were silver, turning round the
file; it was not decreed, however, that he should axle upon either side. The car itself was made
slay the son of Jove; Minerva, therefore, turned with plaited bands of gold and silver, and it had
him against the main body of the Lycians. He a double top-rail running all round it. From the
killed Coeranus, Alastor, Chromius, Alcandrus, body of the car there went a pole of silver, on to
Halius, Noemon, and Prvtanis, and would have the end of which she bound the golden yoke,
slain yet more, had not great Hector marked with the bands of gold that were to go under
him, and sped to the front of the fight clad in the necks of the horses. Then Juno put her
Danaans with terror.
his suit of mail, filling the steeds under the yoke, eager for battle and the
Sarpedon was glad when he saw him coming, war-cry.
and besought him, saying, "Son of Priam, let lliil Meanwhile Minerva flung her richly
me not lie here to fall into the hands of the embroidered vesture, made with her own hands,
Danaans. Help me, and since I may not return on to her father's threshold, and donned the
home to gladden the hearts of my wife and of shirt of Jove, arming herself for battle. She
my infant son, let me die within the walls of threw her tasselled aegis about her shoulders,
your city." wreathed round with Rout as with a fringe,
[68g] Hector made him no answer, but and on it were Strife, and Strength, and Panic
rushed onward to fall at once upon the Achae- whose blood runs cold; moreover there was the
ans and kill many among them. His comrades head of the dread monster Gorgon, grim and
then bore Sarpedon away and laid him beneath awful to behold, portent of aegis-bearing Jove.
Jove's spreading oak tree. Pelagon his friend On her head she set her helmet of gold, with
and comrade drew the spear out of his thigh, four plumes, and coming to a peak both in front
but Sarpedon fainted and a mist came over his and behind— decked with the emblems of a
eyes. Presently he came to himself again, for hundred cities; then she stepped into her flam-
the breath of the north wind as it played upon ing chariot and grasped the spear, so stout and
him gave him new life, and brought him out sturdy and strong, with which she quells the
of the deep swoon into which he had fallen. ranks of heroes who have displeased her. Juno
[699] Meanwhile the Argives were neither lashed the horses on, and the gates of heaven
driven towards their ships by Mars and Hector, bellowed as they flew open of their own accord
nor yet did they attack them; when they knew —gates over which the Hours preside, in whose
that Mars was with the Trojans they retreated, hands are Heaven and Olympus, either to open
but kept their faces still turned towards the foe. the dense cloud that hides them, or to close it.
Who, then, was first and who last to be slain Through these the goddesses drove their obe-
by Mars and Hector? They were valiant Teu- dient steeds, and found the son of Saturn sitting
thras, and Orestes the renowned charioteer, all alone on the topmost ridges of Olympus.

Trechus the /Etolian warrior, CEnomaus, Hel- There Juno stayed her horses, and spoke to
enus the son of CEnops, and Oresbius of the Jove the son of Saturn, lord of all. "Father
gleaming girdle, who was possessed of great Jove," said she, "are you not angry with Mars
wealth, and dwelt by the Cephisian lake with for these high doings? See how great and goodly
the other Boeotians who lived near him, owners a host of the Achaeans he has destroyed to my
of a fertile country. great grief, and without either right or reason,
/^7J ij Now when the goddess Juno saw the while the Cyprian and Apollo are enjoying it
Argives thus falling, she said to Minerva, "Alas, all at their ease and setting this unrighteous

daughter of asgis-bearing Jove, unweariable, the madman on to do further mischief. I hope,

promise we made Menelaus that he should not Father Jove, that you will not be angry if I
return till he had sacked the city of Ilius will be hit Mars hard, and chase him out of the battle."
of none effect if we let Mars rage thus furiously. [764] And Jove answered, "Set Minerva on
Let us go into the fray at once." to him, for she punishes him more often than

I719] Minerva did not gainsay her. Thereon any one else does."
38 THE ILIAD
[767] Juno did as he had said. She lashed me not to fight any of the blessed gods; but if

her horses, and thev flew forward nothing loth Jove's daughter Venus came into battle I was
midway betwixt earth and sky- As far as a man to wound her with my spear. Therefore I am
can see when he looks out upon the sea from retreating, and bidding the other Argives gather
some high beacon, so far can the loud-neighing in this place, for I know that Mars is now lord-
horses of the gods spring at a single bound. ing it in the field."
When they reached Troy and the place where "Diomed, son of Tydeus," replied Minerva,
its two flowing streams Simois and Scamander "man after my own heart, fear neither Mars
meet, there Juno stayed them and took them nor any other of the immortals, for I will be-
from the chariot. She hid them in a thick cloud, friend you. Nay, drive straight at Mars, and
and Simois made ambrosia spring up for them smite him in close combat; fear not this raging
to eat; the two goddesses then went on, flying madman, villain incarnate, first on one side and
like turtledoves in their eagerness to help the then on the other. But now he was holding talk
Argives. When they came to the part where the with Juno and myself, saying he would help
bravest and most in number were gathered the Argives and attack the Trojans; neverthe-
about mighty Diomed, fighting like lions or less he is with the Trojans, and has forgotten
wild boars of great strength and endurance, the Argives."
there Juno stood still and raised a shout like [835] With caught hold of Sthene-
this she
that of brazen-voiced Stentor, whose cry was as lus and lifted himthe chariot on to the
off^

loud as that of fifty men together. "Argives," ground. In a second he was on the ground,
she cried; "shame on you, cowardly creatures, whereupon the goddess mounted the car and
brave in semblance only; as long as Achilles was placed herself by the side of Diomed. The oaken
fighting, his spear was so deadlv that the Tro- axle groaned aloud under the burden of the
jans dared not show themsehes outside the awful goddess and the hero; Pallas Minerva
Dardanian gates, but now thev sally far from took the whip and reins, and drove straight at
the city and fight even at your ships." Mars. He was in the act of stripping huge Peri-
[792] With these words she put heart and phas, son of Ochesius and bravest of the /Eto-
soul into them all, while Minerva sprang to the lians. Bloody Mars was stripping him of his
side of the son of Tydeus, whom she found near armour, and Minerva donned the helmet of
his chariot and horses, cooling the wound that Hades, that he might not see her; when, there-
Pandarus had given him. For the sweat caused fore, he saw Diomed, he made straight for him
by the band that bore the weight of his shield and let Periphas lie where he had fallen. As
irritated the hurt: his arm was wear)' with pain, soon as they were at close quarters he let fly
and he was lifting up the strap to wipe away with his bronze spear over the reins and yoke,
the blood. The goddess laid her hand on the thinking to take Diomed's life, but Minerva
yoke of his horses and said, "The son of Tydeus caught the spear in her hand and made it fly
is not such another as his father. Tydeus was a harmlessly over the chariot. Diomed then threw,
little man, but he could fight, and rushed madlv and Pallas MinerA'a drove the spear into the pit
into the fray even when I told him not to do so. of Mars's stomach where his under-girdle went
When he went all unattended as envoy to the round him. There Diomed wounded him, tear-
city of Thebes among the Cadmeans, I bade ing his fair flesh and then drawing his spear out
him feast in their houses and be at peace; but again. Mars roared as loudly as nine or ten
with that high spirit which was ever present thousand men in the thick of a fight, and the
with him, he challenged the youth of the Cad- Achaeans and Trojans were struck with panic,
means, and at once beat them in all that he so terrible was the cry he raised.
attempted, so mightily did I help him. I stand [864] As a dark cloud in the sky when it
by you too to protect you, and I bid you be in- comes on to blow after heat, even so did Diomed
stant in fighting the Trojans; but eitheryou are son of Tydeus see Mars ascend into the broad
tired out, or you are afraid and out of heart, heavens. With all speed he reached high Olym-
and in that case I say that vou are no true son pus,home of the gods, and in great pain sat
of Tydeus the son of CEneus." down beside Jove the son of Saturn. He showed
[814] Diomed answered, "I know you, god- Jove the immortal blood that was flowing from
dess, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, and will his wound, and spoke piteously, saying, "Father
hide nothing from you. I am not afraid nor out Jove, are you not angered by such doings? We
of heart, nor is there any slackness in me. I am gods are continually suff^ering in the most cruel
only following your own instructions; you told manner at one another's hands while helping
 "

BOOK V 39
mortals; and we owe you a gnidge for having
all manage her, and her doing that you are
it is

begotten that mad temiagant of a daughter, now in this plight: still, I cannot let you remain
who is always committing outrage of some kind. longer in such great pain; you are my own off-
We other gods must do as you bid us, but
all spring, and it was by me
that your mother con-
her you neither scold nor punish; you encour- ceived you; however, you had been the son
if,

age her because the pestilent creature is your of any other god, you are so destructive that by
daughter. See how she has been inciting proud this time you should have been lying lower
Diomed to vent his rage on the immortal gods. than the Titans.
First he went up to the Cyprian and wounded [899] He then bade Paeeon heal him,
her in the hand near her wrist, and then he whereon Paeeon spread pain-killing herbs upon
sprang upon me too as though he were a god. his wound and cured him, for he was not of
Had I not run for it I must either have lain mortal mould. As the juice of the fig-tree curdles
there for long enough in torments among the milk, and thickens
it in a moment though it is

ghastly corpses, or have been beaten alive with liquid,even so instantly did Paseon cure fierce
spears till I had no more strength left in me.' Mars. Then Hebe washed him, and clothed him
[888] Jove looked angrily at him and said, in goodly raiment, and he took his seat by his
"Do not come whining here, Sir Facing-both- father Jove all glorious to behold.
ways. I hate you worst of all the gods in Olym- [goy] But Juno of Argos and Minerva of
pus, for you are ever fighting and making mis- Alalcomene, now that they had put a stop to
chief. You have the intolerable and stubborn the murderous doings of Mars, went back again
spirit of your mother Juno: it is all I can do to to the house of Jove.
 ',^^£^£^^^^£^^£^5£^£

BOOK VI

THE now
was
between Trojans and Achaeans
fight
rage as it would, and the
left to
in the dust flat
chariot.
on his face by the wheel of his
Menelaus came up to him spear in
tide of war surged hither and thither hand, but Adrestus caught him by the knees
over the plain as they aimed their bronze-shod begging for his life. "Take me alive," he cried,
spears at one another between the streams of "son of Atreus, and you shall have a full ransom
Simois and Xanthus. for me: my father is rich and has much treasure

[^] First, Ajax son of Telamon, tower of of gold, bronze, and wrought iron laid by in his
strength to the Achaeans, broke a phalanx of house. From this store he will give you a large
the Trojans, and came to the assistance of his ransom should he hear of my being alive and
comrades by killing Acamas son of Eussorus, at the ships of theAchaeans."
the best man among the Thracians, being both [^i] did he plead, and Menelaus was
Thus
brave and of great stature. The spear struck for yielding and giving him to a squire to take
the projecting peak of his helmet: its bronze to the ships of the Achaeans, but Agamemnon
point then went through his forehead into the came running up to him and rebuked him. "My

brain, and darkness veiled his eyes. good Menelaus," said he, "this is no time for
[12] Then Diomed killed Axylus son of giving quarter. Has, then, your house fared so
Teuthranus, a rich man who lived in the strong well at the hands of the Trojans? Let us not
city of Arisbe,and was beloved by all men; for spare a single one of them— not even the child
he had a house by the roadside, and entertained unborn and in its mother's womb; let not a man
every one who passed; howbeit not one of his of them be left alive, but let all in Ilius perish,
guests stood before him to save his life, and unheeded and forgotten."
Diomed killed both him and his squire Cale- [61] Thus did he speak, and his brother was
sius, who was then his charioteer— so the pair persuaded by him, for his words were just.
passed beneath the earth. Menelaus, therefore, thrust Adrestus from him,
[20] Eur)'alus killed Dresus and Opheltius, whereon King Agamemnon struck him in the
and then went in pursuit of /Esepus and Peda- flank, and he fell: then the son of Atreus
sus, whom the naiad nymph Abarbarea had planted his foot upon his breast to draw his
borne to noble Bucolion. Bucolion was eldest spear from the body.
son to Laomedon, but he was a bastard. While [66] Meanwhile Nestor shouted to the Ar-
tending his sheep he had converse with the gives, saying, "My friends, Danaan warriors,
nymph, and she conceived twin sons; these the servants of Mars, let no man lag he maythat
son of Mecisteus now slew, and he stripped the spoil the dead, and bring back much booty to
armour from their shoulders. Polypoetes then the ships. Let us kill as many as we can; the
killed Astyalus, Ulysses Pidytes of Percote, and bodies will lie upon the plain, and you can
Teucer Aretaon. Ablerus fell by the spear of despoil them later at your leisure."
Nestor's son Antilochus, and Agamemnon, king [72] With these words he put heart and soul
of men, killed Elatus who dwelt in Pedasus by into them all. And now the Trojans would
the banks of the river Satnioeis. Leitus killed have been routed and driven back into Ilius,
Phylacus as he was flying, and Eur^'pylus slew had not Priam's son Helenus, wisest of augurs,
Melanthus. said to Hector and /Eneas, "Hector and /Eneas,
Then Menelaus of the loud war-cry took you two are the mainstays of the Trojans and
Adrestus alive, for his horses ran into a tama- Lycians, for you are foremost at all times, alike
risk bush, as they were flying wildly over in fight and counsel; hold your ground here,
the plain, and broke the pole from the car; they and go about among the host to rally them in
went on towards the city along with the others front of the gates, or they will fling themselves
in full flight, but Adrestus rolled out, and fell into the arms of their wives, to the great joy of

40
 BOOK VI 41
our toes. Then, when you have put heart into of frenzied Bacchus through the land of Nvsa,
all our companies, we will stand firm here and and they Hung their thyrsi on the ground as
fight the Danaans however hard they press us, murderous Lvcurgus beat them with his ox-
for there is nothing else to be done. Meanwhile goad. Bacchus himself plunged terror-stricken
do you, Hector, go to the city and tell our into the sea, and Thetis took him to her bosom
mother what is happening. Tell her to bid the to comfort him, for he was scared by the fury
matrons gather at the temple of Minerva in the with which the man reviled him. Thereon the
acropolis; let her then take her kev and open gods who live at ease were angry with Lycurgus
the doors of the sacred building; there, upon and the son of Saturn struck him blind, nor did
the knees of Minerva, her lay the largest,
let he live much longer after he had become hate-
fairest robe she has in her house— the one she ful to the immortals. Therefore I will not fight
sets most store by; let her, moreover, promise to with the blessed gods; but if you are of them
sacrifice twelve yearling heifers that have never that eat the fruit of the ground, draw near and
yet felt the goad, in the temple of the goddess, meet your doom."
if she will take pity on the town, with the wives [144] And the son of Hippolochus answered,
and little ones of the Trojans, and keep the son "Mighty son of Tydeus, why ask me of my
of Tydeus from falling on the goodly city of lineage? Men come and go as leaves year by
Ilius; for he fights with fury and fills men's year upon the trees. Those of autumn the wind
souls with panic. I hold him mightiest of them sheds upon the ground, but when spring re-

all; we did not fear even their great champion turns the forest buds forth with fresh ones.
Achilles, son of a goddess though he be, as we Even so is it with the generations of mankind,
do this man his rage is beyond all bounds, and
: the new spring up as the old are passing away.
there is none can vie with him in prowess." If, then, you would learn my descent, it is one
[102] Hector did as his brother bade him. that is well known to many. There is a citv in
He sprang from his chariot, and went about the heart of Argos, pasture land of horses, called
everywhere among the host, brandishing his Ephyra, where Sisyphus lived, who was the
spears, urging the men on to fight, and raising craftiest of all mankind. He was the son of
the dread cry of battle. Thereon they rallied /Eolus, and had a son named Glaucus, who was
and again faced the Achaeans, who gave ground father to Bellerophon, whom heaven endowed
and ceased their murderous onset, for thev with the most surpassing comeliness and beauty.
deemed that some one of the immortals had But Proetus devised his ruin, and being stronger
come down from starrv heaven to help the than he, drove him from the land of the Ar-
Trojans, so strangely had they rallied. And Hec- gives, over which Jove had made him ruler.
tor shouted to the Trojans, "Trojans and allies, For Antea, wife of Proetus, lusted after him,
be men, my friends, and fight with might and and would have had him lie with her in secret;
main, while I go to Ilius and tell the old men but Bellerophon was an honourable man and
of our council and our wives to pray to the gods would not, so she told lies about him to Proetus.
and vow hecatombs in their honour." 'Proetus,' said she, 'kill Bellerophon or die, for

[ 1 16] With this he went his way, and the he would have had converse with me against
black rim of hide that went round his shield my will.' The king was angered, but shrank
beat against his neck and his ancles. from killing Bellerophon, so he sent him to
[119] Then Glaucussonof Hippolochus,and Lycia with lying letters of introduction, written
the son ofTydeus went into the open space be- on a folded tablet, and containing much ill
tween the hosts to fight in single combat. When against the bearer. He bade Bellerophon show
they were close up to one another Diomed of these letters to his father-in-law, to theend
the loud war-cry was the first to speak. "Who, that he might thus perish; Bellerophon there-
my good sir," said he, "who are you among fore went to Lycia, and the gods convoyed him
men? I have never seen you in battle until now, safely.
but you are daring beyond all others if you [lyz] "When he
reached the river Xanthus,
abide my onset. Woe to those fathers whose which is him with
in Lycia, the king received
sons face my might. If, however, you are one all goodwill, feasted him nine days, and killed

of the immortals and have come down from nine heifers in his honour, but when rosy-
heaven, I will not fight you; for even valiant fingered morning appeared upon the tenth day,
Lycurgus, son of Dryas, did not live long when he questioned him and desired to see the letter
he tookto fighting with the gods. He it was that from his son-in-law Proetus. When he had re-
drove the nursing women who were in charge ceived the wicked letter he first commanded
42 THE ILIAD
Bellerophon to kill that savage monster, the are noble Trojans and allies whom I can
many
Chimaera, who was not a human being, but a kill, overtake them and heaven delivers
if I

goddess, for she had the head of a lion and the them into my hand; so again with yourself,
tail of a serpent, while her body was that of a there are many Achasans whose lives vou may
goat, and she breathed forth flames of fire; but take if you can; we two, then, will exchange
Bellerophon slew her, for he was guided by armour, that all present may know of the old
signs from heaven. He next fought the far- ties that subsistbetween us."
famed Solymi, and this, he said, was the hard- [i^z] With these words they sprang from
est of all his battles. Thirdly, he killed the their chariots, grasped one another's hands, and
Amazons, women who were the peers of men, plighted friendship. But the son of Saturn made
and as he was returning thence the king de- Glaucus take leave of his wits, for he exchanged
vised yet another plan for his destruction; he golden armour for bronze, the worth of a hun-
picked the bravest warriors in all Lycia, and dred head of cattle for the worth of nine.
placed them in ambuscade, but not a man ever l^ij] Now when Hector reached the Scaean
came back, for Bellerophon killed every one of gates and the oak tree, the wives and daughters
them. Then the king knew that he must be the of the Trojans came running towards him to
valiant offspring of a god, so he kept him in ask after their sons, brothers, kinsmen, and
Lycia, gave him his daughter in marriage, and husbands: he told them to set about praying to
made him of equal honour in the kingdom with the gods, and many were made sorrowful as
himself; and the Lycians gave him a piece of they heard him.
land, the best in all the country, fair with vine- [242] Presently he reached the splendid
yards and tilled have and to hold.
fields, to palace of King Priam, adorned with colonnades
[196] "The king's daughter bore Bellerophon of hewn stone. In it there were fiftv bed-
three children, Isander. Hippolochus, and Lao- chambers—all of hewn stone— built near one
dameia. Jove, the lord of counsel, lay with Lao- another, where the sons of Priam slept, each
dameia, and she bore him noble Sarpedon; but with his wedded wife. Opposite these, on the
when Bellerophon came to be hated by all the other side the courtyard, there were twelve
gods, he wandered all desolate and dismayed upper rooms also of hewn stone for Priam's
upon the Alean plain, gnawing at his own daughters, built near one another, where his
heart, and shunning the path of man. Mars, sons-in-law slept with their wives. When Hec-
insatiate of battle, killed his son Isander while tor got there, his fond mother came up to him

he was fighting the Solymi; his daughter was with Laodice the fairest of her daughters. She
killed by Diana of the golden reins, for she was took his hand within her own and said, "My
angered with her; but Hippolochus was father son, why have you left the battle to come
to mvself, and when he sent me to Troy he hither? Are the Achasans, woe betide them,
urged me again and again to fight ever among pressing you hard about the city that you have
the foremost and outvie my peers, so as not to thought fit to come and uplift your hands to
shame the blood of my fathers who were the Jove from the citadel? Wait till I can bring you
noblest in Ephyra and in all Lycia. This, then, wine that you may make offering to Jove and
is the descent I claim." to the other immortals, and may then drink and

[zii] Thus did he speak, and the heart of be refreshed. Wine gives a man fresh strength
Diomed was glad. He
planted his spear in the when he is wearied, as you now are with fight-
ground, and spoke to him with friendly words. ing on behalf of your kinsmen."
'Then," he "you are an old friend of my
said, [26^] And Hector answered, "Honoured
father's house.Great CEneus once entertained mother, bring no wine, lest you unman me and
Bellerophon for twenty days, and the two ex- I forget my dare not make a drink-
strength. I

changed presents. CEneus gave a belt rich with offering to Jove with unwashed hands; one who
purple, and Bellerophon a double cup, which I is bespattered with blood and filth may not

left at home when I set out for Troy. I do not pray to the son of Saturn. Get the matrons to-
remember Tydeus, for he was taken from us gether, and go with offerings to the temple of
while I was yet a child, when the army of the Minerva driver of the spoil; there, upon the
Achaeans was cut to pieces before Thebes. knees of Minerva, lay the largest and fairest
Henceforth, however, I must be your host in robe you have in your house— the one you set
middle Argos, and you mine in Lycia, if I most store by; promise, moreover, to sacrifice
should ever go there; let us avoid one another's twelve yearling heifers that have never yet felt
spears even during a general engagement; there the goad, in the temple of the goddess, if she
 "

BOOK VI 43
will take pitv on the town, with the wives and Helen with her women, setting them their
little ones of the Trojans, and keep the son of several tasks: and as Hector saw him he re-
Tydeus from off the goodly city of Ilius, for he buked him with words of scorn. "Sir," said he,
fights with fury, and fills men's souls with "you do ill to nurse this rancour; the people
panic. Go, then, to the temple of Miner\'a, while perish fighting round this our town; vou would
I seek Paris and exhort him, if he will hear my yourself chide one whom you saw shirking his
words. Would that the earth might open her part in the combat. Up then, or ere long the
jaws and swallow him, for Joye bred him to be city will be in a blaze."
the bane of the Trojans, and of Priam and [33 2] And Alexandrus answered, "Hector,
Priam's sons. Could I but see him go down into your rebuke is just; listen therefore, and be-
the house of Hades, my heart would forget its lieve me when I tell you that am
not here so
I

heaviness. much through rancour or towards the

ill-will

[286] His mother went into the house and Trojans, as from a desire to indulge my grief.
called herwaiting-women who gathered the My wife was even now gently urging me to
matrons throughout the city. She then \yent battle, and I hold it better that I should go, for
down into her fragrant store-room, where her victory is ever fickle. Wait, then, while I put on
embroidered robes were kept, the work of Sido- my armour, or go first and I will follow. I shall
nian women, v\hom Alexandrus had brought be sure to overtake vou."
over from Sidon when he sailed the seas upon 1^42] Hector made no answer, but Helen
that voyage during which he carried oflF noble tried to soothe him. "Brother," said she, "to my
Helen. Hecuba took out the largest robe, and abhorred and sinful self, would that a whirl-
the one that was most beautifully enriched with wind had caught me up on the day my mother
embroider)', as an offering to Minerva: it brought me forth, and had borne me to some
glittered like a star, and lay at the very bottom mountain or to the waves of the roaring sea that
of the chest. With this she went on her way and should have swept me away ere this mischief
many matrons with her. had come about. But, since the gods have de-
[297] \^'hen they reached the temple of Mi- vised these evils, would, at any rate, that I had
ner\'a, lovely Theano, daughter of Cisseus and been wife to a better man— to one who could
wife of Antenor, opened the doors, for the Tro- smart under dishonour and men's evil speeches.
jans had made her priestess of Minerva. The This fellow was never vet to be depended upon,
women lifted up their hands to the goddess nor never will be, and he will surely reap what
with a loud cry. and Theano took the robe to he has sown. Still, brother, come in and rest
lay it upon the knees of Minersa, praying the upon this seat, for it is you who bear the brunt
while to the daughter of great Jove. "Holy Mi- of that toil that has been caused by my hateful
nerva," she cried, "protectress of our city, self and by the sin of Alexandrus— both of
mighty goddess, break the spear of Diomed and whom Jo\e has doomed to be a theme of song
lay him low before the Scaean gates. Do this,
"

among those that shall be born hereafter.

and we will sacrifice twelve heifers that have [359] ^nd
Hector answered, "Bid me not be
ne\'er yet known the goad, in your temple, if seated, Helen, for all the goodwill vou bear me.
you will have pity upon the town, with the I cannot stay. I am in haste to help the Trojans,

wives and little ones of the Trojans." Thus she who miss me greatly when I am not among
prayed, but Pallas Miner\'a granted not her them; but urge your husband, and of his own
prayer. him make haste to overtake me be-
self also let

[^ 2] W^hile they were thus praying to the

1 fore I am
out of the city. I must go home to see
daughter of great Jove, Hector went to the my household, my wife and my little son, for I
fair house of Alexandrus, which he had built know not whether I shall ever again return to
for him by the foremost builders in the land. them, or whether the gods will cause me to fall
They had built him his house, storehouse, and by the hands of the Achasans."
courtyard near those of Priam and Hector on [^69] Then Hector left her, and forthwith
the acropolis. Here Hector entered, with a was at hisown house. He did not find Androm-
spear eleven cubits long in his hand; the bronze ache, for she was on the wall with her child
point gleamed in front of him, and was fast- and one weeping bitterly. Seeing,
of her maids,
ened to the shaft of the spear by a ring of gold. then, that she was not within, he stood on the
He found Alexandrus within the house, busied threshold of the women's rooms and said,
about his armour, his shield and cuirass, and "Women, tell me, and tell me true, where did
handling his curved bow; there, too, sat Argive Andromache go when she left the house? Was
 a

44 THE ILIAD
it to mv sisters, or to my brothers' wives? or is took her in the house of your father. Nay— Hec-
she at the temple of Minerva where the other tor— youuho to me are father, mother, brother,
women are propitiating the awful goddessr" and dear husband— have mercy upon me; stay
[^Si] His good housekeeper answered, "Hec- here upon this wall; make not your child father-
tor, since vou bid me teW you truly, she did not less, and your wife a widow; as for the host,

go to your sisters nor to your brothers' wives, place them near the fig-tree, where the city can
nor yet to the temple of Minerva, where the be best scaled, and the wall is weakest. Thrice
other women are propitiating the awful god- ha\e the bravest of them come thither and
dess, but she is on the high wall of Ilius, for she assailed it, under the two Ajaxes, Idomeneus,
had heard the Trojans were being hard pressed, the sons of Atreus, and the brave son of Tydeus,
and that the Achasans were in great force: there- either of their ov\'n bidding, or because some
fore she went to the wall in frenzied haste, and soothsayer had told them."
the nurse went with her carrying the child." [440] And Hector answered, "Wife, I too
[^90] Hector hurried from the house when ha\e thought upon all this, but with what face
she had done speaking, and went down the should I look upon the Trojans, men or women,
streets bv the same wav that he had come. if I shirked battle like a coward? I cannot do so:

When he had gone through the city and had I know nothing sa\'e to fight bravely in the fore-

reached the Scaean gates through which he front of the Trojan host and win renown alike
would go out on to the plain, his wife came for my father and myself. W'ell do I know that
running towards him, Andromache, daughter the day will surely come when mighty Ilius
of great Eetion who ruled in Thebe under the shall be destroyed with Priam and Priam's peo-
wooded slopes of Mt. Placus, and was king of ple, but I grieve for none of these— not even for
the Cilicians. His daughter had married Hec- Hecuba, nor King Priam, nor for my brothers
tor, and now came to meet him with a nurse many and brave who may fall in the dust be-
who carried his little child in her bosom— fore their foes— for none of these do I grieve as
mere babe. Hector's darling son, and lovely as for yourself when the day shall come on which
a star. Hector had named him Scamandrius, but some one of the Achaeans shall rob you for ever
the people called him Astyanax,* for his father of your freedom, and bear you weeping away. It
stood alone as chief guardian of Ilius. Hector may be that you will have to ply the loom in
smiled as he looked upon the boy, but he did Argos at the bidding of a mistress, or to fetch
not speak, and Andromache stood by him weep- water from the springs Messeis or Hypereia,
ing and taking his hand in her own. "Dear treated brutally by some cruel task-master; then
husband," said she, "your valour will bring will one say who sees you weeping, 'She was
vou to destruction; think on your infant son, wife to Hector, the bravest warrior among the
and on mv hapless self who ere long shall be Trojans during the war before Ilius.' On this
your widow— for the Achaeans will set upon your tears will break forth anew for him who
you in a body and kill you. It would be better would have put away the day of captivity from
for me, should I lose you, to lie dead and you. May I lie dead under the barrow that is
buried, for I shall have nothing left to comfort heaped over my body ere I hear your cr)' as they
me when you are gone, save only sorrow. I have carr\'you into bondage."
neither father nor mother now. Achilles slew [466] He stretched his arms towards his
my father when he sacked Thebe the goodly child, but the boy cried and nestled in his
city of the Cilicians. He slew him, but did not nurse's bosom, scared at the sight of his father's
for yen,' shame despoil him; when he had armour, and at the horse-hair plume that nodded
burned him in his wondrous armour, he raised fiercely from his helmet. His father and mother
a barrow over his ashes and the mountain laughed to see him, but Hector took the helmet
njTnphs, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, planted from his head and laid it all gleaming upon the
a grove of elms about his tomb. I had seven ground. Then he took his darling child, kissed
brothers in my father's house, but on the same him, and dandled him in his arms, praying over
day they went within the house of Hades.
all him the while to Jove and to all the gods.
Achilles killedthem as they were with their "Jove," he cried, "grant that this my child may
sheep and cattle. My mother— her who had be even as myself, chief among the Trojans; let
been queen of all the land under Mt. Placus— him be not less excellent in strength, and let
he brought hither with the spoil, and freed her him rule Ilius with his might. Then may one
for a great sum, but the archer-queen Diana say of him as he comes from battle, The son is
* i.e. "king of the city." far better than the father.' May he bring back
 BOOK VI 45
the blood-stained spoils of him whom he has feet could take him. As a horse, stabled and full
"
laid low, and let his mother's heart be glad.' fed, breaks loose and gallops gloriously over
[482] With this he laid the child again in the plain to the placewhere he is wont to bathe
the arms of his wife, who took him to her own in the fair-flowing river— he holds his head
soft bosom, smiling through her tears. As her high, and his mane streams upon his shoulders
husband watched her his heart yearned towards as he exults in his strength and flies like the
her and he caressed her fondly, saying, "My wind to the haunts and feeding ground of the
own wife, do not take these things too bitterly mares— even so went forth Paris from high
to heart. No one can hurry me down to Hades Pergamus, gleaming like sunlight in his ar-
before my time, but if a man's hour is come, be mour, and he laughed aloud as he sped swiftly
he brave or be he coward, there is no escape for on his way. Forthwith he came upon his brother
him when he has once been born. Go, then, Hector, who was then turning away from the
within the house, and busy yourself with your place where he had held converse with his wife,
daily duties, vour loom, your distaff, and the and he was himself the first to speak. "Sir,"
ordering of vour servants; for war is man's mat- said he, "I fear that I have kept you waiting
ter, and mine above all others of them that have when you are in haste, and have not come as
been born in Ilius." quickly as you bade me."
[494] He took his plumed helmet from the [S2n] "My good brother," answered Hector,
ground, and his wife went back again to her "you fight bravely, and no man with any justice
house, weeping bitterly and often looking back can make light of your doings in battle. But you
towards him. When she reached her home she are careless and wilfully remiss. It grieves me
found her maidens within, and bade them all to the heart to hear the ill that the Trojans
join in her lament; so they mourned Hector in speak about you, for they have suft'ered much
his own house though he was yet alive, for they on your account. Let us be going, and we will
deemed that they should never see him return make things right hereafter, should Jove vouch-
safe from battle, and from the furious hands of safe us to set the cup of our deliverance before
the Achasans. the ever-living gods of heaven in our own
/5037 Paris did not remain long in his house. homes, when we have chased the Achaeans
He donned his goodly armour overlaid with from Troy."
bronze, and hasted through the city as fast as his
 BOOK VII

WITH these words Hector passed

through the gates, and his brother
will
fight
be shamed into finding a
him."
man who will

Alexandrus with him, both eager [4^] Minerva assented, and Helenus son of
for the fray. As when heaven sends a breeze to Priam divined the counsel of the gods; he
sailors who have long looked for one in vain, therefore went up to Hector and said, "Hector
and have laboured at their oars till they are son of Priam, peer of gods in counsel, I am your
faint with toil, e\'en so welcome was the sight brother, let me then persuade vou. Bid the
of these two heroes to the Trojans. other Trojans and Achaeans all of them take
[8] Thereon Alc.xandrus killed Menesthius and challenge the
their seats, best man among
the son of Are'ithoiis; he lived in Arne, and was the Achaeans to meet vou in single combat. I
son of Areithoiis the Mace-man, and of Phy- ha\e heard the voice of the ever-living gods,
lomedusa. Hector threw a spear at Eioneus and and the hour of your doom is not yet come."
struck him dead with a wound in the neck [^4] Hector was glad when he heard this say-
under the bronze rim of his helmet. Glaucus, ing, and went in among the Trojans, grasping
moreover, son of Hippolochus, captain of the his spear by the middle to hold them back, and
Lycians, in hard hand-to-hand fight smote they all sat down. Agamemnon also bade the
Iphinous son of De.xius on the shoulder, as he Achaeans be seated. But Miner\'a and Apollo,
was springing on to his chariot behind his fleet in the likeness of vultures, perched on father
mares; so he fell to earth from the car, and there Jove's high oak tree, proud of their men; and
was no life left in him. the ranks sat close ranged together, bristling
[ly] W'hen, therefore, Miner\'a saw these with shield and helmet and spear. As when the
men making havoc of the Argives, she darted rising west wind furs the face of the sea and
down to Ilius from the summits of Olympus, the waters grow dark beneath it, so sat the com-
and Apollo, who was looking on from Perga- panies of Trojans and Achaeans upon the plain.
mus, went out to meet her; for he wanted the And Hector spoke thus: —
Trojans to be victorious. The pair met by the [6y] "Hear me, Trojans and Achaeans, that
oak tree, and King Apollo son of Jove was first I may speak even as I am minded; Jove on his

to speak. "What would you have," said he, hiph throne has brought our oaths and cove-
"daughter of great Jove, that your proud spirit nants to nothing, and foreshadows ill for both
has sent you hither from Olympus? Have you of US, till you either take the towers of Troy, or
no pity upon the Trojans, and would you in- are yourselves vanquished at your ships. The
cline the scales of victory in favour of the Dan- princes of the Achaeans are here present in the
aansP Let me persuade you— for it will be better midst of vou; let him, then, that will fight me
thus— stay the combat for to-day, but let them stand forward as your champion against Hec-
renew the fight hereafter till they compass the tor. Thus I say, and may Jove be witness be-

doom of Ilius, since you goddesses have made tween us. If your champion slay me, let him
up your minds to destroy the city." strip me of my armour and take it to your ships,

/^33J And Minerva answered, "So be it, Far- but let him send my body home that the Tro-
Darter; it was in this mind that I came down jans and their wives may give me my dues of
from Olympus to the Trojans and Achaeans. fire when Iam dead. In like manner if /\poIlo
Tell me, then, how do you propose to end this vouchsafe me glory and I slay your champion,
present fighting?" I him of his armour and take it to the
will strip
[^y] Apollo, son of Jove, replied, "Let us where I will hang it in the temple
city of Ilius,
incite great Hector to challenge some one of the of Apollo, but I will give up his body, that the
Danaans in single combat; on this the Achaeans Achaeans may bur)? him at their ships, and
46
 BOOK VII 47
build him a mound by the wide waters of the with the armour of King Areithoiis upon his
Hellespont. Then will one sav hereafter as he shoulders— Areithoiis whom men and women
sails hisship over the sea, 'This is the monu- had surnamed 'the Mace-man,' because he
ment of one who died long since— a champion fought neither with bow nor spear, but broke
who was slain by mighty Hector.' Thus will one the battalions of the foe with his iron mace.
say, and my fame shall not be lost." Lvcurgus killed him, not in fair fight, but by
[gz] Thus did he speak, but they all held entrapping him in a narrow way where his
their peace, ashamed to decline the challenge, mace ser\'ed him in no stead; for Lvcurgus was
vet fearing to accept it, till at last Menelaus rose too quick for him and speared him through the
and rebuked them, for he was angr\^ "Alas," he middle, so he fell to earth on his back. Lvcurgus
cried, "vain braggarts, women forsooth not men, then spoiled him of the armour which ^Iars had
double-dved indeed will be the stain upon us if gi\'en him, and bore it in battle thenceforward;
no man of the Danaans will now face Hector. but when he grew old and staved at home, he
Mav vou be turned e\erv man of vou into earth gave it to his faithful squire Ereuthalion, who
and water as vou sit spiritless and inglorious in in this same armour challenged the foremost
vour places. I will mvself go out against this men among us. The others quaked and quailed,
man, but the upshot of the fight will be from on butmv high spirit bade me fight him though
high in the hands of the immortal gods." none other would venture; I was the voungest
[loT,] With these words he put on his ar- man of them all; but when I fought him Mi-
mour; and then, O Menelaus, vour life would nerva vouchsafed me ^'ictor)'. He was the big-
have come to an end at the hands of Hector, for gest and strongest man that ever I killed, and
he was far the better man, had not the princes co\'ered much ground as he lay sprawling upon
of the Achasans sprung upon vou and checked the earth. W^ould that I were still young and
you. King Agamemnon caught him bv the strong as I then was, for the son of Priam would
right hand and said, "Menelaus, you are mad; a then soon find one who would face him. But
truce to this folly. Be patient in spite of passion, vou, foremost among the whole host though
do not think of fighting a man so much stronger you be, ha\'e none of you any stomach for fight-
than yourself as Hector son of Priam, who is ing Hector."
feared bv manv another as well as you. Even [161] Thus did the old man rebuke them,
Achilles, who is far more doughtv than you are, and forthwith nine men started to their feet.
shrank from meeting him in battle. Sit down Foremost of all uprose King Agamemnon, and
among your own people, and the Achaeans will after him brave Diomed the son of Tydeus.
send some other champion to fight Hector; fear- Ne.xt were the two Ajaxes, men clothed in
less and fond of battle though he be, I ween his valour as with a garment, and then Idomeneus,
knees will bend gladlv under him if he comes and Meriones his brother in arms. After these
out alive from the hurlv-burlv of this fight." Eurvpylus son of Euaemon, Thoas the son of
[120] With these words of reasonable coun- Andrasmon, and Ulysses also rose. Then Nestor
sel he persuaded his brother, whereon his knight of Gerene again spoke, saving: "Cast lots
squires gladly stripped the armour from off his among vou to see who shall be chosen. If he
shoulders. Then Nestor rose and spoke, "Of a come ali\'e out of this fight he will have done
truth," said he, "the Achasan land is fallen upon good service alike to his own soul and to the
evil times. The old knight Peleus, counsellor Achasans."
and orator among the Mvrmidons, loved when [^75] Thus he spoke, and when each of
I was in his house to question me concerning them had marked his lot, and had thrown it
the race and lineage of all the Argives. How into the helmet of Agamemnon son of Atreus,
would it not grieve him could he hear of them the people lifted their hands in prayer, and thus
as now quailing before Hector? Many a time would one of them say as he looked into the
would he hands in praver that his soul
lift his vault of heaven, "Father Jove, grant that the
might leave his body and go down within the lot fall on Ajax, or on the son of Tydeus, or
house of Hades. W^ould, bv father Jove, Mi- upon the king of rich Mvcene himself."
nerva, and Apollo, that I were still young and [181] As they were speaking, Nestor knight
strong as when the Pylians and Arcadians were of Gerene shook the helmet, and from it there
gathered in fight by the rapid river Celadon fell the yer\' lot which they wanted— the lot of
under the walls of Pheia, and round about the Ajax. The herald bore it about and showed it to

waters of the river lardanus. The godlike hero all the chieftains of the Achaeans, going from
Ereuthalion stood forward as their champion, left to right; but they none of them owned it.
 '

48 THE ILIAD
When, ho\ve\er, in due course he reached the turn my leathern shield either to right or left,

man who had written upon it and had put it for this deem the main thing in battle. I can
I

into the hchnet, brave Ajax held out his hand, charge among the chariots and horsemen, and
and the herald gave him the lot. When Ajax in hand to hand fighting can delight the heart
saw his mark he knew it- and was glad; he threw of Mars; howbeit I would not take such a man
it to the ground and said, "My friends, the lot as you are off his guard— but I will smite vou
is mine, and I rejoice, for I shall vanquish Hec- openlv if I can."
tor. I will put on mv armour; meanwhile, pray [244] He
poised his spear as he spoke, and
to King Jove in silence among yourselves that hurled from him. It struck the sevenfold
it

the Trojans not hear you— or aloud if vou

mav shield in its outermost laver— the eighth, which
will, for we no man. None shall overcome
fear was of bronze— and went through six of the
me, neither bv force nor cunning, for I was layers but in the seventh hide it stayed. Then
born and bred in Salamis, and can hold mv own Ajax threw in his turn, and struck the round
in all things." shield of the son of Priam. The terrible spear
[zoo] With praying to King
this thev fell went through his gleaming shield, and pressed
Jove the son of Saturn, and thus would one of onward through his cuirass of cunning work-
them sav as he looked into the vault of hea\en, manship; it pierced the shirt against his side,
"Father Jove that rulest from Ida, most glorious but he swerved and thus saved his life. They
in power, vouchsafe victory to Ajax, and let then each of them drew out the spear from his
him win great glorv: but if vou wish well to shield, and fell on one another like savage lions
Hector also and would protect him, grant to or wild boars of great strength and endurance:
each of them equal fame and prowess." the son of Priam struck the middle of Ajax's
Thus they prayed, and Ajax armed him- shield, but the bronze did not break, and the
self in his suit of gleaming bronze. When point of his dart was turned. Ajax then sprang
he was in full arrav he sprang forward as mon- forward and pierced the shield of Hector; the
strous Mars when he takes part among men spear went through it and staggered him as he
whom Jo\e has set fighting with one another— was springing forward to attack; it gashed his
even so did huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achae- neck and the blood came pouring from the
ans, spring forward with a grim smile on his wound, but even so Hector did not cease fight-
face as he brandished his long spear and strode ing; he gave ground, and with his brawny hand
onward. The Argives were elated as they beheld seized a stone, rugged and huge, that was Iving
him, but the Trojans trembled in everv limb, upon the plain; with this he struck the shield of
and the heart even of Hector beat quicklv, but Ajax on the boss that was in its middle, so that
he could not now retreat and withdraw into the the bronze rang again. But Ajax in turn caught
ranks behind him, for he had been the chal- up a far larger stone, swung it aloft, and
lenger. Ajax came up bearing his shield in front hurled it with prodigious force. This millstone
of him like a wall— a shield of bronze with of a rock broke Hector's shield inwards and
seven folds of oxhide— the work of Tvchius, threw him down on his back with the shield
who lived in Hvle and was by far the best crushing him under it, but Apollo raised him at
worker in leather. He had made it with the once. Thereon they would ha\'e hacked at one
hides of seven full-fed bulls, and over these he another in close combat with their swords, had
had set an eighth layer of bronze. Holding this not heralds, messengers of gods and men, come
shield before him, Ajax son of Telamon came forward, one from the Trojans and the other
close up to Hector, and menaced him saving, from the Achaeans— Talthvbius and Idaeus both
"Hector, vou shall now learn, man to man, of them honourable men; these parted them
what kind of champions the Danaans have with their staves, and the good herald Idaeus
among them even besides lion-hearted Achilles said, "My sons, fight no longer, you are both of
cleaver of the ranks of men. He now abides at vou valiant, and both are dear to Jove; ue
the ships in anger with Agamemnon shepherd know this; but night is now falling, and the
of his people, but there are many of us who are behests of night may not be well gainsaid.
well able to face vou; therefore begin the fight." [28^] Ajax son of Telamon answered,
^23 3] And Hector answered, "Xoble Ajax, "Idaeus, bid Hector sav so, for it was he that
son of Telamon, captain of the host, treat me challenged our princes. Let him speak first and
not as though I were some punv bov or woman I will accept his saying."
that cannot fight. I have been long used to the [287] Then Hector said, "Ajax, heaven has
blood and butcheries of battle. I am quick to vouchsafed you stature and strength, and judge-
 BOOK VII 49
ment; and in wielding the spear you excel all build a barrow that shall be raised from the
others of the Achasans. Let us for this day cease plain for all in common; near this let us set
fighting; hereafter we will fight anew till heaven about building a high wall, to shelter ourselves
decide between us, and give victory to one or to and our ships, and let it have well-made gates
the other; night is now falling, and the behests that there may beway through them for our
a
of night may not be well gainsaid. Gladden, chariots. Close outside we will dig a deep trench
then, the hearts of the Achaeans at your ships, all round it to keep off both horse and foot, that
and more especially those of your own followers the Trojan chieftains may not bear hard upon
and clansmen, while I, in the great city of King us."
Priam, bring comfort to the Trojans and their ['3,44] Thus he spoke, and the princes shouted
women, who vie with one another in their in Meanwhile the Trojans held a
applause.
prayers on my behalf. Let us, moreover, ex- council, angry and full of discord, on the acrop
change presents, that it may be said among olis by the gates of King Priam's palace; and

Achaeans and Trojans, 'They fought with might wise Antenor spoke. "Hear me," he said, "Tro-
and main, but were reconciled and parted in jans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may speak
"
friendship.' e\'en as I am minded. Let us give up Argive

[3037 On this he gave Ajax a silver-studded Helen and her wealth to the sons of Atreus, for
sword with its sheath and leathern baldric, and we are now fighting in violation of our solemn
in return Ajax gave him a girdle dved with covenants, and shall not prosper till we have
purple. Thus they parted, the one going to the done as I say."
host of the Achaeans, and the other to that of [354] He then sat down and Alexandrus

the Trojans, who when

they saw their
rejoiced husband of lovely Helen rose to speak. "Ante-
hero come to them safe and unharmed from the nor," said he, "your words are not to my liking;
strong hands of mighty Ajax. They led him, you can find a better saying than this if you
therefore, to the city as one that had been saved will; if, however, you have spoken in good ear-

beyond their hopes. On the other side the nest, then indeed has heaven robbed you of your
Achaeans brought Ajax elated with victory to reason. I will speak plainly, and hereby notify
Agamemnon. to the Trojans that I will not give up the

TsmJ When they reached the quarters of woman; but the wealth that I brought home
the son of Atreus, Agamemnon sacrificed for with her from Argos I will restore, and will add
them a five-year-old bull in honour of Jove the yet further of my own."
son of Saturn. They flayed the carcase, made it [365] On this, when Paris had spoken and
ready, and divided it into joints; these thev cut taken his seat, Priam of the race of Dardanus,
carefully up into smaller pieces, putting them peer of gods in council, rose and with all sin-
on the spits, roasting them sufficiently, and cerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "Hear
then drawing them off. When thev had done me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may
all this and had prepared the feast, they ate it, speak even as I am minded. Get your suppers
and every man had his full and equal share, so now as hitherto throughout the city, but keep
that all were satisfied, and King Agamemnon your watches and be wakeful. At daybreak let
gave Ajax some slices cut lengthways down the Idaeus go to the ships, and tell Agamemnon and
loin, as a mark of special honour. As soon as Menelaus sons of Atreus the saying of Alexan-
they had had enough to eat and drink, old drus through whom this quarrel has come about;
Nestor whose counsel was ever truest began to and let him also be instant with them that they
speak; with all sincerity and goodwill, there- now cease fighting till we burn our dead; here-
fore, he addressed them thus: — after we will fight anew, till heaven decide be-
[^2.y] "Son of Atreus, and other chieftains, tween us and give victory to one or to the other."
inasmuch as many of the Achaeans are now [579] Thus did he speak, and they did even
dead, whose blood Mars has shed by the banks as he had said. They took supper in their com-
of the Scamander, and their souls have gone panies and at daybreak Idaeus went his way to
down to the house of Hades, it will be well the ships. He found the Danaans, servants of
when morning comes that we should cease Mars, in council at the stern of Agamemnon's
fighting; we will then wheel our dead together ship, and took his place in the midst of them.
with oxen and mules and bum them not far "Son of Atreus," he said, "and princes of the
from the ships, that when we sail hence we may Achaean host, Priam and the other noble Tro-
take the bones of our comrades home to their jans have sent me to tell you the saying of
children. Hard by the funeral pyre we will Alexandrus through whom this quarrel has
 "

5° THE ILIAD
come about, if so be that you may find it ac- that was common for all, and hard by
raised in
ceptable. All the treasure he took with him in this they built ahigh wall to shelter themselves
his ships to Troy— would that he had sooner and their ships; they gave it strong gates that
perished— he will restore, and will add yet fur- there might be a way through them for their
ther of his own, but he will not give up the chariots, and close outside it thev dug a trench
wedded wife of Menelaus, though the Trojans deep and wide, and they planted it within with
would have him do so. Priam bade me inquire stakes.
further if you will cease fighting till we burn [444] Thus did the Achaeans toil, and the
our dead; hereafter we will fight anew, till gods, seated by the side of Jove the lord of
heaven decide between us and give victory to lightning, marvelled at their great work; but
one or to the other." Neptune, lord of the earthquake, spoke, saying,
[^g8] They all held their peace, but pres- "Father Jove, what mortal in the whole world
entlyDiomed of the loud war-cry spoke, saying, will again take the gods into his counsel? See
'Tet there be no taking, neither treasure, nor you not how the Achasans have built a wall
vet Helen, for even a child may see that the about their ships and driven a trench all round
doom of the Trojans is at hand." it, without offering hecatombs to the gods? The

[40^] Thesons of the Achaeans shouted ap- fame of this wall will reach as far as dawn itself,
plause at the words that Diomed had spoken, and men will no longer think anything of the
and thereon King Agamemnon said to Idasus, one which Phoebus Apollo and myself built
"Idaeus, you have heard the answer the Achae- with so much labour for Laomedon.
ans make you— and I with them. But as con- [44s] Jove was displeased and answered,
cerning the dead, I give you leave to burn them, "What, O shaker of the earth, are you talking
for when men are once dead there should be no about? A god less powerful than yourself might
grudging them the rites of fire. Let Jove the be alarmed at what they are doing, but your
mighty husband of Juno be witness to this cove- fame reaches as far as dawn itself. Surely when
nant." the Achaeans have gone home with their ships,
[412] As he spoke he upheld his sceptre in you can shatter their wall and fling it into the
the sight of all the gods, and Idaeus went back sea; you can cover the beach with sand again,
to the strong city of Ilius. The Trojans and and the great wall of the Achaeans will then be
Dardanians were gathered in council waiting utterly effaced."
his return; when he came, he stood in their [464] Thus did they converse, and by sunset
midst and delivered his message. As soon as the work of the Achaeans was completed; they
they heard it they set about their twofold then slaughtered oxen at their tents and got
labour, some to gather the corpses, and others to their supper. Many ships had come with wine
bring in wood. The Argives on their part also from Lemnos, sent by Euneiis the son of Jason,
hastened from their ships, some to gather the born to him bv Hvpsipyle. The son of Jason
corpses, and others to bring in wood. freighted them with ten thousand measures of
[421] The sun was beginning to beat upon wine, which he sent specially to the sons of
the fields, fresh risen into the vault of heaven Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus. From this
from the slow still currents of deep Oceanus, supply the Achaeans bought their wine, some
when the two armies met. They could hardly with bronze, some with iron, some with hides,
recognise their dead, but they washed the clotted some with whole heifers, and some again with
gore from oflF them, shed tears over them, and captives. They spread a goodly banquet and
lifted them upon their waggons. Priam had for- feasted the whole night through, as also did the
bidden the Trojans to wail aloud, so they heaped Trojans and their allies in the city. But all the
their dead sadly and silently upon the pyre, and time Jove boded them ill and roared with his
having burned them went back to the city of portentous thunder. Pale fear got hold upon
Ilius. The Achaeans in like manner heaped their them, and they spilled the wine from their cups
dead sadly and silently on the pyre, and having on to the ground, nor did any dare drink till he
burned them went back to their ships. had made offerings to the most mighty son of
[433] Now in the twilight when it was not Saturn. Then they laid themselves down to rest

yet dawn, chosen bands of the Achaeans were and enjoyed the boon of sleep.
gathered round the pyre and built one barrow
 BOOK VIII

NOW when Morning,

saffron, had begun
clad in her robe of
to suffuse Ught over
his chariot.Thereon he lashed his horses and
they flew forward nothing loth midway twixt
the earth, Jove called the gods in coun- earth and starry heaven. After a while he
cil on the topmost crest of serrated Olvmpus. reached many-fountained Ida, mother of wild
Then he spoke and all the other gods ga\e ear. beasts, and Gargarus, where are his grove and
"Hear me," said he, "gods and goddesses, that I There the father of gods and men
fragrant altar.
may speak even as I am minded. Let none of stayed his horses, took them from the chariot,
vou neither goddess nor god tr\' to cross me, but and hid them in a thick cloud; then he took
obey me every one of you that I may bring this his seat all glorious upon the topmost crests,
matter to an end. If I see any one acting apart looking down upon the city of Troy and the
and helping either Trojans or Danaans, he shall ships of the Achaeans.
be beaten inordinately ere he come back again [s^] The Achaeans
took their morning meal
to Olvmpus; or I will hurl him down into dark hastily at the ships,and afterwards put on their
Tartarus far into the deepest pit under the earth, armour. The Trojans on the other hand like-
where the gates are iron and the floor bronze, as wise armed themselves throughout the city,
far beneath Hades as heaven is high above the fewer in numbers but nevertheless eager per-
earth, that you may learn how much the might- force to do battle for their wives and children.
iest I am among you. Tr\' me and find out for All the gates were flung wide open, and horse
yourselves. Hang me a golden chain from and foot sallied forth with the tramp as of a
heaven, and lay hold of it all of you, gods and great multitude.
goddesses together— tug as you will, you will [60] When they were got together in one
not drag Jove the supreme counsellor from place, shield clashed with shield, and spear
heaven to earth; but were I to pull at it myself with spear, in the conflict of mail-clad men.
I should draw you up with earth and sea into Mighty was the din as the bossed shields pressed
the bargain, then would I bind the chain about hard on one another— death-cry and shout of
some pinnacle of Olympus and leave you all triumph of slain and slayers, and the earth ran
dangling in the mid firmament. So far am I red with blood.
above all others either of gods or men." [66] Now so long as the day waxed and it
[28] They were frightened and all of them was still morning their weapons beat against one
held their peace, for he had spoken masterfully; another, and the people fell, but when the sun
but at last Minerva answered, "Father, son of had reached mid-heaven, the sire of all balanced
Saturn, king of kings, we all know that your his golden scales, and put two fates of death
might is not to be gainsaid, but we are also sorr\' within them, one for the Trojans and the other
for the Danaan warriors, who are perishing and for the Achaeans. He took the balance by the
coming to a bad end. We howe\er, since
will, middle, and when he lifted it up the day of the
you so bid us, refrain from actual fighting, but Achasans sank; the death-fraught scale of the
we will make serviceable suggestions to the Achaeans settled down upon the ground, while
Argives that they may not all of them perish in that of the Trojans rose heavenwards. Then he
your displeasure." thundered aloud from Ida, and sent the glare
[387 Jove smiled at her and answered, "Take of his lightning upon the Achaeans; when they
heart, my child, Trito-bom; I am not really in saw this, upon them and they were
pale fear fell
earnest, and I wish to be kind to you." sore afraid.
[4 1 ] With this he yoked his fleet horses, with [78] Idomeneus dared not stay nor yet Aga-
hoofs of bronze and manes of glittering gold. memnon, nor did the two Ajaxes, servants of
He girded himself also with gold about the Mars, hold their ground. Nestor knight of
body, seized his gold whip and took his seat in Gerene alone stood firm, bulwark of the Achae-
51
52 THE ILIAD
ans, not of his own will, but one of his horses [130J All had then been lost and no help for
was disabled. Alexandrus husband of lovely it,for they would have been penned up in Ilius
Helen had hit it with an arrow just on the top like sheep, had not the sire of gods and men
of its head where the mane begins to grow away been quick to mark, and hurled a fiery flaming
from the skull, a very deadly place. The horse thunderbolt which fell just in front of Diomed's
bounded in his anguish as the arrow pierced his horses with a flare of burning brimstone. The
brain, and his struggles threw the others into horses were frightened and tried to back be-
confusion. The old man instantly began cutting neath the car, while the reins dropped from
the traces with his sword, but Hector's fleet Nestor's hands. Then he was afraid and said to
horses bore down upon him through the rout Diomed, "Son of Tydeus, turn your horses in
with their bold charioteer, even Hector himself, flight; see you not that the hand of Jove is

and the old man would have perished there and against your To-day he vouchsafes victor\' to
then had not Diomed been quick to mark, and Hector; to-morrow, if it so please him, he will
with a loud cry called Ulysses to help him. again grant it to ourselves; no man, however
[94] "Ulysses," he cried, "noble son of La- brave, may thwart the purpose of Jove, for he is
ertes, where are you flying to, with your back far stronger than any."
turned like a coward? See that you are not [14s] Diomed answered, "All that you have
struck with a spear between the shoulders. said is true; there is a grief however which
Stay here and help me to defend Nestor from pierces me to the very heart, for Hector will talk
this man's furious onset." among the Trojans and say, 'The son of Tydeus
[gy] Ulysses would not give ear, but sped fled before me to the ships.' This is the vaunt
onward to the ships of theAchasans,andtheson he will make, and may earth then swallow me."
ofTydeus flinging himself alone into the thick [iSi] "Son of Tydeus," replied Nestor,
of the fight took his stand before the horses of "what mean you? Though Hector say that you
the son of Neleus. "Sir," said he, "these young are a coward the Trojans and Dardanians will
warriors are pressing you hard, your force is not belie\e him, nor yet the wives of the mighty
spent, and age is heavy upon you, your squire is warriors whom you have laid low."
naught, and your horses are slow to move. A lount [is?] So saying he turned the horses back
mv chariot and see what the horses of Tros can through the thick of the battle, and with a cry
do— howcleverlvthevcanscud hither and thith- that rent the air the Trojans and Hector rained
er over the plain either in flight or in pursuit. I their darts after them. Hector shouted to him
took them from the hero /Eneas. Let our squires and said, "Son of Tydeus, the Danaans have
attend to your own but let us drive mine
steeds, done you honour hitherto as regards your place
straight at the Trojans, that Hector may learn at table, the meals they give you, and the filling
how furiously I too can wield my spear." of your cup with wine. Henceforth they will
[1 iz] Nestor knight of Gerene hearkened to despise vou, for you are become no better than
his words. Thereon the doughty squires, Sthen- a woman. Be off, girl and coward that you are,
elus and kind-hearted Eur^^medon, saw to Nes- you shall not scale our walls through any flinch-
tor's horses, while the two both mounted ing upon my part; neither shall you carrs' off
Diomed's chariot. Nestor took the reins in his our wives in your ships, for I shall kill you with
hands and lashed the horses on; they were soon my own hand."
close up with Hector, and the son of Tydeus [i6j] The son of Tydeus was in two minds
aimed a spear at him as he was charging full whether or no to turn his horses round again
speed towards them. He missed him, but struck and fight him. Thrice did he doubt, and thrice
his charioteer and squire Eniopeus son of noble did Jove thunder from the heights of Ida in
Thebaeus in the breast by the nipple while the token to the Trojans that he would turn the
reins were in his hands, so that he died there battle in their favour. Hector then shouted to
and then, and the horses swerved as he fell them and said, "Trojans, Lycians, and Darda-
headlong from the chariot. Hector was greatly nians, lovers of close fighting, be men, my
grieved at the loss of his charioteer, but let him friends, and with might and with main;
fight
lie for all his sorrow, while he went in quest of I see that Jove is minded to vouchsafe victory

another driver; nor did his steeds have to go and great glory to myself, while he will deal
long without one, for he presently found brave destruction upon the Danaans. Fools, for hav-
Archeptolemus the son of Iphitus, and made ing thought of building this weak and worthless
him get up behind the horses, giving the reins wall. It shall not stay my fury; my horses will
into his hand. spring lightly o\ er their trench, and when I am

I
 BOOK VIII 53
at their ships forget not to bring me fire that I shouted to theDanaans, saying, "Argives,
may burn them, while I slaughter the Argives shame on you cowardly creatures, brave in sem-
who will be all dazed and bewildered by the blance only; where are now our vaunts that we
smoke." should prove victorious— the vaunts we made so
[184] Then he cried to his horses, "Xanthus vaingloriously in Lemnos, when we ate the
and Podargus, and you /Ethon and goodly Lam- flesh of horned cattle and filled our mixing-
pus, pay me for your keep now and for all the bowls to the brim? You vowed that you would
honey-sweet corn with which Andromache each of you stand against a hundred or two
daughter of great Eetion has fed you, and for hundred men, and now you prove no match
the way in which she has mixed wine and water even for one— for Hector, who will be ere long
for you to drink whenever you would, before setting our ships in a blaze. Father Jove, did
doing so even for me who am her own husband. you ever so ruin a great king and rob him so
Haste in pursuit, that we may take the shield utterly of his greatness? yet, when to my sorrow
of Nestor, the fame of which ascends to heaven, I was coming hither, I never let my ship pass
for it is of solid gold, arm-rods and all, and that your altars without offering the fat and thigh-
we may strip from the shoulders of Diomed the bones of heifers upon every one of them, so
cuirass which Vulcan made him. Could we take eager was I to sack the city of Troy. Vouchsafe
these two things, the Achaeans would set sail in me then this prayer— suffer us to escape at any
their ships this self-same night." rate with our lives, and let not the Achaeans be
[198] Thus did he vaunt, but Queen Juno so utterly vanquished by the Trojans."
made high Olympus quake as she shook with [24s] Thus did he ^^ray, and father Jove
rage upon her throne. Then said she to the pitying his tears vouchsafed him that his people
mighty god Neptune, "What now, wide ruling should live, not die; forthwith he sent them an
lord of the earthquake? Can you find no com- eagle, most unfailingly portentous of all birds,
passion in your heart for the dying Danaans, with a young fawn in its talons; the eagle
who bring you many a welcome offering to dropped the fawn by the altar on which the
Helice and to ^^gae? Wish them well then. If Achaeans sacrificed to Jove the lord of omens;
all of us who are with the Danaans were to when, therefore, the people saw that the bird
drive the Trojans back and keep Jove from had come from Jove, they sprang more fiercely
helping them, he would have to sit there sulk- upon the Trojans and fought more boldly.
ing alone on Ida." [2537 There was no man of all the many
[208] King Neptune was greatly troubled Danaans who could then boast that he had
and answered, "Juno, rash of tongue, what are driven his horses over the trench and gone forth
you talking about? We other gods must not set to fight sooner than the son of Tydeus; long
ourselves against Jove, for he is far stronger before any one else could do so he slew an
than we are." armed warrior of the Trojans, Agelaus the son
[2 1 2] Thus did they converse; but the whole of Phradmon. He had turned his horses in
space enclosed by the ditch, from the ships flight, but the spear struck him in the back mid-
even to the wall, was filled with horses and way between his shoulders and went right
warriors, who were pent up there by Hector through his chest, and his armour rang rattling
son of Priam, now that the hand of Jove was round him as he fell forward from his chariot.
with him. He would even have set fire to the [26 1 ] After him came Agamemnon and Men-
ships and burned them, had not Queen Juno elaus, sons of Atreus, the two Ajaxes clothed in
put it into the mind of Agamemnon, to bestir valour as with a garment, Idomeneus and his
himself and to encourage the Achaeans. To this companion in arms Meriones, peer of murder-
end he went round the ships and tents carrying ous Mars, and Eurypylus the brave son of Euae-
a great purple cloak, and took his stand by the mon. Ninth came Teucer with his bow, and
huge black hull of Ulysses' ship, which was took his place under cover of the shield of Ajax
middlemost of all; it was from this place that son of Telamon. When Ajax lifted his shield
his voice would carry farthest, on the one hand Teucer would peer round, and when he had
towards the tents of Ajax son of Telamon, and hit any one in the throng, the man would fall
on the other towards those of Achilles— for dead; then Teucer would hie back to Ajax as
these two heroes, well assured of their own a child to its mother, and again duck down
strength, had valorously drawn up their ships under his shield.
at the two ends of the line. From this spot then, f 2737 Which of the Trojans did brave Teu-
with a voice that could be heard afar, he cer first kill? Orsilochus, and then Ormenus and
54 THE ILIAD
Ophelestes, Daetor, Chromius, and godlike Lyc- him just where the collar-bone divides the neck
ophontes, Amopaon son of Polvaemon, and Mel- from the chest, a very deadly place, and broke
anippus. All these in turn did he lay low upon the sinew of his arm so that his wrist was power-
the earth, and King Agamemnon was glad less, and the bow dropped from his hand as he

when he saw him making havoc of the Trojans fell forward on his knees. Ajax saw that his

with his mighty bow. He went up to him and brother had fallen, and running towards him
said, "Teucer, man after mv own heart, son of bestrode him and sheltered him with his shield.
Telamon, captain among the host, shoot on, Meanwhile his two trusty squires, Mecisteus
and be at once the saving of the Danaans and son of Echius, and Alastor, came up and bore
the glory of your father Telamon, who brought him to the ships groaning in his great pain.
you up and took care of you in his own house [335] Jo^'^ now again put heart into the Tro-
when you were a child, bastard though you jans, and they drove the Achaeans to their deep
were. Cover him with glory though he is far trench with Hector in all his glory at their head.
off; I will promise and I will assuredly perform; As a hound grips a wild boar or lion in flank or
if aegis-bearing Jove and Minerva grant me to buttock when he gives him chase, and watches
sack the city of Ilius, you shall have the next warily for his wheeling, even so did Hector fol-
best meed of honour after my own— a tripod, or low close upon the Achaeans, ever killing the
two horses with their chariot, or a woman who hindmost as they rushed panic-stricken on-
shall go up into your bed." wards. When they had fled through the set
[igz] And Teucer answered, "Most noble stakes and trench and many Achaeans had been
son of Atreus, you need not urge me; from the laid low at the hands of the Trojans, they halted
moment we began to drive them back to Ilius, at their ships, calling upon one another and
I have never ceased so far as in me lies to look praying every man instantly as they lifted up
out for men whom I can shoot and kill; I have their hands to the gods; but Hector wheeled his
shot eight barbed shafts, and all of them have horses this way and that, his eyes glaring like
been buried in the flesh of warlike youths, but those of Gorgo or murderous Mars.
this mad dog I cannot hit." [35°] Juno when she saw them had pity
l^oo] As he spoke he aimed another arrow upon them, and at once said to Minerva, "Alas,
straight at Hector, for he was bent on hitting child of aegis-bearing Jove, shall you and I take
him; nevertheless he missed him, and the arrow no more thought for the dying Danaans, though
hit Priam's brave son Gorgythion in the breast. it be the last time we ever do so? See how they
His mother, fair Castianeira, lovely as a god- perish and come to a bad end before the onset
dess, had been married from /Esyme, and now of but a single man. Hector the son of Priam
he bowed his head as a garden poppy in full rages with intolerable fury, and has already
bloom when it is weighed down by showers in done great mischief."
spring— even thus heavily bowed his head be- [357] Minerva answered, "Would, indeed,
neath the weight of his helmet. this fellow might die in his own land, and fall
[^jo] Again he aimed at Hector, for he was by the hands of the Achaeans; but my father
longing to hit him, and again his arrow missed, Jove is mad with spleen, ever foiling me, ever
for Apollo turned it aside; but he hit Hector's headstrong and unjust. He forgets how often I
brave charioteer Archeptolemus in the breast, saved his son when he was worn out by the
by the nipple, as he was driving furiously into labours Eurystheus had laid on him. He would
the fight. The horses swerved aside as he fell weep till his cry came up to heaven, and then
headlong from the chariot, and there was no life Jove would send me down to help him; if I had
left in him. Hector was greatly grieved at the had the sense to foresee all this, when Eurys-
loss of his charioteer, but for all his sorrow he theus sent him to the house of Hades, to fetch
let him lie where he fell, and bade his brother the hell-hound from Erebus, he would never
Cebriones, who was hard by, take the reins. have come back alive out of the deep waters of
Cebriones did as he had said. Hector thereon the river Styx. And now Jove hates me, while
with a loud cry sprang from his chariot to the he lets Thetis have her way because she kissed
ground, and seizing a great stone made straight his knees and took hold of his beard, when she
for Teucer with intent to kill him. Teucer had was begging him to do honour to Achilles. I
just taken an arrow from his quiver and had shall know what to do next time he begins call-
laid it upon the bow-string, but Hector struck ing me his grey-eyed darling. Get our horses
him with the jagged stone as he was taking aim ready, while I go within the house of aegis-
and drawing the string to his shoulder; he hit bearing Jove and put on my armour; we shall
 BOOK VIII 55
then find out whether Priam's son Hector will Jove, I am
not for fighting men's battles further
be glad to meet us in the highways of battle, in defiance of Jove. Let them live or die as luck
or v\hether the Trojans will glut hounds and willhave it, and let Jove mete out his judge-
vultures with the fat of their flesh as they lie ments upon the Trojans and Danaans accord-
dead by the ships of the Achaeans." ing to his own pleasure."
l^Si] Thus did she speak and white-armed [4327 She turned her steeds; the Hours pres-
Juno, daughter of great Saturn, obeyed her ently unyoked them, made them fast to their
words; she set about harnessing her gold- ambrosial mangers, and leaned the chariot
bedizened steeds, while Minerva daughter of against the end wall of the courtyard. The two
aegis-bearing Jove flung her richlv embroidered goddesses then sat down upon their golden
vesture, made with her own hands, on to the thrones, amid the company of the other gods;
threshold of her father, and donned the shirt of but they were very angry.
Jove, arming herself for battle. Then she stepped [43 8 j Presently father Jove drove his chariot
into her flaming chariot, and grasped the spear to Olympus, and entered the assembly of gods.
so stout and sturdy and strong with which she The mighty lord of the earthquake unyoked
quells the ranks of heroes who have displeased his horses for him, set the car upon its stand,
her. Juno lashed her horses, and the gates of and threw a cloth over it. Jove then sat down
heaven bellowed as they flew open of their own upon his golden throne and Olympus reeled be-
accord— gates over which the Hours preside, in neath him. Miner\'a and Juno sat alone, apart
whose hands are heaven and Olympus, either from Jove, and neither spoke nor asked him
to open the dense cloud that hides them or to questions, but Jove knew what they meant, and
close it. Through these the goddesses drove said, "Miner\'a and Juno, why are you so angry?
their obedient steeds. Are you fatigued with killing so many of your
[397] But father Jove when he saw them dear friends the Trojans? Be this as it may,
from Ida was very angry, and sent winged Iris such is the might of my hands that all the gods
with a message to them. "Go," said he, "fleet in Olympus cannot turn me; you were both of
Iris, turn them back, and see that they do not you trembling all over ere ever you saw the fight
come near me, for if we come to fighting there and its terrible doings. I tell you therefore— and
will be mischief. This is what I say, and this is it would have surely been— I should have struck

what I mean to do. I will lame their horses for you with lightning, and your chariots would
them; I will hurl them from their chariot, and never have brought you back again to Olym-
will break it them all ten
in pieces. It will take pus."
years to heal the wounds my lightning shall in- [457] Minerva and Juno groaned in spirit as
upon them;
flict my grey-eyed daughter will they sat side by side and brooded mischief for
then learn what quarrelling with her father the Trojans. Minerva sat silent without a word,
means. I am less surprised and angry with Juno, for she was in a furious passion and bitterly in-
for whatever I say she always contradicts me." censed against her father; but Juno could not
[409] With this Iris went her way, fleet as contain herself and said, "What, dread son of
the wind, from the heights of Ida to the lofty Saturn, are you talking about? We
know how
summits of Olympus. She met the goddesses at great your power is, nevertheless we have com-
the outer gates of its many valleys and gave passion upon the Danaan warriors who are per-
them her message. "What," said she, "are you ishing and coming to a bad end. We will, how-
about? Are you mad? The son of Saturn forbids ever, since you so bid us, refrain from actual
your going. This is what he says, and this is fighting, but we will make serviceable sugges-
what he means to do, he will lame your horses tions to the Argives, that they may not all of
for you, he will hurl you from your chariot, them perish your displeasure."
in
and will break it in pieces. It will take you all [469] And Jove answered, "To-morrow morn-
ten years to heal thewounds his lightning will ing, Juno, if you choose to do so, you will see
upon you, that you may learn, grey-eyed
inflict the son of Saturn destroying large numbers of
goddess, what quarrelling with your father the Argives, for fierce Hector shall not cease
means. He is less hurt and angr>' with Juno, for fighting till he has roused the son of Peleus
whatever he says she always contradicts him— when they are fighting in dire straits at their
but you, bold hussy, will you really dare to raise ships' sterns about the body of Patroclus. Like
your huge spear in defiance of Jove?" it or no, this is how it is decreed; for aught I

[4257 With this she left them, and Juno said care, you may go to the lowest depths beneath
to Minerva, "Of a truth, child of aegis-bearing earth and sea, where lapetus and Saturn dwell
56 THE ILIAD
in lone Tartarus with neither ray of hght nor at daybreak I will instruct vou further. I pray
breath of wind to cheer them. You may go on in hope to Jove and to the gods that we may
and on till you get there, and I shall not care then drive those fate-sped hounds from our
one whit for your displeasure; you are the great- land, for 'tis the fates that have borne them and
est vixen living." their ships hither. This night, therefore, let us

[484] Juno made him no answer. The sun's keep watch, but with early morning let us put
glorious orb now sank into Oceanus and drew on our armour and rouse fierce war at the ships

down night over the land. Sorry indeed were of the Achaeans; I shall then know whether
the Trojans when light failed them, but wel- brave Diomed the son of Tydeus will drive me
come and thrice prayed for did darkness fall back from the ships to the wall, or whether I
upon the Achaeans. shall mvself slav him and carrv off his blood-

[489] Then Hector led the Trojans back stained spoils. To-morrow let him show his
from the ships, and held a council on the open mettle, and abide my spear if he dare. I ween
space near the river, where there was a spot that at break of day, he shall be among the first
clear of corpses. Thev left their chariots and sat to fall and many another of his comrades round

down on the ground to hear the speech he made him. Would that I were as sure of being im-
them. He grasped a spear eleven cubits long, mortal and never growing old, and of being
the bronze point of which gleamed in front of worshipped like Minerva and Apollo, as I am
it,while the ring round the spear-head was of that this dav will bring evil to the Argives."
gold. Spear in hand he spoke. "Hear me," said [S4^] Ihus spoke Hector and the Trojans
he, "Trojans, Dardanians, and allies. I deemed shouted applause. They took their sweating
but now that I should destroy the ships and all steeds from under the yoke, and made them
the Achaeans with them ere I went back to Ilius, fast each by his own chariot. They made haste

but darkness came on too soon. It was this alone to bring sheep and cattle from the city, they

that saved them and their ships upon the sea- brought wine also and corn from their houses
shore. Now, therefore, let us obev the behests and gathered much wood. They then offered
of night, and prepare our suppers. Take your unblemished hecatombs to the immortals, and
horses out of their chariots and give them their the wind carried the sweet savour of sacrifice
feeds of corn; then make speed to bring sheep to heaven— but the blessed gods partook not
and cattle from the city; bring wine also and Priam
thereof, for thev bitterly hated Ilius with
corn for your horses and gather much wood, and Priam's people. Thus high in hope they sat
that from dark till dawn we may burn watch- through the liA'elong night by the highways of
fires whose flare may reach to heaven. For the war, and many a watchfire did they kindle. As
Achaeans mav try to fly beyond the sea by night, when the stars shine clear, and the moon is
and they must not embark scatheless and un- bright— there is not a breath of air, not a peak
molested; many a man among them must take a nor glade nor jutting headland but it stands out
dart with him to nurse at home, hit with spear in the ineffable radiance that breaks from the
or arrow as he is leaping on board his ship, that serene of heaven; the stars can all of them be
others may fear to bring war and weeping upon told and the heart of the shepherd is glad— even
the Trojans. Moreover let the heralds tell it thus shone the watchfires of the Trojans before
about the city that the growing youths and grey- Ilius midway between the ships and the river
bearded men are to camp upon its heaven-built Xanthus. A thousand camp-fires gleamed upon
walls. Let the women each of them light a great the plain, and in the glow of each there sat
fire in her house, and let watch be safely kept fifty men, while the horses, champing oats and

lest the town be entered bv surprise while the corn beside their chariots, waited till dawn
host is outside. See to it, brave Trojans, as I should come.
have said, and let this suffice for the moment;
 BOOK IX

THUS
comrade
did the Trojans watch. But Panic,
of bloodstained Rout, had taken
own mind is set upon
is
going home— go— the way
open to you; the many ships that followed
fast hold of the Achaeans, and their princes you from Mycene stand ranged upon the sea-
were all of them in despair. As when the two shore; but the rest of us will stay here till we
winds that blow from Thrace— the north and have sacked Troy. Nay though these too should
the northwest— spring up of a sudden and rouse turn homeward with their ships, Sthenelus and
the fun*^ of the main— in a moment the dark myself will still fight on till we reach the goal
waves uprear their heads and scatter their sea- of Ilius,for heaven was with us when we came."
wrack in all directions— even thus troubled were [)o] The sons of the Achaeans shouted ap-
the hearts of the Achaeans. plause at the words of Diomed, and presently
[g] The son of Atreus in dismay bade the Nestor rose to speak. "Son of Tydeus," said he,
heralds call the people to a council man by man, "in war your prowess is beyond question, and
but not to cry the matter aloud; he made haste in council you excel all who are of your own
also himself to call them, and they sat sorry at years; no one of the Achaeans can make light
heart in their assembly. Agamemnon shed tears of what you say nor gainsay it, but you have
as were a running stream or cataract on the
it not yet come to the end of the whole matter.
side of some sheer cliff; and thus, with many You are still young— you might be the youngest
a heavy sigh he spoke to the Achaeans. "My of my own children— still you have spoken
friends," said he, "princes and councillors of wisely and have counselled the chief of the
the Argives, the hand of heaven has been laid Achaeans not without discretion; nevertheless
heavily upon me. Cruel Jove gave me his solemn I am older than you and I will tell you every-

promise that I should sack the city of Troy be- thing; therefore let no man, not even King
fore returning, but he has played me false, and Agamemnon, disregard my saying, for he that
is now bidding me go ingloriously back to Argos foments civil discord is a clanless, hearthless
with the loss of much people. Such is the will outlaw.
of Jove, who has laidmany a proud city in the [6^] "Now, however, let us obey the behests
dust as he will yet lay others, for his power is of night and get our suppers, but let the sen-
above Now, therefore, let us all do as I say
all. tinels every man of them camp by the trench
and back to our own country, for we shall
sail that is without the wall. I am giving these in-
not take Troy." structions to the young men; when they have
[29] Thus he spoke, and the sons of the been attended to, do you, son of Atreus, gi\'e
Achaeans for a long while sat sorrowful there, your orders, for you are the most royal among
but they all held their peace, till at last Diomed us all. Prepare a feast for your councillors; it is
of the loud battle-cry made answer saying, "Son right and reasonable that you should do so;
of Atreus, I will chide your folly, as is my right there is abundance of wine in your tents, which
in council. Be not then aggrieved that I should the ships of the Achaeans bring from Thrace
do so. In the first place you attacked me before daily. You have eyer\'thing at your disposal
all the Danaans and said that I was a coward wherewith to entertain guests, and you have
and no soldier. The Argives young and old many subjects. When many are got together,
know that you did so. But the son of scheming vou can be guided by him whose counsel is
Saturn endowed you by halves only. He gave wisest— and sorely do we need shrewd and pru-
you honour as the chief ruler over us, but dent counsel, for the foe has lit his watchfires
valour, which is the highest both right and hard by our ships. Who can be other than dis-
might, he did not give you. Sir, think you that mayed? This night will either be the ruin of
the sons of the Achaeans are indeed as unwar- our host, or save it."
like and cowardly as you say they are? If your [79] Thus did he speak, and they did even
57
58 THE ILIAD
as he had said. The sentinels went out in their won races and carried off prizes. Rich, indeed,

armour under command of Nestor's son Thras- both in land and gold is he that has as many
ymedes, a captain of the host, and of the bold prizes as my horses have won me. I will give
warriors Ascalaphus and lalmenus: there were him seven excellent workwomen, Lesbians,

also Meriones, Aphareus and Deipyrus, and whom chose for myself when he took Lesbos
I

the son of Creion, noble Lycomedes. There —all of surpassing beauty. I will give him these,
were seven captains of the sentinels, and with and with them her whom I erewhile took from
each there went a hundred youths armed with him, the daughter of Briseus; and I swear a
I never went up into her couch,
long spears: they took their places midway be- great oath that
tv\cen the trench and the wall, and when they nor have been with her after the manner of
had done so they lit their fires and got every men and women.
man his supper. [i^sJ "All these things will I give him now
[89] son of Atreus then bade many
The down, and if hereafter the gods vouchsafe me
councillors of the Achaeans to his quarters and to sack the city of Priam, let him come when

prepared a great feast in their honour. They we Achaeans are dividing the spoil, and load
laid their hands on the good things that were his ship with gold and bronze to his liking;
before them, and as soon as they had had enough furthermore let him take twenty Trojan women,
to eat and drink, old Nestor, whose counsel was the loveliest after Helen herself. Then, when
ever truest, was the first to lay his mind before we reach Achaean Argos, wealthiest of all lands,
them. He, therefore, with all sincerity and good- he shall be my son-in-law and I will show him
will addressed them thus. like honour with my own dear son Orestes,

[96] "With yourself, most noble son of who is being nurtured in all abundance. I have
Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, will I both three daughters, Chr^sothemis, Laodice, and
begin my speech and end it, for you are king Iphianassa, let him take the one of his choice,
over much people. Jove, moreover, has vouch- freely and without gifts of wooing, to the house
safed you to wield the sceptre and to uphold of Peleus; I will add such dower to boot as no

righteousness, that you may take thought for man ever yet gave his daughter, and will give
your people under you; therefore it behooves him seven well-established cities, Cardamyle,
you above all others both to speak and to give Enope, and Hire, where there is grass; holy
ear, and to carry out the counsel of another who Pherae and the rich meadows of Anthea; /Cpea
shall have been minded to speak wisely. All also, and the vine-clad slopes of Pedasus, aU

turns on you and on your commands, therefore near the sea, and on the borders of sandy Pylos.
I will sav what I think will be best. No man The men that dwell there are rich in cattle and
will beof a truer mind than that which has been sheep; they will honour him with gifts as
mine from the hour when you, sir, angered though he were a god, and be obedient to his
Achilles by taking the girl Briseis from his tent comfortable ordinances. All this will I do if he
against mv judgment. I urged you not to do so, will now forgo his anger. Let him then yield-
but vou yielded to your own pride, and dis- it is only Hades who is utterly ruthless and un-
honoured a hero whom hea^'en itself had hon- yielding—and hence he is of all gods the one
oured—for you still hold the prize that had been most hateful to mankind. Moreover I am older
awarded to him. Now, however, let us think and more royal than himself. Therefore, let him
how we may appease him, both with presents now obey me."
and fair speeches that may conciliate him." [16^] Then Nestor answered, "Most noble
[lis] And King Agamemnon answered, son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon. The
"Sir, you have reproved my folly justly. I was giftsyou offer are no small ones, let us then send
wrong. I own it. One whom heaven befriends chosen messengers, who may go to the tent of
is in himself a host, and Jove has shown that Achilles son of Peleus without delay. Let those
he befriends this man by destroying much go whom I shall name. Let Phoenix, dear to
people of the Achaeans. I was blinded with pas- Jove, lead the way; let Ajax and Ulysses follow,
sion and yielded to my worser mind; therefore and let the heralds Odius and Eurybates go
I will make amends, and will give him great with them. Now bring water for our hands, and
gifts by way of atonement. I will tell them in bid all keep silence while we pray to Jove the
the presence of you all. I will give him seven son of Saturn, if so be that he may have mercy
tripods that ha\'e never vet been on the fire, and upon us."
ten talents of gold. I will give him twentv iron [773] Thus did he speak, and his saying
cauldrons and twelve strong horses that have pleased them well. Men-servants poured water
 BOOK IX 59
over the hands of the guests, while pages filled ings into the and thev laid their hands upon
fire,

the mixing-bowls with wine and water, and the good things that were before them. As soon
handed it round after giving every man his as thev had had enough to eat and drink, Ajax
drink-offering; then, when
they had made their made a sign to Phoenix, and when he saw this,
offerings, and had drunk each as much as he Ulvsses filled his cup with wine and pledged
was minded, the envoys set out from the tent Achilles.
of Agamemnon son of Atreus; and Nestor, look- [21s] "Hail," said he, "Achilles, we have
ing first to one and then to another, but most had no scant of good cheer, neither in the tent
especially at Ulvsses, was instant with them of Agamemnon, nor yet here; there has been
that thev should prevail with the noble son of plenty to eat and drink, but our thought turns
Peleus. upon no such matter. Sir, we are in the face of
[1S2] Thev went their way by the shore of great disaster, and without vour help know not
the sounding sea, and praved earnestlv to earth- whether we shall save our fleet or lose it. The
encircling Neptune that the high spirit of the Trojans and their allies have camped hard by
son of /Eacus might incline favourably towards our ships and bv the wall; thev have lit watch-
them. When they reached the ships and tents fires throughout their host and deem that noth-

of the Myrmidons, they found Achilles playing ing can now prevent them from falling on our
on cunning workmanship, and its
a Ivre, fair, of fleet. Jove, moreover, has sent his lightnings on

cross-bar was of silver. It was part of the spoils their right; Hector, in all his glor)', rages like
which he had taken when he sacked the citv of a maniac; confident that Jove is with him he

Eetion, and he was now diverting himself with fears neither god nor man, but is gone raving
it and singing the feats of heroes. He was alone mad, and prays for the approach of dav. He
with Patroclus, who sat opposite to him and vows that he will hew the high stems of our
said nothing, waiting till he should cease sing- ships in pieces, set fire to their hulls, and make
ing. Ulvsses and Ajax now came in— Ulvsses havoc of the Achaeans while thev are dazed and
leading the way— and stood before him. Achilles smothered in smoke; I much fear that heaven
sprang from his seat with the lyre still in his will make good his boasting, and it will prove
hand, and Patroclus, when he saw the strangers, our lot to perish at Trov far from our home in
rose also. Achilles then greeted them saying, Argos. Up, then, and late though it be, save the
"All hail and welcome— vou must come upon sons of the Achasans who faint before the fury
some great matter, you, who for all mv anger of the Trojans. You will repent bitterly here-
are still dearest to me of the Achaeans." after if you do not, for when the harm is done
1 199] With this he led them foru'ard, and there will be no curing it; consider ere it be too
bade them sit on seats covered with purple rugs; late, and save the Danaans from destmction.
then he said to Patroclus who was close bv him, /^252J "My good friend, when your father
"Son of Menoetius, set a larger bowl upon the Peleus sent you from Phthia to Agamemnon,
table, mix less water with the wine, and give did he not charge vou saving, 'Son, Minerva
every man his cup, for these are ver\' dear and Juno will make you strong if they choose,
friends, who are now under mv roof." but check your high temper, for the better part
[20s] Patroclus did as his comrade bade him; is in goodwill. Eschew vain quarrelling, and

he set the chopping-block in front of the fire, the Achaeans old and young will respect you
and on it he laid the loin of a sheep, the loin more for doing so.' These were his words, but
also of a goat, and the chine of a fat hog. Au- you have forgotten them. Even now, however,
tomedon held the meat while Achilles chopped be appeased, and put away your anger from
it; he then sliced the pieces and put them on you. Agamemnon will make you great amends
spits while the son of Menoetius made the fire if you will forgive him; listen, and I will tell

bum high. When the flame had died down, he you what he has said in his tent that he will gi\'e
spread the embers, laid the spits on top of them, you. He will give you seven tripods that have
lifting them up and setting them upon the spit- never yet been on the fire, and ten talents of
racks; and he sprinkled them with salt. When gold; twenty iron cauldrons, and twelve strong
the meat was roasted, he set it on platters, and horses that have won races and carried off
handed bread round the table in fair baskets, prizes. Rich indeed both in land and gold is he
while Achilles dealt them their portions. Then who has as many prizes as these horses ha\e
Achilles took his seat facing Ulysses against the won for Agamemnon. Moreover he will give
opposite wall, and bade his comrade Patroclus you seven excellent workwomen, Lesbians,
offer sacrifice to the gods; so he cast the offer- whom he chose for himself, when you took
6o THE ILIAD
Lesbos— all of suqjassing beauty. He will give found a morsel takes it to her nestlings, and
vou these, and with them her whom he era- herself fares hardly, even so many a long night
while took from you, the daughter of Briseus, have been wakeful, and many a bloodv battle
I

and he will swear a great oath, he has never have waged by dav against those who were
I

gone up into her couch nor been with her after fighting for their women. With my ships I have
the mannerof men and women. All these things taken twelve cities, and eleven round about
will he give you now down, and if hereafter Troy have I stormed with my men by land;
the gods vouchsafe him to sack the city of I took great store of wealth from every one of

Priam, vou can come when we Achaeans are them, but I gave all up to Agamemnon son of
dividing the spoil, and load your ship with gold Atreus. He staved where he was by his ships,
and bronze to your liking. You can take twenty yet of what came to him he gave little, and kept
Trojan women, the loveliest after Helen her- much himself.
self.Then, when we reach Achaean Argos, [334] "Nevertheless he did distribute some
wealthiest of all lands, you shall be his son-in- meeds of honour among the chieftains and
law, and he will show you like honour with his kings, and these have them still; from me alone
own dear son Orestes, who is being nurtured of the Achaeans did he take the woman in whom
in all abundance. Agamemnon has three daugh- I delighted— let him keep her and sleep with

ters, Chr\'Sothemis, Laodice, and Iphianassa; her. VVhy, pray, must the Argives needs fight

vou mav take the one of your choice, freely and the Trojans? What made the son of Atreus
without gifts of wooing, to the house of Peleus; gather the host and bring them? Was it not
he will add such dower to boot as no man ever for the sake of Helen? Are the sons of Atreus
yet gave his daughter, and will give you seven the only men in the world who love their wives?
well-established cities, Cardamyle, Enope, and Any man of common right feeling will love and
Hire where there is grass; holy Pherae and the cherish her who is his own, as I this woman,
rich meadows of Anthea; /Epea also, and the with my whole heart, though she was but a

vine-clad slopes of Pedasus, all near the sea, and fruitling of my Agamemnon has taken
spear.
on the borders of sandy Pylos. The men that her from me; he has played me false; I know
dwell there are rich in cattle and sheep; they him; let him tempt me no further, for he shall
will honour vou with gifts as though you were not move me. Let him look to you, Ulysses, and
a god, and be obedient to your comfortable to the other princes to save his ships from burn-
ordinances. All this will he do if you will now ing. He has done much without me already. He
forgo your anger. Moreover, though you hate has built a wall; he has dug a trench deep and
both him and his gifts with all your heart, yet wide all round it, and he has planted it within
pity the rest of the Achaeans who are being with stakes; but even so he stays not the mur-
harassed in all their host; they will honour you derous might of Hector. So long as I fought
as a god, and vou will earn great glory at their among the Achaeans Hector suffered not the
hands. You might even kill Hector; he will come battle to range far from the city walls; he would
within vour reach, for he is infatuated, and de- come to the Scaean gates and to the oak tree,
clares that not a Danaan whom the ships have but no further. Once he stayed to meet me—
brought can hold his own against him." and hardlv did he escape mv onset now, how- :

[3077 Achilles answered, "Ulysses, noble son ever, since I am in no mood to fight him, I will
of Laertes, I should give you formal notice to-morrow offer sacrifice to Jove and to all the
plainly and in all fixity of purpose that there be gods; I will draw mv ships into the water and
no more of this cajoling, from whatsoever quar- then victual them duly; to-morrow morning, if
ter it may come. Him do I hate even as the gates vou care to look, you will see my ships on the
of hell who savs one thing while he hides an- Hellespont, and my men rowing out to sea with
other in his heart; therefore I will say what I might and main. If great Neptune vouchsafes
mean. I will be appeased neither by Agamem- me a fair passage, in three days I shall be in
non son of Atreus nor by any other of the Phthia. I have much there that I left behind
Danaans, for I see that I have no thanks for me when I came here to my sorrow, and I shall
all my fighting. He that fights fares no better bring back still further store of gold, of red
than he that does not; coward and hero are held copper, of fair women, and of iron, my share of
in equal honour, and death deals like measure the spoils that we have taken; but one prize, he
to him who works and him who is idle. I have who gave has insolently taken awav. Tell him
taken nothing bv all my hardships— with my all as I now bid you, and tell him in public that

life ever in my hand; as a bird when she has the Achaeans may hate him and beware of him

I
 BOOK IX
should he think that he can yet dupe others— pleasure lasts the one that they have now hit
for his effrontery never fails him. upon may not be. As for Phoenix, let him sleep
[37^] "As for me, hound that hehe dares is, here that he may sail with me in the morning
not look me in the face. I no counsel
will take ifhe so will. But I will not take him by force."
with him, and will undertake nothing in com-
[430] They all held their peace, dismayed at
mon with him. He has wronged me and de- the sternness with which he had denied them,
ceived me enough, he shall not cozen me till presently the old knight Phoenix
in his oreat
further; let him go his own way, for Jove has fear for the ships of the Achasans, burst^into
robbed him of his reason. I loathe his presents, tears and said, "Noble you are now
Achilles, if
and for himself care not one straw. He may minded to return, and in the fierceness of
vour
offer me ten or even twenty times what he anger will do nothing to save the ships from
has now done, nay— not though it be all that he burning, how, my son, can I remain here with-
has in the world, both now or ever shall have; out your Your father Peleus bade me go with
he may promise me the wealth of Orchomenus you when he sent you as a mere lad from Phthia
or of Egyptian Thebes, which is the richest city to /Vgamemnon. You knew nothing neither
of
in the whole world, for it has a hundred gates war nor of the arts whereby men make their
through each of which two hundred men may mark in council, and he sent me with you to
drive at once with their chariots and horses; he train you in all excellence of speech and action.
may offer me gifts as the sands of the sea or the Therefore, my son, I will not stay here without
dust of the plain in multitude, but even so he you— no, not though heaven itself vouchsafe
shall not move me till I have been revenged in
to strip my years from off me, and make
full for the bitter wrong he has done me.
me
I will young aswas when I first left Hellas the land
I
not marry his daughter; she may be fair as of fair women. I was then flying the anger of
Venus, and skilful as Minerva, but I will have my father Amyntor, son of Ormenus, who was
none of her: let another take her, who may be a furious withme in the matter of his concubine,
good match for her and who rules a larger king- of whom
he was enamoured to the wrongino of
dom. If the gods spare me to return home, his wife my mother. My mother, therefore,
Peleus will find me a wife; there are Achaean prayed me without ceasing to lie with the
women Hellas and Phthia, daughters of
in woman my father,
myself, that so she might hate
kings that have cities under them; of these I and in the course of time But mvI yielded.
can take whom I will and marry her. Many a father soon came to know, and cursed me bit-
time was I minded when at home in Phthia terly, calling the dread Erinyes to witness. He
to woo and wed woman who would make me
a prayed that no son of mine might ever sit upon
a suitable wife, and to enjoy the riches of
my my knees— and the gods, Jove of the world be-
old father Peleus. My life is more to me than all
low and awful Proserpine, fulfilled his curse.
the wealth of Ilius while it was yet at peace I took counsel to kill him, but some god
stayed
before the Achaeans went there, or than all the
my me think on men's evil
rashness and bade
treasure that lies on the stone floor of Apollo's
tongues and how
should be branded as the
I
temple beneath the cliffs of Pytho. Cattle and murderer of my father: nevertheless I could not
sheep are to be had for harrying, and a man may bear to stay in my father's house with him so
buy both tripods and horses if he wants them, bitter against me. My cousins and clansmen
but when his life has once left him it can came about me, and pressed me sorely to re
neither be bought nor harried back again.
main; many a sheep and many an ox did they
[410] "My mother Thetis tells me that there slaughter, and many hog did they
a fat set down
are two ways in which I may meet my end. If to roast before the fire; many a jar, too, did they
I stay here and fight, I shall not return alive
but broach of my father's wine. Nine whole nights
my name will live for ever: whereas if I go did they set a guard over me taking it in turns
home my name will die, but it will be long ere to watch, and they kept a fire always burning,
death shall take me. To the rest of you, then, I
both in the cloister of the outer court and in
say, 'Go home, for you will not take Ilius.'
Jove the inner court at the doors of the room wherein
has held his hand over her to protect her, and
I lay; but when the darkness of the tenth
night
her people have taken heart. Go, therefore,
as came, I broke through the closed doors of my
in duty bound, and tell the princesof
the Achse- room, and climbed the wall of the outer court
ans the message that I have sent them; tell
after passing quickly and unperceived through
them to find some other plan for the saving of
the men on guard and the women servants. I
their ships and people, for so long as
my dis- then fled through Hellas till I came to fertile
 a

62 THE ILIAD
Phthia, mother of sheep, and to King Peleus, Is -7] "I have an old story in my mind—
who made me welcome and treated me as a \evy old one— but you are all friends and I will
father treats an only son who will be heir to tell it.TheCuretesand the /Etolians were fight-

all his wealth. He made me rich and set me ing and killing one another round Calydon—
o\'cr much people, establishing me on the bor- the /Etolians defending the city and theCuretes
ders of Phthia where I was chief ruler o\'er the trying to destroy it. For Diana of the golden

Dolopians. throne was angry and did them hurt because

[4SS] "It was I, Achilles, who had the mak- CEneus had not offered her his harvest first-
ing of you; loved vou with all my heart: for
I fruits. The other gods had all been feasted with

vou would eat neither at home nor when you hecatombs, but to the daughter of great Jove
had gone out elsewhere, till I had first set you alone he had made no sacrifice. He had for-
upon my knees, cut up the dainty morsel that gotten her, or somehow or other it had escaped
vou were and held the wine-cup to your
to eat, him, and this was a grievous sin. Thereon the
lips. Manv time have you slobbered your wine
a archer goddess in her displeasure sent a prodi-
in baby helplessness over my shirt; I had in- gious creature against him— a savage wild-boar
finite trouble with you, but I knew that heaven with great white tusks that did much harm to
had vouchsafed me no offspring of my own, and his orchard lands, uprooting apple-trees in full
I made a son of you, Achilles, that in my hour bloom and throwing them to the ground. But
of need you might protect me. Now, therefore, Meleager son of CEneus got huntsmen and
I and beat it; cherish
say battle with your pride hounds from many cities and killed it— for it
not vour anger for ever; the might and majesty was so monstrous that not a few were needed,
of heaven are more than ours, but even heaven and many a man did it stretch upon his funeral
may be appeased; and if a man has sinned he pyre. On this the goddess Curetes and
set the
prays the gods, and reconciles them to himself the /Etolians fighting furiously about the head
by his piteous cries and by frankincense, with and skin of the boar.
drink-offerings and the savour of burnt sacrifice. "So long as Meleager was in the field things
For prayers are as daughters to great Jove; halt, went badly with the Curetes, and for all their
wrinkled, with eyes askance, they follow in the numbers they could not hold their ground
footsteps of sin, who, being fierce and fleet of under the city walls; but in the course of time
foot, leaves them far behind him, and ever Meleager was angered as even a wise man will
baneful to mankind outstrips them even to the sometimes be. He was incensed with his mother
ends of the world; but nevertheless the prayers Althaea, and therefore stayed at home with his
come hobbling and healing after. If a man has wedded wife fair Cleopatra, who was daughter
pity upon these daughters of Joxe when they of Marpessa daughter of Euenus, and of Ides
draw near him, thev will bless him and hear the strongest man then living. He it was who
him too when he is praying; but if he deny took his bow and faced King Apollo himself for
them and will not listen to them, they go to fair Marpessa's sake; her father and mother
Jove the son of Saturn and pray that he may then named her Alcyone, because her mother
presently fall into sin— to his ruing bitterly had mourned with the plaintive strains of the
hereafter. Therefore, Achilles, give these halcyon-bird when Phoebus Apollo had carried
daughters of Jove due reverence, and bow be- her off. Meleager, then, stayed at home with
fore them as all good men will bow. Were not Cleopatra, nursing the anger which he felt by
the son of Atreus offering you gifts and promis- reason of his mother's curses. His mother, griev-
ing others later— if he were still furious and im- ing for the death of her brother, prayed the
placable—I am not he that would bid you throw pods, and beat the earth with her hands, calling
oif your anger and help the Achaeans, no matter upon Hades and on awful Proserpine; she went
how great their need; but he is giving much down upon her knees and her bosom was wet
now, and more hereafter; he has sent his cap- with tears as she prayed that they would kill
tains to urge his suit, and has chosen those who her son— and Erinys that walks in darkness and
of all the Argives are most acceptable to you; knows no ruth heard her from Erebus.
make not then their words and their coming to [573] "Then was heard the din of battle
be of none effect. Your anger has been righteous about the gates of Calydon, and the dull thump
so far. Wehave heard in song how heroes of of the battering against their walls. Thereon
old time quarrelled when they were roused to the elders of the /Etolians besought Meleager;
fury, but still they could be won by gifts, and they sent the chiefest of their priests, and
fair words could soothe them. begged him to come out and help them, prom-
 BOOK IX 63
ising him a great reward. They bade him choose remorseless; he is and cares nothing for
cruel,
fifty plough-gates, the most fertile in the plain the love his comrades lavished upon him more
of Calvdon, the one-half vineyard and the other than on all the others. Lie is implacable— and
open plough-land. The old warrior CEneus im- yet if a man's brother or son has been slain he
plored him, standing at the threshold of his will accept a fine by wax of amends from him
room and beating the doors in supplication. that killed him, and the vvrong-docr having
His sisters and his mother herself besought him paid in full remains in peace among his own
sore, but he the more refused them; those of people; but as for you, .Achilles, the gods have
his comrades who were nearest and dearest to put wicked unforgiving spirit in vour heart,
a
him also prayed him, but they could not mo\e and about one single girl, whereas we
this, all
him till the foe was battering at the \'erv doors now offer you the seven best we have, and much
of his chamber, and the Curetes had scaled the else into the bargain. Be then of a more oracious
walls and were setting fire to the city. Then mind, respect the hospitality of vour own roof.
at last his sorrowing wife detailed the horrors We are with you as messengers from the host
that befall those whose city is taken; she re- of the Danaans, and would fain be held nearest
minded him how the men are slain, and the and dearest to yourself of all the ,\chaeans."
city is gi\en over to the flames, while the [644] "Ajax," replied Achilles, "noble son of
women and children are carried into captivity; Telamon, you ha\e spoken much to m\ liking,
when he heard all this, his heart was touched, but my blood boils when I think it all o\er, and
and he donned his armour to go forth. Thus of remember how the son of .Atreus treated me
his own inward motion he sa\ed the city of the with contumely as though I were some vile
/Etolians; but they now gave him nothing of tramp, and that too in the presence of the
those rich rewards that they had offered earlier, Argives. Go, then, and deliver \our message;
and though he saved the city he took nothing say that I will have no concern with fighting till
by it. Be not then, my son, thus minded; let Hector, son of noble Priam, reaches the tents
not heaven lure you into any such course. of the Myrmidons in his murderous course, and
When the ships are burning it will be a harder flings fire upon their ships. For all his lust of
matter to save them. Take the gifts, and go, for battle, I take it he will be held in check when
the Achaeans will then honour you as a god; he is at my own tent and ship."
whereas if you fight without taking them, you [6^6] On this they took every man his dou
may beat the battle back, but you will not be ble cup, made their drink offerings, and went
held in like honour." back to the ships, Lllvsses leading the way.
[606] And Achilles answered, "Phceni.x, old But Patroclus told his men and the maid-ser\'-
friend and father, I have no need of such hon- ants to make ready a comfortable bed for Phoe-
our. I have honour from Jove himself, which nix; they therefore did so with sheepskins, a
will abide with me at my ships while I have rug, and The old man then
a sheet of fine linen.
breath in my body, and my limbs are strong. I laid himself down and waited till morning
say further— and lay my saying to your heart- came. But Achilles slept in an inner room, and
vex me no more with this weeping and lamen- beside him the daughter of Phorbas loxelv Dio-
tation, all in the cause of the son of Atreus. mede, whom he had carried off from Lesbos.
Love him so well, and you may lose the love I Patroclus lay on the other side of the room, and
bear you. You ought to help me rather in with him fair Iphis whom Achilles had gi\en
troubling those that trouble me; be king as him when he took Scyros the city of Enveiis.
much as I am, and share like honour with my- [669] When the en\'oys reached the tents of
self; the others shall take mv answer; stay here the son of Atreus, the Achaeans rose, pledged
yourself and sleep comfortably in your bed; at them in cups of gold, and began to question
daybreak we will consider whether to remain or them. King Agamemnon was the first to do so.
go'" "Tell me, Ulysses," said he, "will he sa\e the
[620] On this he nodded quietly to Patroclus ships from burning, or did he refuse, and is he
as a sign that he was
to prepare a bed for Phoe- still furious?"
nix,and that the others should take their leave. [6y/] Lllysses answered, "Most noble son of
Ajax son of Telamon then said, "Ulysses, noble Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, Achilles will
son of Laertes, let us be gone, for I see that our not be calmed, but is more fiercely angry than
journey is vain. We
must now take our answer, ever, and spurns both you and your gifts. He
unwelcome though it be, to the Danaans who bids you take counsel with the Achaeans to save
are waiting to receive it. Achilles is savage and the ships and host as you best may; as for him-
64 THE ILIAD
self, he said that at daybreak he should draw ought not tohave sued the son of Peleus nor
his ships into the water. He said further that offered him He is proud enough as it is,
gifts.

he should advise every one to sail home like- and you have encouraged him in his pride still
wise, for that you will not reach the goal of further. Let him stay or go as he will. He will
Ilius. 'Jove,' he said, 'has- laid his hand over the fight later when he is in the humour, and
city to protect it, and the people have taken heaven puts it in his mind to do so. Now,
heart.' This is what he said, and the others who therefore, let us all do as I say; we have eaten
were with me can tell you the same story— and drunk our fill, let us then take our rest,
Ajax and the two heralds, men, both of them, for in rest there is both strength and stay. But
who mav be trusted. The old man Phoenix when fair rosy-fingered morn appears, forthwith
stayed where he was to sleep, for so Achilles bring out your host and your horsemen in front
would ha\'e it, that he might go home with of the ships, urging them on, and yourself
him in the morning if he so would; but he will fighting among the foremost."
not take him by force." [710] Thus he spoke, and the other chief-
[692] They all held their peace, sitting for tains appro\ed his words. They then made their
a long time silent and dejected, bv reason of the drink-offeringsand went every man to his own
sternness with which Achilles had refused tent, where thev lay down to rest and enjoyed
them, till presently Diomed said, "Most noble the boon of sleep.
son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, you
 BOOK X
NOW the other princes of the Achaeans
soundly the whole night through,
slept
"Menelaus, we both of us need shrewd counsel
to save the Argives and our ships, for Jove has
but Agamemnon son of Atreus was changed his mind, and inclines towards Hec-
troubled, so that he could get no rest. As when tor's sacrifices rather than ours. I never saw nor

fair Juno's lord flashes his lightning in token of heard tell of any man as having wrought such
great rain or hail or snow when the snow-flakes ruin in one day as Hector has now wrought
whiten the ground, or again as a sign that he against the sons of the Achaeans— and that too
will open the wide jaws of hungry war, even so of hisown unaided self, for he is son neither to
did Agamemnon heave many a heavy sigh, for god nor goddess. The Argives will rue it long
his soul trembled within him. When he looked and deeply. Run, therefore, with all speed by
upon the plain of Troy he marvelled at the the line of the ships, and call Ajax and Idome
many watchfires burning in front of Ilius, and neus. Meanwhile I will go to Nestor, and bid
at the sound of pipes and flutes and of the him rise and go about among the companies ot
hum of men, but when presently he turned our sentinels to give them their instructions:
towards the ships and hosts of the Achaeans, he they will listen to him sooner than to any man,
tore his hair by handfuls before Jove on high, for his own son, and Meriones brother in arms
and groaned aloud for the very disquietness of to Idomeneus, are captains over them. It was to
his soul. In the end he deemed it best to go at them more particularly that we gave this charge."
once to Nestor son of Neleus, and see if be- [60] Menelaus replied, "How do I take your
tween them they could find any way of sa\'ing meaning? Am I to stay with them and wait your
the Achaeans from destruction. He therefore coming, or shall I return here as soon as I have
rose, put on his shirt, bound his sandals about given your orders?" "Wait," answered King
his comely feet, flung the skin of a huge tawny Agamemnon, "for there are so many paths about
lion over his shoulders— a skin that reached his the camp that we might miss one another. Call
feet— and took his spear in his hand. every man on your way, and bid him be stirring:
[2^] Neither could Menelaus sleep, for he, name him by his lineage and by his father's
too, boded ill for the Argives who for his sake name, give each all titular observance, and
had sailed from far over the seas to fight the stand not too much upon your own dignity; we
Trojans. He covered his broad back with the must take our full share of toil, for at our birth
skin of a spotted panther, put a casque of bronze Jove laid this heavy burden upon us."
upon his head, and took his spear in his brawny [y2] With these instructions he sent his
hand. Then he went to rouse his brother, who brother on his way, and went on to Nestor
was by far the most powerful of the Achaeans, shepherd of his people. He found him sleeping
and was honoured by the people as though he in his tent hard by his own ship: his goodly ar-
were a god. He found him by the stern of his mour lay beside him— his shield, his two spears
ship already putting his goodly array about his and his helmet: beside him also lay the gleam-
shoulders, and right glad was he that his brother ing girdle with which the old man girded him-
had come. self when he armed to lead his people into bat-

[^4] Menelaus spoke first. "Why," said he, tle—for his age stayed him not. He raised him-
"my dear brother, you thus arming? Are vou
are self on his elbow and looked up at Agamemnon.
going to send any of our comrades to exploit the "Who is it," said he, "that goes thus about the
Trojans? I greatly fear that no one will do you host and the ships alone and in thedead of
this service, and spy upon the enemy alone in night, when men are sleeping? Are you look-
the dead of night. It will be a deed of great ing for one of your mules or for some comrade?
"

daring. Do not stand there and say nothing, but speak.

[42] And King Agamemnon answered. What is your business?"

65
 '

66 THE ILIAD
[87] And Agamemnon
answered, "Nestor, First he called loudly to Ulysses peer of gods in

son of Neleus. honour to the Achaean name, it counsel and woke him, for he was soon roused
is I, Agamemnon son of Atreus, on whom Jove bv the sound of the battle-cry. He came outside
has laid labour and sorrow so long as there is his tent and said, "Why do you go thus alone
breath in mv body and my limbs carry me. I about the host, and along the line of the ships
am thus abroad because sleep sits not upon my in the stillness of the night? What is it that you
eyelids, but mv heart is big with war and with find so urgent?" AndNestor knight of Gerene
the jeopardv of the Achaeans. I am in great answered, "Ulvsses, noble son of Laertes, take
fear for the Danaans. I am at sea, and without it not amiss, for the Achaeans are in great

sure counsel; my heart beats as though it would straits. Come with me and let us wake some

leap out of mv body, and my limbs fail me. If other, v\'ho may advise well with us whether we
then vou can do anything— for you too cannot shall fight or fly."

sleep— let us go the round of the watch, and [148] On this Ulysses went at once into his
see whether thev are drowsy with toil and tent, put his shield about his shoulders and
sleeping to the neglect of their duty. The enemy came out with them. First they went to Diomed
is encamped hard by, and we know not but he son of Tydeus, and found him outside his tent
mav attack us by night." clad in his armour with his comrades sleeping
[102] Nestor replied, "Most noble son of round him and using their shields as pillows; as
Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, Jove will not for their spears, they stood upright on the spikes
do all for Hector that Hector thinks he will; he of their butts that were driven into the ground,
will have troubles yet in plenty if Achilles and the burnished bronze flashed afar like the
will lay aside his anger. I will go with you, and lightning of father Jove. The hero was sleeping
we will rouse others, either the son of Tydeus, upon the skin of an ox, with a piece of fine
or Ulvsses, or fleet Ajax and the valiant son of carpet under his head; Nestor went up to him
Phvleus. Some one had also better go and call and stirred him with his heel to rouse him, up-
Ajax L^nd King Idomeneus, for their ships are braiding him and urging him to bestir himself.
not near at hand but the farthest of all. I cannot "Wake up," he exclaimed, "son of Tydeus.
however refrain from blaming Menelaus, much How can you sleep on in this way? Can you not
as I love him and respect him— and I will say so see that the Trojans are encamped on the brow
plainly, the risk of offending you— for
even at of the plain hard by our ships, with but a little
sleeping and leaving all this trouble to your- space between us and them?"
self. He ought to be going about imploring aid [162] On these words Diomed leaped up in-
from all the princes of the Achaeans, for we are stantly and said, "Old man, your heart is of
in extreme danger." iron; you rest not one moment from your la-

[119] And Agamemnon answered, "Sir, you bours. Are there no younger men among the
mav sometimes blame him justlv, for he is often Achaeans who could go about to rouse the
remiss and unwilling to exert himself— not in- princes? There is no tiring you."
deed from sloth, nor yet heedlessness, but be- [168] And Nestor knight of Gerene made
cause he looks to me and expects me to take the answer, "My son, all that you have said is true.
lead. On this occasion, however, he was awake I have good sons, and also much people who

before I was, and came to me of his own accord. might call the chieftains, but the Achaeans are
I have already sent him to call the very men in the gravest danger; life and death are bal-
whom you have named. And now let us be go- anced as it were on the edge of a razor. Go
ing. We
shall find them with the watch outside then, for you are younger than I, and of your
the gates, for it was there I said that we would courtesy rouse Ajax and the fleet son of Phy-
meet them." leus."
[12.7] "In that case," answered Nestor, "the [177] Diomed threw the skin of a great
Argives will not blame him nor disobev his tawny lion about his shoulders— a skin that
orders when he urges them to fight or gives reached his feet— and grasped his spear. When
them instructions. he had roused the heroes, he brought them back
[73 1 j With
he put on his shirt, and
this with him; they then went the round of those
bound comely feet. He
his sandals about his who were on guard, and found the captains not
buckled on his purple coat, of two thicknesses, sleeping at their posts but wakeful and sitting
large, and of a rough shaggy texture, grasped with their arms about them. As sheep dogs that
his redoubtable bronze -shod spear, and wended watch their flocks when they are yarded, and
his way along the line of the xAchasan ships. hear a wild beast coming through the mountain
 BOOK X 67
forest towards them— forthwith there is a hue delicacy reject the better man, and take the
and cry and men, and slumber is broken
of dogs worst out of respect for his lineage, because he
—even was sleep chased from the eves of the
so is of more royal blood."
Achasans as they kept the watches of the wicked [240] He said this because he feared for
night, for they turned constantly towards the Menelaus. Diomed answered, "If you bid me
plain whenever they heard any stir among the take the man of my own choice, how in that
Trojans. The old man was glad and bade them case can think of Ulysses, than whom
I fail to
be of good cheer. "Watch on, my children," there is no man more eager to face all kinds of
said he, "and let not sleep get hold upon you, danger— and Pallas Minerva loves him well? If
lest our enemies triumph over us." he were to go with me we should pass safely
[194] With this he passed the trench, and through fire itself, for he is quick to see and
with him the other chiefs of the Achasans who understand."
had been called to the council. Meriones and [248] "Son of Tydeus," replied Ulysses,
the brave son of Nestor went also, for the "say neither good nor ill about me, for you are

princes bade them. When they were beyond the among Argives who know me well. Let us be
trench that was dug round the wall they held going, for the night wanes and dawn is at hand.
their meeting on the open ground where there The stars have gone forward, two-thirds of the
was a space clear of corpses, for it was here that night are already spent, and the third is alone
when night fell Hector had turned back from left us."
his onslaught on the Argives. They sat down, [2^4] They then put on their armour. Brave
therefore, and held debate with one another. Thrasymedes provided the son of Tydeus with
/203J Nestor spoke first. "My friends," said a sword and a shield (for he had left his own at
any man bold enough to venture
he, "is there his ship) and on his head he set a helmet of
among some straggler,
the Trojans, and cut off bull's hide without either peak or crest; it is
or bring us newswhat the enemy mean to do
of called a skull-cap and is a common headgear.
—whether they will stay here by the ships away Meriones found a bow and quiver for Ulysses,
from the city, or whether, now that they have and on his head he set a leathern helmet that
worsted the Achaeans, they will retire within was lined with a strong plaiting of leathern
their walls. If he could learn all this and come thongs, while on the outside it was thickly
back safely here, his fame would be high as studded with boar's teeth, well and skilfully
heaven in the mouths of all men, and he would set into it; next the head there was an inner
be rewarded richly; for the chiefs from all our lining of felt. This helmet had been stolen by
ships would each of them give him a black ewe Autolycus out of Eicon when he broke into the
with her lamb— which is a present of surpassing house of Amyntor son of Ormenus. He gave it
value— and he would be asked as a guest to all to Amphidamas of Cythera to take to Scandea,
feasts and clan-gatherings." and Amphidamas gave it as a guest-gift to
[218] They all held their peace, but Diomed Molus, who gave it to his son Meriones; and
of the loud war-cry spoke saying, "Nestor, now it was set upon the head of Ulysses.
gladly will I visit the host of the Trojans over /^2727 When the pair had armed, they set
against us, but if another will go with me I shall out, and left the other chieftains behind them.
do so in greater confidence and comfort. When Pallas Minerva sent them a heron by the way-
two men are together, one of them may see some side upon their right hands; they could not see
opportunity which the other has not caught it for the darkness, but they heard its cry.
sight of; if a man is alone he is less full of Ulysses was glad when he heard it and prayed
resource, and his wit is weaker." to Minerva: "Hear me," he cried, "daughter of
[2.27] On this several offered to go with aegis-bearing Jove,you who spy out all my ways
Diomed. The two Ajaxes, servants of Mars, and who are with me in all my hardships; be-
Meriones, and the son of Nestor all wanted to friend me in this mine hour, and grant that we
go, so did Menelaus son of Atreus; Ulysses also may return to the ships covered with g\oTy
wished to go among the host of the Trojans, for after having achieved some mighty exploit that
he was ever full of daring, and thereon Aga- shall bring sorrow to the Trojans."
memnon king of men spoke thus: "Diomed," [28^] Then Diomed of the loud war-cry also
said he, "son of Tydeus, man after my own prayed: "Hear me too," said he, "daughter of
heart, choose your comrade for yourself— take Jove, unweariable; be with me even as you were
the best man of those that have offered, for with my noble father Tydeus when he went to
many would now go with you. Do not through Thebes as envoy sent by the Achaeans. He left
 a

68 THE ILIAD
the Achaeans by the banks of the river /Esopus, bow over his shoulder, and as an overall he
and went to the city bearing a message of peace wore the skin of a grey wolf, while on his head

to the Cadmeians; on his return thence, with he set a cap of ferret skin. Then he took a
your help, goddess, he did great deeds of dar- pointed javelin, and left the camp for the ships,
ing, for you were his ready helper. Even so but he was not to return with anv news for
guide me and guard me now, and in return I Hector. When he had left the horses and the
will offer vou in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer troops behind him, he made all speed on his
of a vear old, unbroken, and never yet brought way, but Ulysses perceived his coming and said
bv man under the voke. I will gild her horns to Diomed, "Diomed, here is some one from the

and will offer her up to you in sacrifice." camp; I am not sure whether he is a spy, or
[295] Thus they prayed, and Pallas Minerva whether it is some thief who would plunder
heard their praver. When they had done pray- the bodies of the dead; let him get a little past
ing to the daughter of great Jove, they went us, we canthen spring upon him and take him.
their way like two lions prowling by night amid If, however, he is too quick for us, go after him

the armour and blood-stained bodies of them with your spear and hem him in towards the
that had fallen. ships away from the Trojan camp, to prevent
[zgg] Neither again did Hector let the Tro- his getting back to the town."
jans sleep; for he too called the princes and [349] With this they turned out of their way
councillors of the Trojans that he might set his and lay down among the corpses. Dolon sus-
counsel before them. "Is there one," said he, pected nothing and soon passed them, but when
"who for a great reward will do me the service he had got about as far as the distance bv which
of which I your He shall be well paid
will tell a mule-ploughed furrow exceeds one that has
if he will. I will give him and a couple
a chariot been ploughed by oxen (for mules can plough
of horses, the fleetest that can be found at the fallow land quicker than oxen) they ran after
ships of the Achaeans, he will dare this thing;
if him, and when he heard their footsteps he
and he will win honour to boot; he
infinite stood still, for he made sure they were friends
must go to the ships and find out whether they from the Trojan camp come by Hector's orders
are still guarded as heretofore, or whether now to bid him return; when, however, they were
that we have beaten them the Achaeans design only a spear's cast, or less, away from him, he
to flv, and through sheer exhaustion are neglect- saw that thev were enemies and ran away as
ing to keep their watches." fast as his legs could take him. The others gave
[3 1 z] They all held their peace; but there chase at once, and as a couple of well-trained
was among the Trojans a certain man named hounds press forward after a doe or hare that
Dolon, son of Eumedes, the famous herald— runs screaming in front of them, even so did
man rich in gold and bronze. He was ill- the son of Tvdeus and Ulysses pursue Dolon
favoured, but a good runner, and was an only and cut him off from his own people. But when
son among five sisters. He it was that now ad- he had fled so far towards the ships that he
dressed the Trojans. "I, Hector," said he, "will would soon have fallen in with the outposts,
go to the ships and will exploit them. But first Minerva infused fresh strength into the son of
hold up your sceptre and swear that you will Tvdeus for fear some other of the Achaeans
give me the chariot, bedight with bronze, and might have the glor\' of being first to hit him,
the horses that now carry the noble son of and he might himself be only second; he there-
Peleus. I will make you a good scout, and will fore sprang forward with his spear and said,
not fail you. I will go through the host from one "Stand, or I shall throw mv spear, and in that
end to the other till I come to the ship of Aga- case I shall soon make an end of you."
memnon, where I take it the princes of the [^72] He threw as he spoke, but missed his
Achaeans are now consulting whether they shall aim on purpose. The dart flew over the man's
fight or fly." right shoulder, and then stuck in the ground.
[^28] When he had done speaking Hector He stood stock still, trembling and in great fear;
held up his sceptre, and swore him his oath his teeth chattered, and he turned pale with
saying, "May Jove the thundering husband of fear. The two came breathless up to him and

Juno bear witness that no other Trojan but seized his hands, whereon he began to weep
mount those steeds, and that you
yourself shall and said, "Take me alive; I will ransom myself;
shallhave your will with them for ever." we havegreat storeofgold, bronze, and wrought
^332] The oath he swore was bootless, but it iron, and from this mv father will satisfy vou
made Dolon more keen on going. He hung his with a verv large ransom, should he hear of my
 BOOK X 69
being alive at the ships of the Achaeans." and the noble Pelasgi. The Lysians and proud
[^82] "Fear not," repHed Ulysses, "let no Mysians, with the Phrygians and Meonians,
thought of death be in your mind; but tell me, have their place on the side towards Thymbra;
and tell me true, why are you thus going about but why ask about all this? If you want to find
alone in the dead of night away from your your way into the host of the Trojans, there
camp and towards the ships, while other men are the Thracians, who have lately come here
are sleeping? Is it to plunder the bodies of the and lie apart from the others at the far end of the
slain, or did Hector send you to spy out what camp; and they have Rhesus son of Eioneus for
was going on at the ships? Or did you come here their king.His horses are the finest and strong-
of vour own mere notion?" est that have ever seen, they are whiter than
I

[392/ Dolon answered, his limbs trembling snow and fleeter than any wind that blows.
beneath him: "Hector, with his vain flattering His chariot is bedight with silver and gold, and
promises, lured me from my better judgement. he has brought his marvellous golden armour,
He said he would give me the horses of the of the rarest workmanship— too splendid for
noble son of Peleus and his bronze-bedizened any mortal man to carry, and meet only for the
chariot; he bade me go through the darkness of gods. Now, therefore, take me to the ships or
the flying night, get close to the enemy, and bind me securely here, until you come back and
find out whether the ships are still guarded as have proved my words whether they be false
now that we have beaten
heretofore, or whether, or true."
them, the Achaeans design to fly, and through [447] Diomed looked sternly at him and an-
sheer exhaustion are neglecting to keep their swered, "Think not, Dolon, for all the good in-
watches." formation you have given us, that you shall
[400] Ulysses smiled at him and answered, escape now you are in our hands, for if we
"You had indeed your heart upon a great
set ransom you or let you go, you will come some
reward, but the horses of the descendant of second time to the ships of the Achaeans either
y^acus are hardly to be kept in hand or driven as a spy or as an open enemy, but if I kill you
by any other mortal man than Achilles himself, and make an end of you, you will give no more
whose mother was an immortal. But tell me, trouble."
and tell me true, where did you leave Hector [4s 4] OnDolon would have caught him
this
when you started? Where lies hisarmour and by the beard beseech him further, but Dio-
to
his horses? How, too, are the watches and sleep- med struck him in the middle of his neck with
ing-ground of the Trojans ordered? What are his sword and cut through both sinews so that
their plans? Will they stay here by the ships his head fell rolling in the dust while he was
and away from the city, or now that they have yet speaking. They took the ferret-skin cap
worsted the Achaeans, will they retire within from his head, and also the wolf -skin, the bow,
their walls?" and his long spear. Ulysses hung them up aloft
[4 1 2] And Dolon
answered, "I will tell you in honour of Minerva the goddess of plunder,
truly Hector and the other councillors are
all. and prayed saying, "Accept these, goddess, for
now holding conference by the monument of we give them to you in preference to all the
great Ilus, away from the general tumult; as for gods in Olympus: therefore speed us still fur-
the guards about which you ask me, there is no ther towards the horses and sleeping-ground of
chosen watch to keep guard over the host. The the Thracians."
Trojans have their watchfires, for they are [46^] With these words he took up the spoils
bound to have them; they, therefore, are awake and set them upon a tamarisk tree, and they
and keep each other to their duty as sentinels; marked the place by pulling up reeds and gath-
but the allies who have come from other places ering boughs of tamarisk that they might not
are asleep and leave it to the Trojans to keep miss it as they came back through the flying
guard, for their wives and children are not hours of darkness. The two then went onwards
here." amid the fallen armour and the blood, and came
[42^] Ulysses then said, "Now tell me; are presently to the company of Thracian soldiers,
they sleeping among the Trojan troops, or do who were sleeping, tired out with their day's
they lie apart? Explain this that I may under- toil; goodly armour was lying on the
their
stand it." ground beside them all orderly in three rows,
[426] "I will tell you truly all," replied Do- and each man had his yoke of horses beside
lon."To the seaward lie the Carians, the Pae- him. Rhesus was sleeping in the middle, and
onian bowmen, the Leleges, the Cauconians, hard by him his horses were made fast to the
 "

70 THE ILIAD
topmost rim of his chariot. Ulysses from some hurrying together, and they marvelled at the
vvav off saw him and said, "This, Diomed, is deeds of the heroes who had now got away to-
the man, and these are the horses about which wards the ships.
Dolon whom we killed told us. Do your very [526] When they reached the place where
utmost; dally not about -your armour, but loose they had killed Hector's scout, Ulysses stayed
the horses at once— or else kill the men yourself, his horses, and the son of Tydeus, leaping to
while I see to the horses." the ground, placed the blood-stained spoils in
[482] Thereon Minerva put courage into the hands of Ulysses and remounted: then he
the heart of Diomed, and he smote them right lashed the horses onwards, and they flew for-
and left. They made a hideous groaning as they ward nothing loth towards the ships as though
were being hacked about, and the earth was red of their own free will. Nestor was first to hear
with their blood. As a lion springs furiously the tramp of their feet. "My friends, said he, "

upon a flock of sheep or goats when he Hnds "princes and counsellors of the Argives, shall I
them without their shepherd, so did the son of guess right or wrongr— but I must say what I

Tvdeus set upon the Thracian soldiers till he think: there is a sound in my ears as of the
had killed twelve. As he killed them Ulysses tramp of horses. I hope it may be Diomed and
came and drew them aside by their feet one by Ulysses driving in horses from the Trojans, but
one, that the horses might go forward freely I much fear that the bravest of the Argives may
"

without being frightened as they passed o\er have come some harm at their hands.
to
the dead bodies, for they were not yet used to [540] fie had hardly done speaking when
them. When the son of Tydeus came to the the two men came in and dismounted, whereon
king, he killed him too (which made thirteen), the others shook hands right gladly with them
ashe was breathing hard, for by the counsel of and congratulated them. Nestor knight of Ge
Minerva an evil dream, the seed of QEneus, rene was first to question them. "Tell me," said
hovered that night over his head. Meanwhile he, "renowned Ulysses, how did you two come
Ulysses untied the horses, made them fast one by these horses? Did you steal in among the
to another and drove them off, striking them Trojan forces, or did some god meet you and
with his bow, for he had forgotten to take the gi\'e them to you? They are like sunbeams. I

whip from the chariot. Then he whistled as a am well conversant with the Trojans, for old
sign to Diomed. warrior though I am I never hold back by the

[50^] But Diomed stayed where he was, ships, but I never yet saw or heard of such
thinking what other daring deed he might ac- horses as these are. Surely some god must have
complish. He was doubting whether to take the met you and given them to you, for you are
chariot in which the king's armour was lying, both of you dear to Jove, and to Jove's daughter
and draw it out by the pole, or to lift the ar- Minerva."
mour out and carrv it off; or whether again, he f 5547 And Ulysses answered, "Nestor son of
should not kill some more Thracians. While he Neleus, honour to the Achaean name, heaven,
was thus hesitating Minerva came up to him if it so will, can give us even better horses than

and said, "Get back, Diomed, to the ships, or these, for the gods are far mightier than we are.
you mav be driven thither, should some other These horses, however, about which you ask
god rouse the Trojans." me, are freshly come from Thrace. Diomed
[) 1 2] Diomed knew that it was the goddess, killed their king with the twelve bravest of his
and at once sprang upon the horses. Ulvsses companions. Hard by the ships we took a thir-
beat them with his bow and they flew onward teenth man— a scout whom Hector and the
to the ships of the Achaeans. other Trojans had sent as a spy upon our ships.
[5^5] But Apollo kept no blind look-out [$64] I le laughed as he spoke and drove the
when he saw Minerva with the son of Tvdeus. horses over the ditch, while the other Achaeans
He was angry with her, and coming to the host followed him gladlv. When they reached the
of the Trojans he roused I lippocoon, a coun- strongly built quarters of the son of Tydeus,
sellor of the Thracians and a noble kinsman of thev tied the horses with thongs of leather to
Rhesus. He started up out of his sleep and saw the manger, where the steeds of Diomed stood
that the horses were no longer in their place, eating their sweet corn, but Ulysses hung the
and that the men were gasping in their death- blood-stained spoils of Dolon at the stern of his
agony; on this he groaned aloud, and called ship, that they might prepare a sacred offering
upon his friend by name. Then the whole Tro- to ^linerva. /\s for themselves, they went into
jan camp was in an uproar as the people kept the sea and washed the sweat from their bodies,
 BOOK X 71

and from their necks and thighs. When the sea- done and had anointed themselves with oil,
water had taken all the sweat from off them, they sat down to table, and drawing from a full
and had refreshed them, they went into the mixing-bowl, made a drink-offering of wine to
baths and washed themselves. After thev had so Minerva.
 BOOK XI
A ND now as Dawn rose from her couch be sprang from and went in and out
a single neck,
/\ side Tithonus, harbinger of light alike among one another. On head Agamemnon
his
X A. to mortals and immortals, Jove sent set a helmet, with a peak before and behind,
fierce Discord with the ensign of war in her and four plumes of horse-hair that nodded
hands to the ships of the Achaeans. She took menacingly above it; then he grasped two re-
her stand bv the huge black hull of Ulvsses' doubtable bronze-shod spears, and the gleam of
ship which was middlemost of all, so that her his armour shot from him as a flame into the
voice might carry farthest on either side, on the firmament, while Juno and Miner\'a thundered
one hand towards the tents of Ajax son of Tela- in honour of the king of rich Mvcene.
mon, and on the other towards those of Achilles [47] Every man now left his horses in charge
—for these tv\'o heroes, well-assured of their own of his charioteer to hold them in readiness by
strength, had valorously drawn up their ships the trench, while he went into battle on foot
at the two ends of the line. There she took her clad in full armour, and a mighty uproar rose
stand, and raised a cr\' both loud and shrill that on high into the dawning. The chiefs were
filled the Achaeans with courage, giving them armed and at the trench before the horses got
heart to fight resolutely and with all their mioht, there, but these came up presently. The son of
SO that they had rather stay there and do battle Saturn sent a portent of evil sound about their
than go home in their ships. host, and the dew fell red with blood, for he
[15] The son of Atreus shouted aloud and was about to send many a brave man hurrying
bade the Argives gird themselves for battle down to Hades.
while he put on his armour. First he girded his [^6] 1 he Trojans, on the other side upon the
goodly greaves about his legs, making them fast rising slope of the plain, were gathered round
with ancle-clasps of silver; and about his chest great Hector, noble Polvdamas, v^neas who
he set the breastplate which Cinvras had once was honoured by the Trojans like an immortal,
given him as a guest-gift. It had been noised and the three sons of An tenor, Polybus, Agenor,
abroad as far as Cyprus that the Achaeans were and young Acamas beauteous as a god. Hector's
about to sail for Troy, and therefore he ga\e it round shield showed in the front rank, and as
to the king. It had ten courses of dark cyanus, some baneful star that shines for a moment
twelve of gold, and ten of tin. There were through a rent in the clouds and is again hidden
serpents of cyanus that reared themselves up beneath them; even so was Hector now seen in
towards the neck, three upon either side, like the front ranks and now again in the hinder-
the rainbows which the son of Saturn has set most, and his bronze armour gleamed like the
in heaven as a sign to mortal men. About his lightning of aegis-bearing Jove.
shoulders he threw his sword, studded with [6y] And now as a band of reapers mow
bosses of gold; and the scabbard was of silver swathes of wheat or barley upon a rich man's
with a chain of gold wherewith to hang it. He land, and the sheaves fall thick before them,
took moreover the richly-dight shield that even so did the Trojans and Achaeans fall upon
co\'ered his body when he was in battle— fair to one another; thev were in no mood for yielding
see, with ten circles of bronze running all round but fought like wolves, and neither side got the
it. On the bodv of the shield there were twenty better of the other. Discord was glad as she be-
bosses of white tin, with another of dark cyanus held them, for she was the only god that went
in the middle: this last was made to show a among them; the others were not there, but
Gorgon's head, fierce and grim, with Rout and stayed quietly each in his own home among the
Panic on either side. The band for the arm to dells and valleys of Olympus. All of them
go through was of silver, on which there was a blamed the son of Saturn for wanting to give
writhing snake of cyanus with three heads that \ictorv to the Trojans, but father Jove heeded

72
 BOOK XI 73
them not: he held aloof from all, and sat apart andrus; and now Agamemnon took his two
in his all-glorious majesty, looking down upon sons, both in the same chariot, trying to bring
the city of the Trojans, the ships of the Achae- their horses to a stand— for they had lost hold
ans, the gleam of bronze, and alike upon the of the reins and the horses were mad with fear.
slayers and on the slain. The son of Atreus sprang upon them like a
[84] Now so long as the day waxed and it lion, and the pair besought him from their
was still morning, their darts rained thick on chariot. "Take us alive," they cried, "son of
one another and the people perished, but as the Atreus, and you shall receive a great ransom
hour drew nigh when a woodman working in for us. Our father Antimachus has great store
some mountain forest will get his midday meal of gold, bronze, and wrought iron, and from
—for he has felled till his hands are weary; he is this he will satisfy you with a very large ransom
tired out, and must now have food— then the should he hear of our being alive at the ships
Danaans with a cry that rang through all their of the Achasans."
ranks, broke the battalions of the enemy. Aga- [1^6] With such piteous words and tears
memnon led them on, and slew first Bienor, a did they beseech the king, but they heard no
leader of his people, and afterwards his com- pitiful answer in return. "If," said Agamemnon,
rade and charioteer Oileus, who sprang from "you are sons of Antimachus, who once at a
his chariot and was coming full towards him; council of Trojans proposed that Menelaus and
but Agamemnon struck him on the forehead Ulysses, who had come to you as envoys, should
with his spear; his bronze visor was of no avail be killed and not suffered to return, you shall
against the weapon, which pierced both bronze now pay for the foul iniquity of your father."
and bone, so that his brains were battered in [14^] As he spoke he felled Pisander from his
and he was killed in full fight. chariot to the earth, smiting him on the chest
[gg] Agamemnon stripped their shirts from with his spear, so that he lay face uppermost upon
off them and left them with their breasts all the ground. Hippolochus fled, but him too did
bare to lie where they had fallen. He then went Agamemnon smite; he cut off his hands and his
on to kill Isus and Antiphus two sons of Priam, head— which he sent rolling in among the crowd
the one a bastard, the other born in wedlock; as though it were a ball. There he let them both
they were in the same chariot— the bastard driv- lie, and wherever the ranks were thickest
ing, while noble Antiphus fought beside him. thither he flew, while the other Achasans fol-
Achilles had once taken both of them prisoners lowed. Foot soldiers drove the foot soldiers of
in the glades of Ida, and had bound them with the foe in rout before them, and slew them;
fresh withes as they were shepherding, but he horsemen did the like by horsemen, and the
had taken a ransom for them; now, however, thundering tramp of the horses raised a cloud
Agamemnon son of Atreus smote Isus in the of dust from off the plain. King Agamemnon
chest above the nipple with his spear, while followed after, ever slaying them and cheering
he struck Antiphus hard bv the ear and threw on the Achasans. As when some mighty forest
him from his chariot. Forthwith he stripped is all ablaze— the eddying gusts whirl fire in all

their goodly armour from off them and recog- directions till the thickets shrivel and are con-
nized them, for he had already seen them at the sumed before the blast of the flame— even so fell
ships when Achilles brought them in from Ida. the heads of the flying Trojans before Agamem-
As a lion fastens on the fawns of a hind and non son of Atreus, and many a noble pair of
crushes them in his great jaws, robbing them of steeds drew an empty chariot along the high-
their tender life while he is on his way back to ways of war, for lack of drivers who were lying
his lair— the hind can do nothing for them even on the plain, more useful now to vultures than
though she be close by, for she is in an agony to their wives.
of fear, and flies through the thick forest, sweat- [ 63 j Jove drew Hector away from the darts
1

ing, and at her utmost speed before the mighty and dust, with the carnage and din of battle;
monster— so, no man of the Trojans could help but the son of Atreus sped onwards, calling out
Isus and Antiphus, for they were themselves lustily to the Danaans. They flew on by the
flying in panic before the Argives. tomb of old Ilus, son of Dardanus, in the middle
[12.2] Then King Agamemnon took the two of the plain, and past the place of the wild fig-
sons of Antimachus, Pisander and brave Hip- tree making always for the citv— the son of
polochus. It was Antimachus who had been Atreus still shouting, and with hands all be-
foremost in preventing Helen's being restored drabbled in gore; but when they had reached
to Menelaus, for he was largely bribed bv Alex- the Scaean gates and the oak tree, there they
74 THE ILIAD
halted and waited for the others to come up. Trojans or of their allies, was first to face Aga-
Meanwhile the Trojans kept on flying over memnon? It was Iphidamas son of Antenor, a
the middle of the plain like a herd of cows man both brave and of great stature, who was
maddened with fright when a lion has attacked brought up in fertile Thrace the mother of
them in the dead of night— he springs on one sheep. Cisses, his mother's father, brought him
of them, seizes her neck in the grip of his strong up in his own house when he was a child—
teeth and then laps up her blood and gorges Cisses, father to fair Theano. When he reached
himself upon her entrails— even so did King manhood, Cisses would have kept him there,
Agamemnon son of Atreus pursue the foe, ever and was for giving him his daughter in mar-
slaughtering the hindmost as thev fled pell- riage, but as soon as he had married he set out

mell before him. Many a man was Hung head- to fight the Achaeans with twelve ships that fol-

long from his chariot by the hand of the son of lowed him: these he had left at Percote and had
Atreus, for he wielded his spear with fury. come on by land to Ilius. He it was that now
[i8i] But when he was just about to reach met Agamemnon son of Atreus. When they
the high wall and the city, the father of gods were close up with one another, the son of
and men came down from heaven and took his Atreus missed his aim, and Iphidamas hit him
seat, thunderbolt in hand, upon the crest of on the girdle below the cuirass and then flung
many-fountained Ida. He then told Iris of the himself upon him, trusting to his strength of
golden wings to carry a message for him. "Go," arm; the girdle, however, was not pierced, nor
said he, "fleet Iris, and speak thus to Hector- nearly so, for the point of the spear struck
say that so long as he sees Agamemnon heading against the silver and was turned aside as

his men and making havoc of the Trojan ranks, though ithad been lead: King Agamemnon
he is to keep aloof and bid the others bear the caught it from his hand, and drew it towards

brunt of the battle, but when Agamemnon is him with the fury of a lion; he then drew his
wounded either by spear or arrow, and takes to sword, and killed Iphidamas by striking him on
his chariot, then will I vouchsafe him strength the neck. So there the poor fellow lay, sleeping
to slay till he reach the ships and night falls at a sleep as it were of bronze, killed in the de-
the going down of the sun." fence of his fellow-citizens, far from his wedded
[ i9S] Iris hearkened and obeyed. Down she wife, of whom he had had no joy though he
went to strong Ilius from the crests of Ida, and had given much for her: he had given a hun-
found Hector son of Priam standing by his dred head of cattle down, and had promised
chariot and horses. Then she said, "Hector son later on to give a thousand sheep and goats
of Priam, peer of gods in counsel, father Jove mixed, from the countless flocks of which he
has sent me to bear you this message— so long was possessed. Agamemnon son of Atreus then
as YOU see Agamemnon heading his men and despoiled him, and carried off^ his armour into
making havoc of the Trojan ranks, you are to the host of the Achaeans.
keep aloof and bid the others bear the brunt of [248] When noble Coon, Antenor's eldest
the battle, but when Agamemnon is wounded son, saw this, soreindeed were his eyes at the
either by spear or arrow, and takes to his chariot, sight of his fallen brother. Unseen by Agamem-
then will Jove vouchsafe you strength to slay non he got beside him, spear in hand, and
till you reach the ships, and till night falls at wounded him in the middle of his arm below
the going down of the sun." the elbow, the point of the spear going right
[zio] When she had thus spoken Iris left through the arm. Agamemnon was convulsed
him, and Hector sprang full armed from his with pain, but still not even for this did he leave
chariot to the ground, brandishing his spear as off struggling and fighting, but grasped his spear
he went about everywhere among the host, that flew as fleet as the wind, and sprang upon
cheering his men on to fight, and stirring the Coon who was trying to drag off^ the body of his
dread strife of battle. The Trojans then wheeled brother— his father's son— by the foot, and was
round, and again met the Achaeans, while the crying for help to all the bravest of his com-
Argives on their part strengthened their bat- rades; but Agamemnon struck him with a
talions. The battle was now in array and they bronze-shod spear and killed him as he was
stood face to face with one another, Agamem- dragging the dead body through the press of
non ever pressing forward in his eagerness to be men under cover of his shield: he then cut off
ahead of all others. his head, standing over the body of Iphidamas.
[218] Tell me now ye Muses that dwell in Thus did the sons of Antenor meet their fate
the mansions of Olympus, who, whether of the at the hands of the son of Atreus, and go down
 BOOK XI 75
into the house of Hades. had not Ulysses cried out to
to their ships,

[264] As long as the blood still welled warm Diomed, "Son of Tydeus, what has happened
from his wound Agamemnon went about at- to us that we thus forget our prowessr Come,
tacking the ranks of the enemy with spear and my good fellow, stand by my side and help me,
sword and with great handfuls of stone, but we shall be shamed for ever if Hector takes the
when the blood had ceased to flow and the ships."
wound grew dry, the pain became great. xAs l^iS] And Diomed answered, "Come what
the sharp pangs which the Eilithuiae, goddesses may, I will stand firm; but we shall have scant
of childbirth, daughters of Juno and dispensers joy of it, for Jove is minded to gi\'e victory to
of cruel pain, send upon a woman when she is the Trojans rather than to us."
in labour— even so sharp were the pangs of the [320] With these words he struck Thym
son of Atreus. He sprang on to his chariot, and braeus from his chariot to the ground, smiting
bade his charioteer drive to the ships, for he him in the left breast with his spear, while
was in great agonv. With a loud clear voice he Ulysses killed Molion who was his squire.
shouted to the Danaans, "My friends, princes These they let lie, now had stopped
that they
and counsellors of the Argives, defend the ships their fighting; the two heroes then went on
yourselves, for Jove has not suffered me to fight playing havoc with the foe, like two wild boars
the whole day through against the Trojans." that turn in fury and rend the hounds that hunt
[280] With this the charioteer turned his them. Thusdid thev turn upon the Trojans
horses towards the ships,and thev flew forward and slaythem, and the Achaeans were thankful
nothing loth. Their chests were white with to have breathing time in their flight from Hec
foam and their bellies with dust, as thev drew tor.

the wounded king out of the battle. [^28] They then took two princes withtheii
[284] When
Hector saw Agamemnon quit chariot, the two sons of Merops of Percote, who
the field, he shouted to the Trojans and Lvcians e.xcelled all others in the arts of divination. He
saving, "Trojans, Lvcians, and Dardanian war- had forbidden his sons to go to the war. but
riors, be men, mv friends, and acquit voursehes they would not obey him, for fate lured them
in battle bravely; their best man has left them, to their fall. Diomed son of Tvdeus slev.' them
and Jove has vouchsafed me a great triumph: both and stripped them of their armour, while
charge the foe with your chariots that you may Ulvsses killed Hippodamus and Hvpeirochus.
win still greater glory." [3367 And now the son of Saturn as he
[2gi] With these words he put heart and looked down from Ida ordained that neither
soul into them all, and as a huntsman hounds side should have the ad\antage, and they kept
his dogs on against a lion or wild boar, e\'en so on killing one another. The son of Tydeus
did Hector, peer of Mars, hound the proud speared Agastrophus son of Pason in the hip
Trojans on against the Achasans. Full of hope joint with his spear. His chariot was not at hand
he plunged in among the foremost, and fell on for him to fly with, so blindly confident had he
the fight like some fierce tempest that swoops been. His squire was in charge of it at some
down upon the sea, and lashes its deep blue distance and he was fighting on foot among the
waters into fury. foremost until he lostHector soon
his life.

[299] What, then, is the full tale of those marked the ha\oc Diomed and Ulvsses were
whom Hector son of Priam killed in the hour making, and bore down upon them with a loud
of triumph which Jove then \'Ouchsafed himr cry, followed by the Trojan ranks; brave
First Asaeus, Autonoiis, and Opites; Dolops son Diomed was dismayed when he saw them, and
of Clytius, Opheltius and Agelaus; /Esymnus, said to Ulysses who was beside him, "Great
Orus and Hipponoiis steadfast in battle; these Hector is bearing down upon us and we shall
'

chieftains of the Achaeans did Hector slay, and be undone; let us stand firm and wait his onset.
then he fell upon the rank and file. As when [^49] He poised his spear as he spoke and
the west wind hustles the clouds of the white hurled it, nor did he miss his mark. He had
south and beats them down with the fierceness aimed at Hector's head near the top of his
of its fury— the waves of the sea roll high, and helmet, but bronze was turned by bronze, and
the spray is flung aloft in the rage of the wan- Hector was untouched, for the spear was stayed
dering wind— e\'en so thick were the heads of by the visored helm made with three plates of
them that fell by the hand of Hector. metal, which Phoebus Apollo had given him.
f 3 I o] All had then been lost and no help for Hector sprang back with a great bound under
it, and the Achaeans would have fled pell-mell cover of the ranks; he fell on his knees and
76 THE ILIAD
propped himself with his brawny hand leaning Then he sprang on to his chariot and bade the
on the ground, for darkness had fallen on his charioteer dri\e him to the ships, for he was
eves. The son of Tvdeus having thrown his sick at heart.
spear dashed in among the foremost fighters. [401] Ulysses was now alone; not one of
to the place where he' had seen it strike the the Argives stood by him, for they were all

ground; meanwhile Hector recovered himself panic-stricken. "Alas," said he to himself in his
and springing back into his chariot mingled dismay, "what will become of me? It is ill if I
with the crowd, bv which means he saved his turn and fly before these odds, but it will be
life. But Diomed made at him with his spear worse if I am left alone and taken prisoner, for
and said, "Dog, vou have again got away the son of Saturn has struck the rest of the
thoush death was close on vour heels. Phoebus Danaans with panic. But why talk to myself
Apollo, to whom I ween you pray ere you go in this way"? Well do I know that though cow-
into battle, has again saved you, nevertheless I ards quit the field, a hero, whether he v\'ound
will meet you and make an end of you here- or be wounded, must stand firm and hold his
after, if there is anv god who will stand by me own."
too and be my helper. For the present I must [41 I ] While he was thus in two minds, the
pursue those whom I can lav hands on." ranks of the Trojans advanced and hemmed
[368/ As he spoke he began stripping the him in, and bitterlv did they come to rue it. As
spoils from the son of Paeon, but Ale.xandrus hounds and lustv vouths set upon
wild boar a

husband of lovelv Helen aimed an arrow at that sallies from his lair whetting his white
him, leaning against a pillar of the monument tusks— they attack him from every side and
which men had raised to Ilus son of Dardanus, can hear the gnashing of his jaws, but for all his
a ruler in days of old. Diomed had taken the fierceness thev still hold their ground— even so
cuirass from off the breast of Agastrophus, his furiouslv did the Trojans attack Ulvsses. First
heavy helmet also, and the shield from off his he sprang spear in hand upon Deiopites and
shoulders, when Paris drew his bow and let fly wounded him on the shoulder with a down-
an arrow that sped not from his hand in vain, ward blow; then he killed Thoon and Enno-
but pierced the flat of Diomed 's right foot, go- mus. After these he struck Chersidamas in the
ing right through it and fixing itself in the loins under his shield as he had just sprung
ground. Thereon Paris with a hearty laugh down from his chariot; so he fell in the dust
sprang forward from his hiding-place, and and clutched the earth in the hollow of his
taunted him saying, "You are wounded— m\ hand. These he let lie, and went on to wound
arrow has not been shot in vain; would that it Charops son of Hippasus own brother to noble
had hit you in the belly and killed you, for thus Socus. Socus, hero that he was, made all speed
the Trojans, who fear you as goats fear a lion, to help him, and when he was close to Ulvsses
would have had a truce from evil." he said, "Far-famed Ulvsses, insatiable of craft
[^84] Diomed all undaunted answered, and toil, this dav vou shall either boast of hav-
"Archer, vou who without your bow are noth- ing killed both the sons of Hippasus and stripped
ing, slanderer and seducer, if you were to be them of their armour, or you shall fall before
tried in single combat fighting in full armour, my spear."
your bow and your arrows would ser\'e you in [4^4] With these words he struck the shield
little stead. Vain is your boast in that you have of Ulvsses. The spear went through the shield
scratched the sole of mv foot. I care no more and passed on through his richlv wrought cui-
than if a girl or some sillv boy had hit me. A rass, tearing the flesh from his side, but Pallas

worthless coward can inflict but a light wound; Minerva did not suffer it to pierce the entrails

when I wound a man though I but graze his of the hero. Ulvsses knew
that his hour was not
skin another matter, for my weapon will
it is yet come, but he gave ground and said to Socus,
lay him low. His wife will tear her cheeks for "Wretch, you shall now surely die. You have
grief and his children will be fatherless: there staved me from fighting further with the Tro-
will he rot, reddening the earth with his blood, jans, but you shall now fall by my spear, yield-
and vultures, not women, will gather round ing glory to myself, and your soul to Hades of
him." the noble steeds."
[3967 Thus he spoke, but Ulysses came up I446] Socus had turned in flight, but as he
and stood over him. Under this cover he sat did so, the spear struck him in the back midway
down to draw the arrow from his foot, and between the shoulders, and went right through
sharp was the pain he suftered as he did so. his chest. He fell heavily to the ground and
 BOOK XI 11
Ulysses vaunted over him saying, "O Socus, furiously over the plain, slaying both men and
son of Hippasus tamer of horses, death has been horses.
too quick for you and you have not escaped [497] Hector did not yet know what Ajax
him: poor wretch, not even in death shall your was doing, for he was fighting on the extreme
father and mother close your eyes, but the left of the battle by the banks of the river

ravening vultures shall enshroud vou with the Scamander, where the carnage was thickest and
flapping of their dark wings and devour you. the war-cry loudest round Nestor and brave
Whereas even though I fall the Achasans will Idomeneus. Among these Hector was making
give me my due rites of burial." great slaughter with his spear and furious driv-

[4S6] So saving he drew Socus's heavy spear ing, and was destroying the ranks that were op-
out of his flesh and from his shield, and the posed to him; still the Achaeans would have
blood welled forth when the spear was with- given no ground, had not Alexandrus husband
drawn so that he was much dismaved. When of lovely Helen stayed the prowess of Machaon
the Trojans saw that Ulysses was bleeding they shepherd of his people, by wounding him in the
raised a great shout and came on in a body to- right shoulder with a triple-barbed arrow. The
wards him; he therefore gave ground, and called Achaeans were in great fear that as the fight
his comrades to come and help him. Thrice did had turned against them the Trojans might
he cry as loudly as man can cry, and thrice did take him prisoner, and Idomeneus said to Nes-
brave Menelaus hear him; he turned, therefore, tor, "Nestor son of Neleus, honour to the Achae-

to Ajax who was close beside him and said, an name, mount your chariot at once; take
"Ajax, noble son of Telamon, captain of your Machaon with you and drive your horses to the
people, the cry of Ulysses rings in my ears, as ships as fast as you can. A physician is worth
though the Trojans had cut him off and were more than several other men put together, for
worsting him while he is single-handed. Let us he can cut out arrows and spread healing
make our way through the throng; it will be herbs."
well that we defend him; I fear he may come Isisl Nestor knight of Gerene did as Idom-
to harm for all his valour if he be left without eneus had counselled; he at once mounted his
support, and the Danaans would miss him chariot,and Machaon son of the famed physi-
sorely." cian /Esculapiuswent with him. He lashed his
[472.] He led the way and mighty Ajax went horses and they flew onward nothing loth to-
with him. The Trojans had gathered round wards the ships, as though of their own free
Ulysses like ravenous mountain jackals round will.
the carcase of some horned stag that has been [S2.i] Then Cebriones seeing the Trojans in
hit with an arrow— the stag has fled at full speed confusion said to Hector from his place beside
so long as his blood was warm and his strength him, "Hector, here are we two fighting on the
has lasted, but when the arrow has overcome extreme wing of the battle, while the other
him, the savage jackals devour him in the shady Trojans are in pell-mell rout, they and their
glades of the forest. Then heaven sends a fierce horses. Ajax son of Telamon is driving them
lion thither, whereon the jackals flv in terror before him; I know him by the breadth of his

and the lion robsthem of their prey— even so shield: us turn our chariot and horses
let

did Trojans many and brave gather round crafty thither, where horse and foot are fighting most
Ulysses, but the hero stood at bay and kept desperately, and where the cry of battle is loud-
them off with his spear. Ajax then came up est."
M'ith his shield before him like a wall, and stood [531] With this he lashed his goodly steeds,
hard by, whereon the Trojans fled in all direc- and when they felt the whip they drew the
tions. Menelaus took Ulysses by the hand, and chariot full speed among the Achaeans and
led him out of the press while his squire brought Trojans, over the bodies and shields of those
up his chariot, but Ajax rushed furiously on the that had fallen the axle was bespattered with
:

Trojans and killed Doryclus, a bastard son of blood, and the rail round the car was covered
Priam; then he wounded Pandocus, Lysandrus, with splashes both from the horses' hoofs and
Pyrasus, and Pylartes; as some swollen torrent from the tyres of the wheels. Hector tore his
comes rushing in full flood from the mountains way through and flung himself into the thick of
on to the plain, big with the rain of heaven- the fight, and his presence threw the Danaans
many a dry oak and many a pine does it engulf, into confusion, for his spear was not long idle;
and much mud does it bring down and cast into nexertheless though he went among the ranks
the sea— even so did brave Ajax chase the foe with sword and spear, and throwinggreat stones,
78 THE ILIAD
he avoided Ajax son of Telamon, for Jove the rescue of great Ajax son of Telamon."
would have been angry with him if he had [$9^1 Even so did he cry when he was
fought a better man than himself. wounded; thereon the others came near, and
[$44] Then father Jove from hishigh throne gathered round him, holding their shields up-
struck fear into the heart of Ajax, so that he wards from their shoulders so as to give him
stood there dazed and threw his shield behind cover. Ajax then made towards them, and
him— looking fearfully at the throng of his foes turned round to stand at bay as soon as he had
as though he were some wild beast, and turn- reached his men.
ing hither and thither but crouching slowly [sq6] Thus then did they fight as it were a
backwards. As peasants with their hounds chase flaming fire. Meanwhile the mares of Neleus,
a lion from their stockvard, and watch by night all in a lather with sweat, were bearing Nestor

to prevent his carrying off the pick of their out of the fight, and with him Machaon shep-
herd— he makes his greedy spring, but in vain, herd of his people. Achilles saw and took note,
for the darts from many a strong hand fall thick for he was standing on the stem of his ship
around him, with burning brands that scare watching the hard stress and struggle of the
him for all his fury, and when morning comes fight. He called from the ship to his comrade

he slinks foiled and angry away— even so did Patroclus, who heard him in the tent and came
Ajax, sorely against his will, retreat angrily out looking like Mars himself— here indeed was
before the Trojans, fearing for the ships of the the beginning of the ill that presently befell
Achaeans. Or as some had
lazy ass that has him. "Why," said he, "Achilles, do you call me?
many a cudgel broken about his back, when he what do you want with me?" And Achilles an-
gets into a field begins eating the corn— boys swered, "Noble son of Menoetius, man after
beat him but he is too many for them, and my own heart, I take it that I shall now have
though they lay about with their sticks they the Achaeans praying at my knees, for they are
cannot hurt him; still when he has had his fill in great straits; go, Patroclus, and ask Nestor
they at last drive him from the field— even so who it is thathe is bearing away wounded from
did the Trojans and their allies pursue great the field; from his back I should sav it was
Ajax, ever smiting the middle of his shield with Machaon son of /Esculapius, but I could not
their darts. Now and again he would turn and see his face for the horses went by me at full

show fight, keeping back the battalions of the speed."

Trojans, and then he would again retreat; but [6 1 6] Patroclus did as his dear comrade had
he prevented any of them from making his way bidden him, and set off running by the ships

to the ships. Single-handed he stood midway and tents of the Achasans.

between the Trojans and Achaeans: the spears [618] When Nestor and Machaon had
that sped from their hands stuck some of them reached the tents of the son of Neleus, they dis-
in his mighty shield, while many, though mounted, and an esquire, Eurymedon, took the
thirsting for his blood, fell to the ground ere horses from the chariot. The pair then stood in
thev could reach him to the wounding of his the breeze by the seaside to dry the sweat from
fair flesh. their shirts, and when they had so done they

[575] Now whenEurypylus the brave son came inside and took their seats. Fair Heca-
of Euaemon saw was being over-
that Ajax mede, whom Nestor had had awarded to him
powered by the rain of arrows, he went up to from Tenedos when Achilles took it, mixed
him and hurled his spear. He struck Apisaon them a mess; she was daughter of wise Arsin-
son of Phausius in the liver below the midriff, ous, and the Achaeans had given her to Nestor
and laid him low. Eurypylus sprang upon him, because he excelled all of them -in counsel. First
and stripped the armour from his shoulders; but she set for them a fair and well-made table that
when Alexandrus saw him, he aimed an arrow had feet of cyanus; on it there was a vessel of
at him which struck him in the right thigh; the bronze and an onion to give relish to the drink,
arrow broke, but the point that was left in the with honey and cakes of barley-meal. There
wound dragged on the thigh; he drew back, was also a cup of rare workmanship which the
therefore, under cover of his comrades to save old man had brought with him from home,
his life, shouting as he did so to the Danaans, studded with bosses of gold; it had four handles,
"My friends, princes and counsellors of the on each of which there were two golden doves
Argives, rally to the defence of Ajax who is feeding, and it had two feet to stand on. Any
being overpowered, and I doubt whether he one else would hardly have been able to lift
will come out of the fight alive. Hither, then, to it from the table when it was full, but Nestor
 BOOK XI 79
could do so quite easily. In this the woman, as round crying that all in Elis to whom there was
fair as a goddess, mixed them a mess with Pram- a debt owing should come; and the leading
nian wine; she grated goats-milk cheese into it Pylians assembled to divide the spoils. There
with a bronze grater, threw in a handful of were many to whom the Epeans owed chattels,
white barley-meal, and having thus prepared for we men of Pylus were few and had been

the mess she bade them drink it. When they oppressed with wrong; in former years Her-
had done so and had thus quenched their thirst, cules had come, and had laid his hand heavy
thev fell talking with one another, and at this upon us, so that all our best men had perished.
moment Patroclus appeared at the door. Neleus had had twelve sons, but I alone was
[64^] When the old man saw him he sprang left; the others had all been killed. The Epeans

from his seat, seized his hand, led him into the presuming upon all this had looked down upon
tent, and bade him take his place among them: us and had done us much evil. My father chose
but Patroclus stood where he was and said, a herd of cattle and a great flock of sheep— three

"Noble sir, I mav not stay, vou cannot persuade hundred in all— and he took their shepherds
me to come in; he that sent me is not one to be with him, for there was a great debt due to him
trifled with, and he bade me ask who the in Elis, to wit four horses, winners of prizes.
wounded man was whom vou were bearing They and their chariots with them had gone to
awav from the field. I can now see for mvself the games and were to run for a tripod, but
that he is Machaon shepherd of his people. I King Augeas took them, and sent back their
must o 20 back and tell Achilles. You, sir, know driver grieving for the loss of his horses. Neleus
what a terrible man he is, and how readv to was angered by what he had both said and
blame even where no blame should lie." done, and took great value in return, but he
[6^$] And Nestor answered, "Why should divided the rest, that no man might have less
Achilles care to know how many of the Achae- than his full share.

ans may be wounded? He recks not of the dis- [yo6] "Thus did we order all things, and
mav that reigns in our host; our most valiant offer sacrifices to the gods throughout the city;
chieftains lie disabled, bra\'e Diomed son of but three days afterwards the Epeans came in
Tvdeus is wounded; so are Ulvsses and Aga- a body, many in number, thev and their char-
memnon; Eurvpvlus has been hit with an arrow iots, in full array, and with them the two Mo-

in the thigh, and I have just been bringing this liones in their armour, though they were still

man from the field— he too wounded with an lads and unused to fighting. Now there is a cer-
arrow; nevertheless Achilles, so valiant though tain town, Thryoessa, perched upon a rock on
he be, cares not and knows no ruth. Will he the river Alpheus, the border city of Pylus; this
wait till the ships, do what we may, are in a they would destroy, and pitched their camp
blaze, and we perish one upon the other? As for about it, but when they had crossed their whole
me, I have no strength nor stay in me any plain, Minerva darted down by night from
longer; would that I were still voung and strong Olympus and bade us set ourselves in array; and
as in the days when there was a fight between she found willing soldiers in Pylos, for the men
us and the men of Elis about some cattle- meant fighting. Neleus would not let me arm,
raiding. I then killed Itvmoncus the valiant son and hid my horses, for he said that as yet I
of Hypeirochus a dweller in Elis, as I was driv- could know nothing about war; nevertheless
ing in the spoil; he was hit by a dart thrown Minerva soordered the fight that, all on foot
by my hand while fighting in the front rank as I was, I fought among our mounted forces
in defence of his cows, so he fell and the and vied with the foremost of them. There is a
country people around him were in great fear. river Minyeius that falls into the sea near
We dro\'e oft a vast quantity of booty from the Arene, and there they that were mounted (and
plain, fifty herds of cattle and as many flocks of I with them) waited till morning, when the
sheep; fifty droves also of pigs, and as many companies of foot soldiers came up with us in
wide-spreading flocks of goats. Of horses more- force. Thence in full panoply and equipment
over we hundred and fifty, all of them
seized a we came towards noon to the sacred waters of
mares, and many had foals running with them. the /Mpheus, and there we offered victims to
All these did we drive by night to Pylus the almighty Jove, with Alpheus, another
a bull to
city of Neleus, taking them within the city; and to Neptune, and a herd-heifer to Minerva. After
the heart of Neleus was glad in that I had taken this we took supper in our companies, and laid
so much, though it was the first time I had ever us down to rest each in his armour by the river.
been in the field. At daybreak the heralds went [73 2J "The Epeans were beleaguering the
 THE ILIAD
cityand were determined to take it, but ere this fied ourselves with meat and drink, I said my
might be there was a desperate fight in store say and urged both of you to join us. You were
for them. When the sun's rays began to fall ready enough to do so, and the two old men
upon the earth we joined battle, praying to charged you much and straitlv. Old Peleus bade
Jove and to Minerva, arid when the fight had his son Achilles fight ever among the foremost
begun, I was the first to kill my man and take and outvie his peers, while Menoetius the son
his horses— to wit the warrior Mulius. He was of Actor spoke thus to you: 'My son,' said he,
son-in-law to Augeas, having married his eldest 'Achilles is you are, but
of nobler birth than
daughter, golden-haired Agamede, who knew you are older than he, though he is far the better
the virtues of every herb which grows upon man of the two. Counsel him wisely, guide him
the face of the earth. I speared him as he was in the right way, and he will follow you to his
coming towards me, and when he fell headlong own profit.' Thus did your father charge you,
in the dust, I sprang upon his chariot and took but you have forgotten; nevertheless, even now,
my place in the front ranks. The Epcans fled sav all this to Achilles if he will listen to you.
in all directions when they saw the captain of Who knows but with heaven's help you may
their horsemen (the best man thcv had) laid talk him over, for it is good to take a friend's
low, and I swept down on them like a whirl- ad\'ice. If, however, he is fearful about some
wind, taking fifty chariots— and in each of them oracle, or if his mother has told him something
two men bit the dust, slain bv my spear. I from Jove, then let him send you, and let the
should have even killed the two Moliones sons rest of the Myrmidons follow with you, if per-
of Actor, unless their real father, Neptune lord chance you may bring light and saving to the
of the earthquake, had hidden them in a thick Danaans. And let him send you into battle clad
mist and borne them out of the fight. Thereon in his own armour, that the Trojans may mis-

Jove vouchsafed the Pvlians a great victory, for take vou for him and leave off fighting; the
we chased them far over the plain, killing the sons of the Achaeans may thus have time to get
men and bringing in their armour, till we had their breath, for they are hard pressed and there
brought our horses to Buprasium rich in wheat is little breathing time in battle. You, who are

and to the Olenian rock, with the hill that is fresh, might easily drive a tired enemy back to
called Alision, at which point Minerva turned his walls and away from the tents and ships."
the people back. There I slew the last man and [804] With these words he moved the heart
left him; then the Achasans drove their horses of Patroclus, who set off running by the line
back from Buprasium to Pylos and gave thanks of the ships to Achilles, descendant of /Eacus.
to Jove among the gods, and among mortal men When he had got as far as the ships of Ulysses,
to Nestor. where was their place of assembly and court of
[762] "Such was I among mv peers, as surely justice, with their altars dedicated to the gods,
as ever was, but Achilles is for keeping all his Eurvpylus son of Euaemon met him, wounded
valour for himself; bitterly will he rue it here- in the thigh with an arrow, and limping out of
after when the hostbeing cut to pieces. Mv
is the fight. Sweat rained from his head and
good friend, did not Menoetius charge vou thus, shoulders, and black blood welled from his
on the dav v\'hen he sent vou from Phthia to cruel wound, but his mind did not wander.
Agamemnon? Ulvsses and I were in the house, The son of Menoetius when he saw him had
inside, and heard all that he said to vou; for we compassion upon him and spoke piteously say-
came to the fair house of Peleus while beating ing, "O unhappy princes and counsellors of
up recruits throughout all Achasa,and when we the Danaans, are you then doomed to feed the
got there we found Menoetius and yourself, and hounds of Troy with your fat, far from your
Achilles with you. The old knight Peleus was friends and your native land? say, noble Eurypy-
in the outer court, roasting the fat thigh-bones lus, will the Achaeans be able to hold great
of a heifer to Jove the lord of thunder; and he Hector in check, or will they fall now before
held a gold chalice in his hand from which he his spear?"
poured drink-offerings of wine over the burn- [823/ Wounded Eurypylus made answer,
ing sacrifice. You two were busy cutting up the "Noble Patroclus, there is no hope left for the
heifer, and at that moment we stood at the /Xcha^ans but they will perish at their ships. All
gates, whereon Achilles sprang to his feet, led they that were princes among us are lying
us by the hand into the house, placed us at struck down and wounded at the hands of the
table, and set before us such hospitable enter- Trojans, who are waxing stronger and stronger.
tainment as guests expect. When we had satis- But save me and take me to your ship; cut out
 BOOK XI
the arrow from my thigh; wash the black blood bulwark of the Achaeans, but even so I will not
'

from off it with warm water, and lay upon it be unmindful of your distress.
those gracious herbs which, so they say, have [842] With this he clasped him round the
been shown you by Achilles, who was himself middle and led him into the tent, and a servant,
shown them by Chiron, most righteous of all when he saw him, spread bullock-skins on the
the centaurs. For of the physicians Podalirius ground for him to lie on. He laid him at full
and Machaon, I hear that the one is lying length and cut out the sharp arrow from his
wounded in his tent and is himself in need of thigh; he washed the black blood from the
healing, while the other is fighting the Trojans wound with warm water; he then crushed a
upon the plain." bitter herb, rubbing it between his hands, and
[8^7] "Hero Eurypylus," replied the brave spread it upon the wound; this was a virtuous
son of Menoetius, "how may these things be? herb which killed all pain; so the wound pres-
What can I do? I am on my way to bear a mes- ently dried and the blood left off flowing.
sage to noble Achilles from Nestor of Gerene,
 BOOK XII

THE son of Menoetius was attending to Hector the mightv minister of Rout, who as
SO the hurt of Eurypylus within the tent, but
[he Argives and Trojans still fought des-
heretofore fought with the force and furv of a
whirlwind. As a lion or wild boar turns fiercely
perately, nor were the trench and the high wall on the dogs and men that attack him, while
above it, to keep the Trojans in check longer. these form a solid wall and shower their javelins
Thev had built it to protect their ships, and had as they face him— his courage is all undaunted,
dug the trench all round it that it might safe- but his high spirit will be the death of him;
guard both the ships and the rich spoils which manv a time does he charge at his pursuers to
thev had taken, but they had not offered heca- scatter them, and thev fall back as often as he
tombs to the gods. It had been built without the does so— even so did Hector go about among the
consent of the immortals, and therefore it did host exhorting his men, and cheering them on
not last. So long as Hector lived and Achilles to cross the trench.

nursed his anger, and so long as the city of [^o] But the horses dared not do so, and
Priam remained untaken, the great wall of the stood neighing upon its brink, for the width
Achaeans stood firm; but when the bravest of frightened them. They could neither jump it

the Trojans were no more, and many also of the nor cross it, for it had overhanging banks all
Argi\es, though some were yet left alive— round upon either side, above which there were

when, moreover, the city was sacked in the the sharp stakes that the sons of the Achaeans
tenth year, and the Argives had gone back with had planted so close and strong as a defence
their ships to their own country— then Neptune against all who would assail it; a horse, there-

and Apollo took counsel to destroy the wall, and fore, could not get into it and draw his chariot
thev turned on to it the streams of all the rivers after him, but those who were on foot kept try-
from Mount Ida into the sea. Rhesus, Heptap- ing their vers* utmost. Then Polydamas went
orus, Caresus, Rhodius, Grenicus, /Esopus, and up Hector and said, "Hector, and vou other
to
goodly Scamander, with Simois, where many a captains of the Trojans and allies, it is madness
shield and helm had fallen, and many a hero for us to try and drive our horses across the
of the race of demigods had bitten the dust. trench; it will be ver)' hard to cross, for it is
Phcebus Apollo turned the mouths of all these full of sharp stakes, and beyond these there is
rivers together and made them flow for nine the wall. Our horses therefore cannot get down
days against the wall, while love rained the into it, and would be of no use if they did;
whole time that he might wash it sooner into moreover it is a narrow place and we should
the sea. Neptune himself, trident in hand, sur- come to harm. If, indeed, great Jove is minded

veyed the work and threw into the sea all the to help the Trojans, and in his anger will utterly
foundations of beams and stones which the destrov the Achaeans, I would myself gladly see
Achaeans had laid with so much toil; he made them perish now and here far from Argos; but
all level by themightv stream of the Hellespont, if they should rally and we are driven back

and then when he had swept the wall away he from the ships pell-mell into the trench there
spread a great beach of sand over the place will be not so much as a man get back to the
where it had been. This done he turned the city to tell the tale. Now, therefore, let us all
rivers back into their old courses. do as I our squires hold our horses by
say; let

[34/ This was what Neptune and Apollo the trench, but let us follow Hector in a body

were to do in after time; but as yet battle and on foot, clad in full armour, and if the day of
turmoil were still raging round the wall till its their doom is at hand the Achaeans will not be
timbers rang under the blows that rained upon able to withstand us."
them. The Argives, cowed by the scourge of [80] Thus spoke Polydamas and his saying
Jove, were hemmed in at their ships in fear of pleased Hector, who sprang in full armour to
82
 BOOK XII
the ground, and all the other Trojans, when proud sons of the fighting Lapithae— the one,
they saw him do so, also left their chariots. Each Polypoetes, mighty son of Pirithoiis, and the
man then gave his horses over to his charioteer other Leonteus, peer of murderous Mars. These
in charge to hold them ready for him at the stood before the gates like two high oak trees
trench. Then they formed themselves into com- upon the mountains, that tower from their
panies, made themselves ready, and in five wide-spreading roots, and year after year battle
bodies followed their leaders. Those that went with wind and rain— even so did these two men
with Hector and Polydamas were the bravest await the onset of great Asius confidentlv and
and most in number, and the most determined without flinching. The Trojans led by him and
tobreak through the wall and fight at the ships. by lamenus, Orestes, Adamas the son of Asius,
Cebriones was also joined with them as third Thoon and CEnomaus, raised a loud cr\' of bat-
in command, for Hector had left his chariot in tle and made straight for the wall, holding their

charge of a less valiant soldier. The next com- shields of dry ox-hide above their heads; for a
pany was led by Paris, Alcathoiis, and Agenor; while the two defenders remained inside and
the third by Helenus and Deiphobus, two sons cheered the Achaeans on to stand firm in the de-
of Priam, and with them was the hero Asius— fence of their ships; when, however, they saw
Asius the son of Hyrtacus, whose great black that the Trojans were attacking the wall, while
horses of the breed that comes from the river the Danaans were crying out for help and being
Selleis had brought him from Arisbe. /Eneas routed, they rushed outside and fought in front
the valiant son of Anchises led the fourth; he of the gates like two wild boars upon the moun-
and the two sons of Antenor, Archelochus and tains that abide the attack of men and dogs,
Acamas, men well versed in all the arts of war. and charging on either side break down the
Sarpedon was captain over the allies, and took wood all round them tearing it up by the roots,
with him Glaucus and Asteropasus whom he and one can hear the clattering of their tusks,
deemed most valiant after himself— for he was till some one hits them and makes an end of

far the best man of them all. These helped to them— even so did the gleaming bronze rattle
array one another in their ox-hide shields, and about their breasts, as the weapons fell upon
then charged straight at the Danaans, for they them; for they fought with great fury, trusting
felt sure that they would not hold out longer to their own prowess and to those who were
and that they should themselves now fall upon on the wall above them. These threw great
the ships. stones at their assailants in defence of them-
[108] The rest of theTrojansand their allies selves their tents and their ships. The stones
now followed the counsel of Polydamas but fell thick as the flakes of snow which some
Asius son of Hyrtacus would not leave his fierce blast drives from the dark clouds and
horses and his esquire behind him; in his fool- showers down in sheets upon the earth— even
hardiness he took them on with him towards so fell the weapons from the hands alike of Tro-
the ships, nor did he fail to come by his end jans and Achaeans. Helmet and shield rang out
in consequence. Nevermore was he to return as the great stones rained upon them, and Asius
to wind-beaten Ilius, exulting in his chariot the son of Hyrtacus in his dismay cried aloud
and he could do so, death of ill-
his horses; ere and smote his two thighs. "Father Jove," he
omened name had overshadowed him and he cried, "of a truth you too are altogether given to
had fallen by the spear of Idomeneus the noble lying. I made sure the Argive heroes could not

son of Deucalion. He had driven towards the withstand us, whereas like slim-waisted wasps,
left wing of the ships, by which way the Achas- or bees that have their nests in the rocks bv the
ans used to return with their chariots and horses wavside— they leave not the holes wherein
from the plain. Hither he drove and found the they have built undefended, but fight for their
gates with their doors opened wide, and the little ones against all who would take them—
great bar down— for the gatemen kept
them even so these men, though they be but two,
open so as to let those of their comrades enter will not be driven from the gates, but stand
who might be flying towards the ships. Hither firm either to slay or be slain."
of set purpose did he direct his horses, and his [lyz] He spoke, but moved not the mind of
men followed him with a loud cry, for they felt Jove, whose counsel it then was to give glory
sure that the Achasans would not hold out to Hector. Meanwhile the rest of the Trojans
longer, and that they should now fall upon the were fighting about the other gates; I, however,
ships. Little did they know that at the gates am no god to be able to tell about all these
they should find two of the bravest chieftains, things, for the battle raged everywhere about
84 THE ILIAD
the stone wall as were a fiery furnace. The
it did not succeed in taking it home to her little

/Xrgives, discomfited though they were, were ones, and so will it be with ourselves; even
forced to defend their ships, and all the gods though by a mightv effort we break through
who were defending the /Vchasans were vexed the gates and wall of the Achaeans, and they
in spirit; but the Lapithae kept on fighting with gi\e way before us, still we shall not return in
might and m:iin. good order by the wav we came, but shall leave
[182] Thereon Polypoetes, mighty son of manv a man behind us whom the Achasans
Pirithoiis, hit Damasus with a spear upon his will do to death in defence of their ships. Thus
cheek-pierced helmet. The helmet did not pro- would any seer who was expert in these matters,
tect him, for the point of the spear went through and was trusted by the people, read the por-
it, and broke the bone, so that the brain inside tent."
was scattered about, and he died fighting. He /230J Hector looked fiercely at him and said,
then slew Pvlon and Ormenus. Leonteus, of "Polvdamas, I like not of your reading. You can
the race of Mars, killed Hippomachus the son find a better saving than this if you will. If,
of Antimachus bv striking him with his spear however, vou have spoken in good earnest, then
upon the girdle. He then drew his sword and indeed has heaven robbed you of your reason.
sprang first upon Antiphates whom he killed in You would have me pay no heed to the counsels
close combat, and who fell face upwards on the of Jove, nor to the promises he made me— and
earth. After him he killed Menon, lamenus, he bowed his head in confirmation; you bid me
and Orestes, and laid them low one after the be ruled rather bv the flight of wild-fowl. What
other. care I whether they fly towards dawn or dark,

[19s] ^'^^hile they were busy stripping the and whether thev be on my right hand or on
armour from these heroes, the youths who were my left? Let us put our trust rather in the coun-
led on bv Polydamas and Hector (and these sel of great Jove, king of mortals and immortals.

were the greater part and the most valiant of There is one omen, and one only— that a man
those that were trying to break through the wall should fight for his country. Why are you so
and fire the ships) were still standing by the fearful? Though we be all of us slain at the
trench, uncertain what they should do; for they ships of the Argives you are not likely to be
had seen a sign from heaven when they had killed vourself, for you are not steadfast nor
essayed to cross it— a soaring eagle that flew courageous. If you will not fight, or would
skirting the left wing of their host, with a mon- talk others over from doing so, you shall fall
strous blood-red snake in its talons still alive forthwith before my spear."
and struggling to escape. The snake was still f 25 ij With these words he led the way, and
bent on revenge, wriggling and twisting itself the others followed after with a en,' that rent
backwards till it struck the bird that held it, the air. Then Jove the lord of thunder sent the
on the neck and breast; whereon the bird being blast of a mighty wind from the mountains of
in pain, let dropping it into the middle
it fall, Ida, that bore the dustdown towards the ships;
of the host, and then flew down the wind with he thus lulled the Achaeans into security, and
a sharp cry. The Trojans were struck with terror gave victory to Hector and to the Trojans, who,
when thev saw the snake, portent of aegis- trusting to their own might and to the signs
bearing Jove, writhing in the midst of them, he had shown them, essayed to break through
and Polvdamas went up to Hector and said, the great wall of the Achaeans. Thev tore down
"Hector, our councils of war you are ever
at the breastworks from the walls, and overthrew
given to rebuke me, even when I speak wisely, the battlements; thev upheaved the buttresses,
as though it were not well, forsooth, that one which the Achaeans had set in front of the wall
of the people should cross your will either in in order to support it; when they had pulled
the field or at the council board; you would these down thev made sure of breaking through
ha\'e them support vou always: nevertheless I the wall, but the Danaans still showed no sign
will sav what think will be best; let us not
I of giving ground; thev fenced the battle-
still

now go on to fight the Danaans at their ships, ments with their shields of o.x-hide, and hurled
for I know what v\ill happen if this soaring their missiles down upon the foe as soon as
eagle which skirted the left wing of our host any came below the wall.
with a monstrous blood-red snake in its talons [265] The two Ajaxes went about every-
(the snake being still alive) was really sent as where on the walls cheering on the Achaeans,
an omen to the Trojans on their essaying to giving fair words to some while they spoke
cross the trench. The eagle let go her hold; she sharplv to anv one v\'hom they saw to be remiss.
 BOOK XII 85
"Mv one and all
friends," thev cried, "Argives chard lawns and wheat-growing land; it be-
—good bad and indifferent, for there was never comes us, therefore, to take our stand at the
fight ^et, in which all were of equal prowess- head of all the Lvcians and bear the brunt of
there is now work enough, as vou \er\' well the fight, that one mav sav to another, "Our
know, for all of you. See that vou none of you princes in Lycia eat the fat of the land and
turn in flight towards the ships, daunted bv the drink the best of wine, but thev are fine fellows;
shouting of the foe, but press forward and keep they fight well and are ever at the front in
one another in heart, if it mav so be that Olvm- battle.' Mv good friend, if, when we were once
pian Jove the lord of lightning will vouchsafe out of this fight, we could escape old age and
us to repel our foes, and drive them back to- death thenceforward and for ever, I should
wards the citv." neither press forward mvself nor bid vou do so,
[2.y~] Thus did the two go about shouting but death in ten thousand shapes hangs ever
and cheering the Achasans on. As the flakes that over our heads, and no man can elude him;
fall thickupon a winter's dav. v\hen Jove is therefore let us go forward and either win glory
minded snow and to displav these his arrows
to for ourselves, or vield it to another."
to mankind— he lulls the wind to rest, and 1329] Glaucus heeded his saving, and the
snows hour after hour till he has buried the pair forthwith led on the host of Lvcians.
tops of the high mountains, the headlands that Menestheus son of Peteos was dismayed when
and the tilled
jut into the sea, the grassv plains, he saw them, for it was against his part of the
fields ofmen: the snow lies deep upon the fore- wall that thev came— bringing destruction with
lands and havens of the grev sea, but the waves them; he looked along the wall for some chief-
as thev come rolling in stav it that it can come tain to support his comrades and saw the two
no further, though all else is wrapped as with Ajaxes, men e\'er eager for the fray, and Teucer,
a mantle so hea\'v are the heavens with snow- who had just come from his tent, standing near
even thus thicklv did the stones fall on one side them; but he could not make his voice heard by
and on the other, some thrown at the Trojans, shouting to them, so great an uproar was there
and some bv the Trojans at the Achaeans; and from clashing shields and helmets and the
the whole wall was in an uproar. battering of gates with a din which reached the
[290] Still the Trojans and brave Hector skies. For all the gates had been closed, and
would not vet ha\'e broken down the gates and the Trojans were hammering at them to try
the great bar. had not Jove turned his son and break their way through them. Menes-
Sarpedon against the Argives as a lion against theus, therefore, sent Thootes with a message
a herd of horned cattle. Before him he held his to Ajax. "Run, good Thootes, said he, "and
"

shield of hammered bronze, that the smith had call Ajax, or better still bid both come, for it
beaten so fair and round, and had lined with will be all over with us here directly; the leaders
ox hides which he had made fast with rivets of of the Lvcians are upon us, men who have ever
gold all round the shield; this he held in front fought desperately heretofore. But if the pair
of him, and brandishing his two spears came on have too much on their hands to let them both
like some lion of the wilderness, who has been come, at any rate let Ajax son of Telamon do
long famished for want of meat and will dare so, and let Teucer the famous bowman come
break even into a well-fenced homestead to trv with him."
and get at the sheep. He mav find the shep- The messenger did as he was told, and
[3 5 1 y

herds keeping watch over their flocks with dogs running along the wall of the Achasans.
set off
and spears, but he is in no mind to be driven When he reached the Ajaxes he said to them,
from the fold till he has had a trv for it; he "Sirs, princes of the Argives, the son of noble
will either spring on a sheep and carrv it off, or Peteos bids you come to him for a while and
be hit bv a spear from some strong hand— even help him. You had better both come if you can,
so was Sarpedon fain to attack the wall and or it will be all over with him directly; the
break down its battlements. Then he said to leaders of the Lvcians are upon him. men who
Glaucus son of Hippolochus, "Glaucus, whv in ha\'e ever fought desperately heretofore; if you
Lycia do we receive especial honour as regards have too much on your hands to let both come,
our place at table? Whv are the choicest por- at any rate let Ajax son of Telamon do so, and
tions served usand our cups kept brimming, letTeucer the famous bowman come with him."
and whv do men look up to us as though we [^64] Great Ajax, son of Telamon, heeded
were godsr Moreover we hold a large estate by the message, and at once spoke to the son of
the banks of the river Xanthus, fair with or- Oileus. "Aj?x," said he, "do you two, yourself
86 THE ILIAD
iind bra\'e Lvcomcdes, stay here and keep the break through the wall and open a way to the
Danaans in heart to fight their hardest. I will go ships single-handed. Come close on behind me,
over yonder, and bear my part in the fray, but for the more there are of us the better."
I will come back here at once as soon as I have [41^] The Lycians, shamed by his rebuke,
given them the help they need." pressed closer round him who was their coun-

[^70] With this. Ajax son of Telamon set sellor and their king. The Argives on their part
off, and Tcucer his brother by the same father got their men in fighting order within the wall,

went also, w ith Pandion to carry 1 eucer's bow. and there was a deadly struggle between them.

They went along inside the wall, and when The Lycians could not break through the wall
thev came to the tower where Menestheus was and force their way to the ships, nor could the
(and hard pressed indeed did they find him) Danaans dri\'e the Lycians from the wall now
the brave captains and leaders of the Lycians that they had once reached it. As two men,
were storming the battlements as it were a thick measuring-rods in hand, quarrel about their
dark cloud, fighting in close quarters, and rais- boundaries in a field that thev own in common,
ing the battle-cry aloud. and stickle for their rights though thev be but
[3787 First, Ajax son of Telamon killed in a mere strip, even so did the battlements now
brave Epicles, a comrade of Sarpedon, hitting serve as a bone of contention, and thev beat one
him with a jagged stone that lay by the battle- another's round shields for their possession.
ments at the very top of the wall. As men now Many man's body was wounded with the
a

are, even one who is in the bloom of youth pitiless bronze, as he turned round and bared
could hardlv lift it with his two hands, but Ajax his back to the foe, and many were struck clean
raised it high aloft and flung it down, smashing through their shields; the wall and battlements
Epicles' four-crested helmet so that the bones were e\ervwhere deluged with the blood alike
of his head were crushed to pieces, and he fell of Trojans and of Achaeans. But even so the
from the high wall as though he were di\ing, Trojans could not rout the Achaeans, who still
with no more life left in him. Then Teucer held on; and as some honest hard-working
wounded Glaucus the brave son of Hippolo- woman weighs wool in her balance and sees
chus as he was coming on to attack the wall. He that the scales be true, for she would gain
saw his shoulder bare and aimed an arrow at it, some pitiful earnings for her little ones, even
which made Glaucus leave off^ fighting. Thereon so was the fight balanced exenlv between them
he sprang covertly down for fear some of the till the time came when Jo\e ga\'e the greater

Achaeans might see that he was wounded and glory to Hector son of Priam, who was first to
taunt him. Sarpedon was stung with grief when spring towards the wall of the Achaeans. As he
he saw Glaucus leave him, still he did not leave did so, he cried aloud to the Trojans, "Up,
off- fighting, but aimed his spear at Alcmaon the Trojans, break the wall of the Argives, and
son of Thestor and hit him. He drew his spear fling fire upon their ships."
back again and Alcmaon came down headlong [442] Thus did he hound them on, and in
after it with his bronzed armour rattling round one body they rushed straight at the wall as he
him. Then Sarpedon seized the battlement in had bidden them, and scaled the battlements
his strong hands, and tugged at it till it all gave with sharp spears in their hands. Hector laid
way together, and a breach was made through hold of a stone that lav just outside the gates
which many might pass. and was thick at one end but pointed at the
[400] Ajax and Teucer then both of them other; two of the best men in a town, as men
attacked him. Teucer hit him with an arrow on now are, could hardlv raise it from the ground
the band that bore the shield which covered his and put it on to a waggon, but Hector lifted it
body, but Jove saved his son from destruction quite easily by himself, for the son of scheming
that he might not fall by the ships' sterns. Saturn made it light for him. As a shepherd
Meanwhile Ajax sprang on him and pierced his picks up a ram's fleece with one hand and finds
shield, but the spear did not go clean through, it no burden, so easily did Hector lift the great

though it hustled him back that he could come stone and drive it right at the doors that closed
on no further. I le therefore retired a little space the gates so strong and so firmly set. These doors
from the battlement, vet without losing all his were double and high, and were kept closed by
ground, for he still thought to cover himself two which there was but one key.
cross-bars to
with glory. Then he turned round and shouted When he had got close up to them, Hector
to the brave Lycians saying, "Lycians, why do strode towards them that his blow might gain
you thus fail me? For all my prowess I cannot in force and struck them in the middle, leaning
 BOOK XII 87
his whole weight against them. He broke both his hand. None
but a god could ha\p withstood
hinges, and the stone fell inside bv reason of him as he flung himself into the gateway, and
its great weight. The portals re-echoed with the fire. Then he turned round
his eyes glared like
sound, the bars held no longer, and the doors towards the Trojans and called on them to scale
flew open, one one way, and the other the other, the wall, and they did as he bade them— some
through the force of the blow. Then brave Hec- of them at once climbing over the wall, while
tor leaped inside with a face as dark as that of others passed through the gates. The Danaans
flying night. The gleaming bronze flashed then fled panic-stricken towards their ships,
fiercely about his bodv and he had two spears in and all was uproar and confusion.
^£^£^£^£^£^£-.

BOOK XIII

NOW tor
when Jove had thus brought Hec-
and the Trojans to the ships, he left
none could either unloose or break, so that they
might stay there in that place until their lord
them to their never-ending toil, and should return. This done he went his way to
turned his keen eyes away, looking elsewhither the host of the Achaeans.
towards the horse-breeders of Thrace, the Mys- [^9] Now the Trojans followed Hector son
ians, fighters at close quarters, the noble Hip- of Priam in close array like a storm-cloud or
pemolgi, who live on milk, and the Abians, flame of fire, fighting with might and main and
justest of mankind. He no longer turned so raising the cry of battle; for they deemed that
much as a glance towards Troy, for he did not they should take the ships of the Achaeans and
think that any of the immortals would go and kill all their chiefest heroes then and there.

help either Trojans or Danaans. Meanwhile earth-encircling Neptune lord of

[lo] But King Neptune had kept no blind the earthquake cheered on the Argives, for he
look-out; he had been looking admiringly on had come up out of the sea and had assumed
the battle from his seat on the topmost crests the form and voice of Calchas.
of wooded Samothrace, whence he could see all [46] First he spoke to the two Ajaxes, who
Ida, with the Priam and the ships of the
city of were doing their best already, and said, "Ajaxes,
Achasans. He had come from under the sea and you two can be the saving of the Achaeans if
taken his place here, for he pitied the Achaeans you will put out all your strength and not let
who were being overcome by the Trojans; and yourselves be daunted. I am not afraid that the
he was furiously angry with Jove. Trojans, who have got over the wall in force,
[ly] Presently he came down from his post will be victorious in any other part, for the
on the mountain top, and as he strode swiftly Achasans can hold all of them in check, but I

onwards the high hills and the forest quaked much fear that some us here
evil will befall

beneath the tread of his immortal feet. Three where furious Hector, who boasts himself the
strides he took, and with the fourth he reached son of great Jove himself, is leading them on
his goal— yEgae, where is his glittering golden like a pillar of flame. May some god, then, put
palace, imperishable, in the depths of the sea. it into your hearts to make a firm stand here,

When he got there, he yoked his fleet brazen- and to incite others to do the like. In this case
footed steeds with their manes of gold all flying you will drive him from the ships even though
in the wind; he clothed himself in raiment of he be inspired by Jove himself."
gold, grasped his gold whip, and took his stand [^g] As he spoke the earth-encircling lord of
upon his chariot. As he went his way over the the earthquake struck both of them with his
waves the sea-monsters left their lairs, for they sceptre and filled their hearts with daring. He
knew their lord, and came gambolling round made their legs light and active, as also their
him from every quarter of the deep, while the hands and their feet. Then, as the soaring falcon
sea in her gladness opened a path before his poises on the wing high above some sheer rock,
chariot. So lightly did the horses fly that the and presently swoops down to chase some bird
bronze axle of the car was not even wet beneath over the plain, even so did Neptune lord of the
it; and thus his bounding steeds took him to earthquake wing his flight into the air and leave
the ships of the Achaeans. them. Of the two, swift Ajax son of O'ileus was
[^2] Now there is a certain huge cavern in the first to know who it was that had been
midway between Tenedos
the depths of the sea speaking with them, and said to Ajax son of
and rocky Imbrus; here Neptune lord of the Telamon, "Ajax, this is one of the gods that
earthquake stayed his horses, unyoked them, dwell on Olympus, who in the likeness of the
and set before them their ambrosial forage. He prophet is bidding us fight hard bv our ships.
hobbled their feet with hobbles of gold which It was not Calchas the seer and diviner of
 BOOK XIII 89
omens; I knew him
once by his feet and
at ard of the fight is extreme. Great Hector is now
knees as he turned away, for the gods are soon fighting at our ships; he has broken through the
recognised. Moreover I feel the lust of battle gates and the strong bolt that held them."
burn more within me, while my hands
fiercely [izs] Thus did the earth-encircler address
and my feet under me are more eager for the the Achaeans and urge them on. Thereon round
"

fray. the two Ajaxes there gathered strong bands of

[76] And Ajax son of Telamon answered, "I men, of whom not even Mars nor Minerva,
too feel my
hands grasp my spear more firmly; marshaller of hosts could make light if thev
my strength is greater, and my feet more nim- went among them, for they were the picked
ble; I long, moreover, to meet furious Hector men of all those who were now awaiting the on-
son of Priam, even in single combat." set of Hector and the Trojans. Thev made a
[81] Thus did they converse, exulting in living fence, spear to spear, shield to shield,
the hunger after battle with which the god had buckler to buckler, helmet to helmet, and man
filled them. Meanwhile the earth-encircler to man. The horse-hair crests on their gleaming
roused the Achaeans, who were resting in the helmets touched one another as they nodded
rear by the ships overcome at once by hard forward, so closely serried were they; the spears
fighting and bv grief at seeing that the Tro- they brandished in their strong hands were in-
jans had got over the wall in force. Tears began terlaced, and their hearts were set on battle.
falling from their eyes as they beheld them, for [1^6] The Trojans advanced in a dense
they made sure that they should not escape de- body, with Hector at their head pressing right
struction; but the lord of the earthquake passed on as a rock that comes thundering down the
lightly about among them and urged their bat- side of some mountain from whose brow the
talions to the front. winter torrents have torn it; the foundations of
[g I ] First he went up to Teucer and Le'itus, the dull thing have been loosened by floods of
the hero Peneleos, and Thoas and Deipyrus; rain, and as it bounds headlong on its way it

Meriones and Antilochus, valiant warriors;

also sets the whole forest in an uproar; swerves
it

all these did he exhort. "Shame on you young neither to right nor left till it reaches level
Argives," he cried, "it was on vour prowess I ground, but then for all its fury it can go no
relied for the saving of our ships; if you fight further— even so easily did Hector for a while
not with might and main, this very day will see seem as though he would career through the
us overcome by the Trojans. Of a truth my eyes tents and ships of the Achaeans till he had
behold a great and terrible portent which I had reached the sea in his murderous course; but the
never thought to see— the Trojans at our ships closely serried battalions stayed him when he
—they, who heretofore were like panic-stricken reached them, for the sons of the Achaeans
hinds, the prey of jackals and wolves in a forest, thrust at him with swords and spears pointed at
with no strength but in flight for they cannot both ends, and drove him from them so that he
defend themselves. Hitherto the Trojans dared staggered and gave ground; thereon he shouted
not for one moment face the attack of the to the Trojans, "Trojans, Lycians, and Dar-
Achaeans, but now they have sallied far from danians, fighters in close combat, stand firm:
their city and are fighting at our very ships the Achaeans have set themselves as a wall
through the cowardice of our leader and the against me, but they will not check me for long;
disaffection of the people themselves, who in they will give ground before me if the mightiest
their discontent care not to fight in defence of of the gods, the thundering spouse of Juno, has
the ships but are being slaughtered near them. indeed inspired my onset."
True, King Agamemnon son of Atreus is the [15s] With these words he put heart and
cause of our disaster by having insulted the son soul into them all. Deiphobus son of Priam
of Peleus, still this is no reason why we should went about among them intent on deeds of
leave off fighting. Let us be quick to heal, for daring with his round shield before him, under
the hearts of the brave heal quickly. You do ill cover of which he strode quickly forward. Me-
to be thus remiss, you, who are the finest sol- riones took aim at him with a spear, nor did he
diers in our whole army. I blame no man for fail to hit the broad orb of ox-hide; but he was
keeping out of battle if he is a weakling, but I far from piercing it for the spear broke in two
am indignant with such men as you are. My pieces long ere he could do so; moreover Deiph-
good friends, matters will soon become even obus had seen it coming and had held his shield
worse through this slackness; think, each one of well awav from him. Meriones drew back under
you, of his own honour and credit, for the haz- cover of his comrades, angry alike at having
9° THE ILIAD
failed to Deiphobus, and having
vanquish had just to him from the fight, wounded
come
broken his spear. He turned therefore towards in the knee.His fellow-soldiers bore him off the
the ships and tents to fetch a spear which he field, and Idomeneus having given orders to

had left behind in his tent. the physicians went on to his tent, for he was
[169] The others continued fighting, and still thirsting for battle. Neptune spoke in the
the cr\' of battle rose up into the heavens. likenessand with the voice of Thoas son of
Teucer son of Telamon was the first to kill his Andraemon who ruled the /Etolians of all
man, to wit, the warrior Imbrius son of Mentor Pleuron and high Calydon, and was honoured
rich in horses. Until the Achasans came he h?d among his people as though he were a god.
lived in Pedaeum, and had married Medesicaste "Idomeneus, said he, "lawgiver to the Cretans,
"

a bastard daughter of Priam; but on the arrival what has now become of the threats with
of the Danaan fleet he had gone back to Ilius, which the sons of the Achaeans used to threaten
and was a great man among the Trojans, dwell- the Trojans?"
ing near Priam himself, who gave him like [22 7 j And Idomeneus chief among the Cre-
honour with his own sons. The son of Telamon tans answered, "Thoas, no one, so far as 1

now struck him under the ear with a spear know, is in fault, for we can all fight. None are
which he then drew back again, and Imbrius held back neither by fear nor slackness, but it
fell headlong as an ash-tree when it is felled on seems to be the will of almightv Jove that the
the crest of some high mountain beacon, and its Achasans should perish ingloriously here far
delicate green foliage comes toppling down to from Argos: you, Thoas, have been always
the ground. Thus did he fall with his bronze- staunch, and you keep others in heart if you see
diaht armour ringing harshlv round him, and anv fail in dutv; be not then remiss now, but
Teucer sprang forward with intent to strip him exhort all to do their utmost."
of his armour; but as he was doing so, f^ector [2^1] To this Neptune lord of the earth
took aim at him with a spear. Teucer saw the quake made answer, "Idomeneus, mav he never
spear coming and swerved aside, whereon it hit return from Troy, but remain here for dogs to
Amphimachus, son of Cteatus son of Actor, in batten upon, who is this day wilfully slack in
the chest as he was coming into battle, and his fighting. Get your armour and go, we must
armour rang rattling round him as he fell make all haste together if we may be of any use,
hea\'ily to the ground. Hector sprang forward though we are only two. Even cowards gain
to take Amphimachus's helmet from off^ his courage from companionship, and we two can
temples, and in a moment Ajax threw a spear hold our own with the bravest."
at him. but did not wound him,
he was en-
for [240] Therewith the god went back into the
cased all over in his terrible armour; neverthe- thick of the fight, and Idomeneus when he had
less the spear struck the boss of his shield with reached his tent donned his armour, grasped his
such force as to drive him back from the two two spears, and sallied forth. As the lightning
corpses, which the Achaeans then drew off. which the son of Saturn brandishes from bright
Stichius and Menestheus, captains of the Athe- Olvmpus when he would show a sign to mor-
nians, bore awav Amphimachus to the host of tals, and its gleam flashes far and wide— even so

the Achaeans, while the two brave and impetu- did his armour gleam about him as he ran.
ous Ajaxes did the like by Imbrius. As two lions Meriones his sturdy squire met him while he
snatch a goat from the hounds that have it in was still near his tent (for he was going to
their fangs, and bear it through thick brush- fetch his spear) and Idomeneus said—
wood high above the ground in their iaws, thus [249] "Meriones, fleet son of Molus, best of
did the Ajaxes bear aloft the bodv of Imbrius, comrades, why have you left the field? Are you
and strip it of its armour. Then the son of wounded, and is the point of the weapon hurt-
Oileus severed the head from the neck in re- ing you? or have you been sent to fetch me? I
venge for the death of Amphimachus, and sent want no fetching; I had far rather fight than
it whirling o\'er the crowd as though it had been stay in my tent."
a ball, till it fell in the dust at Hector's feet. [2^4] "Idomeneus," answered Meriones, "I
[206] Neptune was exceedingly angrv that come for a spear, if I can find one in mv tent;
his grandson Amphimachus should have fallen; I have broken the one I had, in throwing it at

he therefore went to the tents and ships of the the shield of Deiphobus."
Achaeans to urge the Danaans still further, and [259] And Idomeneus captain of the Cretans
to devise evil for the Trojans. Idomeneus met answered, "You will find one spear, or twenty
him, as he was taking leave of a comrade, who if you so please, standing up against the end
 BOOK XIII 91
wall ofmv tent. I have taken them from Tro- others to defend the centre— the two Ajaxes and
jans whom I have killed, for I am not one to Teucer, who is the finest archer of all the
keep mv enemv at arm's length; therefore I Achaeans, and is good hand-to-hand
also in a
have spears, bossed shields, helmets, and bur- fight. These will give Hector son of Priam
nished corslets." enough to do; fight as he mav, he will find it
[266] Then Meriones said, "I too in my tent hard to vanquish their indomitable fury, and
and at my ship have spoils taken from the Tro- fire the ships, unless the son of Saturn fling a

jans, but they are not at hand. I have been at firebrand upon them with his own hand. Great
all times valorous, and wherever there has been Ajax son of Telamon will vield to no man who
hard fighting have held my own among the is in mortal mould and eats the grain of Ceres,
foremost.There may be those among the Achae- ifbronze and great stones can overthrow him.
ans who do not know how I fight, but you know He would not yield even to Achilles in hand-to-
it well enough vourself." hand fight, and in fleetness of foot there is none
[274] Idomeneus answered, "I know you for to beat him; let us turn therelore towards the
a brave man: vou need not tell me. If the best left wing, that we may know forthwith whether
men at the ships were being chosen to go on an we are to gi\e glory to some other, orhe to us."
ambush— and there is nothing like this for [^28] Meriones, peer of fleet Mars, then led
showing what a man is made of; it comes out the way till they came to the part of the host
then who is cowardly and who brave; the which Idomeneus had named.
coward will change colour at every touch and [330] Now when the Trojans saw Idome-
turn; he is full of fears, and keeps shifting his neus coming on like a flame of fire, him and
weight first on one knee and then on the other; his squire clad in their richly wrought armour,
his heart beats fast as he thinks of death, and they shouted and made towards him all in a
one can hear the chattering of his teeth; whereas bodv, and a furious hand-to-hand fight raged
the brave man will not change colour nor be under the ships' sterns. Fierce as the shrill
frightened on finding himself in ambush, but winds that whistle upon a day when dust lies
is all the time longing to go into action— if the deep on the roads, and the gusts raise it into a
best men were being chosen for such a service, thick cloud— even such was the fury of the com-
no one could make light of your courage nor bat, and might and main did thev hack at each
feats of arms. If you were struck by a dart or other with spear and sword throughout the
smitten in close combat, it would not be from host. The field bristled with the long and deadly
behind, in your neck nor back, but the weapon spears which they bore. Dazzling was the sheen
would hit you in the chest or belly as you were of their gleaming helmets, their fresh-burnished
pressing forward to a place in the front ranks. breastplates, and glittering shields as they joined
But let us no longer stay here talking like chil- battle with one another. Iron indeed must be
dren, lest we be ill spoken of; go, fetch your his courage who could take pleasure in the
spear from the tent at once." sight of such a turmoil, and look on it without
[29^] On this Meriones, peer of Mars, Ment being dismayed.
to the tent and got himself a spear of bronze. [345] Thus did the two mighty sons of
He then followed after Idomeneus, big with Saturn devise evil for mortal heroes. Jo\'e was
great deeds of valour. As when baneful Mars minded to give victory to the Trojans and to
sallies forth to battle, and his son Panic so strong Hector, so as to do honour to fleet Achilles,
and dauntless goes with him, to strike terror nevertheless he did not mean to utterly over-
even into the heart of a hero— the pair have throw the Achaean host before Ilius, and only
gone from Thrace to arm themselves among the wanted to glorify Thetis and her valiant son.
Ephyri or the brave Phlegyans, but they will Neptune on the other hand went about among
not listen to both the contending hosts, and will the Argives to incite them, ha\'ing come up
give victory to one side or to the other— e\ en from the grey sea in secret, for he was grieved
so did Meriones and Idomeneus, captains of at seeing them vanquished by the Trojans, and
men, go out to battle clad in their bronze ar- was furiously angry with Jo\'e. Both were of the
mour. Meriones was first to speak. "Son of same race and countr\', but Jove was elder born
Deucalion," said he, "where would you have us and knew more, therefore Neptune feared to
begin fighting? On the right wing of the host, defend the Argives openly, but in the likeness
in the centre, or on the wing, where I take
left of man, he kept on encouraging them through-
it the Achaeans will be weakest?" out their host. Thus, then, did these two devise
I ill] Idomeneus answered, "There are a knot of war and battle, that none could un-
 "

92 THE ILIAD
loose or break, and set both sides tugging at it, Idomeneus avenge Asius, and took aim at
to

to the faiHng of men's knees beneath them. him with a Idomeneus was on the
spear, but
[36/] And now Idomeneus, though his hair look-out and a\oided it, for he was covered bv
was aheady flecked with grey, called loud on the round shield he alwavs bore— a shield of ox-
the Danaans and spread panic among the Tro- hide and bronze with two arm-rods on the in-
jans as he leaped in among them. He slew side. He crouched under cover of this, and the
Othrvoneus from Cabesus, a sojourner, who spear flew over him. but the shield rano out as
had but lately come to take part in the war. He the spear grazed it, and the weapon sped not in
sought Cassandra the fairest of Priam's daugh- vain from the strong hand of Deiphobus, for it
ters in marriage, but offered no gifts of wooing, struck Hypsenor son of Hippasus, shepherd of
for he promised a great thing, to wit, that he his people, in the liver under the midriff, and
would drive the sons of the .Achasans willy nilly his limbs failed beneath him. Deiphobus
from Trov; old King Priam had given his con- vaunted over him and cried with a loud voice
sent and promised her to him, whereon he saying, "Of a truth Asius has not fallen un-
fought on the strength of the promises thus avenged; he will be glad even while passing
made to him. Idomeneus aimed a spear, and into the house of Hades, strong warden of the
hit him as he came striding on. His cuirass of gate, that I have sent some one to escort him.
bronze did not protect him, and the spear stuck [417] Thus did he vaunt, and the Argives
in his belly, so that befell heavily to the ground. were stung by his saying. Noble Antilochus was
Then Idomeneus vaunted over him saying, more angry than any one, but grief did not make
"Othrvoneus, there is no one in the world whom him forget his friend and comrade. He ran up
I shall admire more than I do you, if you indeed to him, bestrode him, and covered him with his
perform what vou ha\e promised Priam son of shield; then two of his staunch comrades, Me-
Dardanus in return for his daughter. We too cisteusson of Echius, and Alastor stooped down,
will make vou an offer; we you the
will give and bore him awav groaning heavilv to the
loveliest daughter of the son of Atreus, and will ships. But Idomeneus ceased not his fur\'. He
bring her from Argos for you to marry, if you kept on striving continually either to enshroud
will sack the goodly city of Ilius in company some Trojan in the darkness of death, or him-
with ourselves; so come along with me, that we self to fall while warding off the evil dav from
mav make a covenant at the ships about the the Achaeans. Then fell Alcathoiis son of noble
marriage, and we will not be hard upon you /Esyetes: he was son-in-law to Anchises, hav-
"

about gifts of wooing. ing married his eldest daughter Hippodameia

[383] With this Idomeneus began dragging who was the darling of her father and mother,
him bv the foot through the thick of the fight, and excelled all her generation in beautv, ac-
but Asius came up to protect the body, on foot, complishments, and understanding, wherefore
in front of his horses, which his esquire drove the bravest man in all Trov had taken her to
so close behind him that he could feel their wife— him did Neptune lav low bv the hand of
breath upon his shoulder. He was longing to Idomeneus, blinding his bright eyes and bind-
strikedown Idomeneus, but ere he could do so ing his strong limbs in fetters so that he could
Idomeneus smote him with his spear in the neither go back nor to one side, but stood stock
throat under the chin, and the bronze point still like a pillar or loftv tree when Idomeneus
went clean through it. He fell as an oak, or struck him with a spear in the middle of his
poplar, or pine which shipwrights have felled chest. The had hitherto pro-
coat of mail that
for ship's timber upon the mountains with tected his bodv was now broken, and rang
whetted a.xes— even thus did he lie full length harshly as the spear tore through it. He fell
in front of his chariot and horses, grinding his heavily to the ground, and the spear stuck in
teeth and clutching at the bloodstained dust. his heart, which still and made the butt-
beat,
His charioteer was struck with panic and did end of the spear quiver dread Mars put an
till

not dare turn his horses round and escape: end to his life. Idomeneus vaunted over him
thereupon Antilochus hit him in the middle of and cried with a loud voice saying, "Deiphobus,
his body with a spear; his cuirass of bronze did since vou are in a mood to vaunt, shall we cry
not protect him, and the spear stuck in his bellv. quits now that we have killed three men to vour
1 le fell gasping from his chariot and Antilo- one? Nav, sir, stand in fight with me vourself,
chus, great Nestor's son, drove his horses from that you mav learn what manner of Jove-be-
the Trojans to the Achaeans. gotten man am I that have come hither. Jove
[402] De'iphobus then came close up to first begot Minos chief ruler in Crete, and
 BOOK XIII 93
Minos in his turn begot a son, noble Deucalion; their long spears; and the bronze armour about
Deucalion begot me to be a ruler over many their bodies rang fearfully as they took aim at
men in Crete, and my ships have now brought one another in the press of the fight, while the
me hither, to be the bane of yourself, your two heroes /Eneas and Idomeneus, peers of
father,and the Trojans." Mars, outvied every one in their desire to hack
[455] Thus did he speak, and Deiphobus at each other with sword and spear. /Eneas
was in two minds, whether to go back and fetch took aim first, but Idomeneus was on the look-
some other Trojan to help him, or to take up out and avoided the spear, so that it sped from
the challenge single-handed. In the end, he /Eneas' strong hand in vain, and fell quivering
deemed it best to go and fetch /^neas, whom he in the ground. Idomeneus meanwhile smote
found standing in the rear, for he had long CEnomaus in the middle of his bellv, and broke
been aggrieved with Priam because in spite of the plate of his corslet, whereon his bowels
his brave deeds he did not give him his due came gushing out and he clutched the earth in
share of honour. Deiphobus went up to him the palms of his hands as he fell sprawling in
and said, "/Eneas, prince among the Trojans, the dust. Idomeneus drew his spear out of the
if vou know any ties of kinship, help me now to body, but could not strip him of the rest of his
defend the body of your sister's husband; come armour for the rain of darts that were showered
with me who being
to the rescue of Alcathoiis, upon him: moreover his strength was now be-
husband to your brought vou up when
sister ginning to fail him so that he could no longer
vou were a child in his house, and now Idome- charge, and could neither spring forward to re-
neus has slain him." cover his own weapon nor swer\'e aside to a\'oid

[468] With these words he moved the heart one that was aimed at him: therefore, though
of /Eneas, and he went in pursuit of Idome- he still defended himself in hand-to-hand fight,
neus, big with great deeds of valour: but Idome- his heavy feet could not bear him swiftly out
neus was not to be thus daunted as though he of the battle. Deiphobus aimed a spear at him as
were a mere child; he held his ground as a he was retreating slowly from the field, for his
wild boar at bay upon the mountains, who bitterness against him was as fierce as ever, but
abides the coming of a great crowd of men in again he missed him, and hit Ascalaphus, the
some lonelv place— the bristles stand upright son of Mars; the spear went through his
on his back, his eyes flash fire, and he whets his shoulder, and he clutched the earth in the
tusks in his eagerness to defend himself against palms of his hands as he fell sprawling in the
hounds and men— even so did famed Idomeneus dust.
hold his ground and budge not at the coming [521] Grim Mars of awful voice did not vet
of /Eneas. He cried aloud to his comrades know that his son had fallen, for he was sitting
looking towards Ascalaphus, Aphareus, Deipy- on the summits of Olympus under the golden
rus, Meriones, and Antilochus, all of them clouds, by command of Jove, where the other
brave soldiers
—
"Hither my friends," he cried, gods were also sitting, forbidden to take part in
"and leave me not single-handed— I go in great the battle. Meanwhile men fought furiously
fear bv fleet /Eneas, who is coming against me, about the body. Deiphobus tore the helmet from
and is a redoubtabledispenser of deathin battle. off^ his head, but Meriones sprang upon him,

Moreover he is in the flower of youth when a and struck him on the arm with a spear so that
man's strength is greatest; if I was of the same the visored helmet fell from his hand and came
age as he is and in my present mind, either he ringing down upon the ground. Thereon Me
or I should soon bear away the prize of victory." riones sprang upon him like a vulture, drew the
[48-/] On this, all of one man stood
them as spear from his shoulder, and fell back under
near him, shield on shoulder. /Eneas on the cover of his men. Then Polites, own brother of
other side called to his comrades, looking to- Deiphobus, passed his arms around his waist,
wards Deiphobus, Paris, and Agenor, who were and bore him away from the battle till he got
leaders of the Trojans along with himself, and to his horses that were standing in the rear of
the people followed them as sheep follow the the fight with the chariot and their driver. These
ram when they go down to drink after they took him towards the city groaning and in great
have been feeding, and the heart of the shep- pain, with the blood flowing from his arm.
herd is glad— even so was the heart of /Eneas [S4o] The still fought on, and the
others
gladdened when he saw his people follow him. heaven without ceasing. /Eneas
battle-cry rose to
[496] Then they fought furiously in close sprang on Aphareus son of Caletor, and struck
combat about the body of Alcathoiis, wielding him with a spear in his throat which was turned
94 THE ILIAD
towards him; his head fell on one side, his hel- other with his bow and arrow. The son Priam
of
met and shield came down along with him, and hit the breastplate of Menelaus's but the
corslet,

death, life's foe, was shed around him. Antilo- arrov\' glanced from ofl^ it. As black beans or

chus spied his chance, flew forward towards pulse come pattering down on to a threshing-
Thoon, and wounded hfm as he was turning floor from the broad winnowing-shovel, blown

round. He laid open the vein that runs all the by shrill winds and shaken by the shovel— even
way up the back to the neck; he cut this vein so did the arrow glance off^ and recoil from the
clean away throughout its whole course, and shield of Menelaus, who in his turn wounded
Thoon fell in the dust face upwards, stretching the hand with which Helenus carried his bow;
out his hands imploringly towards his comrades. the spear went right through his hand and
Antilochus sprang upon him and stripped the stuck in the bow itself, so that to save his life he
armour from his shoulders, glaring round him retreated under cover of his men, with his hand
fearfullv as he did so. The Trojans came about dragging by his side— for the spear weighed it
him on evers' side and struck his broad and down Agenor drew it out and bound the
till

gleaming shield, but could not wound his body, hand up in a woollen sling which his
carefully
for Neptune stood guard over the son of Nestor, esquire had with him.
though the darts fell thickly round him. He [601] Pisander then made straight at Mene-
was never clear of the foe, but was always in laus— his evil destiny luring him on to his doom,
the thick of the fight; his spear was never idle; for he was to fall in fight with you, O Mene
he poised and aimed it in every direction, so laus. When the two were hard by one another

eager was he to hit some one from a distance or the spear of the son of Atreus turned aside and
to fighthim hand to hand. he missed his aim; Pisander then struck the
/560J As he was thus aiming among the shield of brave Menelaus but could not pierce
crowd, he was seen bv Adamas son of Asius, it, for the shield stayed the spear and broke the
who rushed towards him and struck him with a shaft; nevertheless he was glad and made sure
spear in the middle of his shield, but Neptune of victory; forthwith, however, the son of Atreus
made its point without effect, for he grudged drew his sword and sprang upon him. Pisander
him the life of Antilochus. One half, therefore, then ceized the bronze battle-axe, with its long
of the spear stuck fast like a charred stake in and polished handle of olive wood that hung by
Antilochus's shield, while the other lay on the his side under his shield, and the two made at
ground. Adamas then sought shelter under one another. Pisander struck the peak of Mene-
cover of his men, but Meriones followed after laus's crested helmet just under the crest itself,
and hit him with a spear midway between the and Menelaus hit Pisander as he was coming
private partsand the navel, where a wound is towards him, on the forehead, just at the rise
particularly painful towretched mortals. There of his nose; the bones cracked and his two sore-
did Meriones transfix him, and he writhed con- bedrabbled eyes fell by his feet in the dust. He
vulsively about the spear as some bull whom fell backwards to the ground, and Menelaus set

mountain herdsmen have bound M'ith ropes of his heel upon him, stripped him of his armour,
withes and are taking away perforce. Even so and vaunted over him saying, "Even thus shall
did he move convulsively for a while, but not you Trojans leave the ships of the Achaeans,
for very long, Meriones came up and drew
till proud and insatiate of battle though you be: nor
the spear out of his body, and his eyes were shall vou lack any of the disgrace and shame
veiled in darkness. which you have heaped upon myself. Cowardly
[576/ Helenus then struck Deipyrus with a she-wolves that you are, you feared not the
great Thracian sword, hitting him on the tem- anger of dread Jove, avenger of violated hospi-
ple in close combat and tearing the helmet from tality, who will one day destroy your city; you

his head; the helmet fell to the ground, and one stole my wedded wife and wickedly carried off
of those who were fighting on the Achaean side much treasure when you were her guest, and
took charge of it as it rolled at his feet, but the now you would fling fire upon our ships, and
eyes of Deipyrus were closed in the darkness of kill our heroes. A day will come when, rage as

death. you may, you shall be stayed. O father Jove,

[582] On this Menelaus was grieved, and you, who they say art above all both gods and
made menacingly towards Helenus, brandish- men in wisdom, and from whom all things that
ing his spear; but Helenus drew his bow, and befall us do proceed, how can you thus favour
the two attacked one another at one and the the Trojans— men so proud and overweening,
same moment, the one with his spear, and the that they are never tired of fighting? All things
 BOOK XIII 95
pall after awhile— sleep, love, sweet song, and cheer them on and help them. He therefore
stately dance— still these are things of which a held on at the point where he had first forced
man would surely have his fill rather than of his way through the gates and the wall, after
battle, whereas it is of battle that the Trojans breaking through the serried ranks of Danaan
are insatiate." warriors. It was here that the ships of Ajax and
[640] So saying Menelaus stripped the Protesilaus were drawn up by the sea-shore;
blood-stained armour from the body of Pisan- here the wall was at its lowest, and the fight
der, and handed it over to his men; then he both of man and horse raged most fiercely. The
again ranged himself among those who were in Boeotians and the lonians with their long
the front of the fight. tunics, the Locrians.the men of Phthia,and the
[64^] Harpalion son of King Pylaemenes famous force of the Epeans could hardly stay
then sprang upon him; he had come to fight at Hector as he rushed on towards the ships, nor
Troy along with his father, but he did not go could they drive him from them, for he was as
home again. He struck the middle of Mene- a wall of fire. The chosen men of the Athenians
laus's shield with his spear but could not pierce were in the van. led by Menestheus son of Pe-
it, and to save his life drew back under cover of teos, with whom were also Pheidas, Stichius,
his men, looking round him on every side lest and stalwart Bias: Meges son of Phyleus, Am-
he should be wounded. But Meriones aimed a phion, and Dracius commanded the Epeans,
bronze-tipped arrow at him as he was leaving while Medon and staunch Podarces led the men
the field, and hit him on the right buttock; the of Phthia. Of these, Medon was bastard son to
arrow pierced the bone through and through, Oileus and brother of Ajax, but he lived in
and penetrated the bladder, so he sat down Phvlace away From his own country, for he had
where he was and breathed his last in the arms killed the brother of hisstepmother Eriopis, the
of his comrades, stretched like a worm upon the wife of Oileus; the other, Podarces, was the son
ground and watering the earth with the blood of Iphiclus son of Phvlacus. These two stood in
that flowed from his wound. The brave Paph- the van of the Phthians, and defended the ships
lagonians tended him with all due care; they along with the Boeotians.
raised him and bore him sadlv
into his chariot, [701] /\iax son ot Oileus never for a mo-
off^ to the city of Troy; his father went also with ment left the side of Ajax son of Telamon, but
him weeping bitterly, but there was no ransom as two swart oxen both strain their utmost at
that could bring his dead son to life again. the plough which they are drawing in a fallow
[660] Paris was deeply grieved by the death field, and the sweat steams upwards from about
of Harpalion, who was his host when he went the roots of theirhorns— nothing but the yoke
among the Paphlagonians; he aimed an arrow, divides them break up the ground till
as they
therefore, in order to avenge him. Now there they reach the end of the field— e\'en so did the
was a certain man named Euchenor, son of two Ajaxes stand shoulder to shoulder by one
Polyidus the prophet, a brave man and wealthy, another. Many and braxe comrades followed
whose home was in Corinth. This Euchenor the son of Telamon, to relieve him of his shield
had set sail for Troy v\'ell knowing that it v\'ould when he was overcome with sweat and toil, but
be the death of him, for his good old father Pol- the Locrians did not follow so close after the
yidus had often told him that he must either son of Oileus, for they could not hold their own
stay at home and die of a terrible disease, or go in a hand-to-hand fight. They had no bronze
with the Achaeans and perish at the hands of helmets with plumes of horse-hair, neither had
the Trojans; he chose, therefore, to avoid in- they shields nor ashen spears, but they had
curring the heavy fine the Achaeans would ha\'e come to Troy armed with bows, and with slings
laid upon him, and at the same time to escape of twisted wool from which they showered their
the pain and suffering of disease. Paris now missiles to break the ranks of the Trojans. The
smote him on the jaw under his ear, whereon others, therefore, with their heavy armour bore
the life went out of him and he was enshrouded the brunt of the fight with the Trojans and with
in the darkness of death. Hector, while the ocrians shot from behind,
I

[^73] Thus then did they fight as it were a under their cover; and thus the Trojans began
flaming fire. But Hector had not yet heard, and to lose heart, for the arrows threw them into
did not know that the Argives were making confusion.
havoc of his men on the left wing of the battle, [72^] The Trojans would now have been
where the Achaeans ere long would have tri- driven in sorry plight from the ships and tents
umphed over them, so vigorously did Neptune back to windy Ilius, had not Polydamas pres-
96 THE ILIAD
ently said to Hector, "Hector, there is no per- find fault when there is no one to find fault

suading you to take advice. Because hea\en has with? should hold aloof from battle on any
I

so richly endowed you with the arts of war, day rather than this, for my mother bore me
vou think that vou must therefore excel others with nothing of the coward about me. From the
in counsel; but vou cannot thus claim pre- moment when you set our men fighting about
eminence in all things. Heaven has made one the ships we have been staying here and doing
man an excellent soldier; of another it has made battle with the Danaans. Our comrades about
a dancer or a singer and player on the lyre; whom vou ask me are dead; Deiphobus and
w hile vet in another Jove has implanted a wise King Helenus alone have left the field, wounded
understanding of which men reap fruit to the both of them in the hand, but the son of Saturn
saving of many, and he himself knows more saved them alive. Now, therefore, lead on
about it than any one; therefore I will say what where you would have us go, and we will fol-
I think will be best. The fight has hemmed you low with right goodwill; you shall not find us
in as with a circle of fire, and even now that fail you in so far as our strength holds out, but

the Trojans are within the wall some of them no man can do more than in him lies, no matter
stand aloof in full armour, while others are how willing he may be."
fighting scattered and outnumbered near the [788] With these words he satisfied his
ships. Draw back, therefore, and call your chief- brother, and the two went towards the part of
tains round vou. that we may advise together the battle where the fight was thickest, about
whether to fall now upon the ships in the hope Cebriones, brave Polydamas, Phalces,Orthaeus,
that hea\en mav vouchsafe us victorA', or to godlike Polyphetes, Palmys, Ascanius, and
beat a retreat while we can yet safely do so. Alorys son of Hippotion, who had come from
I greatlv fear that the Achasans will pay us their fertile Ascania on the preceding day to relieve
debt of vesterday in full, for there is one abid- other troops. Then Jove urged them on to fight.
ing at their ships who is never weary of battle, They flew forth like the blasts of some fierce

and who will not hold aloof much longer." wind that strike earth in the van of a thunder-

[748] Thus spoke Polydamas, and his words storm—they buffet the salt sea into an uproar;
pleased Hector well. He sprang in full armour many and mighty are the great waves that come
from his chariot and said, "Polydamas, gather crashing in one after the other upon the shore
the chieftains here; I will go yonder into the with their arching heads all crested with foam
fight, but will return at once when I have given —even so did rank behind rank of Trojans ar-
them their orders." rayed in gleaming armour follow their leaders
[7S4I He then sped onward, towering like a onward. The way was led by Hector son of
snowy mountain, and with a loud cry flew Priam, peer of murderous Mars, with his round
through the ranks of the Trojans and their shield before him— his shield of ox-hides covered
allies.When they heard his voice they all has- with plates of bronze— and his gleaming helmet
tened to gather round Polydamas the excellent upon his temples. He kept stepping forward
son of Panthoiis, but Hector kept on among the under cover of his shield in ever\' direction,
foremost, looking everywhere to find Deiphobus making trial of the ranks to see if they would
and prince Helenus, Adamas son of Asius, and give way before him, but he could not daunt
Asius son of Hyrtacus; living, indeed, and the courage of the Achaeans. Ajax was the first

scatheless he could no longer find them, for the to stride out and challenge him. "Sir," he cried,
two last were lying by the sterns of the Achaean "draw near; why do vou think thus vainly to
ships, slain by the Argives, while the others had dismay the Argivesr We
Achasans are excellent
been also stricken and wounded by them; but soldiers, but the scourge of Jove has fallen
upon the left wing of the dread battle he found heavily upon us. Your heart, forsooth, is set
Alexandrus, husband of lovely Helen, cheering on destroying our ships, but we too have hands
his men and urging them on to fight. He went that can keep you at bay, and your own fair
up to him and upbraided him. "Paris," said he, town shall be sooner taken and sacked by our-
"evil-hearted Paris, fair to see but woman-mad selves. The time is near when you shall pray
and false of tongue, where are Deiphobus and Jove and all the gods in your flight, that your
King Helenusr Where are Adamas son of Asius, steeds may be swifter than hawks as they raise
and Asius son of Hyrtacusr Where too is Othry- the dust on the plain and bear you back to your
oneusr Ilius is undone and will now surely city."
fall!" [821] As he was thus speaking a bird flew
I774] Alexandrus answered, "Hector, why by upon his right hand, and the host of the
 BOOK XIII 97
Achaeans shouted, for they took heart at the by the ships of the Achaeans."
omen. But Hector answered, "Ajax, braggart [833] ^^'ith these words he led the way and
and false of tongue, would that I were as sure the others followed after with a cry that rent
of being son for evermore to aegis-bearing Jove, the air, while the host shouted behind them.
with Queen Juno for my mother, and of being The Argives on their part raised a shout like-
held in like honour with Minerva and Apollo, wise, nor did they forget their prowess, but
as I am that this day is big with the destruction stood firm against the onslaught of the Trojan
of the Achasans; and you shall fall among them chieftains, and the cry from both the hosts rose
if you dare abide my spear; it shall rend your up to hea\'en and to the brightness of Jove's
fair bodv and bid you glut our hounds and birds presence.
of prev with your fat and your flesh, as you fall
 BOOK XIV
NESTOR was sitting o\er his
the crv of battle did not escape him,
wine, but were coming out to survey the fight, being in
great anxiety, and when old Nestor met them
and he said to the son of /Esculapius, they were filled with dismay. Then King Aga-
"What, noble Machaon, is the meaning of all memnon said to him, "Nestor son of Neleus,
this? The shouts of men fighting by our ships honour to the Achaean name, why have you left

grow stronger and stronger; stay here, therefore, the battle to come hither? I what dread
fear that
and sit over vour wine, while fair Hecamede Hector said will come true, when he vaunted
heats vou a bath and washes the clotted blood among the Trojans saving that he would not
from off you. I will go at once to the look-out return to Ilius till he had fired our ships and
station and see what it is all about." killed us; this is what he said, and now it is all

[g] As he spoke he took up the shield of his coming true. Alas! others of the Achasans, like
son Thrasvmedes that was lying in his tent, all Achilles, are in anger with me that they refuse
gleaming with bronze, for Ihrasvmedes had to fight bv the sterns of our ships."
taken his father's shield: he grasped his re- [$2] Then Nestor knight of Gerene an-
doubtable bronze shod spear, and as soon as he swered, "It is indeed as you say; it is all coming
was outside saw the disastrous rout of the true at this moment, and even Jove who thun-
Achaeans who, now that their wall was over- ders from on high cannot prevent it. Fallen is
thrown, were flying Tro-
pell niell before the the wall on which we relied as an impregnable
jans. As when there isheavv swell upon the
a bulwark both for us and our fleet. The Trojans
sea, but the waves are dumb— they keep their are fighting stubbomlv and without ceasing at
eves on the watch for the quarter whence the the ships; look where you may you cannot see
fierce winds mav spring upon them, but they from what quarter the rout of the Achaeans is
stav where thev are and set neither this way coming; they are being killed in a confused
nor that, till some particular w ind sweeps down mass and the battle-cry ascends to heaven; let
from heaven to determine them— even so did us think, if counsel can be of any use, what we
the old man ponder whether to make for the had better do; but I do not advise our going into
crowd of Danaans, or go in search of Agamem- battle ourselves, for a man cannot fight when
non. In the end he deemed it best to go to the he is wounded."
son of Atreus; but meanwhile the hosts were [64] And King Agamemnon answered, "Nes-
fighting and killing one another, and the hard tor, if the Trojans are indeed fighting at the

bronze rattled on their bodies, as they thrust rear of our ships, and neither the wall nor the
atone another with their swords and spears. trench has served us— over which the Danaans
[ly] The wounded kings, the son of Tydeus, toiled so hard, and which they deemed would
Ulysses, and Agamemnon son of Atreus, fell be an impregnable bulwark both for us and our
in with Nestor as thev were ctmiing up from fleet— I see it must be the will of Jove that the
their ships— for theirs were draw n up some way Achaeans should perish ingloriously here, far
from where the fiohtiny was uoing on, being from Argos. I knew when Jove was willing to
on the shore itself inasmuch as thev had been defend us, and I know now that he is raising
beached first, while the wall had been built be- the Trojans to like honour with the gods, while
hind the hindermost. T he stretch of the shore, us, on the other hand, he has bound hand and
wide though it was, did not afford room for all foot. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say; let
the ships, and the host was cramped for space, us bring down the ships that are on the beach
therefore thev had placed the ships in rows one and draw them into the water; let us make them
behind the other, and had Klled the whole fast to their mooring-stones a little way out,
opening of the bay between the two points that against the fall of night— if even by night the
formed it. The kings, leaning on their spears, Trojans will desist from fighting; we may then
98
 BOOK XIV 99
draw down the rest of the fleet. There is noth- of the battle and beyond the range of the spears
ing wrong in flying ruin even by night. It is lestwe get fresh wounds in addition to what
better for a man that he should fly and be saved we have already, but we can spur on others,
than be caught and killed." who have been indulging their spleen and hold-
[Sz] Ulysses looked fiercely at him and said, ing aloof from battle hitherto."
"Son of Atreus, what are vou talking about? [133] Thus did he speak; whereon they did
Wretch, you should have commanded some even as he had said and set out, King Agamem-
other and baser army, and not been ruler over non leading the way.
us to whom Jove has allotted a life of hard [^35] Meanwhile Neptune had kept no
fighting from youth to old age, till we every blind look-out, andcame up to them in the sem-
one of us perish. thus that you would quit
Is it blance of an old man. He took Agamemnon's
win which we have suffered
the city of Troy, to right hand in his own and said, "Son of Atreus,
so much hardship? Hold vour peace, lest some I take it Achilles is glad now that he sees the

other of the Achasans hear vou say what no Achasans routed and slain, for he is utterly
man who knows how to give good counsel, no without remorse— may he come to a bad end
king over so great a host as that of the Argives and heaven confound him. As for yourself, the
should ever have let fall from his lips. I despise blessed gods are not yet so bitterly angry with
your judgement utterly for what you have been you but that the princes and counsellors of the
saying. Would you, then, have us draw down Trojans shall again raise the dust upon the
our ships into the water while the battle is plain, and you shall see them flying from the
raging, and thus play further into the hands of ships and tents towards their city."
the conquering Trojans? It would be ruin; the [147] With this he raised a mighty cry of
Achaeans will not go on fighting when they see battle, and sped forward to the plain. The voice
the ships being drawn into the water, but will that came from his deep chest was as that of
cease attacking and keep turning their eves nine or ten thousand men when they are shout-
towards them; your counsel, therefore, Sir cap- ing in the thick of a fight, and it put fresh
tain, would be our destruction." courage into the hearts of the Achaesns to wage
/ 1 03 j Agamemnon answered, "Ulysses, your war and do battle without ceasing.
rebuke has stung me to the heart. I am not, [ ^53] Juno of the golden throne looked down
however, ordering the Achasans to draw their as she stood upon a peak of Olympus and her
ships into the sea whether they will or no. Some heart was gladdened at the sight of him who
one, it may be, old or young, can offer us better was at once her brother and her brother-in-law,
counsel which I shall rejoice to hear." hurrying hither and thither amid the fighting.
[109] Then said Diomed, "Such an one is Then she turned her eyes to Jo\'e as he sat on
at hand; he is not far to seek, if you will listen the topmost crests of many-fountained Ida, and
to me and not resent my speaking though I am loathed him. She set herself to think how she
younger than any of you. I am by lineage son might hoodwink him, and in the end she
to a noble sire, Tydeus, who lies buried at deemed that it would be best for her to go to
Thebes. For Portheus had three noble sons, two Ida and array herself in rich attire, in the hope
of whom, Agrius and Melas, abode in Pleuron that Jovemight become enamoured of her, and
and rocky Calydon. The third was the knight wish to embrace her. While he was thus en-
CEneus, my father's father, and he was the most gaged a sweet and careless sleep might be made
valiant of them all. CEneus remained in his own to steal over his eyes and senses.
countr)', but my father (as Jove and the other [166] She went, therefore, to the room which
gods ordained it) migrated to Argos. He mar- her son Vulcan had made her, and the doors
ried into the family of Adrastus, and his house of which he had cunningly fastened by means
was one of great abundance, for he had large of a secret key so that no other god could open
estates of rich corn -growing land, with much them. Here she entered and closed the doors
orchard ground as well, and he had many sheep; behind her. She cleansed all the dirt from her
moreover he excelled all the Argives in the use fair body with ambrosia, then she anointed her-
of the spear. You must yourselves have heard self with olive oil, ambrosial, ver^' soft, and
whether these things are true or no; therefore scented specially for herself— if it were so much
when I say well despise not my words as though as shaken in the bronze-floored house of Jove,
I were a coward or of ignoble birth. I say, then, the scent pervaded the universe of heaven and
let us go to the fight as we needs must, wounded earth. With this she anointed her delicate skin,
though we be. When there, we may keep out and then she plaited the fair ambrosial locks
lOO THE ILIAD
that flowed in a stream of golden tresses from [224] Venus now went back into the house
her immortal head. She put on the wondrous of Jove, while Juno darted down from the sum-
robe which Minerva had worked for her with mits of Olympus. She passed over Pieria and
consummate art, and had embroidered with fair Emathia, and went on and on till she came

manifold devices: she fastened it about her to the snowy ranges of the Thracian horsemen,
bosom with golden clasps, and she girded her- over whose topmost crests she sped without
self with a girdle that had a hundred tassels: ever setting foot to ground. When she came to
then she fastened her earrings, three brilliant xAthos she went on over the waves of the sea
pendants that glistened most beautifully, till she reached Lemnos, the city of noble
through the pierced lobes of her ears, and threw Thoas. There she met Sleep, own brother to
a lovelv new veil over her head. She bound her Death, ?nd caught him by the hand, saying,
sandals on to her feet, and when she had ar- "Sleep, you who lord it alike over mortals and
rayed herself perfectly to her satisfaction, she immortals, if you ever did me a service in times
left her room and called Venus to come aside past, do one for me now, and I shall be grateful
and speak to her. "My dear child," said she, to you ever after. Close Jove's keen eves for me
"will you do what I am going to ask of you, or in slumber while I hold him clasped in my em-
will you refuse me because you are angry at brace, and I will give you a beautiful golden
my being on the Danaan side, while you are on seat, that can never fall to pieces: my club-
the Trojan?" footed son Vulcan shall make it for you, and
[193] Jove's daughter Venus answered, he shall give it a footstool for you to rest your
"Juno, august queen of goddesses, daughter of fair feetupon when you are at table."
mighty Saturn, say what you want, and I will [242] Then Sleep answered, "Juno, great
do it for you at once, if I can, and if it can be queen of goddesses, daughter of mighty Saturn,
done at all." I would lull any other of the gods to sleep with-

[197] Then Juno told her a lying tale and out compunction, not even excepting the waters
said, "I want you to endow me with some of of Oceanus from whom all of them proceed,
those fascinating charms, the spells of which but I dare not go near Jove, nor send him to
bring all things mortal and immortal to your sleep unless he bids me. I have had one lesson
feet. I am going to the world's end to visit already through doing what you asked me, on
Oceanus (from whom all we gods proceed) and the day when Jove's mighty son Hercules set
mother Tethys: they received me in their house, sail from Ilius after having sacked the city of

took care of me, and brought me up, having the Trojans. At your bidding I suff^used my
taken me over from Rhaea when Jove im- sweet self over the mind of asgis-bearing Jove,
prisoned great Saturn in the depths that are and laid him to rest: meanwhile you hatched a
under earth and I must go and see them
sea. plot against Hercules, and set the blasts of the
that I may makepeace between them: they angry winds beating upon the sea, till you took
have been quarrelling, and are so angry that him to the goodly city of Cos away from all his
they have not slept with one another this long friends. Jove was furious when he awoke, and
while; if I can bring them round and restore began hurling the gods about all over the house;
them to one another's embraces, they will be he was looking more particularly for myself,
grateful to me and love me for ever afterwards." and would have flung me down through space
f2ii7 Thereon laughter-loving Venus said, into the sea where I should never have been
"Icannot and must not refuse you, for you sleep heard of any more, had not Night who cows
in the arms of Jove who is our king." both rrien and gods protected me. I fled to her
[214] As she spoke she loosed from her and Jove left off looking for me in spite of his
bosom the curiously embroidered girdle into being so angry, for he did not dare do anything
which all her charms had been wrought— love, to displease Night. And now you are again ask-
desire,and that sweet flattery which steals the ing me to do something on which I cannot ven-
judgement even of the most prudent. She gave ture."
the girdle to Juno and said, "Take this girdle [263] And Juno said, "Sleep, why do you
wherein all my charms reside and lay it in your take such notions as those into your head? Do
bosom. If you will wear it I promise you that you think Jove will be as anxious to help the
your errand, be it what it may, will not be Trojans, as he was about his own son? Come, I
bootless." will marry you to one of the youngest of the
[222^ When she heard this Juno smiled, and Graces, and she shall be your own— Pasithea,
still smiling she laid the girdle in her bosom. whom you have always wanted to marry."
 BOOK XIV 101

[269] Sleep was pleased when he heard this, have I been so overpowered by passion neither
and answered, "Then swear it to me by the for goddess nor mortal woman as I am at this

dread waters of the river Styx; lay one hand on moment for yourself— not even when I was in
the bounteous earth, and the other on the sheen love with the wife of Ixion who bore me Pirith-
of the sea, so that all the gods who dwell down oiis, peer of gods in counsel, nor yet with
below with Saturn may be our witnesses, and Danae the daintily-ancled daughter of Acrisius,
see that you really do give me one of the young- who bore me the famed hero Perseus. Then
est of the Graces— Pasithea, whom I have there was the daughter of Phoenix, who bore
always wanted to marry." me Minos and Rhadamanthus: there was
l^-yy] Juno did as he had said. She swore, Semele, and Alcmena in Thebes by whom I
and invoked all the gods of the nether world, begot my lion-hearted son Hercules, while Sem-
who are called Titans, to witness. When she ele became mother to Bacchus the comforter of
had completed her oath, the two enshrouded mankind. There was queen Ceres again, and
themselves in a thick mist and sped lightly lovely Leto, and yourself— but with none of
forward, leaving Lemnos and Imbrus behind these was I ever so much enamoured as I now
them. Presently they reached many-fountained am with you."
Ida, mother of wild beasts, and Lectum where [3297 Juno again answered him with a lying
they left the sea to go on by land, and the tops tale. "Most dread son of Saturn," she exclaimed,
of the trees of the forest soughed under the "what are you talking about? Would you have
going of their feet. Here Sleep halted, and ere us enjoy one another here on the top of Mount
Jove caught sight of him he climbed a lofty Ida, where everything can be seen? What if
pine-tree— the tallest that reared its head to- one of the ever-living gods should see us sleep-
wards heaven on all Ida. He hid himself behind ing together, and tell the others? It would be
the branches and sat there in the semblance of such a scandal that when I had risen from your
the sweet-singing bird that haunts the moun- embraces I could never show myself inside your
tains and is by the gods, but men
called Chalcis house again; but if you are so minded, there is
call it Cymindis. Juno then went to Gargarus, a room which your son Vulcan has made me,
the topmost peak of Ida, and Jove, driver of the and he has given it good strong doors; if you
clouds, set eyes upon her. As soon as he did so would so have it, let usgo thither and lie down."
he became inflamed with the same passionate 1^41] And Jove answered, "Juno, you need
desire for her that he had felt when they had not be afraid that either god or man will see
first enjoyed each other's embraces, and slept you, for I will enshroud both of us in such a
with one another without their dear parents dense golden cloud, that the very sun for all
knowing anything about it. He went up to her his bright piercing beams shall not see through
and said, "What do you want that you have it."

come hither from Olympus— and that too with [3467 With this the son of Saturn caught his
neither chariot nor horses to convey you?" wife in his embrace; whereon the earth sprouted
l^oi] Then Juno told him a lying tale and them a cushion of young grass, with dew-
said, "I am going to the world's end, to visit bespangled lotus, crocus, and hyacinth, so soft
Oceanus, from whom all we gods proceed, and and thick that it raised them well above the
mother Tethys; they received me into their ground. Here they laid themselves down and
house, took care of me, and brought me up. I overhead they were covered by a fair cloud of
must go and see them that I may make peace gold, from which there fell glittering dew-drops.
between them: they have been quarrelling, and /"352J Thus, then, did the sire of all things
are so angry that they have not slept with one repose peacefully on the crest of Ida, overcome
another this long time. The horses that will at once by sleep and love, and he held his
take me over land and sea are stationed on the spouse in his arms. Meanwhile Sleep made off
lowermost spurs of many-fountained Ida, and to the ships of the Achaeans, to tell earth-
I have come here from Olympus on purpose to encircling Neptune, lord of the earthquake.
consult you. I was you might be angry
afraid When he had found him he said, "Now, Nep-
with me later on, if I went to the house of tune, you can help the Danaans with a will,
Oceanus without letting you know." and give them victory though it be only for a
f 3 1 2] And Jove said, "Juno, you can choose short time while Jove is still sleeping. I have
some other time for paying your visit to Oceanus sent him into a sweet slumber, and Juno has
—for the present let us devote ourselves to love beguiled him into going to bed with her."
and to the enjoyment of one another. Never yet [361 j Sleep now departed and went his ways
I02 THE ILIAD
toand fro among mankind, leaving Neptune thus retreating, Ajax son of Telamon struck
more eager than ever help the Danaans. He
to him with a stone, of which there were many
darted forward among the first ranks and lying about under the men's feet as they fought
shouted saying, "Argives, shall we let Hector —brought there to give supp>ort to the ships'

son of Priam have the triumph of taking our sides as they lay on the shore. Ajax caught up
ships and covering himself with glory? This is one of them and struck Hector above the rim
what he says that he shall now do, seeing that of his shield close to his neck; the blow made
Achilles still in dudgeon at his ships. We
is him spin round like a top and reel in all direc-
shall get on very well without him if we keep tions. As an oak falls headlong when uprooted

each other in heart and stand by one another. bv the lightning flash of father Jove, and there
Now, therefore, let us all do as I say. Let us is a terrible smell of brimstone— no man can

each take the best and largest shield we can help being dismayed if he is standing near it,
lav hold of, put on our helmets, and sally forth for a thunderbolt is a very awful thing— even
with our longest spears in our hands; I will so did Hector fall to earth and bite the dust.
lead vou on, and Hector son of Priam, rage as His spear fell from his hand, but his shield and
he mav, will not dare to hold out against us. helmet were made fast about his body, and his
If anv 20od staunch soldier has onlv a small bronze armour rang about him.
shield, let him hand it over to a worse man, and [421] The sons of the Achasans came run-
take a larger one for himself." ning with a loud crv towards him, hoping to
[^yS] Thus did he speak, and they did e\en drag him awav, and thev showered their darts
ashe had said. The son of Tydeus, Ulysses, and on the Trojans, but none of them could wound
Agamemnon, wounded though they were, set him before he was surrounded and covered by
the others in arrav, and went about everywhere the princes Polydamas, /Eneas, Agenor, Sarpe-
effecting the exchanges of armour; the most don captain of the Lycians, and noble Glaucus:
valiant took the best armour, and gave the worse of the others, too, there was not one who was
to the worse man. When they had donned their unmindful of him, and they held their round
bronze armour they marched on with Neptune shields over him to cover him. His comrades
at their head. In his strong hand he grasped his then lifted him off the ground and bore him
terrible sword, keen of edge and flashing like awav from the battle to the place where his
lightning; woe to him who comes across it in horses stood waiting for him at the rear of the

the day of battle; all men quake for fear and fight with their driver and the chariot; these
keep away from it. then took him towards the citv groaning and in
[3,^9] Hector on the other side set the Tro- great pain. When they reached the ford of the
jans in array. Thereon Neptune and Hector fair stream of Xanthus, begotten of Immortal

waged fierce war on one another— Hector on Jove, thev took him from off his chariot and
the Trojan and Neptune on the Argive side. laid him down on the ground; they poured
Mighty was the uproar as the two forces met; water over him, and as thev did so he breathed
the sea came rolling in towards the ships and again and opened his eves. Then kneeling on
tents of the Achasans, but waves do not thunder his knees he vomited blood, but soon fell back
on the shore more loudly when driven before on to the ground, and his eyes were again closed
the blast of Boreas, nor do the flames of a in darkness for he was still stunned bv the blow.
forest fire roar more fiercely when it is well [440] When the Argives saw Hector leav-
alight upon the mountains, nor does the wind ing the field, they took heart and set upon the
bellow with ruder music as it tears on through Trojans vet more furiouslv. Ajax fleet son of
the tops of the oaks when it is blowing its hard- Oileus began by springing on Satnius son of
est, than the terrible shout which the Trojans Enops and wounding him with his spear: a
and /Xchasans raised as they sprang upon one fair naiad nymph had borne him to Enops as
another. he was herding cattle by the banks of the river
[402] Hector first aimed his spear at Ajax, Satnioeis. The son of Oileus came up to him
who was turned full towards him, nor did he and struck him in the flank so that he fell, and
miss his aim. The spear struck him where two a fierce fight between Trojans and Danaans
bands passed over his chest— the band of his raged round his bodv. Polvdamas son of Pan-
shield and that of his silver-studded sword— and thoiis drew near to avenge him, and wounded
these protected his body. Hector was angry that Prothoenor son of Arei'lycus on the right
been hurled in vain, and
his spear should have shoulder; the terrible spear went right through
withdrew under cover of his men. As he was his shoulder, and he clutched the earth as he
 BOOK XIV T03
fell in the dust. Polydamas vaunted loudly over the rich flock-master Phorbas, whom Mercury
him saying, "Again I take it that the spear has had favoured and endowed with greater wealth
not sped in vain from the strong hand of the than any other of the Trojans. Ilioneus was his
son of Panthoiis; an Argive has caught it in his only son, and Peneleos now wounded him in
body, and it will serve him for a staff as he goes the eye under his eyebrows, tearing the eye-ball
down into the house of Hades." from its socket: the spear went right through
[458] The Argives were maddened by this the eye into the nape of the neck, and he fell,
boasting. Ajax son of Telamon was more angry stretching out both hands before him. Peneleos
than any, for the man had fallen close beside then drew his sword and smote him on the
him; so he aimed at Polydamas as he was re- neck, so that both head and helmet came tum-
treating, but Polydamas saved himself by bling down to the ground with the spear still
swerving aside and the spear struck Archelo- sticking in the eye; he then held up the head,
chus son of Antenor, for heaven counselled his as though it had been a poppy-head, and
destruction; it struck him where the head showed it to the Trojans, vaunting over them
springs from the neck at the top joint of the as he did so. "Trojans," he cried, "bid the father
spine, and severed both the tendons at the back and mother of noble Ilioneus make moan for
of the head. His head, mouth, and nostrils him in their house, for the wife also of Proma-
reached the ground long before his legs and chus son of Alegenor will never be gladdened
knees could do so, and Ajax shouted to Poly- by the coming of her dear husband when we
damas saying, "Think, Polydamas, and tell me Argives return with our ships from Troy."
truly whether this man is not as well worth [506] As he spoke fear fell upon them, and
killing as Prothoenor was: he seems rich, and every man looked round about to see whither
of rich family, a brother, may
be, or son of
it he might fly for safety.
the knight Antenor, for he very like him."
is [508] Tell me now, O Muses that dwell on
[475] But he knew well who it was, and the Olympus, who was the first of the Argives to
Trojans were greatly angered. Acamas then be- bear away blood-stained spoils after Neptune
strode his brother's body and wounded Prom- lord of the earthquake had turned the fortune
achus the Boeotian with his spear, for he was of war. Ajax son of Telamon was first to wound
trying to drag his brother's body away. Acamas Hyrtius son of Gyrtius, captain of the staunch
vaunted loudly over him saying, "Argive Mysians. Antilochus killed Phalces and Mer-
archers, braggarts that you are, toil and suffer- merus, while Meriones slew Morys and Hippo-
ing shall not be for us only, but some of you tion, Teucer also killed Prothoon and Periphe-
too shall fall here as well as ourselves. See how tes. The son of Atreus then wounded Hyper-

Promachus now sleeps, vanquished by my enor shepherd of his people, in the flank, and
spear; payment for my brother's blood has not the bronze point made his entrails gush out as
been long delayed; a man, therefore, may well it tore in among them; on this his life came

be thankful if he leaves a kinsman in his house hurrying out of him at the place where he had
behind him to avenge his fall." been wounded, and his eyes were closed in
[487] His taunts infuriated the Argives, and darkness. Ajax son of Oileus killedmore than
Peneleos was more enraged than any of them. any other, for there was no man so fleet as he
He sprang towards Acamas, but Acamas did not to pursue flying foes when Jove had spread
stand his ground, and he killed Ilioneus son of panic among them.
 BOOK XV
had taken them past can take— nav, I swear also by your own al-
BUT when their flight
the trench and the set stakes, and many mighty head and by our bridal bed— things
had fallen by the hands of the Danaans, over which I could never possibly perjure my-
the Trojans made a halt on reaching their char- self—that Neptune is not punishing Hector and
iots, routed and pale with fear. Jove now woke the Trojans and helping the Achaeans through
on the where he was lying with
crests of Ida, any doing of mine; it is all of his own mere mo-
golden-throned Juno by his side, and starting to tion because he was sorry to see the Achasans
his feet he saw the Trojans and Achaeans, the hard pressed at their ships: if I were advising
one thrown into confusion, and the others driv- him, I should tell him to do as you bid him."
ing them pell-mell before them with King [47] The sire of gods and men smiled and
Neptune in their midst. He saw Hector lying answered, "If you, Juno, were always to sup-
on the ground with his comrades gathered port me when we sit in council of the gods,
round him, gasping for breath, wandering in Neptune, like it or no, would soon come round
mind and vomiting blood, for it was not the to your and my way of thinking. If, then, you

feeblest of the Achasans who struck him. are speaking the truth and mean what you say,
/^I2j The gods and men had pity on
sire of go among the rank and file of the gods, and
him, and looked fiercely on Juno. "I see, Juno," tell Iris and Apollo lord of the bow, that I want

said he, "you mischief-making trickster, that them— Iris, that she may go to the Achaean host
your cunning has stayed Hector from fighting and tell Neptune to leave off fighting and go
and has caused the rout of his host. I am in home, and Apollo, that he mav send Hector
half a mind to thrash you, in which case you again into battle and give him fresh strength;
will be the first to reap the fruits of your scurvy he will thus forget his present sufferings, and
knaverv. Do you not remember how once upon drive the Achaeans back in confusion till they
a time had you hanged? I fastened two anvils
I fall among the ships of Achilles son of Peleus.
on to vour feet, and bound your hands in a Achilles will then send his comrade Patroclus
chain of gold which none might break, and into battle, and Hector will kill him in front of

you hung in mid-air among the clouds. All the Ilius after he has slain many warriors, and
gods in Olympus were in a fury, but they could among them my own noble son Sarpedon.
not reach you to set you free; when I caught /Vchilles will kill Hectoravenge Patroclus,
to

any one of them I gripped him and hurled him and from that time I it about that the
will bring
from the heavenly threshold till he came faint- Achaeans shall persistently drive the Trojans
ing down to earth; yet even this did not relieve back till they fulfil the counsels of Minerva and
my mind from the incessant anxiety which I take Ilius. But I will not stay my anger, nor
felt about noble Hercules whom you and Boreas permit any god to help the Danaans till I have
had spitefully conveyed beyond the seas to Cos, accomplished the desire of the son of Peleus,
after suborning the tempests; but I rescued him, according to the promise I made by bowing my
and notwithstanding all his mighty labours I head on the day when Thetis touched my knees
brought him back again to Argos. I would re- and besought me to give him honour."
mind you of this that you may leam to leave off [y8] Juno heeded his words and went from
being so deceitful, and discover how much you the heights of Ida to great Olympus. Swift as
are likelv to gain by the embraces out of which the thought of one whose fancy carries him over
you have come here to trick me." vast continents, and he says to himself, "Now
I will be here, or there," and he would have all
/34J Juno trembled as he spoke, and said,
"May heaven above and earth below be my wit- manner of things— even so swiftly did Juno
nesses, with the waters of the river Styx— and wing her way till she came to high Olympus
this is the most solemn oath that a blessed god and went in among the gods who were gathered
104
 BOOK XV
in the house of Jove. Whenthey saw her they pus, after having caused infinite mischief to all

all of them came up to her, and held out their us others? Jove would instantly leave the Tro-
cups to her by way of greeting. She let the jans and Achaeans to themselves; he would
others be, but took the cup offered her by lovely come to Olympus to punish us, and would grip
Themis, who was first to come running up to us up one after another, guilty or not guilty.
her. "Juno," said she, "why are you here? And Therefore lay aside your anger for the death of
you seem troubled— has your husband the son your son; better men than he have either been
'

of Saturn been frightening you? killed already or will fall hereafter, and one

/93J And Juno answered, "Themis, do not cannot protect every one's whole family."
ask me about it. You know what a proud and [142] With these words she took Mars back
cruel disposition my husband has. Lead the to his seat. Meanwhile Juno called Apollo out-
gods to table, where vou and all the immortals side, with Iris the messenger of the gods.
can hear the wicked designs which he has "Jove," she said to them, "desires you to go to
avowed. Many a one, mortal and immortal, will him at once on Mt. Ida; when vou have seen
be angered bv them, howe\'er peaceably he mav him vou are to do as he may then bid you."
be feasting now." [149] Thereon Juno them and resumed
left

[100] On this Juno sat down, and the gods her seat inside, while and Apollo made all
Iris

were troubled throughout the house of Jove. h?ste on their way. When they reached many-
Laughter sat on her lips but her brow was fur- fountained Ida, mother of wild beasts, they
rowed with care, and she spoke up in a rage. found Jove seated on topmost Gargarus with a
"Fools that we are, she cried, "to be thus
' fragrant cloud encircling his head as with a
madly angry with Jove; we keep on wanting diadem. They stood before his presence, and he
to go up to him and stav him by force or by was pleased with them for having been so quick
persuasion, but he sits aloof and cares for no- in obeying the orders his wife had given them.
body, for he knows that he is much stronger [is?] He spoke to Iris first. "Go," said he,
than any other of the immortals. Make the best, "fleet Iris, tell King Neptune what I now bid
therefore, of whatever ills he may choose to you— and tell him true. Bid him leave off fight-
send each one of vou; Mars, I take it, has had ing, and either join the company of the gods, or
a taste of them already, for his son Ascalaphus go down into the sea. If he takes no heed and
has fallen in battle— the man whom of all others disobeys me, let him consider well whether he
he loved most dearly and whose father he owns is strong enough to hold his own against me if

himself to be." I attack him. I am older and much stronger

[11^] When he heard this Mars smote his two than he is; yet he is not afraid to set himself
sturdv thighs with the flat of his hands, and said up as on a le\'el with myself, of whom all the
in anger, "Do not blame me, you gods that dwell other gods stand in awe."
in heaven, if I go to the ships of the Achaeans [168] wind, obeyed him, and
Iris, fleet as the
and avenge the death of my son, even though it snowflakes that fly from out
as the cold hail or
end in my being struck by Jove's lightning and the clouds before the blast of Boreas, even so
lying in blood and dust among the corpses." did she wing her way till she came close up to
[11 9] As he spoke he gave orders to yoke his the great shaker of the earth. Then she said,
horses Panic and Rout, while he put on his "I have come, O dark-haired king that holds
armour. On this, Jove would have been roused the world in his embrace, to bring you a mes-
to still more fierce and implacable enmity sage from Jove. He bids you leave off fighting,
against the other immortals, had not Minerva, and either join the company of the gods or go
alarmed for the safety of the gods, sprung from down into the sea; if, however, you take no
her seat and hurried outside. She tore the hel- heed and disobey him, he says he will come
met from his head and the shield from his down here and fight you. He would have you
shoulders, and she took the bronze spear from keep out of his reach, for he is older and much
his strong hand and set it on one side; then she stronger than you are, and yet you are not
said to Mars, "Madman, you are undone; you afraid to set yourself up as on a level with him-
have ears that hear not, or you have lost all self, of whom all the other gods stand in awe."
judgement and understanding; have you not [184] Neptune was very angry and said,
heard what Juno has said on coming straight "Great heavens! strong as Jove mav be, he has
from the presence of Olympian Jove? Do you said more than he can do if he has threatened
wish to go through all kinds of suffering before violence against me, who am of like honour
you are brought back sick and sorry to Olym- with himself. We were three brothers whom
[o6 THE ILIAD
Rhea bore Saturn— Jove, myself, and Hades
to from their troubles."
who rules the world below.I leaven and earth [236] Apollo obeyed his father's saying, and
were divided into three parts, and each of us left the crests of Ida, flying like a falcon, bane

was to have an equal share. When we cast lots, of doves and swiftest of all birds. He found
it fell to me to have my dwelling in the sea for Hector no longer lying upon the ground, but
evermore; Flades took the darkness of the realms sitting up, for he had just come to himself

under the earth, while air and sky and clouds again. He knew those who were about him,
were the portion that fell to Jove: but earth and and the sweat and hard breathing had left him
great Olympus are the common property of all. from the moment when the will of aegis-bearing
Therefore I will not walk as Jove would have Jove had revived him. Apollo stood beside him
me. For all his strength, let him keep to his own and s?id, "Hector, son of Priam, why are you
third share and be contented without threaten- so faint, and why are you here away from the

ing to lay hands upon me as though I were no- others? Has any mishap befallen you?"
body. Let him keep his bragging talk for his [246] I lector in a weak voice answered,
own sons and daughters, who must perforce "And which, kind sir, of the gods are you, who
obev him." now ask me thus? Do you not know that Ajax
[200/ Iris fleet as the wind then answered, struck me on the chest with a stone as I was
"Am I reallv, Neptune, to take this daring and killing his comrades at the ships of the Achae-
unyielding message to Jove, or will you recon- ans, and compelled me to leave oflF fighting? I
sider vour answer? Sensible people are open to made sure that this very day I should breathe
argument, and you know that the Erinyes al- mv last and go down into the house of Hades."
ways range themselves on the side of the older [253/ Then King Apollo said to him, "Take
person." heart; the son of Saturn has sent you a mighty

[20^] Neptune answered, "Goddess Iris, helper from Ida to stand bv you and defend
your words have been spoken in season. It is you, even me, Phoebus Apollo of the golden
well when a messenger shows so much discre- sword, who have been guardian hitherto not
tion. Nevertheless it cuts me to the very heart cmly of yourself but of your city. Now, there-
that any one should rebuke so angrily another fore, order vour horsemen to drive their chariots

who is his own peer, and of like empire with to the ships in great multitudes. I will go before

himself. Now, however, I will give way in spite vour horses to smooth the way for them, and
of mv displeasure; furthermore let me tell you, will turn the Achaeans in flight."

and I mean what I sav— if contrary to the desire [262] As he spoke he infused great strength
of mvself, Miner\'a driver of the spoil, Juno, into the shepherd of his people. And as a horse,
Mercury, and King Vulcan, Jove spares steep stabled and full-fed, breaks loose and gallops
Ilius, and will not let the Achaeans have the gloriously over the plain to the place where he
great triumph of sacking it, let him understand is wont to take his bath in the river— he tosses
that he will incur our implacable resentment." his head, and his mane streams over his

[2 1 8] Neptune now left the field to go down shoulders as in all the pride of his strength he
under the sea, and sorely did the Achaeans miss speed to the pastures where the mares
flies full

him. Then Jove said to Apollo, "Go, dear arefeeding— even so Hector, when he heard
Phoebus, to Hector, for Neptune who holds what the god said, urged his horsemen on, and
the earth in his embrace has now gone down sped forward as fast as his limbs could take him.
under the sea to avoid the severity of my dis- As country peasants set their hounds on to a
pleasure. Had he not done so those gods who horned stag or wild goat— he has taken shelter
are below with Saturn would have come to under rock or thicket, and they cannot find
hear of the fight between us. It is better for him, but, lo, a bearded lion whom their shouts
both of us that he should have curbed his anger have roused stands in their path, and they are
and kept out of mv reach, for I should have had in no further humour chase— even so
for the

much trouble with him. Take, then, your tas- the Achaeans were charging on in a body,
still

selled aegis, and shake it furiously, so as to set using their swords and spears pointed at both
the Achaean heroes in a panic; take, moreover, ends, but when they saw Hector going about
brave Hector, O Far-Darter, into vour own care, among men they were afraid, and their
his
and rouse him deeds of daring, till the Achae-
to hearts down into their feet.
fell

ans are sent flying back to their ships and to [281] Then spoke Thoas son of Andrasmon,
the Hellespont. From that point I will think it leader of the /Etolians, a man who could throw
well over, how the Achasans may have a respite a good throw, and who was staunch also in close
 BOOK XV 107
fight, while few could surpass him in debate /32S7 The fight then became more scattered
when opinions were divided. He then with all and they killed one another where they best
sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: could. Hector killed Stichius and Arcesilaus,
"What, in heaven's name, do I now see? Is it the one, leader of the Boeotians, and the other,
not Hector come to life again? Ever)' one made friend and comrade of Menestheus. /Eneas
sure he had been killed by Ajax son of Tela- killed Medon and lasus. The first was bastard
mon, but seems that one of the gods has again
it son to Oileus, and brother to Ajax, but he li\ed
rescued him. He has killed many of us Danaans in Phylace away from his own country, for he
already, and I take it will yet do so, for the had killed a a kinsman of his stepmother
man,
hand of Jo\e must be with him or he would Eriopis whom Oileus had married. lasus had
never dare show himself so masterful in the fore- become a leader of the Athenians, and was son
front of the battle. Now, therefore, let us all of Sphelus the son of Boucolos. Polydamas
do as I say; let us order the main body of our killed Mecisteus, and Polites Echius, in the
forces to fall back upon the ships, but let those front of the battle, while Agenor slew Clonius.
of us who profess to be the flower of the army Paris struck Deiochus from behind in the lower
stand firm, and see whether we cannot
hold part of the shoulder, as he was flying among the
Hector back at the point of our spears as soon foremost, and the point of the spear went clean
as he comes near us; I conceive that he will through him.
then think better of it before he tries to charge [343] While they were spoiling these heroes
into the press of the Danaans." of their armour, the Achaeans were flying pell-
l^oo] Thus did he speak, and they did even mell to the trench and the set stakes, and were
as he had said. Those who were about Aja.x and forced back within their wall. Hector then
King Idomeneus, the followers moreover of cried out to the Trojans, "Forward to the ships,
Teucer, Meriones, and Meges peer of Mars and let the spoils be. If I see any man keeping
called all their best men about them and sus- back on the other side the wall away from the
tained the fight against Hector and the Trojans, ships I will have him killed: his kinsmen and
but the main body fell back upon the ships of kinswomen shall not give him his dues of fire,
the Achasans. but dogs shall tear him in pieces in front of our
[7,06] The Trojans pressed forward in a city."
dense body, with Hector striding on at their [35 2 j As he spoke he laid his whip about his
head. Before him went Phoebus Apollo shrouded horses' shoulders and called to the Trojans
in cloud about his shoulders. He bore aloft the throughout their ranks; the Trojans shouted
terrible aegis with its shaggy fringe, which \'ul- with a cry that rent the air, and kept their
can the smith had given Jove to strike terror horses neck and neck with his own. Phoebus
into the hearts of men. With this in his hand Apollo went before, and kicked down the banks
he led on the Trojans. of the deep trench into its middle so as to make
li 1 2J The Argi\'es held together and stood a great broad bridge, as broad as the throw of a
their ground. The cry of battle rose high from spear when a man is trying his strength. The
either side, and the arrows flew from the bow- Trojan battalions poured over the bridge, and
strings. Many a spear sped from strong hands Apollo with his redoubtable aegis led the way.
and fastened in the bodies of many a valiant He kicked down the wall of the Achasans as
warrior, while others fell to earth midway, be- easily as a child who playing on the sea shore
fore they could taste of man's fair flesh and glut has built a house of sand and then kicks it down
themselves with blood. So long as Phoebus again and destroys it— even so did you,OxApollo,
.Apollo held his aegis quietly and without shak- shed toil and trouble upon the Argives, filling
ing it, the weapons on either side took effect them with panic and confusion.
and the people fell, but when he shook it straight [i6y] TTius then were the Achaeans hemmed
in the face of the Danaans and raised his mighty in at their ships, calling out to one another and
battle-cry their hearts fainted within them and raising their hands with loud cries every man to
they forgot their former prowess. As when two hea\'en. Nestor of Gerene, tower of strength to
wild beasts spring in the dead of night on a the Achaeans, lifted up his hands to the starry
herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep when the firmament of heaven, and prayed more fervently
herdsman is not there— even so were the Dana- than any of them. "Father Jove," said he, "if
ans struck helpless, for Apollo filled them with ever any one in wheat-growing Argos burned
panic and gave victory to Hector and the Tro- you fat thigh-bones of sheep or heifer and
jans. prayed that he might return safely home.
IO» THE ILIAD
whereon vou bowed vour head to him in assent, [4 J 9] Then Ajax struck Caletor son of Cly-
bear it in mind now, and suffer not the Trojans tius in the chest with a spear as he was bringing
to triumph thus over the Achaeans." fire towards the ship. He fell heavilv to the
[377] AU-counselUng Jove thundered loudly ground and the torch dropped from his hand.
in answer to the praver of the aged son of Ne- When Hector saw his cousin fallen in front of
leus. When the Trojans heard Jove thunder the ship he shouted to the Trojans and Lycians
they flung thcmsehes yet more fiercely on the saving, "Trojans, Lvcians, and Dardaniansgood
Achaeans. Ai a wave breaking over the bul- in close fight, bate not a jot, but rescue the son
warks of a ship when the sea runs high before of Clvtius lest the Achaeans strip him of his ar-
a gale— for it is the force of the wind that makes mour now he has fallen."
that
the waves so great— e\'en so did the Trojans [430] He then aimed a spear at Ajax, and
spring over the wall with a shout, and drive missed him, but he hit Lycophron a follower of
their chariots onwards. The two sides fought Ajax, who came from Cythera, but was living
with their double-pointed spears in hand-to- with Ajax inasmuch as he had killed a man
hand encounter— the Trojans from their char- among the Cvthereans. Hector's spear struck
iots, and the Achaeans climbing up into their him on the head below the ear, and he fell
ships and wielding the long pikes that were ly- headlong from the ship's prow on to the ground
ing on the decks ready for use in a sea-fight, with no life left in him. Ajax shook with rage
jointed and shod with bronze. and said to his brother, "Teucer, my good fel-

/"390J Now Patroclus, so long as the Achae- low, our trusty comrade the son of Mastor has
ans and Trojans were fighting about the wall, fallen, he who came to li\e with us from Cy-
but were not yet within it and at the ships, re- thera and whom we honoured as much as our
mained sitting in the tent of good Eur^'pylus, own parents. Hector has just killed him; fetch
entertaining him with his conversation and vour deadly arrows at once and the bow which
spreading herbs over his wound to ease his pain. Phoebus Apollo gave you."
When, however, he saw the Trojans swarming [442] Teucer heard him and hastened to-
through the breach in the wall, while the wards him with his bow and quiver in his hands.
Achaeans were clamouring and struck with Forthwith he showered his arrows on the Tro-
panic, he cried aloud, and smote his two thighs jans, and hit Cleitus the son of Pisenor, com-
with the flat of his hands. "Eurypylus," said he rade of Polvdamas the noble son of Panthoiis,
in his dismay, "I know you want me badly, but with the reins in his hands as he was attending
I cannot stay with you any longer, for there is to his horses; he was in the middle of the very

hard fighting going on; a servant shall take care thickest part of the fight, doing good service to
of vou now, for I must make all speed to Hector and the Trojans, but evil had now come
Achilles, and induce him to fight if I can; who upon him, and not one of those who were fain
knows but with heaven's help I may persuade to do so could avert it, for the arrow struck him

him. A man does well to listen to the advice of a on the back of the neck. He fell from his chariot
friend." and his horses shook the empty car as they
[40$] When he had thus spoken he went his swerved aside. King Polvdamas saw what had
way. The Achaeans stood firm and resisted the happened, and was the first to come up to the
attack of the Trojans, yet though these were horses; he gave them in charge to Astynoiis son
fewer in number, thev could not drive them of Protiaon, and ordered him to look on, and to
back from the ships, neither could the Trojans keep the horses near at hand, tie then went
break the Achaean ranks and make their way in back and took his place in the front ranks.
among the tents and ships. As a carpenter's line [4S8] Teucer then aimed another arrow at
gives a true edge to a piece of ship's timber, in Hector, and there would have been no more
the hand of some skilled workman whom Mi- fighting at the ships if he had hit him and killed
nerva has instructed in all kinds of useful arts- him then and there: Jove, however, who kept
even so level was the issue of the fight between watch over Hector, had his eves on Teucer, and
the two sides, as thev fought some round one deprived him of his triumph, by breaking his
ship and some round another. bowstring for him just as he was drawing it
[415J Hector made straight for Ajax, and and about to take his aim: on this the arrow
the two fought fiercely about the same ship. went astray and the bow fell from his hands.
Hector could not force Ajax back and fire the Teucer shook with anger and said to his brother,
ship, nor yet could Ajax drive Hector from the "Alas, see how heaven thwarts us in all we do;
spot to which hea\en had brought him. it has broken my bowstring and snatched the
 BOOK XV 109
bow from my hand, though I strung it this self- to Antenor. Polydamas killed Otus of Cyllene a
same morning that it might sen'e me for many comrade of the son of Phyleus and chief of the
an arrow." proud Epeans. When Meges saw this he sprang
[472] Ajax son of Telamon answered, "Mv upon him, but Polydamas crouched down, and
good fellow, let your bow and your arrows be, he missed him, for Apollo would not suffer the
for Jove has made them useless in order to spite son of Panthoiis to fall in battle; but the spear
the Danaans. Take your spear, lay your shield hit Croesmus in the middle of hischest,whereon
upon your shoulder, and both fight the Trojans befell heavily to the ground, and Meges stripped
yourself and urge others to do so. Thev mav be him of his armour.At that moment the valiant
successful for the moment but if we fight as we soldier Dolops son of Lampus sprang upon
ought they will find it a hard matter to take the him; Lampus was son of Laomedon and noted
ships." for his valour, while his son Dolops was versed
Teucer then took his bow and put it by in all the ways of war. He then struck the
in his tent. He hung a shield four hides thick middle of the son of Phyleus' shield with his
about his shoulders, and on his comely head he spear, setting on him at close quarters, but his
set his helmet well wrought with a crest of good corslet made with plates of metal saved
horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it; he him; Phyleus had brought it from Ephyra and
grasped his redoubtable bronze-shod spear, and the river Selleis, where his host, King Euphetes.
forthwith he was by the side of Ajax. had given it him to wear in battle and protect
[484] When Hector saw that Teucer's bow him. It now served to save the life of his son.
was of no more use to him, he shouted out to the Then Meges struck the topmost crest of Dolops's
Trojans and Lycians, "Trojans, Lycians, and bronze helmet with his spear and tore away its
Dardanians good in close fight, be men, my plume of horse-hair, so that all newly dyed with
friends, and show your mettle here at the ships, scarlet as it was it tumbled down into the dust.
for I see the weapon of one of their chieftains While he was still fighting and confident of
made useless by the hand of Jove. It is easy to victory, Menelaus came up to help Meges, and
see when Jove is helping people and means to got by the side of Dolops unperceived; he then
help them still further, or again when he is speared him in the shoulder, from behind, and
bringing them down and will do nothing for the point, driven so furiously, went through
them; he is now on our side, and is going against whereon he fell headlong. The
into his chest,
the Argives. Therefore swarm round the ships two then made towards him to strip him of his
and fight. If any of you is struck by spear or armour, but Hector called on all his brothers
sword and loses his life, let him die; he dies for help, and he especially upbraided brave
with honour who dies fighting for his country; Melanippus son of Hiketaon, who erewhile
and he will leave his wife and children safe be- used to pasture his herds of cattle in Percote
hind him, with his house and allotment un- before the war broke out; but when the ships of
plundered if only the Achasans can be driven the Danaans came, he went back to Ilius, where
back to their own land, they and their ships." he was eminent among the Trojans, and lived
Isoo] With these words he put heart and near Priam who treated him as one of his own
soul into them all. Ajax on the other side ex- sons. Hector now rebuked him and said, "Why,
horted his comrades saying, "Shame on you Melanippus, are we thus remiss? do you take no
Argives, we are now utterly undone, unless we note of the death of your kinsman, and do you
can save ourselves by driving the enemy from not see how they are tr^'ing to take Dolops's ar-
our ships. Do you think, if Hector takes them, mour? Follow me; there must be no fighting the
that you will be able to get home by land? Can Argives from a distance now, but we must do so
you not hear him cheering on his whole host to in close combat till either we kill them or they
fire our fleet, and bidding them remember that take the high wall of Ilius and slay her peo-
they are not at a dance but in battle? Our only ple."
course is to fight them with might and main; we [559] He led on as he spoke, and the hero
had better chance it, life or death, once for all, Melanippus followed after. Meanwhile Ajax
than fight long and without issue hemmed in at son of Telamon was cheering on the Argives.
our ships by worse men than ourselves." "My friends," he cried, "be men, and fear dis-
[514] With these words he put life and soul honour; quit yourselves in battle so as to win re-
into them all. Hector then killed Schedius son spect from one another. Men who respect each
of Perimedes, leader of the Phoceans, and Ajax other's good opinion are less likely to be killed
killed Laodamas captain of foot soldiers and son than those who do not, but in flight there is
I lO THE ILIAD
neither gain nor glory" his eyes glared under his terrible eye-brows, and
[^6^] Thus did he exhort men who were al- his helmet quivered on his temples by reason
reiidv bent upon driving back the Trojans. They of the fury with which he fought. Jove from
laid his words and hedged the ships as
to heart heaven was with him, and though he was but
with a wall of bronze, while Jove urged on the one against manv, vouchsafed him victory and
Trojans. Menelaus of the loud battle-cr\' urged glorv; for he was doomed to an early death, and
Antilochus on. "Antilochus," said he, "you are already Pallas Minerva was hurrying on the
young and there is none of the Achasans more hour of his destruction at the hands of the son
fleet of foot or more valiant than you are. See if of Peleus. Now, however, he kept trying to
vou cannot spring upon some Trojan and kill brerk the ranks of the enemy wherever he could
him." see them thickest, and in the goodliest armour;
[572] He hurried away when he had thus but do what he might he could not break
spurred Antilochus, who at once darted out through them, for they stood as a tower four-
from the front ranks and aimed a spear, after square, or as some high cliffy rising from the
looking carefuUv round him. The Trojans fell grey sea that braves the anger of the gale, and
back as he threw, and the dart did not speed of the waves that thunder up against it. He
from his hand without effect, for it struck Mel- fell upon them like flames of fire from every

anippus the proud son of Hiketaonin the breast quarter. As when a wave, raised mountain high
by the nipple as he was coming forward, and by wind and storm, breaks over a ship and covers
his armour rang rattling round him as he fell it deep in foam, the fierce winds roar against

heavily to the ground. Antilochus sprang upon the mast, the hearts of the sailors fail them for
him as a dog springs on a fawn which a hunter fear, and they are saved but by a very little from
has hit as it was breaking away from its covert, destruction— even so were the hearts of the
and killed it. Even so, O Melanippus, did stal- Achceans fainting within them. Or as a savage
wart Antilochus spring upon you to strip you of lion attacking a herd of cows while they are
your armour; but noble Hector marked him, feeding by thousands in the low-lying meadows
and came running up to him through the thick by some wide-watered shore— the herdsman is
of the battle. Antilochus, brave soldier though at his wit's end how to protect his herd and

he was, would not stay to face him, but fled like keeps going about now in the van and now in
some savage creature which knows it has done the rear of his cattle, while the lion springs
wrong, and flies, when it has killed a dog or a into the thick of them and fastens on a cow so
man who is herding his cattle, before a body that they all tremble for fear— even so were the
of men can be gathered to attack it. Even so did Achaeans utterly panic-stricken by Hector and
the son of Nestor flv, and the Trojans and Hec- father Jove. Nevertheless Hector only killed
tor with a cry that rent the air showered their Periphetes of Mycenae; he was son of Copreus
weapons after him; nor did he turn round and who was wont to take the orders of King Eu-
stay his flight till he had reached his comrades. rystheus to mighty Hercules, but the son was a
[5927 The Trojans, fierce as lions, were still far better man than the father in every way; he
rushing on towards the ships in fulfilment of was fleet of foot, a valiant warrior, and in un-
the behests of Jove who kept spurring them on derstanding ranked among the foremost men of
to new deeds of daring, while he deadened the Mycenae. He it was who then afforded Hector
courage of the Argives and defeated them by a triumph, for as he was turning back he
encouraging the Trojans. For he meant giving stumbled against the rim of his shield which
glory to Hector son of Priam, and letting him refched his feet, and served to keep the javelins
throw fire upon the ships, till he had fulfilled offhim. He tripped against this and fell face up-
the unrighteous prayer that Thetis had made ward, his helmet ringing loudly about his head
him; Jove, therefore, bided his time till he as he did so. Hector saw him fall and ran up to
should see the glare of a blazing ship. From that him; he then thrust a spear into his chest, and
hour he was about so to order it that the Tro- killed him close to his own comrades. These,
jans should be driven back from the ships and for all their sorrow, could not help him for
to vouchsafe glory to the Achaeans. With this they were themselves terribly afraid of Hector.
purpose he inspired Hector son of Priam, who [653] They had now reached the ships and
was eager enough already, to assail the ships. the prows of those that had been drawn up first
His furv' was as that of Mars, or as when a fire were on every side of them, but the Trojans
is raging in the glades of some dense forest came pouring after them. The Argives were
upon the mountains; he foamed at the mouth, driven back from the first row of ships, but they
 I

BOOK XV II

made a stand by their tents without being [70^] Thus were the two sides minded. Then
broken up and scattered; shame and fear re- Hector seized the stern of the good ship that
strained them. They kept shouting incessantly had brought Protesilaus to Troy, but never bore
to one another, and Nestor of Gerene, tower of him back to his native land. Round this ship
strength to the Achac-ans, was loudest in im- there raged a close hand-to-hand fight between
ploring every man by his parents, and beseech- Danaans and Trojans. They did not fight at a
ing him to stand firm. distance with bows and javelins, but with one
[661] "Be men, my friends," he cried, "and mind hacked at one another in close combat
respect one another's good opinion. Think, all with their mighty swords and spears pointed at
of you, on your children, your wives, your prop- both ends; they fought moreover with keen
erty, and your parents whether these be alive or battle-axes and with hatchets. Many a good
dead. On their behalf though they are not here, stout blade hiked and scabbarded with iron, fell
I implore vou to stand firm, and not to turn in from hand or shoulder as they fought, and the
flight." earth ran red with blood. Hector, when he had
[66y] With these words he put heart and seized the ship, would not loose his hold but
soul into them all. Minerva lifted the thick veil held on to its curved stern and shouted to the
of darkness from their eyes, and much light fell Trojans, "Bring fire, and raise the battle-cry all
upon them, alike on the side of the ships and of you with a single voice. Now has Jove vouch-
on that where the fight was raging. They could safed us a day that will pay us for all the rest;
see Hector and all his men, both those in the this day we shall take the ships which came
rear who were taking no part in the battle, and hither against heaven's will, and which have
those who were fighting by the ships. caused us such infinite suffering through the
[6y4] Ajax could not bring himself to re- cowardice of our councillors, who when I would
treat along with the rest, but strode from deck have done battle at the ships held me back and
to deck with a great sea-pike in his hands twelve forbade the host to follow me; if Jove did then
cubits long and jointed with rings. As a man indeed warp our judgements, himself now com-
skilled in feats of horsemanship couples four mands me and cheers me on."
horses together and comes tearing full speed [72.6] As he spoke thus the Trojans sprang
along the public way from the country into yet more fiercely on the Achaeans, and Ajax no
some large town— many both men and women longer held his ground, for he was overcome by
marvel as they see him for he keeps all the time the darts that were flung at him, and made sure
changing his horse, springing from one to an- that he was doomed. Therefore he left the raised
other without ever missing his feet while the deck at the stern, and stepped back on to the
horses are at a gallop— even so did Ajax go seven-foot bench of the oarsmen. Here he stood
striding from one ship's deck to another, and on the look-out, and with his spear held back
his voice went up into the heavens. He kept on any Trojan whom he saw bringing fire to the
shouting his orders to the Danaans and exhort- ships. All the time he kept on shouting at the
ing them to defend their ships and tents; neither top of his voice and exhorting the Danaans.
did Hector remain within the main body of the "My friends," he cried, "Danaan heroes, serv-
Trojan warriors, but as a dun eagle swoops ants of Mars, be men my friends, and fight
down upon a flock of wild-fowl feeding near a with might and with main. Can we hope to
river- geese, it may be, or cranes, or long-necked find helpers hereafter, or a wall to shield us
swans— even so did Hector make straight for a more surely than the one we have? There is no
dark-prowed ship, rushing right towards it; for strong city within reach, whence we may draw
Jove with his mighty hand impelled him for- fresh forces to turn the scales in our favour. We
ward, and roused his people to follow him. are on the plain of the armed Trojans with the
[696] And now the battle again raged furi- sea behind us, and far from our own country.
ously at the ships. You would have thought the Our salvation, therefore, is in the might of our
men were coming on fresh and unwearied, so hands and in hard fighting."
fiercely did they fight; and this was the mind in / 742] As he spoke he wielded his spear with
which they were— the Achaeans did not believe still greater fury, and when any Trojan made
they should escape destruction but thought towards the ships with fire at Hector's bidding,
themselves doomed, while there was not a Tro- he would be on the look-out for him, and drive
jan but his heart beat high with the hope of at him with his long spear. Twelve men did he
firing the ships and putting the Achasan heroes thus kill in hand-to-hand fight before the ships.
to the sword.
 BOOK XVI
THUS did they fight about the ship of
Protesilaus.Then Patroclus drew near to
knowledge of some oracle, or if your mother
Thetis has told you something from the mouth
Achilles with tears welling from his eyes, of ]o\e, at least send me and the Myrmidons
as from some spring whose crystal stream falls with me, if I mav bring deliverance to the Dan-
over the ledges of a high precipice. When Achil- aans. Let me moreover wear your armour; the
les saw him thus weeping he was sorry for him Trojans may thus mistake me for you and quit
and said, "Why, Patroclus, do you stand there the field, so that the hard-pressed sons of the
weeping like some silly child that comes run- Achaeans may have breathing time— which while
ning to her mother, and begs to be taken up and they are fighting may hardly be. We
who are
carried— she catches hold of her mother's dress fresh might soon drive tired men back from our
to stay her though she is in a hurry, and looks ships and tents to their own city."
tearfully up until her mother carries her— even [46] He knew not what he was asking, nor
such tears, Patroclus, are you now shedding. that he was suing for hisown destruction. Achil-
Have you anything to say to the Myrmidons or les was deeply moved and answered, "What,

to myself? or have you had news from Phthia noble Patroclus, are you saying? I know no
which you alone know? They tell me Menoe- prophesyings which I am heeding, nor has my
tius son of Actor is still alive, as also Peleus son mother told me anything from the mouth of
of y^acus,among the Myrmidons— men whose Jove, but I am cut to the very heart that one of
losswe two should bitterly deplore; or are you my own rank should dare to rob me because he
grieving about the Argives and the way in is more powerful than I am. This, after all that

which they are being killed at the ships, through I have gone through, is more than I can endure.

their own high-handed doings? Do not hide The girl whom the sons of the Achaeans chose
anything from me but tell me that both of us for me, whom I won as the fruit of my spear on
may know about it." having sacked a city— her has King Agamemnon
[20] Then, O
knight Patroclus, with a deep taken from me as though I were some common
sigh you answered, "Achilles, son of Peleus, vagrant. Still, let bygones be bygones: no man
foremost champion of the Achaeans, do not be may keep his anger for ever; I said I would not
angry, but I weep for the disaster that has now relent till battle and the cry of war had reached
befallen the Argives. All those who have been my own ships; nevertheless, now gird my ar-

theirchampions so far are lying at the ships, mour about your shoulders, and lead the Myr-
wounded by sword or spear. Brave Diomed son midons to battle, for the dark cloud of Trojans
of Tydeus has been hit with a spear, while has burst furiously over our fleet; the Argives
famed Ulysses and Agamemnon have received are driven back on to the beach, cooped within
sword-wounds; Eurypylus again has been struck a narrow space, and the whole people of Troy
with an arrow in the thigh; skilled apothecaries has taken heart to sally out against them, be-
are attending to these heroes, and healing them cause they see not the visor of my helmet gleam-
of their wounds; are you still, O Achilles, so ing near them. Had they seen this, there would
inexorable? May never be my lot to nurse
it not have been a creek nor grip that had not
such a passion as you have done, to the baning been filled with their dead as they fled back
of your own good name. Who in future story again. And so it would have been, if only King
will speak well of you unless you now save the Agamemnon had dealt fairly by me. As it is the
Argives from ruin? You know no pity; knight Trojans have beset our host. Diomed son of
Peleus was not your father nor Thetis your Tydeus no longer wields his spear to defend
mother, but the grey sea bore you and the sheer the Danaans, neither have I heard the voice
cliffs begot you, so cruel and remorseless are of the son of Atreus coming from his hated
you. If however you are kept back through head, whereas that of murderous Hector rings
 BOOK XVI 113
in mv ears as he gives orders to the Trojans, ship's stern, whereon Achilles smote his two
who triumph over the Achaeans and fill the thighs and said to Patroclus, "Up, noble knight,
whole ph'in with their crv of battle. But even for I see the glare of hostile lire at our fleet;
so, Patroclus, fall upon them and save the fleet, up, lest they destroy our ships, and there be no
lest the Trojans and prevent us from be-
fire it way by which v\'e may retreat. Gird on your ar
ing able to return. Do, however, as I now bid mour at once while I call our people together."
vou, that vou may win me great honour from [131] As he spoke Patroclus put on his ar
all the Danaans, and that they may restore the mour. First he greaved his legs with greaves of
girl to me again and give me rich gifts into the good make, and fitted with ancle-claspsof silver;
bargain. When vou have driven the Trojans after this he donned the cuirass of the son o(
from the ships, come back again. Though Juno's /Eacus, richly inlaid and studded. He hung his
thundering husband should put triumph within silver-studded sword of bronze about his shoul
your reach, do not fight the Trojans further in ders, and then his mighty shield. On his comely
mv absence, or you will rob me of glory that head he set his helmet, well wrought, with a
should be mine. And do not for lust of battle go crest of horse-hair that nodded menacingly
on killing the Trojans nor lead the Achaeans on above it. He
grasped two redoubtable spears
to Ilius, lest one of the ever-living gods from that suited his hands, but he did not take the
Olympus attack vou— for Phoebus Apollo loves spear of noble Achilles, so stout and strong, for
them well: return when you have freed the none other of the Achasans could wield it,
ships from peril, and let others wage war upon though Achilles could do so easily. This was the
the plain. \Vould, by father Jove. Minerva, and ashen spear from Mount Pelion, which Chiron
Apollo, that not a single man of all the Trojans had cut upon a mountain top and had given to
might be left alive, nor yet of the Argives, but Peleus. wherewith to deal out death among
that we two might be alone left to tear aside the heroes. He bade Automedon yoke his horses
mantle that veils the brow of Troy." with all speed, for he was the man whom he
[101] Thus did they converse. But Ajax held in honour next after Achilles, and on
could no longer hold his ground for the shower whose support in battle he could rely most
of darts that rained upon him; the will of Jove firmly. Automedon therefore yoked the fleet
and the javelins of the Trojans were too much horses Xanthus and Balius, steeds that could
for him; the helmet that gleamed about his fly like the wind: these were they whom the
temples rang with the continuous clatter of the harpy Podarge bore to the west wind, as she
missiles that kept pouring on to it and on to the was grazing in a meadow by the waters of the
cheek-pieces that protected his face. Moreover river Oceanus. In the side traces he set the
his left shoulder was tired with having held his noble horse Pedasus, whom Achilles had
fly at him as
shield so long, yet for all this, let brought away with him when he sacked the city
they would, they could not make him give of Eetion, and who, mortal steed though he was,
ground. He could hardly draw his breath, the could take his place along with those that were
sweat rained from every pore of his body, he immortal.
had not a moment's respite, and on all sides he [iSSl Meanwhile Achilles went about every-
was beset by danger upon danger. where among the tents, and bade his Myrmi-
[1 12J And now, tell me, O
Muses that hold dons put on their armour. Even as fierce raven-
your mansions on Olympus, how fire was thrown ing wolves that are feasting upon a horned stag
upon the ships of the Achaeans. Hector came which they have killed upon the mountains,
close up and let drive with his great sword at and their jaws are red with blood— they go in a
the ashen spear of Ajax. He cut it clean in two pack to lap water from the clear spring with their
just behind where the point was fastened on to long thin tongues; and they reek of blood and
the shaft of the spear. Ajax, therefore, had now slaughter; they know not what fear is, for it is
nothing but a headless spear, while the bronze hunger drives them— even so did the leaders
point flew some way off and came ringing down and counsellors of the Myrmidons gather round
on to the ground. Ajax knew the hand of heaven the good squire of the fleet descendant of /Eacus,
in this, and was dismayed at seeing that Jove and among them stood Achilles himself cheer-
had now left him utterly defenceless and was ing on both men and horses.
willing victory for the Trojans. Therefore he [i 68] Fifty ships had noble Achilles brought
drew back, and the Trojans flung fire upon the to Troy, and in each there was a crew of fifty
ship which was at once wrapped in flame. oarsmen. Over these he set five captains whom
[124] The fire was now flaring about the he could trust, while he was himself com-
114 THE ILIAD
mander over them all. Menesthius of the gleam- one another. Shield pressed on shield,
set against
ing corslet, son to the river Spercheius that helm on helm, and man on man; so close were
streams from heaven, was captain of the first they that the horse-hair plumes on the gleam-
company. Fair Polydora daughter of Peleus ing ridges of their helmets touched each other
bore him to e\'er-flovving Spercheius— a woman as thev bent their heads.
mated with a god— but he was called son of [218] In front of them all two men put on
Borus son of Perieres, with whom his mother theirarmour— Patroclus and Automedon— two
was living as his wedded wife, and who ga\e men, with but one mind to lead the Myrmidons.
great wealth to gain her. The second company Then Achilles went inside his tent and opened
was led bv noble Eudorus, son to an unwedded the lid of the strong chest which silver-footed
woman. Polvmele. daughter of Phylas the Thetis had given him to take on board ship, and
graceful dancer, bore him- the mightv slaver of which she had filled with shirts, cloaks to keep
Argos was enamoured of her as he saw her out the cold, and good thick rugs. In this chest
among the singing women at a dance held in he had a cup of rare workmanship, from which
honour of Diana the rushing huntress of the no man but himself might drink, nor would he
golden arrows; he therefore— Mercurv, giver of make offering from it to any other god save
all good— went with her into an upper chamber, onlv to father Jove. He took the cup from the
and lav with her in secret, whereon she bore chest and cleansed it with sulphur; this done he
him a noble son Eudorus, singularly fleet of rinsed it in clean water, and after he had washed
foot and in fight valiant. When Ilithuia god- his hands he drew wine. Then he stood in the
dess of the pains of child-birth brought him to middle of the court and prayed, looking to
the light of day, and he saw the face of the wards heaven, and making his drink-offering ol
sun, mightv Echecles son of Actor took the wine; nor was he unseen of Jove whose joy is in
mother to wife, and gave
great wealth to gain thunder. "King Jove," he cried, "lord of Do
brought the child up,
her, but her father Phylas dona, god of the Pelasgi, who dwellest afar,
and took care of him, doting as fondlv upon vou who hold wintry Dodona in your sway,
him as though he were his own son. The third where vour prophets the Selli dwell around you
company was led bv Pisander son of Maemalus, with their feet unwashed and their couches
the finest spearman among all the Mvrmidons made upon the ground— if you heard me when
next to Achilles' o\* n comrade Patroclus. The I prayed to you aforetime, and did me honour

old knight Phoenix was captain of the fourth while you sent disaster on the Achasans, vouch
company, and Alcimedon, noble son of Laer- safe me now the fulfilment of yet this further
ceus of the fifth. prayer. I shall stay here where my ships are
[198] When Achilles had chosen his men King, but I shall send my comrade into battle
and had stationed them all with their captains, at the head of many Myrmidons. Grant, O all
he charged them straitly saying, "Myrmidons, seeing Jove, that victon,' may go with him; put
remember your threats against the Trojans your courage into his heart that Hector may
while you were at the ships in the time of my learn whether my squire is man enough to

anger, and you were all complaining of me. fight alone, or whether his mightonly then
is

'Cruel son of Peleus,' you would say, 'your so indomitable when I myself enter the turmoil
mother must have suckled vou on gall, so ruth- of war. Afterwards when he has chased the
less are you. You keep us here at the ships fight and the cr)' of battle from the ships, grant
against our will; if you are so relentless it were that he may return unharmed, with his armour
better we went home over the sea.' Often ha\e and combat."
his comrades, fighters in close
you gathered and thus chided with me. The [249] Thus did he pray, and all counselling
hour is now come for those high feats of arms Jove heard his prayer. Part of it he did indeed
that vou have so long been pining for, therefore vouchsafe him— but not the whole. He granted
keep high hearts each one of you to do battle that Patroclus should thrust back war and bat-
with the Trojans." tle from the ships, but refused to let him come

[210] With these words he put heart and safely out of the fight.
soul into them all, and they serried their com- [2527 When he had made his drink-offering
panies yet more closely when they heard the and had thus prayed, Achilles went inside his
words of their king. As the stones which a tent and put back the cup into his chest.
builder sets in the wall of some high house [2557 Then he again came out, for he still
which is to give shelter from the winds— even lo\'ed to look upon the fierce fight that raged
so closely were the helmets and bossed shields between the Trojans and Achaeans.
 BOOK XVI 115
[z^y] Meanwhile the armed band that was the fire from their ships, they took breath for a
about Patroclus marched on till thev sprang little while; but the fury of the fight was not
high in hope upon the Trojans. They came yet o\'er, for the Trojans were not driven back
swarming out like wasps whose nests are by the in utter rout, but gave battle, and were
still

roadside, and whom silly children love to tease, ousted from their ground only by sheer fighting.
whereon any one who happens to be passing [io6] The fight then became more scattered,
may get stung— or again, if a wayfarer going and the chieftains killed one another when and
along the road vexes them by accident, every how they could. The valiant son of Menoetius
wasp will come flying out in a fury to defend first drove his spear into the thigh of Are'ilycus

his little ones— even with such rage and cour- just as he was turning round; the point went
age did the Myrmidons swarm from their ships, clean through, and broke the bone so that he
and their cry of battle rose heavenwards. Patro- fell forward. Meanwhile Menelaus struck
clus called out to his men at the top of his voice, Thoas in the chest, where it was exposed near
"Myrmidons, followers of Achilles son of Pe- the rim of his shield, and he fell dead. The son
leus, be men my friends, fight with might and of Phyleus saw Amphiclus about to attack him,
with main, that we may win glory for the son and ere he could do so took aim at the upper
of Peleus, who is far the foremost man at the part of his thigh, where the muscles are thicker
ships of the Argives- he, and his close fighting than in any other part; the spear tore through
followers. The son of Atreus King Agamemnon all the sinews of the leg, and his eyes were

will thus learn his folly in showing no respect closed in darkness. Of

the sons of Nestor one,
to the bravest of the Achasans." Antilochus, Atymnius, driving the
speared
[xysl With these words he put heart and point of the spear through his throat, and down
soul into them all, and they fell in a body upon he fell. Maris then sprang on Antilochus in
the Trojans. The ships rang again with the cry hand-to-hand fight to avenge his brother, and
which the Achasans raised, and when the Tro- bestrode the body spear in hand; but valiant
jans saw the brave son of Mencetius and his Thrasymedes was too quick for him, and in a
squire all gleaming in their armour, they were moment had struck him in the shoulder ere he
daunted and their battalions were thrown into could deal his blow; his aim was true, and the
confusion, for they thought the fleet son of spear severed all the muscles at the root of his
Peleus must now have put aside his anger, and arm, and tore them right down to the bone, so
have been reconciled to Agamemnon; every he fell heavily to the ground and his eyes were
one, therefore, looked round about to see whither closed in darkness. Thus did these two noble
he might fly for safety. comrades of Sarpedon go down to Erebus slain
[2.84] Patroclus first aimed a spear into the by the two sons of Nestor; they were the war-
middle of the press where men were packed rior sons of Amisodorus, who had reared the
most closely, by the stern of the ship of Protesi- invincible Chimasra, to the bane of many. Ajax
laus. He hit Pyraechmes who had led his Pas- son of Oileus sprang on Cleobulus and took
onian horsemen from the Amydon and the him alive as he was entangled in the crush; but
broad waters of the river Axius; the spear struck he killed him then and there by a sword-blow
him on the right shoulder, and with a groan he on the neck. The sword reeked with his blood,
fell backwards in the dust; on this his men were while dark death and the strong hand of fate
thrown into confusion, for by killing their gripped him and closed his eyes.
leader, who was the finest soldier among them, Ias J Peneleos and Lycon now met in close
Patroclus struck panic intothem all. Fie thus fight, for they had missed each other with their
drove them from the ship and quenched the spears. They had both thrown without effect,
fire that was then blazing— leaving the half- so now they drew their swords. Lycon struck
burnt ship to lie where it was. The Trojans the plumed crest of Peneleos' helmet but his
were now driven back with a shout that rent sword broke at the hilt, while Peneleos smote
the skies, while the Danaans poured after them Lycon on the neck under the ear. The blade
from their ships, shouting also
without ceasing. sank so deep that the head was held on by
As when Jove, gatherer of the thunder-cloud, nothing but the skin, and there was no more
spreads a dense canopy on the top of some lofty life left in him. Meriones gave chase to Acamas
mountain, and all the peaks, the jutting head- on foot and caught him up just as he was about
lands, and forest glades show out in the great to mount his chariot; he drove a spear through
light that flashesfrom the bursting heavens, his right shoulder so that he fell headlong from
even so when the Danaans had now driven back the car, and his eyes were closed in darkness.
ii6 THE ILIAD
Idomeneus speared Ervmas in the mouth; the to get near Hector, for he had set his heart
bronze point of the spear went clean through it on spearing him, but Hector's horses were now
beneath the brain, crashing in among the white hurrying him away. As the whole dark earth
bones and smashing them up. His teeth were all bows before some tempest on an autumn day
of them knocked out andthe blood came gush- when Jove rains his hardest to punish men for
ing in a stream from both his eyes; it also came giving crooked judgement in their courts, and
gurgling up from his mouth and nostrils, and driving justice therefrom without heed to the
the darkness of death enfolded him round decrees of heaven— all the rivers run full and
about. the torrents tear manv a new channel as they
[35 ^] Thus did these chieftains of the Dan- roar headlong from the mountains to the dark
aans each of them kill his man. As ravening sea, and it fares ill with the works of men— even
wolves seize on kids or lambs, fastening on them such was the stress and strain of the Trojan
when they are alone on the hillsides and have horses in their flight.
strayed from the main flock through the care- [2,94] Patroclus now cut off^ the battalions
lessness of the shepherd— and when the wolves that were nearest to him and drove them back
see this they pounce upon them at once because to the ships. They were doing their best to reach
they cannot defend themselves— even so did would not let them, and bore
the city, but he
the Danaans now fall on the Trojans, who fled down on them between the river and the ships
with ill-omened cries in their panic and had no and wall. Manv a fallen comrade did he then
more fight left in them. avenge. First he hit Pronoiis with a spear on
[35^] Meanwhile great Ajax kept on trying the chest where it was exposed near the rim of
to drive a spear into Hector, but Hector was so his shield, and he fell heavily to the ground.
skilful that he held his broad shoulders well Next he sprang on Thestor son of Enops, who
under cover of his ox-hide shield, ever on the was sitting all huddled up in his chariot, for he
look-out for the whizzing of the arrows and the had lost his head and the reins had been torn
heavy thud of the spears. He well knew that out of his hands. Patroclus went up to him and
the fortunes of the day had changed, but still drove a spear into his right jaw; he thus hooked
stood his ground and tried to protect his com- him by the teeth and the spear pulled him over
rades. the rim of his car, as one who sits at the end of
[364] As when a cloud goes up into heaven some jutting rock and draws a strong fish out of
from Olympus, rising out of a clear skv when the sea with a hook and a line— even so with his
Jove is brewing a gale— even with such panic- spear did he pull Thestor all gaping from his
stricken rout did the Trojans now fly, and there chariot; he then threw him down on his face
was no order in their going. Hector's fleet horses and he died while falling. On this, as Erylaus
bore him and his armour out of the fight, and was coming on to attack him, he struck him
he left the Trojan host penned in bv the deep full on the head with a stone, and his brains
trench against their will. Many a yoke of horses were all battered inside his helmet, whereon he
snapped the pole of their chariots in the trench fell headlong to the ground and the pangs of

and left their master's car behind them. Patro- death took hold upon him. Then he laid low,
clus gave chase, calling impetuously on the one after the other, Er^'mas, Amphoterus, Epal-
Danaans and full of fury against the Trojans, tes,Tlepolemus, Echius son of Damastor, Pyris,
who, being now no longer in a body, filled all Ipheus, Euippus and Polymelus son of Argeas.
the ways with their cries of panic and rout; the [419] Now when Sarpedon saw his com-
air was darkened with the clouds of dust they rades, men who wore ungirdled tunics, being
raised, and the horses strained every nerve in overcome by Patroclus son of Menoetius, he re-
their flight from the tents and ships towards the buked the Lvcians saying. "Shame on you,
city. where are you flving to? Show your mettle; I
[377] Patroclus kept on heading his horses will myself meet this man in fight and learn
wherever he saw most men flying in confusion, who it is that is so masterful; he has done us
cheering on bis men the while. Chariots were much hurt, and has stretched many a brave
being smashed in all directions, and many a man upon the ground."
man came tumbling down from his own car to [426/ He sprang from hischariotashespoke,
fall beneath the wheels of that of Patroclus, and Patroclus, when he saw this, leaped on to
whose immortal steeds, given by the gods to the ground also. The two then rushed at one
Peleus, sprang over the trench at a bound as another with loud cries like eagle-beaked crook-
they sped onward. He was intent on trying taloned vultures that scream and tear at one an-
 BOOK XVI 117
other in some high mountain fastness. rounds the ever-beating heart. He fell like some
[4^1] The son of scheming Saturn looked oak or silver poplar or tall pine to which wood-
down upon them in pity and said to Juno who men have laid their axes upon the mountains
was his wife and sister, "Alas, that it should be to make timber for ship-building— even so did
the lot of Sarpedon whom I love so dearly to he lie stretched at full length in front of his
perish bv the hand of Patroclus. I am in two chariot and moaning and clutching at
horses,
minds whether to catch him up out of the fight the blood-stained dust.As when a lion springs
and set him down safe and sound in the fertile with a bound upon a herd of cattle and fastens
land of Lycia, or to let him now fall by the hand on a great black bull which dies bellowing in
of the son of Menoetius." its clutches— even so did the leader of the Ly-
[439] And Juno answered, "Most dread son cian warriors struggle in death as he fell by the
of Saturn, what is this that you are saying? hand of Patroclus. He called on his trusty com-
Would you snatch a mortal man, whose doom rade and said, "Glaucus, my brother, hero
has long been fated, out of the jaws of death? among heroes, put forth all your strength, fight
Do as you will, but we shall not all of us be of with might and main, now if ever quit
your mind. I say further, and lay my saying to yourself like a valiant soldier. First go about
your heart, that if you send Sarpedon safely to among the Lycian captains and bid them fight
his own home, some other of the gods will be for Sarpedon; then yourself also do battle to
also wanting to escort his son out of battle, for save my armour from being taken. My name
there are many sons of gods fighting round the will haunt you henceforth and for ever if the
city of Troy, and you will make every one jeal- Acheeans rob me of my armour now that I have
ous. If, however, you are fond of him and pity fallen at their ships. Do your very utmost and
him, let him indeed fall by the hand of Patro- call all mv people together."
clus, but as soon as the life is gone out of him, [50^] Death closed his eyes as he spoke.
send Death and sweet Sleep to bear him oflF the Patroclus planted his heel on his breast and
field and take him to the broad lands of Lycia, drew the spear from his body, whereon his
where his brothers and his kinsmen will bury senses came out along with it, and he drew out
him with mound and pillar, in due honour to both spear-point and Sarpedon'ssoul at the same
the dead." time. Hard by the Myrmidons held his snorting
[4^8] The sire of gods and men assented, steeds, who were wild with panic at finding
but he shed a rain of blood upon the earth in themselves deserted by their lords.
honour of his son whom Patroclus was about to Glaucus was overcome with grief when
kill on the rich plain of Troy far from his home. he heard what Sarpedon said, for he could not
[462] When they were now come close to help him. He had to support his arm with his
one another Patroclus struck Thrasydemus, the other hand, being in great pain through the
brave squire of Sarpedon, in the lower part of wound which Teucer's arrow had given him
the belly, and killed him. Sarpedon then aimed when Teucer was defending the wall as he,
a spear at Patroclus and missed him, but he Glaucus, was assailing it. Therefore he prayed
struck the horse Pedasus in the right shoulder, to far-darting Apollo saving, "Hear me O king
and it screamed aloud as it lay, groaning in the from your seat, may be in the rich land of Lycia.
dust until the life went out of it. The other two or may be in Troy, for in all places you can hear
horses began to plunge; the pole of the chariot the prayer of one who is in distress, as I now am.
cracked, and they got entangled in the reins I have a grievous wound; my hand is aching

through the fall of the horse that was yoked with pain, there is no staunching the blood, and
along with them; but Automedon knew what to my whole arm drags by reason of my hurt, so
do; without the loss of a moment he drew the that I cannot grasp my sword nor go among my
keen blade that hung by his sturdy thigh and foes and fight them, though our prince, Jove's
cut the third horse adrift; whereon the other son Sarpedon, is slain. Jove defended not his
two righted themselves, and pulling hard at the son, do you, therefore, O king, heal me of my
reins again went together into battle. wound, ease my pain and grant me strength
[477] Sarpedon now took a second aim at both to cheer on the Lycians and to fight along
Patroclus, and again missed him, the point of with them round the body of him who has
the spear passed over his left shoulder without fallen."
hitting him. Patroclus then aimed in his turn, [5277 Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard
and the spear sped not from his hand in vain, his prayer. He eased his pain, staunched the
for he hit Sarpedon just where the midriff sur- black blood from the wound, and gave him new
ii8 THE ILIAD
strength. Glaucus perceived this, and was thank- now struck him on the head with a stone just
ful that the mighty god had answered his as he had caught hold of the body, and his brains
prayer; forthwith, therefore, he went among inside his helmet were all battered in, so that he
the Lycian captains, and bade them come to fell face foremost upon the body of Sarpedon,

fight about the body of Sarpedon. From these and there died. Patroclus was enraged by the
he strode on among the Trojans to Polydamas death of his comrade, and sped through the
son of Panthoiis and Agenor; he then went in front ranks as swiftly as a hawk that swoops
search of /Eneas and Hector, and when he had down on a flock of daws or starlings. Even so
found them he said, "Hector, you have utterly swiftly, O noble knight Patroclus, did you make
forgotten your allies, who languish here for straight for the Lycians and Trojans to avenge
your sake far from friends and home while you your comrade. Forthwith he struck Sthenelaus
do nothing to support them. Sarpedon leader the son of Ithasmenes on the neck with a stone,
of the Lycian warriors has fallen— he who was and broke the tendons that join it to the head
at once the right and might of Lycia; Mars has and spine. On this Hector and the front rank of
laid him low by the spear of Patroclus. Stand by his men gave ground. As far as a man can throw
him, my friends, and suffer not the Myrmidons a javelin when competing for some prize, or
to strip him of his armour, nor to treat his body even in battle— so far did the Trojans now re-
with contumely in revenge for all the Danaans treat before the Achaeans. Glaucus, captain of
whom we have speared at the ships." the Lycians, was the first them, by kill-
to rally
[548] As he spoke the Trojans were plunged ing Bathycles son of Chalcon who lived in
in extreme and ungovernable grief; for Sarpe- Hellas and was the richest man among the
don, alien though he was, had been one of the Myrmidons. Glaucus turned round suddenly,
main stays of their city, both as having much just as Bathycles who was pursuing him was
people with him, and as himself the foremost about to lay hold of him, and drove his spear
among them all. Led by Hector, who was in- right into the middle of his chest, whereon he
furiated by the fall of Sarpedon, they made in- fell heavily to the ground, and the fall of so

stantly for the Danaans with all their might, good a man filled the Achaeans with dismay,
while the undaunted spirit of Patroclus son of while the Trojans were exultant, and came up
Menoetius cheered on the Achaeans. First he in a body round the corpse. Nevertheless the
spoke to the two Ajaxes, men who needed no Achaeans, mindful of their prowess, bore straight
bidding. "Ajaxes," said he, "may it now please down upon them.
vou to show yourselves the men you always have [Got,] Meriones then killed a helmed warrior
been, or even better— Sarpedon is fallen— he of the Trojans, Laogonus son of Onetor, who
who was first to overleap the wall of the Achae- was and was honoured
priest of Jove of Alt. Ida,
ans; let us take thebody and outrage it; let us by the people though he were a god. Merio-
as
strip the armour from his shoulders, and kill nes struck him under the jaw and ear, so that
his comrades if they try to rescue his body." life went out of him and the darkness of death

[562] He spoke to men who of themselves laid hold upon him. /Eneas then aimed a spear
were full eager; both sides, therefore, the Tro- at Meriones, hoping to hit him under the shield
jans and Lycians on the one hand, and the as he was advancing, but Meriones saw it com-
Myrmidons and Achaeans on the other, strength- ing and stooped forward to avoid it, whereon
ened their battalions, and fought desperately the spear flew past him and the point stuck in
about the body of Sarpedon, shouting fiercely the ground, while the butt-end went on quiver-
the while. Mighty was the din of their ar- ing till Mars robbed it of its force. The spear,
mour as they came together, and Jove shed a therefore, sped from /Eneas's hand in vain and
thick darkness over the fight, to increase the fell quivering to the ground. /Eneas was angry

furv of the battle over the body of his son. and said, "Meriones, vou are a good dancer, but
IsSg] At first the Trojans made some head- if I had hit you my spear would soon have made

way against the Achaeans, for one of the best an end of you."
men among the Myrmidons was killed, Epei- [619] And Meriones answered, "^^neas, for
geus, son of noble Agacles who had erewhile all your bravery, you will not be able to make

been king in the good city of Budeum; but pres- an end of evers' one who comes against you.
ently, having killed a valiant kinsman of his You are only a mortal like myself, and if I were
own, he took refuge with Peleus and Thetis, to hit you in the middle of your shield with my
who sent him to Ilius the land of noble steeds spear, however strong and self-confident you
to fight the Trojans under Achilles. Hector may be, I should soon vanquish you, and you
 BOOK XVI 119
would yield your life to Hades of the noble carryhim straightway to the rich land of Lycia,
steeds." where his brothers and kinsmen will inter him,
[62-/] On Mencetius rebuked
this the son of and will both mound and pillar to his
raise
him and "Meriones, hero though you be,
said, memory, due honour to the dead."
in
you should not speak thus; taunting speeches, [6j6] Thus he spoke. Apollo obeyed his
my good friend, will not make the Trojans draw father's saying, and came down from the
away from the dead body; some of them must heights of Ida into the thick of the fight; forth-
go under ground first; blows for battle, and with he took Sarpedon out of range of the
words for council; fight, therefore, and say weapons, and then bore him a long way off,
nothing." where he washed him in the river, anointed
[6^2] He led the way as he spoke and the him with ambrosia and clothed him in immortal
hero went forward with him. As the sound of raiment; this done, he committed him to the
woodcutters in some forest glade upon the arms of the two fleet messengers. Death, and
mountains— and the thud of their axes is heard Sleep, who presently set him down in the rich
afar— even such a din now rose from earth- land of Lycia.
clash of bronze armour and of good ox-hide [684] Meanwhile Patroclus, with many a
shields, as men smote each other with their shout to his horses and to Automedon, pursued
swords and spears pointed at both ends. A man the Trojans and Lycians in the pride and fool-
had need of good eyesight now to know Sarpe- ishness of his heart. Had he but obeyed the
don, so covered was he from head to foot with bidding of the son of Peleus, he would have
spears and blood and dust. Men swarmed about escaped death and have been scatheless; but
the body, as flies round the full milk-
that buzz the counsels of Jove pass man's understanding;
pails in spring when
they are brimming with he will put even a brave man to flight and
milk— even so did they gather round Sarpedon; snatch victory from his grasp, or again he will
nor did Jove turn his keen eyes away for one set him on to fight, as he now did when he put
moment from the fight, but kept looking at it a high spirit into the heart of Patroclus.
all was settling how best to
the time, for he [692] Who then first, and who last, was slain
kill and considering whether Hector
Patroclus, by you, O Patroclus, when the gods had now
should be allowed to end him now in the fisht called you to meet your doom? First Adrestus,
round the body of Sarpedon, and strip him of Autonoiis, Echeclus, Perimus the son of Megas,
his armour, or whether he should let him give Epistor and Melanippus; after these he killed
yet further trouble to the Trojans. In the end, Elasus, Mulius, and Pylartes. These he slew,
he deemed it best that the brave squire of but the rest saved themselves bv flight.
Achilles son of Peleus should drive Hector and [6g8] The sons of the Achaeans would now
the Trojans back towards the city and take the have taken Troy by the hands of Patroclus, for
lives of many. First, therefore, he made Hector his spear flew in all directions, had not Phoebus
turn fainthearted, whereon he mounted his Apollo taken his stand upon the wall to defeat
chariotand fled, bidding the other Trojans fly his purpose and to aid the Trojans. Thrice did
also, he saw that the scales of Jove had
for Patroclus charge at an angle of the high wall,
turned against him. Neither would the brave and thrice did Apollo beat him back, striking
Lycians stand firm; they were dismayed when his shield with his own immortal hands. When
they saw their king lying struck to the heart Patroclus was coming on like a god for yet a
amid a heap of corpses— for when the son of fourth time, Apollo shouted to him with an awful
Saturn made the fight wax hot many had fallen voice and said, "Draw back, noble Patroclus, it

above him. The Achaeans, therefore, stripped is not your lot to sack the city of the Trojan
the gleaming armour from his shoulders and chieftains, nor yet will it be that of Achilles

the brave son of Menoetius gave it to his men who is a far better man than you are." On hear-
to take to the ships. Then Jove lord of the storm- ing this, Patroclus withdrew to some distance
cloud said to Apollo, "Dear Phoebus, go, I pray and avoided the anger of Apollo.
you, and take Sarpedon out of range of the [712] Meanwhile Hector was waiting with
weapons; cleanse the black blood from off him, his horses inside the Scaean gates, in doubt
and then bear him a long way off where you whether out again and go on fighting,
to drive
may wash him in the river, anoint him with or to call the army inside the gates. As he was
ambrosia, and clothe him in immortal raiment; thus doubting Phoebus Apollo drew near him
this done, commit him to the arms of the two in the likeness of a young and lusty warrior
fleet messengers, Death, and Sleep, who will Asius, who was Hector's uncle, being own
I20 THE ILIAD
brother to Hecuba, and son of Dymas who hved and south wind buffet one another when they
in Phrvgia by the waters of the river Sangarius; beat upon some dense forest on the mountains
in his Hkeness Jove's son Apollo now spoke to —there is beech and ash and spreading cornel;
Hector saying, "Hector, why have you left off the tops of the trees roar as they beat on one
fighting? It is ill done of you. If I were as much another, and one can hear the boughs cracking
better a man than you, as I am worse, you and breaking— even so did the Trojans ard
should soon rue your slackness. Drive straight Achaeans spring upon one another and lay
towards Patroclus, if so be that Apollo may about each other, and neither side would give
grant you a triumph over him, and you may way. Many a pointed spear fell to ground and
kill him." many a winged arrow sped from its bow-string
[726] With this the god went back into the about the body of Cebriones; manv a great
hurlv-burlv, and Hector bade Cebriones drive stone, moreover, beat on many a shield as they
again into the fight. Apollo passed in among fought around his body, but there he lay in the
them, and struck panic into the Argives, while whirling clouds of dust, all huge and hugely,
he gave triumph to Hector and the Trojans. heedless of his driving now.
Hector let the other Danaans alone and killed [777] So long as the sun was still high in
no man, but drove straight at Patroclus. Patro- mid-heaven the weapons of either side were
clus then sprang from his chariot to the ground, alike deadly, and the people fell; but when he
with a spear in his left hand, and in his right went down towards the time when men loose
a jagged stone as large as his hand could hold. their oxen, the Achasans proved to be beyond
He stood and threw it, nor did it go far
still all forecast stronger, so that they drew Cebri-

without hitting some one; the cast was not in ones out of range of the darts and tumult of
vain, for the stone struck Cebriones, Hector's the Trojans, and stripped the armour from his
charioteer, a bastard son of Priam, as he held shoulders. Then Patroclus sprang like Mars
the reins in his hands. The stone hit him on the with fierce intent and a terrific shout upon the
forehead and drove his brows into his head, for Trojans, and thrice did he kill nine men; but
the bone was smashed, and his eyes fell to the as he was coming on like a god for a fourth
ground at his feet. He dropped dead from his time, then, O Patroclus, was the hour of your
chariot as though he were diving, and there was end approaching, for Phoebus fought you in
no more life left in him. Over him did you then fell earnest. Patroclus did not seehim as he
vaunt, O knight Patroclus, saying, "Bless my moved about in he was en-
the crush, for
heart, how active he is, and how well he dives. shrouded in thick darkness, and the god struck
If we had been at sea this fellow would have him from behind on his back and his broad
dived from the ship's side and brought up as shoulders with the flat of his hand, so that his
many oysters as the whole crew could stomach, eyes turned dizzy. Phoebus Apollo beat the
even in rough water, for he has dived beauti- helmet from off his head, and it rolled rattling
fully off his chariot on to the ground. It seems, off under the horses' feet, where its horse-hair
then, that there are divers also among the Tro- plumes were all begrimed with dust and blood.
jans." Never indeed had that helmet fared so before,
[751] As he spoke he flung himself on Cebri- for it had served to protect the head and comely
ones with the spring, as it were, of a lion that forehead of the godlike hero Achilles. Now,
while attacking a stockyard is himself struck in however, Zeus delivered it over to be worn by
the chest, and his courage is his own bane- Hector. Nevertheless the end of Hector also
even so furiously, O
Patroclus, did you then was near. The bronze-shod spear, so great and
spring upon Cebriones. Hector sprang from
also so strong, was broken in the hand of Patroclus,
his chariot to the ground. The pair then fought while his shield that covered him from head to
over the body of Cebriones. As two famished foot fell to the ground as did also the band that
lions fight fiercely on some high mountain over held it, and Apollo undid the fastenings of his
the body of a stag that they have killed, even so corslet.
did these two mighty warriors, Patroclus son [80^] On this his mind became clouded; his
of Menoetius and brave Hector, hack and hew limbs failed him, and he stood as one dazed;
at one another over the corpse of Cebriones. whereon Euphorbus son of Panthoiis a Dar-
Hector would not let him go when he had once danian, the best spearman of his time, as also
got him by the head, while Patroclus kept fast the finest horseman and fleetest runner, came
hold of his feet, and a fierce fight raged between behind him and struck him in the back with a
the other Danaans and Trojans. As the east spear, midway between the shoulders. This
 BOOK XVI 121
man as soon as ever he had come up with his ing, 'Come not back knight Patro-
to the ships,
chariot had dismounted twenty men, so pro- clus, till you have rent the bloodstained shirt
ficient was he in all the arts of war— he it was, of murderous Hector about his body.' Thus I
O knight Patroclus, that drove a weapon
first ween did he charge you, and your fool's heart
into you, but he did not quite overpower you. answered him 'yea' within you."
Euphorbus then ran back into the crowd, after [84^] Then, as the life ebbed out of you,
drawing his ashen spear out of the wound; he you answered, O knight Patroclus: "Hector,
would not stand firm and wait for Patroclus, vaunt as you will, for Jove the son of Saturn
unarmed though he now was, to attack him; and Apollo have vouchsafed you victory; it is
but Patroclus unner\'ed, alike by the blow the they who have vanquished me so easily, and
god had given him and by the spear-wound, they who have stripped the armour from my
drew back under cover of his men in fear for shoulders; had twenty such men as you attacked
his life. Hector on this, seeing him to be me, all of them would have fallen before mv
wounded and giving ground, forced his way spear. Fate and the son of Leto have over-
through the ranks, and when close up with powered me, and among mortal men Euphor-
him struck him in the lower part of the belly bus; you are yourself third only in the killing
with a spear, driving the bronze point right of me. I say further, and lay my saying to your
through it, so that he fell heavily to the ground heart, you too shall live but for a little season;
to the great grief of the Achasans. As when a death and the day of your doom are close upon
lion has fought some fierce wild-boar and you, and they will lay you low by the hand of
worsted him— the two fight furiously upon the Achilles son of /Eacus."
mountains over some little fountain at which When he had thus spoken his eyes were
they would both drink, and the lion has beaten closed in death, his soul left his body and flitted
the boar till he can hardly breathe— even so did down house of Hades, mourning its sad
to the
Hector son of Priam take the life of the bra\'e fate and bidding farewell to the youth and
son of Menoetius who had killed so many, strik- vigour of its manhood. Dead though he was.
ing him from close at hand, and vaunting over Hector still spoke to him saying, "Patroclus,
him the while. "Patroclus," said he, "you why should you thus foretell my doom? Who
deemed that you should sack our city, rob our knows but Achilles, son of lovely Thetis, may
Trojan women of their freedom, and carry them be smitten by my spear and die before me?"
off in your ships to your own country. Fool; [862] As he spoke he drew the bronze spear
Hector and his fleet horses were ever straining from the wound, planting his foot upon the
their utmost to defend them. I am foremost of body, which he thrust off and let lie on its
all the Trojan warriors to stave the dav of bond- back. He then went spear in hand after Autom-
age from off them; as for you, vultures shall edon, squire of the fleet descendant of /Eacus,
devour you here. Poor wretch, Achilles with all for he longed to lay him low, but the immortal
his bravery availed you nothing; and yet I ween steeds which the gods had given as a rich gift
when you left him he charged you straitly say- to Peleus bore him swiftly from the field.
 BOOK XVII
Menelaus son of Atreus now came him about the roots of his throat, leaning
BRAVE
know that Patroclus had
to and fallen,
struck
his whole weight on the spear, so as to drive it
made his way through the front ranks home. The point went clean through his neck,
clad in full armour to bestride him. As a cow and his armour rang rattling round him as he
stands lowing over her first calf, even so did fell heavily to the ground. I4is hair which was

yellow-haired Menelaus bestride Patroclus. He like that of the Graces, and his locks so deftly

held his round shield and his spear in front of bound in bands of silver and gold, were all
him, resolute to kill any who should dare face bedrabbled with blood. As one who has grown
him. But the son of Panthoiis had also noted a fine young olive tree in a clear space where

the body, and came up to Menelaus saying, there is abundance of water— the plant is full
"Menelaus, son of Atreus, draw back, leave the of promise, and though the winds beat upon it
body, and let the bloodstained spoils be. I was from ever\' quarter it puts forth its white blos-
first of the Trojans and their brave allies to soms till the blasts of some fierce hurricane
drive my spear into Patroclus, let me, therefore, sweep down upon it and level it with the
have my full glor\' among the Trojans, or I will ground— even so did Menelaus strip the fair
take aim and kill you." youth Euphorbus of his armour after he had
[i8] To this Menelaus answered in great slain him. Or as some fierce lion upon the

anger, "By father Jove, boasting is an ill thing. mountains in the pride of his strength fastens
The pard is not more bold, nor the lion nor on the finest heifer in a herd as it is feeding-
savage wild-boar, which is fiercest and most first he breaks her neck with his strong jaws,

dauntless of all creatures, than are the proud and then gorges on her blood and entrails; dogs
sons of Panthoiis. Yet Hyperenor did not see and shepherds raise a hue and cry against him.
out the days of his youth when he made light but they stand aloof and will not come close to
ofme and withstood me, deeming me the mean- him, for they are pale with fear— even so no one
est soldier among the Danaans. His own feet had the courage to face valiant Menelaus. The
never bore him back gladden his wife and
to son of Atreus would have then carried off the
parents. Even so shall I make an end of you too, armour of the son of Panthoiis with ease, had
if you withstand me; get you back into the not Phoebus Apollo been angry, and in the
crowd and do not face me, or it shall be worse guise of Mentes chief of the Cicons incited
for vou. Even a fool may be wise after the Hector to attack him. "Hector," said he, "you
event." are now going after the horses of the noble son
[^4] Euphorbus would not listen, and said, of /Eacus, but you will not take them; they
"Now indeed, Menelaus, shall you pay for the cannot be kept in hand and driven by mortal
death of my brother over whom you vaunted, man, save only by Achilles, who is son to an
and whose wife you widowed in her bridal immortal mother. Meanwhile Menelaus son of
chamber, while you brought grief unspeakable Atreus has bestridden the body of Patroclus and
on his parents. I shall comfort these poor people killed the noblest of the Trojans, Euphorbus
if Ibring your head and armour and place them son of Panthoiis, so that he can fight no more."
in the hands of Panthoiis and noble Phrontis. [82] The god then went back into the toil
The time is come when this matter shall be and turmoil, but the soul of Hector was dark-
fought out and settled, for me or against me." ened with a cloud of grief; he looked along the
[4^] As he spoke he struck Menelaus full on ranks and saw Euphorbus lying on the ground
the shield, but the spear did not go through, for with the blood still flowing from his wound,
the shield turned its point. Menelaus then took and Menelaus stripping him of his armour. On
aim, praying to father Jove as he did so; Eu- this he made his way to the front like a flame
phorbus was drawing back, and Menelaus of clad in his gleaming armour, and crying
fire,
 BOOK XVII 123
with a loud voice. When
the son of Atreus [140] Then Glaucus son of Hippolochus
heard him, he said himself in his dismay,
to looked fiercely at Hector and rebuked him
"Alas! what shall I do? I may not let the Tro- sternly. "Hector," said he, "you make a brave
jans take the armour of Patroclus who has fallen show, but in fight vou are sadly wanting. A
fighting on mv behalf, lest some Danaan who runaway like yourself has no claim to so great
sees me should cry shame upon me. Still if for a reputation. Think how you may now save
my honour's sake I fight Hector and the Tro- your town and citadel bv the hands of vour own
jans single-handed, they will prove too many people born in Ilius; for vou will get no Lvcians
for me, for Hector is bringing them up in force. to fight for you, seeing what thanks they have
Whv, however, should I thus hesitate? When had for their incessant hardships. Are vou
a man fights in despite of heaven with one likely, sir, to do anything to help a man of less
whom a god befriends, he will soon rue it. Let note, after leaving Sarpedon, who was at once
no Danaan think ill of me if I give place to vour guest and comrade in arms, to be the spoil
Hector, for the hand of heaven is with him. and prey of the Danaans? So long as he lived
Yet, if I could find Ajax, the two of us would he did good service both to vour citv and vour-
fight Hector and heaven too, if we might only self; vet vou had no stomach to save his body
save the body of Patroclus for Achilles son of from the dogs. If the Lvcians will listen to me,
Peleus. This, of many evils would be the least." they will go home and leave Trov to its fate.
[106] While he was thus in two minds, the If the Trojans had anv of that daring fearless
Trojans came up to him with Hector at their spirit which lavs hold of men who are fighting
head; he therefore drew back and left the bodv, for their country and harassing those who
turning about like some bearded lion who is would attack it, we should soon bear off Patro-
being chased bv dogs and men from a stockyard clus into Ilius. Could we get this dead man
with spears and hue and cry, whereon he is away and bring him into the city of Priam, the
daunted and slinks sulkily off— even so did Argives would readilv give up the armour of
Menelaus son of Atreus turn and leave the Sarpedon, and we should get his bodv to boot.
body of Patroclus. When among the body of For he whose squire has been now killed is
his men, he looked around for mighty Ajax son the foremost man at the ships of the Achaeans
of Telamon, and presently saw him on the ex- —he and his close-fighting followers. Neverthe-
treme left of the fight, cheering on his men and less you dared not make a stand against Ajax,
exhorting them to keep on fighting, for Phoebus nor face him, eye to eye, with battle all round
Apollo had spread a great panic among them. you, for he is a braver man than you are."
He ran up to him and said, "Ajax, my good [169] Hector scowled at him and answered,
friend, come with me at once to dead Patroclus, "Glaucus, you should know better. I have held
if so be that we may take the body to Achilles— you so far as a man of more understanding than
as for his armour, Hector already has it." any in all Lycia, but now I despise vou for say-
f 122J These words stirred the heart of Ajax, ing that I am afraid of Ajax. I fear neither
and he made his way among the front ranks, battle nor the din of chariots, but Jove's will is

Menelaus going with him. Hector had stripped stronger than ours; Jove at one time makes even
Patroclus of his armour, and was dragging him a strong man draw back and snatches victory
away to cut off his head and take the body to from his grasp, while at another he will set him
fling before the dogs of Troy. But Ajax came up on to fight. Come hither then, mv friend, stand
with his shield like a wall before him, on which by me and see indeed whether I shall play the
Hector withdrew under shelter of his men, and coward the whole day through as vou say, or
sprang on to his chariot, giving the armour over whether I shall not stay some even of the bold-
to the Trojans to take to the city, as a great est Danaans from fighting round the body of
trophy for himself; Ajax, therefore, covered Patroclus."
the body of Patroclus with his broad shield and /183J As he spoke he called loudly on the
bestrode him; as a lion stands over his whelps if Trojans saying, "Trojans, Lvcians, and Dar-
hunters have come upon him in a forest when danians, fighters in close combat, be men, my
he is with his little ones— in the pride and fierce- friends, and fight might and main, while I put
ness of his strength he draws his knit brows on the goodly armour of Achilles, which I took
down till they cover his eyes— even so did Ajax when I killed Patroclus."
bestride the body of Patroclus, and by his side [188] With this Hector left the fight, and
stood Menelaus son of Atreus, nursing great ran full speed after his men who were taking
sorrow in his heart. the armour of Achilles to Troy, but had not yet
124 THE ILIAD
got far. Standing for a while apart from the hardly come out of this fight alive. I am less

woeful fight, he changed his armour. Mis own concerned for the bodv of Patroclus, who will
he sent to the strong city of Ilius and to the shortly become meat for the dogs and vultures
Trojans, while he put on the immortal armour of Troy, than for the safety of my own head
of the son of Peleus, which the gods had given and yours. Hector has wrapped us round in a
to Peleus, who in his age gave it to his son; but storm of battle from every quarter, and our
the son did not grow old in his father's armour. destruction seems now certain. Call then upon
[198] When Jove, lord of the storm-cloud, the princes of the Danaans if there is any who
saw Hector standing aloof and arming himself can hear us."
in the armour of the son of Peleus, he wagged [246] Menelaus did as he said, and shouted
his head and muttered to himself saying, "Alas! to the Danaans for help at the top of his voice.
poor wretch, you arm in the armour of a hero, "My friends," he cried, "princes and counsellors
before whom many another trembles, and you of the Argives, all vou who with Agamemnon
reck nothing of the doom that is already close and Menelaus drink at the public cost, and give
upon you. You have killed his comrade so brave orders each to his own people as Jove vouch-
and strong, but it was not well that you should safes him power and glory, the fight is so thick
strip the armour from his head and shoulders. about me that cannot distinguish you sever-
I

I do indeed endow vou with great might now, ally; come on, therefore, every man unbidden,

but as against this vou shall not return from and think it shame that Patroclus should be-
battle to lav the armour of the son of Peleus come meat and morsel for Trojan hounds."
before Andromache." [256] Fleet Ajax son of Oileus heard him and
[209] The son of Saturn bowed his porten- was first to force his way through the fight and
tous brows, and Hector fitted the armour to his run to help him. Next came Idomeneus and
body, while terrible Mars entered into him, and Meriones his esquire, peer of murderous Mars.
filled his whole body with might and valour. As for the others that came into the fight after
With a shout he strode in among the allies, and these,who of his could name them?
own self

his armour flashed about him so that he seemed [262] The Trojans with Hector at their
to all of them like the great son of Peleus him- head charged in a body. As a great wave that
self. He went about among them and cheered comes thundering in at the mouth of some
them on— Mesthles, Glaucus, Medon, Thersi- heaven-born river, and the rocks that jut into
lochus, Asteropaeus, Deisenor and Hippothoiis, the sea ring with the roar of the breakers that
Phorcvs, Chromius and Ennomus the augur. beat and buffet them— even with such a roar
All these did he exhort saying, "Hear me, allies did the Trojans come on; but the Achaeans in
from other cities who are here in your thou- singleness of heart stood firm about the son of
sands, it was not in order to have a crowd about Menoetius, and fenced him with their bronze
me that I called you hither each from his several shields. Jove, moreover, hid the brightness of
citv, but that with heart and soul you might de- their helmets in a thick cloud, for he had borne
fend the wives and little ones of the Trojans no grudge against the son of Menoetius while
from the fierce Achaeans. For this do I oppress he was still alive and squire to the descendant
mv people with your food and the presents that of /Eacus; therefore he was loth to let him fall

make you rich. Therefore turn, and charge at a prey to the dogs of his foes the Trojans, and
the foe, to stand or fall as is the game of war; urged his comrades on to defend him.
whoever shall bring Patroclus, dead though he [274] At first the Trojans drove the Achae-
be, into the hands of the Trojans, and shall ans back, and they withdrew from the dead
make Ajax give way before him, I will gi\'e man daunted. The Trojans did not succeed in
him one half of the spoils while I keep the killing any one, nevertheless they drew the
other. He will thus share like honour with bodv away. But the Achasans did not lose it
myself." long, for Ajax, foremost of all the Danaans after
[2^^] When he had thus spoken they the son of Peleus alike in stature and prowess,
charged weight upon the Danaans with
full quickly rallied them and made towards the
their spears held out before them, and the front like a wild boar upon the mountains
hopes of each ran high that he should force when he stands at bay in the forest glades and
Ajax son of Telamon to yield up the body- routs the hounds and lusty youths that have
fools that they were, for he was about to take attacked him— even so did Ajax son of Telamon
the lives of many. Then Ajax said to Menelaus, passing easily in among the phalanxes of the
"My good friend Menelaus, you and I shall Trojans, disperse those who had bestridden
 BOOK XVII 125
Patroclus and were most bent on winning glory much rather give victory to us than to the
by dragging him oft to their city. At this mo- Danaans, if you would only fight instead of
"

ment Hippothoiis brave son of the Pelasgian being so terribly afraid.

Lethus, in his zeal for Hector and the Trojans, [3,3,4] /Eneas knew Apollo when he looked
was dragging the body off by the foot through straight at him, and shouted to Hector saying,
the press of the fight, having bound a strap "Hector and all other Trojans and allies, shame
round the sinews near the ancle; but a mischief on us if we are beaten by the Achaeans and
soon befell him from which none of those could driven back to Ilius through our own cowardice.
save him who would have gladly done so, for A god has just come up to me and told me that
the son of Telamon sprang forward and smote Jove the supreme disposer will be with us.
him on his bronze-cheeked helmet. The plumed Therefore let us make for the Danaans, that
headpiece broke about the point of the weapon, it may go hard with them ere they bear away

struck at once by the spear and by the strong dead Patroclus to the ships."
hand of Ajax, so that the bloody brain came [342 j As he spoke he sprang out far in front
oozing out through the crest-socket. His strength of the others, who then rallied and again faced
then failed him and he let Patroclus' foot drop the Achaeans. /Eneas speared Leiocritus son of
from his hand, as he fell full length dead upon Arisbas, a valiant follower of Lycomedes, and
the body; thus he died far from the fertile land Lycomedes was moved with pity as he saw him
of Larissa, and never repaid his parents the cost fall; he therefore went close up, and speared

of bringing him up, for his life was cut short Apisaon son of Hippasus shepherd of his peo-
early by the spear of mighty Ajax. Hector then ple in the liver under the midriff, so that he
took aim at Ajax with a spear, but he saw it died; he had come from fertile Pasonia and was
coming and just managed to avoid it; the spear the best man of them all after Asteropaeus.
passed on and struck Schedius son of noble Asteropaeus flew forward to avenge him and
Iphitus, captain of the Phoceans, who dwelt in attack the Danaans, but this might no longer
famed Panopeus and reigned over much peo- be, inasmuch as those about Patroclus were
ple; it struck him under the middle of the collar- well covered by their shields, and held their
bone; the bronze point went right through him, spears in front of them, for Ajax had given
coming out at the bottom of his shoulder-blade, them strict orders that no man was either to
and his armour rang rattling round him as he give ground, or to stand out before the others,
fell heavily to the ground. Ajax in his turn but all were to hold well together about the
struck noble Phorcys son of Phaenops in the body and fight hand to hand. Thus did huge
middle of the belly as he was bestriding Hip- Ajax bid them, and the earth ran red with blood
pothoiis, and broke the plate of his cuirass; as the corpses fell thick on one another alike
whereon the spear tore out his entrails and on the side of the Trojans and allies, and on
he clutched the ground in his palm as he fell to that of the Danaans; for these last, too, fought
earth. Hector and those who were in the front no bloodless fight though many fewer of them
rank then gave ground, while the Argives perished, through the care they took to defend
raised a loud cry of triumph, and drew off the and stand by one another.
bodies of Phorcys and Hippothoiis which they [3,66] Thus did they fight as it were a flam-
stripped presently of their armour. ing fire; it seemed as though it had gone hard
I^iq] The Trojans would now have been even with the sun and moon, for they were
worsted by the brave Achaeans and driven back hidden over all that part where the bravest
to Ilius through their own cowardice, while the heroes were fighting about the dead son of
Argives, so great was their courage and endur- Menoetius, whereas the other Danaans and
ance, would have achieved a triumph even Achaeans fought at their ease in full daylight
against the will of Jove, if Apollo had not with brilliant sunshine all round them, and
roused /Eneas, in the likeness of Periphas son there was not a cloud to be seen neither on
of Epytus, an attendant who had grown old in plain nor mountain. These last moreover would
the service of yEneas' aged father, and was at rest for a while and leave off fighting, for they
all times devoted to him. In his likeness, then, were some distance apart and beyond the range
Apollo said, "y^neas, can you not manage, even of one another's weapons, whereas those who
though heaven be against us, to save high IliusP were in the thick of the fray suffered both from
I have known men, whose numbers, courage, battle and darkness. All the best of them were
and self-reliance have saved their people in being worn out by the great weight of their
spite of Jove, whereas in this case he would armour, but the two valiant heroes, Thrasy-
126 THE ILIAD
medes and Antilochus, had not yet heard of the brazen vault of heaven. TTie horses of the de-
death of Patroclus, and beheved him to be still scendant of /Eacus stood out of the fight and
alive and leading the van against the Trojans; wept when they heard that their driver had
thev were keeping themselves in reser\'e against been laid low by the hand of murderous Hec-
the death or rout of their own comrades, for so tor. Automedon, valiant son of Diores, lashed

Nestor had ordered when he sent them from them again and again; many a time did he
the ships into battle. speak kindly to them, and many a time did he
[^84] Thus through the livelong day did they upbraid them, but they would neither go back
wage fierce war, and the sweat of their toil to the ships by the waters of the broad Helles-

rained ever on their legs under them, and on pont, nor yet into battle among the Achaeans;
their hands and eyes, as they fought over the they stood with their chariot stock still, as a
squire of the fleet It was as when
son of Peleus. pillar set over the tomb of some dead man or

a man gives a great ox-hide drenched in fat

all v\'oman, and bowed their heads to the ground.
to his men, and bids them stretch it; whereon Hot tears fell from their eyes as they mourned
they stand round it in a ring and tug till the the loss of their charioteer, and their noble
moisture leaves it, and the fat soaks in for the manes drooped all wet from under the yoke-
many that pull at it, and it is well stretched— straps on either side the voke.
even so did the two sides tug the dead body [441] The son of Saturn saw them and took
hither and thither within the compass of but pity upon their sorrow. He wagged his head,
a little space— the Trojans steadfastly set on and muttered to himself, saying, "Poor things,
dragging it into Ilius, while the Achaeans were whv did we give vou to King Peleus who is a
no less so on taking it to their ships; and fierce mortal, while you are vourselves ageless and
was the fight between them. Not Mars himself immortal? Was it that vou might share the sor-
the lord of hosts, nor yet Miner\'a, even in their rows that befall mankind? for of all creatures
fullest fury could make light of such a battle. that live and move upon the earth there is none
[400] Such fearful turmoil of men and so pitiable as he is— still, Hector son of Priam
horses did Jove on that day ordain round the shall drive neither you nor your chariot. I will
body of Patroclus. Meanwhile Achilles did not not have it. It is enough that he should have
know that he had fallen, for the fight was under the armour over which he vaunts so vainly.
the wall of Troy a long way oflF the ships. He Furthermore I will give you strength of heart
had no idea, therefore, that Patroclus was dead, and limb to bear Automedon safely to the ships
and deemed that he would return alive as soon from battle, for I shall let the Trojans triumph
as he had gone close up to the gates. He knew still further, and go on killing till they reach

that he was not to sack the city neither with the ships; whereon night shall fall and darkness
nor without himself, for his mother had often overshadow the land."
told him this when he had sat alone with her, [456] As he spoke he breathed heart and
and she had informed him of the counsels of strength into the horses so that they shook the
great Jove. Now, however, she had not told dust from out of their manes, and bore their
him how great a disaster had befallen him in chariot swiftly into the fight that raged between
the death of the one who was far dearest to Trojans and Achaeans. Behind them fought
him of all his comrades. Automedon full of sorrow for his comrade, as
[412] The others still kept on charging one a vulture amid a flock of geese. In and out, and
another round the body with their pointed here and there, full speed he dashed amid the
spears and killing each other. Then would one throng of the Trojans, but for all the fury of his
say, "My friends, we can never again show our pursuit he killed no man, for he could not wield
faces at the ships— better, and greatly better, his spear and keep his horses in hand when
that earth should open and swallow us here in alone in the chariot; at last, however,
a com-
this place, than that we should let the Trojans rade, Alcimedon, son of Laerces son of Haemon
have the triumph of bearing off Patroclus to caught sight of him and came up behind his
their city." chariot. "Automedon," said he, "what god has
[420] The Trojans also on their part spoke put this folly into your heart and robbed vou
to one another saying, "Friends, though we fall of your right mind, that you fight the Trojans
to a man beside this body, let none shrink from in the front rank single-handed? He who was
fighting." With such words did they exhort your comrade is slain, and Hector plumes him-
each other. They fought and fought, and an self on being armed in the armour of the de-
iron clank rose through the void air to the scendant of yCacus."
 BOOK XVII 127
[474] Automedon son of Diores answered, the spear quivering in his body till it made an
"Alcimedon, there is no one else who can con- end of him. Hector then aimed a spear at
trol and guide the immortal steeds so well as Automedon but he saw it coming and stooped
you can, save onlv Patroclus— while he was forward to avoid it, so that it flew pi'St him and
alive— peer of gods in counsel. Take then the the point stuck in the ground, while the butt-
whip and reins, while I go down from the car end went on quivering till Mars robbed it of
and fight." its force. They would then have fought hand

[48 ] Alcimedon sprang on to the chariot,

1 to hand with swords had not the two .Ajaxes
and caught up the whip and reins, while Au- forced their wav through the crowd when thev
tomedon leaped from off the car. When Hector heard their comrade calling, and parted them
saw him he said to /Eneas who was near him, for all their fury— for Hector, ^neas, and
"/€neas, counsellor of the mail-clad Trojans, I Chromius were afraid and drew back, leaving
see the steeds of the fleet son of /Eacus come Aretus to lie there struck to the heart. Autom
into battle with weak hands to dri\e them. I am edon, peer of fleet Mars, then stripped him of
sure, if vou think well, that we might take his armour and vaunted over him saving, "I
them; thev will not dare face us if we both have done little to assuage my sorrow for the
attack them." son of Menoetius, for the man I have killed is
The valiant son of Anchises was of the not so good as he was."
same mind, and the pair went right on, with [540] As he spoke he took the blood-stained
their shoulders covered under shields of tough spoils and laid them upon his chariot; then
drv ox-hide, overlaid with much bronze. Chro- he mounted the car with his hands and feet all
mius and Aretus went also with them, and their steeped in gore as a lion that has been gorging
hearts beat high with hope that they might kill upon a bull.
the men and capture the horses— fools that they [543,] And now the fierce groanful fight
were, for thev were not to return scatheless again raged about Patroclus, for Minerva came
from their meeting with Automedon, who down from heaven and roused its fury by the
praved to father Jove and was forthwith filled command of far-seeing Jove, who had changed
with courage and strength abounding. He hismind and sent her to encourage the Dan-
turned to his trusty comrade Alcimedon and aans.As when Jove bends his bright bow in
said, "Alcimedon, keep your horses so close up heaven in token to mankind either of war or of
that I may feel their breath upon my back; I the chill storms that stay men from their labour
doubt that we shall not stay Hector son of and plague the flocks— even so, wrapped in such
Priam till he has killed us and mounted behind radiant raiment, did Minerva go in among the
the horses; he will then either spread panic host and speak man by man to each. First she
among the ranks of the Achaeans, or himself took the form and voice of Phoenix and spoke
be killed among the foremost." to Menelaus son of Atreus, who was standing
Isoy] On this he cried out to the two Ajaxes near her. "Menelaus," said she, "it will be
and Menelaus, "Ajaxes captains of the Argives, shame and dishonour to vou, if dogs tear the
and Menelaus. give the dead bodv over to them noble comrade of Achilles under the walls of
that are best able to defend it, and come to the Troy. Therefore be staunch, and urge your
rescue of us living; for Hector and /Eneas who men to be so also."
are the two best men among the Trojans, are [561] Menelaus answered, "Phoenix, my
pressing us hard in the full tide of war. Never- good old friend, may Minerva vouchsafe me
theless the issue lies on the lap of heaven, I strength and keep the darts from off me, for
will therefore hurl my spear and leave the rest so shall I stand by Patroclus and defend him;
to Jove." his death has gone to my heart, but Hector is
Is 14] He poised and hurled as he spoke, as a raging fire and deals his blows without
whereon the spear struck the round shield of ceasing, for Jove is now granting him a time of
Aretus, and went right through it for the shield triumph."
stayed it not, so that it was driven through his [567] Minerva was pleased at his having
belt into the lower part of his bellv. As when named herself before any of the other gods.
some sturdy youth, axe in hand, deals his blow Therefore she put strength into his knees and
behind the horns of an ox and se\'ers the ten- shoulders, and made him as bold as a fly, which,
dons at the back of its neck so that it springs though driven off will yet come again and bite
forward and then drops, even so did Aretus if it can, so dearly does it love man's blood-
give one bound and then fall on his back— even so bold as this did she make him as he
I2» THE ILIAD
Stood over Patroclus and threw his spear. Now Hector hit him on the jaw under the ear; the
there was among the Trojans a man named end of the spear drove out his teeth and cut his
Podcs, son of Eetion, who was both rich and tongue in two pieces, so that he fell from his
\ aliant. Hector held him in the highest honour chariot and let the reins fall to the ground.
lor he was his comrade and boon companion; Meriones gathered them up from the ground
the spear of Menelaus struck this man in the and took them into his own hands, then he
girdle just as he had turned in flight, and went said to Idomeneus, "Lav on, till you get back
right through him. Whereon he fell heavily to the ships, for you must see that the day is no
forward, and Menelaus son of Atreus drew off longer ours."
his body from the Trojans into the ranks of his [624] On Idomeneus lashed the horses
this

own people. had taken hold upon him.

to the ships, for fear

[582] Apollo then went up to Hector and [616] Ajax and Menelaus noted how Jove
spurred him on to fight, in the likeness of Phae- had turned the scale in favour of the Trojans,
nops son of xAsius who lived in Abvdos and was and Ajax was first to speak. "Alas," said he,
the most favoured of all Hector's guests. In his "even a fool may see that father Jove is helping
likeness Apollo said, "Hector, who of the Achae- the Trojans. All their weapons strike home;
ans will fear vou henceforward now that you no matter whether be a brave man or a coward
it

have quailed before Menelaus who has ever that hurls them. Jove speeds all alike, whereas
been rated poorly as a soldier? Yet he has now- ours fall each one of them without effect. What,
got a corpse away from the Trojans single- then, will be best both as regards rescuing the
handed, and has slain your own true comrade, body, and our return to the joy of our friends
a man brave among the foremost, Podes son of who will be grieving as they look hitherwards;
Eetion. for thev will make sure that nothing can now
[59 1 y A dark cloud of grief fell upon Hector check the terrible hands of Hector, and that he
as he heard, and he made his way to the front will fling himself upon our ships. I wish that
clad in full armour. Thereon the son of Saturn some one would go and tell the son of Peleus at
seized his bright tasselled aegis, and veiled Ida once, for I do not think he can have vet heard
in cloud: he sent forth his lightnings and his the sad news that the dearest of his friends has
thunders, and as he shook his asgis he gave vic- fallen. But I can see not a man among the
tory to the Trojans and routed the Achaeans. Achaeans to send, for they and their chariots
[597] The panic was begun by Peneleos the are alike hidden in darkness. O father Jeve, lift

Boeotian, for while keeping his face turned ever this cloud from over the sons of the Achasans;
towards the foe he had been hit with a spear make heaven serene, and let us see; if you will
on the upper part of the shoulder; a spear that we perish, let us fall at any rate by day-
throv\'n by Polydamas had grazed the top of light."
the bone, for Polydamas had come up to him [648] Father Jove heard him and had com-
and struck him from close at hand. Then Hec- passion upon his tears. Forthwith he chased
tor in close combat struck Lei'tus son of noble away the cloud of darkness, so that the sun
Alectryon in the hand by the wrist, and dis- shone out and all the fighting was revealed.
abled him from fighting further. He looked Ajax then said to Menelaus, "Look, Menelaus,
about him in dismay, knowing that never again and if Antilochus son of Nestor be still living,
should he wield spear in battle with the Tro- send him at once to tell Achilles that by far
jans. While Hector was in pursuit of Leitus, the dearest to him of all his comrades has
Idomeneus struck him on the breastplate o\ er fallen."
his chest near the nipple; but the spear broke in [6^6] Menelaus heeded his words and went
the shaft, and the Trojans cheered aloud. Hec- his way as a lion from a stockyard— the lion is
tor then aimed at Idomeneus son of Deucalion tired of attacking the men and hounds, who
as he was standing on his chariot, and very keep watch the whole night through and will
narrowly missed him, but thespearhit Coiranus, not let him feast on the fat of their herd. In
a follower and charioteer of Meriones who had his lust of meat he makes straight at them but
come with him from Lyctus. Idomeneus had in vain, for darts from strong hands assail him,
left the ships on foot and would have aff^orded and burning brands which daunt him for all
a great triumph to the Trojans if Coiranus had his hunger, so in the morning he slinks sulkily
not driven quickly up to him, he therefore away— even so did Menelaus sorely against his
brought life and rescue to Idomeneus, but him- will leave Patroclus, in great fear lest the Achas-
self fell by the hand of murderous Hector. For ans should be driven back in rout and let him
 BOOK XVII 129
fall into the hands of the foe. He charged down, raise the body, and bear it out of the
Mcriones and the two Ajaxes straitly saying, fray,while we two behind you keep off Hector
"Ajaxes and Meriones, leaders of the Argives, and the Trojans, one in heart as in name, and
now indeed remember how good Patroclus was; long used to fighting side by side with one an-
he was ever courteous while alive, bear it in other."
mind now that he is dead." [722] On this Menelaus and Meriones took
[673] With this Menelaus left them, look- the dead man in their arms and lifted him high
ing round him as keenly as an eagle, whose aloft with a great effort. The Trojan host raised
sight they say is keener than that of any other a hue and cry behind them when they saw the
bird— however high he may be in the heavens, Achaeans bearing the body away, and flew after
not a hare that runs can escape him by crouch- them like hounds attacking a wounded boar at
ing under bush or thicket, for he will swoop the loo of a band of young huntsmen. For a
down upon it and make an end of it— even so, while the hounds fly at him as though they
O Menelaus, did your keen eyes range round would tear him in pieces, but now and again
the mighty host of your followers to see if you he turns on them in a fury, scaring and scatter-
could find the son of Nestor still alive. Presently ing them in all directions— even so did the Tro-
Menelaus saw him on the extreme left of the jans for a while charge in a body, striking with
battle cheering on his men and exhorting them sword and with spears pointed at both the ends,
to fight boldly. Menelaus went up to him and but when the two Ajaxes faced them and stood
said, "Antilochus, come here and listen to sad at bay, they would turn pale and no man dared
news, which I would indeed were untrue. You press on to fight further about the dead.
must see with your OM'n eyes that heaven is [73s] Iri this wise did the two heroes strain
heaping calamity upon the Danaans, and giv- every nerve to bear the body to the ships out of
ing victory to the Trojans. Patroclus has fallen, the fight. The battle raged round them like
who was the bravest of the Achaeans, and sorely fierce flames that when once kindled spread like
will the Danaans miss him. Run instantly to wildfire over a city, and the houses fall in the
the ships and tell Achilles, that he may come glare of its burning— even such was the roar
to rescue the body and bear it to the ships. As and tramp of men and horses that pursued
for the armour, Hector already has it." them as they bore Patroclus from the field. Or
[69^] Antilochus was struck with horror. as mules that put forth all their strength to
For a long time he was speechless; his eyes filled draw some beam or great piece of ship's timber
with tears and he could find no utterance, but down a rough mountain-track, and they pant
he did as Menelaus had said, and set off run- and sweat as they go— even so did Menelaus
ning as soon as he had given his armour to a and Meriones pant and sweat as they bore the
comrade, Laodocus, who was wheeling his body of Patroclus. Behind them the two Ajaxes
horses round, close beside him. held stoutly out. As some wooded mountain-
[700] Thus, then, did he run weeping from spur that stretches across a plain will turn water
the field, to carry the bad news to Achilles son and check the flow even of a great river, nor is
of Peleus. Nor were you, O Menelaus, minded there any stream strong enough to break
to succour his harassed comrades, when Antilo- through it— even so did the two Ajaxes face
chus had left the Pylians— and greatly did they the Trojans and stem the tide of their fighting
miss him— but he sent them noble Thrasy- though they kept pouring on towards them—
medes, and himself went back to Patroclus. He and foremost among them all was y^neas son
came running up to the two Ajaxes and said, of Anchises with valiant Hector. As a flock of
"I have sent Antilochus to the ships to tell daws or starlings fall to screaming and chatter-
Achilles, but rage against Hector as he may, he ing when they see a falcon, foe to all small birds,
cannot come, for he cannot fight without come soaring near them, even so did the Achae-
armour. What then will be our best plan both an youth raise a babel of cries as they fled
as regards rescuing the dead, and our own before /Eneas and Hector, unmindful of their
escape from death amid the battle-cries of the former prowess. In the rout of the Danaans
Trojans'?" much goodly armour fell round about the
[715J Ajax answered, "Menelaus, you have trench, and of fighting there was no end.
said well: do you, then, and Meriones stoop
 BOOK XVIII
Cvmodoce, Nesaia, Speo, Thoe and dark-eyed
THUS then did they fight as it were a
flaming fire. Meanwhile the fleet runner Halie, Cymothoe, Actasa and Limnorea,Melite,
Antilochus, who had been sent as mes- laera, Amphithoe and Agave, Doto and Proto,

senger, reached Achilles, and found him sitting Pherusa and Dynamene, Dexamene, Amphin-
by his tall ships and boding that which was in- ome and Callianeira, Doris, Panope, and the
deed too surely true. "Alas," said he to himself famous sea-nymph Galatea, Nemertes, Apseu-
in the heaviness of his heart, "why are the des and Callianassa. There were also Clymene,
Achaeans again scouring the plain and flocking laneira and lanassa, Maera, Oreithuia and
towards the ships? Heaven grant the gods be Amatheia of the lovelv locks, with other Nere-
not now bringing that sorrow upon me of which ids who dwell in the depths of the sea. The
mv mother Thetis spoke, saying that while I crystal cave was filled with their multitude and
was vet alive the bravest of the Myrmidons they all beat their breasts while Thetis led
should before the Trojans, and see the light
fall them in their lament.

of the sun no longer. I fear the brave son of [^2] "Listen," she cried, "sisters, daughters
Menoetius has fallen through his own daring— of Nereus, that you may hear the burden of my
and yet I bade him return to the ships as soon sorrows. Alas, woe is me, woe in that I have
as he had driven back those that were bringing borne the most glorious of offspring. I bore
fire against them, and not join battle with Hec- him fair and strong, hero among heroes, and
tor." he shot up as a sapling; I tended him as a plant
/75J As he was thus pondering, the son of in a goodlv garden, and sent him with his ships
Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, to Ilius to fight the Trojans, but never shall I

weeping bitterly the while. "Alas," he cried, welcome him back to the house of Peleus. So
"son of noble Peleus, I bring you bad tidings, long as he lives to look upon the light of the
would indeed that they were untrue. Patroclus sun he is in heaviness, and though I go to him
has fallen, and a fight is raging about his naked I cannot help him. Nevertheless I will go, that

body— for Hector holds his armour." I may see mv dear son and learn what sorrow

[22] A dark cloud of grief fell upon Achilles has befallen him though he is still holding aloof
as he listened. He filled both hands with dust from battle."
from off the ground, and poured it over his [6^] She left the cave as she spoke, while
head, disfiguring his comely face, and letting the others followed weeping after, and the
the refuse settle over his shirt so fair and new. waves opened a path before them. When they
He flung himself down all huge and hugely reached the rich plain of Troy, they came up
at full length, and tore his hair with his hands. out of the sea in a long line on to the sands, at
The bondswomen whom Achilles and Patro- the place where the ships of the Myrmidons
clus had taken captive screamed aloud for grief, were drawn up in close order round the tents
beating their breasts, and with their limbs fail- of Achilles. His mother went up to him as he
ing them for sorrow. Antilochus bent over him lay groaning; she laid her hand upon his head
the while, weeping and holding both his hands and spoke piteously, saying, "My son, why are
as he lay groaning for he feared that he might you thus weeping? What sorrow has now be-
plunge a knife into his own throat. Then fallen you? Tell me; hide it not from me. Surely
Achilles gave a loud cry and his mother heard Jove has granted you the prayer you made
him as she was sitting in the depths of the sea him, when you lifted up your hands and be-
bv the old man her father, whereon she screamed, sought him that the Achaeans might all of them
and all the goddesses daughters of Nereus that be pent up at their ships, and rue it bitterly in
dwelt at the bottom of the sea, came gathering that you were no longer with them."
round her. There were Glauce, Thalia and [yS] Achilles groaned and answered, "Moth-
130
 BOOK XVIII 131
cr, Olympian Jove has indeed vouchsafed me not move me.
the fulfilment of mv prayer, but what boots it [izy] Then silver-footed Thetis answered,
to me, seeing that my dear comrade Patroclus "My son, what you have said is true. It is well
has fallen— he whom I valued more than all to save your comrades from destruction, but
others, and loved as dearly as my own life? I vour armour is in the hands of the Trojans;
have lost him; ave, and Hector when he had Hector bears it in triumph upon his own
killed him stripped him of the wondrous ar- shoulders. Full well I know that his vaunt shall
mour, so glorious to behold, which the gods not be lasting, for his end is close at hand; go
gave to Peleus when thev laid you in the couch not, however, into the press of battle till you
of a mortal man. Would that you were still see me return hither; to-morrow at break of day
dwelling among the immortal sea-nymphs, and I shall be here, and will bring you goodly
that Peleus had taken to himself some mortal armour from King Vulcan."
bride. For now vou shall have grief infinite by [ 1^8] On this she left her brave son, and as
reason of the death of that son whom vou can she turned away she said to the sea-nymphs her
never welcome home— nav, I will not live nor sisters, "Dive into the bosom of the sea and go

go about among mankind unless Hector fall to the house of the old sea-god my father. Tell
by my spear, and thus pay me for having slain him everything; as for me, I will go to the
Patroclus son of Menoetius." cunning workman Vulcan on high Olympus,
[g4] Thetis wept and answered, "Then, my and ask him to provide my son with a suit of
son, is your end near at hand— for vour own splendid armour."
death awaits you full soon after that of Hec- [14s] When she had so said, they dived
tor." forthwith beneath the waves, while silver-
[gy] Then said Achilles in his great grief, footed Thetis went her way that she might
"I would die here and now, in that I could not bring the armour for her son.
save my comrade. He has fallen far from home, [148] Thus, then, did her feet bear the god-
and inhis hourof need my hand was not there to dess to Olympus, and meanwhile the Achaeans
help him. What is there for me? Return to my were flying with loud cries before murderous
own land I shall not, and I have brought no Hector till they reached the ships and the
saving neither to Patroclus nor to my other Hellespont, and they could not draw the body
comrades of whom so many have been slain of Mars's servant Patroclus out of reach of the
by mighty Hector; I stay here by my ships a weapons that were showered upon him, for
bootless burden upon the earth, I, who in fight Hector son of Priam with his host and horse-
have no peer among the Achaeans, though in men had again caught up to him like the flame
council there are better than I. Therefore, of a fiery furnace; thrice did brave Hector seize
perish strife both from among gods and men, him by the feet, striving with might and main
and anger, wherein even a righteous man will to draw him away and calling loudly on the
harden his heart— which rises up in the soul of Trojans, and thrice did the two Ajaxes, clothed
a man like smoke, and the taste thereof is in valour as garment, beat him from off^
with a
sweeter than drops of honey. Even so has Aga- the body; but undaunted he would now
all

memnon angered me. And yet— so be it, for it is charge into the thick of the fight, and now
over; I will force my soul into subjection as I again he would stand still and cry alovid, but he
needs must; I will go; I will pursue Hector would give no ground. As upland shepherds
who has slain him whom I loved so dearly, and that cannot chase some famished lion from a
will then abide my doom when it may please carcase, even so could not the two Ajaxes scare
Jove and the other gods to send it. Even Her- Hector son of Priam from the body of Patroclus.
cules, the best beloved of Jove— even he could [ 6^] And now he would even have dragged
1

not escape the hand of death, but fate and it off^ and have won imperishable glory, had not

Juno's fierce anger laid him low, as I too shall Iris fleet as the wind, winged her way as mes-
lie when I am dead if a like doom awaits me. senger from Olympus to the son of Peleus and
Till then win fame, and will bid Trojan
I will bidden him arm. She came secretly without
and Dardanian women wring tears from their the knowledge of Jo\ e and of the other gods,
tender cheeks with both their hands in the for Juno sent her, and when she had got close
grievousness of their great sorrow; thus shall to him she said, "Up, son of Peleus, mightiest
they know that he who has held aloof so long of all mankind; rescue Patroclus about whom
will hold aloof no longer. Hold me not back, this fearful fight is now raging by the ships.
therefore, in the love you bear me, for you shall Men are killing one another, the Danaans in
132 THE ILIAD
defence of the dend body, while the Trojans so brazen was the voice of the son of /Eacus,
are trying to hale it away, and take it to windy and when the Trojans heard its clarion tones
Ilius: Hector is the most furious of them all; they were dismayed; the horses turned back
he is for cutting the head from the body and with their chariots for they boded mischief, and
fixing it on the stakes of the wall. Up, then, their drivers were awe-struck by the steady flame
and bide here no longer; shrink from the which the grey-eyed goddess had kindled above
thought that Patroclus may become meat for the head of the great son of Peleus.
the dogs of Troy. Shame on you, should his [iig] Thrice did Achilles raise his loud cry
body suffer any kind of outrage." as he stood by the trench, and thrice were the
[i8i] And Achilles said, "Iris, which of the Trojans and their brave allies thrown into con-
gods was it that sent you to mer" fusion; whereon twelve of their noblest cham-
[i8^] Iris ansv\ered, "It was Juno the royal pions fell beneath the wheels of their chariots
spouse of Jove, but the son of Saturn does not and perished by their own spears. The Achae-
know of my coming, nor yet does any other of ans to their great joy then drew Patroclus out
the immortals who dwell on the snowy sum- of reach of the weapons, and laid him on a
mits of Olympus." litter: his comrades stood mourning round him,

[187] Then fleet Achilles answered her say- and among them fleet Achilles who wept bit-
ing, "How can I go up into the battle? They terly as he saw his true comrade lying dead
ha\ e mv armour. Mv mother forbade me to arm upon his bier. He had sent him out with horses
till should see her come, for she promised to
1 and chariots into battle, but his return he was
bring me goodly armour from Vulcan; I know not to welcome.
no man whose arms I can put on, save only [239] Then Juno sent the busy sun, loth
the shield of Ajax son of Telamon, and he though he was, into the waters of Oceanus; so
surely must be lighting in the front rank and he set, and the Achaeans had rest from the tug
wielding his spear about the body of dead Pat- and turmoil of war.
rcclus." [2.4^] Now the Trojans when they had come
[196] Iris said, "We know that vour armour out of the fight, unvoked their horses and
has been taken, but go as vou are; go to the gathered in assembly before preparing their
deep trench and show yourself before the Tro- supper. They kept their feet, nor would any
jans, that they may fear you and cease lighting. dare to sit down, for fear had fallen upon them
Thus will the fainting sons of the Achasans all because Achilles had shown himself after
gain some brief breathing-time, which in battle ha\'ing held aloof so long from battle. Poly-
may hardly be." damas son of Panthoiis was first to speak, a man
[zoz] Iris left him when she had so spoken. of judgement, who alone among them could
But Achilles dear to Jove arose, and Minerva look both before and after. He was comrade to
flung her tasselled a.'gis round his strong shoul- Hector, and thev had been born upon the same
ders; she crowned his head with a halo of golden night; with all sinceritv and goodwill, there-
cloud from which she kindled a glow of gleam- fore, he addressed them thus: —
ing fire. As the smoke that goes up into hea\en [254] "Look to it well, my friends; I would
from some city that is being beleaguered on an urge vou to go back now to your city and not
island far out at sea— all day long do men sally wait here by the ships till morning, for we are
from the city and fight their hardest, and at the far from our walls. So long as this man was at
going down of the sun the line of beacon-fires enmity with Agamemnon the Achaeans were
blazes forth, flaring high for those that dwell easier to deal with, and I would have gladly
near them to behold, if so be that they mav camped by the ships in the hope of taking them;
come with and succour them— even
their ships but now I go in great fear of the fleet son of
so did the light flare from the head of Achilles, Peleus; he is so daring that he will never bide
as he stood bv the trench, going beyond the here on the plain whereon the Trojans and
wall— but he did not join the Achaeans for he Achaeans fight with equal valour, but he will
heeded the charge which his mother laid upon tr\ to storm our citv and carry off our women.

him. Do then as I say, and let us retreat. For this is

[217] There did he stand and shout aloud. what will happen. The darkness of night will
Minerva also raised her voice from afar, and for a time stay the son of Peleus, but if he find
spread terror unspeakable among the Trojans. us here in the morning when he sallies forth in
Ringing as the note of a trumpet that sounds full armour, we shA\ haxe knowledge of him in
alarm when the foe is at the gates of a city, even good earnest. Glad indeed will he be who can
 BOOK XVIII 133
escape and get back to Ilius, and many a Tro- forest;when the lion comes back he is furious,
jan will become meat for dogs and vultures— and searches dingle and dell to track the hunter
mav never live to hear it. If we do as 1 say,
I if he can find him, for he is mad with rage-

little though we may like it, we shall have even so with manv a sigh did Achilles speak
strength in counsel during the night, and the among the Mvrmidons saying, "Alas! vain were
great gates with the doors that close them will the words with which I cheered the hero Me-
protect the city. At dawn we can arm and take noetius in his own house; I said that I would
our stand on the walls; he will then rue it if he bring his brave son back again to Opoeis after
sallies from the ships to fight us. He will go he had sacked Ilius and taken his share of the
back when he has gi\en his horses their fill of spoils— but Jove does not give all men their
being driven all whithers under our walls, and heart's desire. The same soil shall be reddened
will be in no mind to try and force his way into here Troy by the blood of us both, for I too
at
the city. Neither will he ever sack it, dogs shall shall never be welcomed home by the old knight
devour him ere he do so." Peleus, nor by my mother Thetis, but even in
[284] Hector looked fiercely at him and an- this place shall the earth cover me. Neverthe-
swered, "Polydamas, your words are not to my less, O now that I am left behind
Patroclus,
liking in that you bid us go back and be pent you, I bury you, till I have brought
will not
within the city. Have you not had enough of hither the head and armour of mighty Hector
being cooped up behind walls? In the old days who has slain you. Twelve noble sons of Tro-
the city of Priam was famous the whole world jans will I behead before your bier to avenge

over for its wealth of gold and bronze, but our you; till I have done so you shall lie as you are

treasures are wasted out of our houses, and by the ships, and fair women of Troy and
much goods have been sold away to Phrygia Dardanus, whom we have taken with spear and
and fair Meonia, for the hand of Jove has been strength of arm when we sacked men's goodly
laid heavily upon us. Now, therefore, that the cities, shall weep over you both night and day."
son of scheming Saturn has vouchsafed me to [343] Then Achilles told his men to set a
win glory here and to hem the Achaeans in at large tripod upon the fire that they might wash
their ships, prate no more in this fool's wise the clotted gore from off Patroclus. Thereon
among the people. have no man with
You will they set a tripod full of bath water on to a clear
you; it shall not be; do all of you as I now say; fire: they threw sticks on to it to make it blaze,

—take your suppers in your companies through- and the water became hot as the flame played
out the host, and keep your watches and be about the belly of the tripod. When the water
wakeful every man of you. If any Trojan is un- in the cauldron was boiling they washed the
easy about his possessions, let him gather them body, anointed it with oil, and closed itswounds
and give them out among the people. Better let with ointment that had been kept nine years.
these, rather than the Achaeans, have them. At Then they laid it on a bier and covered it with
daybreak we will arm and fight about the ships; a linen cloth from head to foot, and over this
granted that Achilles has again come forward to they laid a fair white robe. Thus all night long
defend them, let it be as he will, but it shall go did the Myrmidons gather round Achilles to
hard with him. I shall not shun him, but will mourn Patroclus.
fight him, to fall or conquer. The god of war [356/ Then Jove said to Juno his sister-wife,
deals out like measure to all, and the slayer may "So, Queen Juno, you have gained your end,
yet be slain." and have roused fleet Achilles. One would
l^io] Thus spoke Hector; and the Trojans, think that the Achaeans were of your own flesh
fools that they were, shouted in applause, for and blood."
Pallas Minerva had robbed them of their un- [^60] And Juno answered, "Dread son of
derstanding. They gave ear to Hector with his Saturn, why should you say this thing? May
evil counsel, but the wise words of Polvdamas not a man though he be only mortal and knows
no man would heed. They took their supper less than we do, do what he can for another
throughout the host, and meanwhile through person? And shall not I— foremost of all god-
the whole night the Achaeans mourned Patro- desses both by descent and as wife to you who
clus, and the son them in their
of Peleus led reign in heaven— devise evil for the Trojans if
lament. He murderous hands upon the
laid his I am angry with them?"

breast of his comrade, groaning again and again [^68] Thus did they converse. Meanwhile
as a bearded lion when a man who was chasing Thetis came to the house of Vulcan, imperish-
deer has robbed him of his young in some dense able, star-bespangled, fairest of the abodes in
134 THE ILIAD
heaven, a house of bronze wrought by the lame the immortals; these busied themselves as the
god's own hands. She found him busy with his king bade them, while he drew near to Thetis,
bellows, sweating and hard at work, for he was seated her upon a goodly seat, and took her
making twenty tripods that were to stand by hand in his own, saying, "Why have you come
the wall of his house, and he set wheels of gold to our house, Thetis honoured and ever wel-

under them all that they might go of their own come—for you do not visit us often? Say what
selves to the assemblies of the gods, and come vou want, and I will do it for you at once if I
back again— mar\els indeed to see. They were can, and if it can be done at all."
finished all but the ears of cunning workman- [428] Thetis wept and answered, "Vulcan,
ship which vet remained to be fixed to them: is there another goddess in Olympus whom the

these he was now li.xing, and he was hammer- son of Saturn has been pleased to trv' with so
ing at the rivets. While he was thus at work much affliction as he has me? Me alone of the
silver-footed Thetis came to the house. Charis, marine goddesses did he make subject to a mor-
of graceful head-dress, wife to the far-famed tal husband, Peleus son of /Cacus, and sorely
lame god, came towards her as soon as she saw against my will did I submit to the embraces of
her,and took her hand inher own, saying, "Why one who was but mortal, and who now stays at
have vou come to our house, Thetis, honoured home worn out with age. Neither is this all.
and ever welcome— for vou do not visit us often? Heaven vouchsafed me a son, hero among he-
Come inside and let me set refreshment before roes, and he shot up as a sapling. I tended him

you." as a plant in a goodly garden and sent him with

[^88] The goddess led the way as she spoke, his ships to Ilius to fight the Trojans, but never
and bade Thetis sit on a richly decorated seat shall I welcome him back to the house of Peleus.
inlaid with silver; there was a footstool also So long as he lives to look upon the light of the
under her feet. Then
she called Vulcan and sun, he is in heaviness, and though I go to him
said, "Vulcan, come here, Thetis wants you"; I cannot help him; King Agamemnon has made

and the far-famed lame god answered, "Then it him give up the maiden whom the sons of the
is indeed an august and honoured goddess who /\chaeans had awarded him, and he wastes with
has come here; she it was that took care of me sorrow for her sake. Then the Trojans hemmed
when I was suffering from the heavy fall which the Achasans in at their ships' sterns and would
I had through my cruel mother's anger— for she not let them come forth; the elders, therefore,
would have got rid of me because I was lame. It of the Argives besought Achilles and offered
would have gone hardly with me had not Eu- him great treasure, whereon he refused to bring
rynome, daughter of the ever-encircling waters deliverance to them himself, but put his own
of Oceanus, and Thetis, taken me to their armour on Patroclus and sent him into the fight
bosom. Nine years did I stay with them, and with much people after him. All day long they
manv beautiful works in bronze, brooches, spiral fought by the Scaean gates and would have
armlets, cups, and chains, did I make for them taken the city there and then, had not Apollo
in their cave, with the roaring waters of Oceanus vouchsafed glory to Hector and slain the valiant
foaming as thev rushed ever past it; and no one son of Menoetius after he had done the Trojans
knew, neither of gods nor men, save only Thetis much evil. Therefore I am suppliant at your
and Eurynome who took care of me. If, then, knees if haply you may be pleased to provide
Thetis has come to my house I must make her my son, whose end is near at hand, with helmet
due requital for having saved me; entertain her, and shield, with goodly grea\'es fitted with
therefore, with all hospitality, while I put by ancle-clasps, and with a breastplate, for he lost
mv bellows and all my tools.
"

his own when his true comrade fell at the hands

[410] On this the mightv monster hobbled of the Trojans, and he now lies stretched on
off from his anvil, his thin legs plying lustily earth in the bitterness of his soul."
under him. He set the bellows awav from the [462] And Vulcan answered, "Take heart,
fire, and gathered his tools into a silver chest. and be no more disquieted about this matter;
Then he took a sponge and washed his face and would that I could hide him from death's sight
hands, his shaggy chest and brawny neck; he when his hour is come, so surely as I can find
donned his shirt, grasped his strong staff, and him armour that shall amaze the eyes of all who
limped towards the door. There were golden behold it."

handmaids also who worked for him, and were [468] When he had so said he left her and
like real young women, with sense and reason, went to his bellows, turning them towards the
voice also and strength, and all the learning of fire and bidding them do their office. Twenty
 BOOK XVIII
bellows blew upon the melting-pots, and they fighting through age; but the others sallied forth
blew blasts of every kind, some fierce to help with Mars and Pallas Minerva at their head-
him when he had need of them, and others less both of them wrought in gold and clad in golden
strong as Vulcan willed it in the course of his raiment, great and fair with their armour as be-
work. He threw tough copper into the fire, and fitting gods, while they that followed were
tin, with silver and gold; he set his great anvil smaller.When they reached the place where
on its block, and with one hand grasped his they would lay their ambush, it was on a river-
mighty hammer while he took the tongs in the bed to which live stock of all kinds would come
other. from far and near to water; here, then, they lay
[478] he shaped the shield so great and
First concealed, clad in full armour. Some way off
strong, adorning it all over and binding it round them there were two scouts who were on the
with a gleaming circuit in three layers; and the look-out for the coming of sheep or cattle,
baldric was made of silver. He made the shield which presently came, followed by two shep-
in five thicknesses, and with many a wonder did herds w'ho were playing on their pipes, and had
his cunning hand enrich it. not so much as a thought of danger. When
[48^] He wrought the earth, the heavens, those who were in ambush saw this, they cut off
and the sea; the moon also at her full and the the flocks and herds and killed the shepherds.
untiring sun, with all the signs that glorify the Meanwhile the besiegers, when they heard
face of heaven— the Pleiads, the Hyads, huge much noise among the cattle as they sat in
Orion, and the Bear, which men also call the council, sprang to their horses, and made with
Wain and which turns round ever in one place, all speed towards them, when they reached
facing Orion, and alone never dips into the them they set battle in array by the banks of the
stream of Oceanus. river, and the hosts aimed their bronze-shod
[490] He wrought also two cities, fair to see spears at one another. With them were Strife
and busv with the hum of men. In the one were and Riot, and fell Fate who was dragging three
weddings and wedding-feasts, and they were men after her, one with a fresh wound, and the
going about the city with brides whom they other unwounded, while the third was dead,
were escorting by torchlight from their cham- and she was dragging him along by his heel:
bers. Loud rose the cry of Hymen, and the and her robe was bedrabbled in men's blood.
youths danced to the music of flute and lyre, They went in and out with one another and
while the women stood each at her house door fought as though they were living people hal-
to see them. ing away one another's dead.
[497] Meanwhile the people were gathered [S4i] He wrought also a fair fallow field,
in assembly, for there was a quarrel, and two large and thrice ploughed already. Many men
men were wrangling about the blood-money for were working at the plough within it, turning
a man who had been killed, the one saying be- their oxen to and fro, furrow after furrow. Each
fore the people that he had paid damages in time that they turned on reaching the head-
full, and the other that he had not been paid. land a man would come up to them and give
Each was trying to make his own case good, them a cup of wine, and they would go back to
and the people took sides, each man backing their furrows looking forward to the time when
the side that he had taken; but the heralds kept they should again reach the headland. The part
them back, and the elders sate on their seats of that they had ploughed was dark behind them,
stone in a solemn circle, holding the staves so that the field, though it was of gold, still
which the heralds had put into their hands. looked as if it were being ploughed— very curi-
Then they rose and each in his turn gave ous to behold.
judgement, and there were two talents laid [s^o] He wrought also a field of harvest
down, to be given to him whose judgement corn, and the reapers were reaping with sharp
should be deemed the fairest. sickles in their hands. Swathe after swathe fell
[509] About the other city there lay en- to the ground in a straight line behind them,
camped two hosts in gleaming armour, and and the binders bound them in bands of twisted
they were divided whether to sack it, or to spare straw. There were three binders, and behind
it and accept the half of what it contained. But them there were boys who gathered the cut
the men of the city would not yet consent, and corn in armfuls and kept on bringing them to
armed themselves for a surprise; their wives be bound: among them all the owner of the
and little children kept guard upon the walls, land stood by in silence and was glad. The serv-
and with them were the men who were past ants were getting a meal ready under an oak,
136 THE ILIAD
lor thev had sacrificed a great ox, and were busy with a homestead and huts, and sheltered sheep-
cutting him up, while the women were making folds.
a porridge of much white barley for the la- [$90] Furthermore he wrought a green, like
bourers' dinner. that which Daedalus once made in Cnossus for
[^6i] Hewrought also a vineyard, golden lovelv Ariadne. Hereon there danced vouths
and fair and the vines were loaded with
to see, and maidens whom all would woo, with their
grapes. The bunches overhead were black, but hands on one another's wrists. The maidens
the \ines were trained on poles of silver. He wore robes of light linen, and the youths well-
ran a ditch of dark metal all round it, and woven shirts that were slightly oiled. The girls
fenced it with a fence of tin; there was only one were crowned with garlands, while the young
path to it, and bv this the vintagers went when men had daggers of gold that hung by silver
thev would gather the vintage. Youths and baldrics; sometimes they would dance deftly in
maidens all blithe and full of glee, carried the a ring with merr)' twinkling feet, as it were a
luscious fruit in plaited baskets; and with them work and making trial of
potter sitting at his
there went a boy who made sweet music with his wheel whether it will run, and some-
to see
his lyre, and sang the Linus-song with his clear times they would go all in line with one an-
bovish voice. other, and much people was gathered joyously

1 573)] He wrought also a herd of horned about the green. There was a bard also to sing
cattle. He made the cows of gold and tin, and to them and play his lyre, while two tumblers
thev lowed as they came full speed out of the went about performing in the midst of them
yards to go and feed among the waving reeds when the man struck up with his tune.
that grow bv the banks of the river. Along with [607] All round the outermost rim of the
the cattle there went four shepherds, all of them shield he set the mighty stream of the river
in gold, and their nine fleet dogs went with Oceanus.
them. Two terrible lions had fastened on a [6og] Then when he had fashioned the
bellowing bull that was with the foremost cows, shield so great and strong, he made a breastplate
and bellow as he might they haled him, while also that shone brighter than fire. He made a
the dogs and men gave chase: the lions tore helmet, close fitting to the brow, and richly
through the bull's thick hide and were gorging worked, with a golden plume overhanging it;
on his blood and bowels, but the herdsmen were and he made greaves also of beaten tin.
afraid to do anything, and only hounded on [614] Lastlv, when the famed lame god had
their dogs; the dogs dared not fasten on the made all the armour, he took it and set it before
lions but stood by barking and keeping out of the mother of Achilles; whereon she darted like
harm's way. a falcon from the snowy summits of Olympus
[58 7J The god wrought also a pasture in a and bore away the gleaming armour from the
fair mountain dell, and a large flock of sheep. house of Vulcan.
 "

BOOK XIX
NOW when Dawn in robe of saffron
hasting from the streams of Oceanus, to
was shore,
heroes.
and with a loud cry
On
called on the Achaean
even those who as yet had stayed
this
bring Hght to mortals and immortals, always at the ships, the pilots and helmsmen,
Thetis reached the ships with the armour that and even the stewards who were about the
the god had given her. She found her son fallen ships and served out rations, all came to the
about the body of Patroclus and weeping bit- place of assembly because Achilles had shown
terly. Many also of his followers were weeping himself after having held aloof so long from
round him, but when the goddess came among fighting. Two sons of Mars, Ulvsses and the
them she clasped his hand in her own, saying, son of Tydeus, came limping, for their wounds
"My son, grieve as we may we must let this still pained them; nevertheless they came, and

man lie, for it is by heaven's will that he has took their seats in the front row of the assembly.
fallen; now, therefore, accept from Vulcan this Last of all came Agamemnon, king of men, he

rich and goodly armour, which no man has ever too wounded, for Coon son of Antenor had
yet borne upon his shoulders." struck him with a spear in battle.
[12] As she spoke she set the armour before [^4] When the Achaeans were got together
Achilles, and it rang out bravely as she did so. Achilles rose and said, "Son of Atreus, surely it
The Myrmidons were struck with awe, and would have been better alike for both vou and
none dared look full at it, for they were afraid; me, when we two were in such high anger
but Achilles was roused to still greater fury, about Briseis, surely it would have been better,
and his eyes gleamed with a fierce light, for he had Diana's arrow slain her at the ships on the
was glad when he handled the splendid present day when I took her after having sacked Lyr-
which the god had made him. Then, as soon as nessus. For so, many an Achaean the less would
he had satisfied himself with looking at it, he have bitten dust before the foe in the days of
said to his mother, "Mother, the god has given my anger. It has been well for Hector and the
me armour, meet handiwork for an immortal Trojans, but the Achaeans will long indeed re-
and such as no man living could have fashioned; member our quarrel. Now, however, let it be,
I will now arm, but I much fear that flies will for it is over. If we have been angry, necessity
settle upon the son of Menoetius and breed has schooled our anger. I put it from me: I dare
worms about his wounds, so that his body, now not nurse it for ever; therefore, bid the Achae-
he is dead, will be disfigured and the flesh will ans arm forthwith that I may go out against the
rot." Trojans, and learn whether they will be in a
[28] Silver-footed Thetis answered, "My mind to sleep by the ships or no. Glad, I ween,
son, be not disquieted about this matter. I will will he be to rest his knees who may fly my
find means to protect him from the swarms of spear when I wield it.
noisome flies that prey on the bodies of men [74] Thus did he speak, and the Achaeans
who have been killed in battle. He may lie for rejoiced in that he had put away his anger.
a whole year, and his flesh shall still be as Then Agamemnon spoke, rising in his place,
sound as ever, or even sounder. Call, therefore, and not going into the middle of the as-

the Achaean heroes in assembly; unsay your sembly. "Danaan heroes," said he, "servants of
anger against Agamemnon; arm at once, and Mars, it is well to listen when a man stands up
fight with might and main." to speak, and it is not seemly to interrupt him,
As she spoke she put strength and courage or it hard even with a practised speaker.
will go
into his heart, and she then dropped ambrosia Who can either hear or speak in an uproar?
and red nectar into the wounds of Patroclus, Even the finest orator will be disconcerted by it.
that his bodv might sufi^er no change. I will expound to the son of Peleus, and do you

[40] Then Achilles went out upon the sea- other Achaeans heed me and mark nie well.

137
138 THE ILIAD
Often have the Achaeans spoken to me of this the cruel labours that Eurystheus laid upon
matter and upbraided me, but it was not I that him. Even so did I grieve v\ hen mighty I lector
did it: Jove, and Fate, and Erinys that walks in was killing the Argives at their ships, and all
darkness struek me mad- when we were as- the time I kept thinking of Folly who had so
sembled on the dav that I took from Achilles baned me. I was blind, and Jove robbed me of
the meed that had been awarded to him. What mv reason; I will now make atonement, and
could I do? All thingsare in the hand of heaven, will add much treasure by way of amends. Go,
and Folly, eldest of Jove's daughters, shuts therefore, into battle, you and your people with
men's eyes to their destruction. She walks deli- you. I will give you all that Ulysses offered you
cately, not on the solid earth, but hovers over yesterday in your tents: or if it so please you,
the heads of men to make them stumble or to wait, though you would fain fight at once, and
ensnare them. my squires shall bring the gifts from my ship,

[95/ "Time was when she fooled Jo\e him- that vou may see whether what I give you is
"

self, who they say is greatest whether of gods or enough.

men; for Juno, woman though she was, beguiled [14s] And Achilles answered, "Son of
him on the dav when Alcmena was to bring Atreus, king of men Agamemnon, you can give
forth mighty Hercules in the fair city of Thebes. such gifts as you think proper, or you can with-
He told it out among the gods saying, 'Hear me hold them: it is in your own hands. Let us now
all gods and goddesses, that I may speak e\'en set battle in array; it is not well to tarry talking
as I am minded; this day shall an Ilithuia, about trifles, for there is a deed which is as yet
helper of women who are in labour, bring a man to do. Achilles shall again be seen fighting
child into the world who shall be lord over all among& the foremost, and laying low the ranks
. p . .
'

that dwell about him who are of my blood and of the Trojans: bear this in mind each one of
"

lineage.' Then said Juno all crafty and full of vou when he is fighting.

ouile, 'You will play false, and will not hold to [1S4] Then Ulysses said, "Achilles, godlike
your word. Swear me, O Olympian, swear me and brave, send not the Achasans thus against
a great oath, that he who shall this day fall be- Ilius to fight the Trojans fasting, for the battle
tween the woman, shall be lord over all
feet of a will be no brief one, when it is once begun, and
that dwell about him who are of your blood heaven has filled both sides with fur\'; bid them

and lineage.' first take food both bread and wine by the ships,
[i 12J "Thus she spoke, and Jove suspected for in this there is strength and stay. No man
her not, but swore the great oath, to his much can do battle the li\elong day to the going down
ruing thereafter. For Juno darted down from of the sun if he is without food; however much
the high summit of Olympus, and went in haste he may want to fight his strength will fail him
to Achaean Argos where she knew that the before he knows it; hunger and thirst will find
noble wife of Sthenelus son of Perseus then him out, and his limbs will grow wearv under
was. She being with child and in her seventh him. But a man can fight all day if he is full fed
month, Juno brought the child to birth though with meat and wine; his heart beats high, and
there was a month still wanting, but she stayed his strength will stay till he has routed all his
the offspring of Alcmena, and kept back the foes; therefore, send the people away and bid

Tlithuiae. Then she went to tell Jove the son of them prepare their meal; King Agamemnon will
Saturn, and said. Tather Jove, lord of the light- bring out the gifts in presence of the assembly,
ning—I have a word for your ear. There is a fine that all may see them and you may be satisfied.
child bom this day, Eurystheus, son to Sthene- Moreo\'er let him swear an oath before the Ar-
lus the son of Perseus; he is of your lineage; it gives that he has never gone up into the couch
is well, therefore, that he should reign over the of Briseis, nor been with her after the manner
Argives.' of men and women; and do you, too, show your-
[lis] "On this Jove was stung to the very self of a gracious mind; let Agamemnon enter-

quick, and in his rage he caught Folly by the tain you in his tents with a feast of reconcilia-
hair, and swore a great oath that never should tion, that so you may have had your dues in

she again invade starry heaven and Olympus, full. As for you, son of Atreus, treat people more

for she was the bane of all. Then he whirled righteously in future; it is no disgrace even to a
her round with a twist of his hand, and flung king that he should make amends if he was
her down from heaven so that she fell on to wrong in the first instance."

the fields of mortal men; and he was ever angry [184] And King Agamemnon answered,
with her when he saw his son groaning under "Son of Laertes, your words please me well, for
 BOOK XIX 139
throughout you have spoken wisely. I will was not sooner said than the deed was done:
swear as you would have me do; I do so of my they brought out the seven tripods which Aga-
own free will, neither shall I take the name of memnon had promised, with the twenty metal
f heaven in vain. Let, then, Achilles wait, though cauldrons and the twelve horses; they also
he would fain fight at once, and do you others brought the women skilled in useful arts, seven
wait also, till the gifts come from mv tent and in number, with Briseis, which made eight.
we ratify the oath with sacrifice. Thus, then, do Ulysses weighed out the ten talents of gold and
I charge you: take some noble young Achaeans then led the way back, while the young Achae-
with you, and bring from my tents the gifts that ans brought the rest of the gifts, and laid them
I promised vesterday to Achilles, and bring the in the middle of the assembly.
women also; furthermore let Talthybius find [249] Agamemnon then rose, and Talthy
me a boar from those that are with the host, and bius whose voice was like that of a god came up
make it ready for sacrifice to Jove and to the to him with the boar. The son of Atreus drew
sun." the knife which he wore by the scabbard of his
[198] Then said Achilles, "Son of Atreus, mighty sword, and began by cutting oflF some
king of men Agamemnon, see to these matters bristles from the boar, lifting up his hands in
at some other season, when there is breathing prayer as he did so. The other Achaeans si't
time and when I am' calmer. Would you have where they were all silent and orderly to hear
men eat while the bodies of those whom Hector the king, and /\gamemnon looked into the
son of Priam slew are still lying mangled upon vault of heaven and prayed saying, "I call Jove
the plain? Let the sons of the Achaeans, say I, the first and mightiest of all gods to witness, I
fight fasting and without food, till we have call also Earth and Sun and the Erinyes who
avenged them; afterwards at the going down of dwell below and take vengeance on him who
the sun let them eat their fill. As for me, Patro- shall swear falsely, that I have laid no hand
clus is lying dead in my tent, all hacked and upon the girl Briseis, neither to take her to my
hewn, with his feet to the door, and his com- bed nor otherwise, but that she has remained in
rades are mourning round him. Therefore I can my tents inviolate. If I swear falsely may heaven
take thought of nothing save only slaughter and visit me with all the penalties which it metes

blood and the rattle in the throat of the dying." out to those who perjure themselves."
[21^] Ulysses answered, "Achilles, son of [266] He cut the boar's throat as he spoke,
Peleus, mightiest of all the Achaeans, in battle whereon Talthybius whirled it round his head,
you are better than I, and that more than a little, and flung it into the wide sea to feed the fishes.
but in counsel I am much before you, for I am Then Achilles also rose and said to the Argives,
older and of greater knowledge. Therefore be "Father Jove, of a truth you blind men's eyes
patient under my words. Fighting is a thing of and bane them. The son of Atreus had not else
which men soon surfeit, and when Jove, who is stirred me to so fierce an anger, nor so stub-
war's steward, weighs the upshot, it may well bornly taken Briseis from me against my will.
prove that the straw which our sickles have Surely Jove must have counselled the destruc-
reaped is far heavier than the grain. It may not tion of many an Argive. Go, now, and take your
be that the Achasans should mourn the dead food that we may begin fighting."
with their bellies; day by day men fall thick and [276] On this he broke up the assembly, and
threefold continually; when should we have every man went back to his own ship. The Myr-
respite from our sorrow? Let us mourn our dead midons attended to the presents and took them
for a day and bury them out of sight and mind, away to the ship of Achilles. They placed them
but let those of us who are left eat and drink in his tents, while the stable-men drove the
that we may arm and fight our foes more horses in among the others.
fiercely. In that hour let no man hold back, [282] Venus, when she saw
Briseis, fair as
waiting for a second summons; such summons the mangled body of Patroclus, flung herself
shall bode ill for him who is found lagging be- upon it and cried aloud, tearing her breast, her
hind at our ships; let us rather sally as one man neck, and her lovely face with both her hands.
and loose the fury of war upon the Trojans." Beautiful as a goddess she wept and said, "Pat-
[27,8] When he had thus spoken he took roclus, dearest friend, when I went hence I left
with him the sons of Nestor, with Meges son you living; I return, O prince, to find you dead;
of Phyleus, Thoas, Meriones, Lycomedes son thus do fresh sorrows multiply upon me one
of Creontes, and Melanippus, and went to the after the other. I saw him to whom my father
tent of Agamemnon son of Atreus. The word and mother married me, cut down before our
 '

140 THE ILIAD

city, and my three own dear brothers perished quite deserted your hero; is he then gone so
with him on the sclt-same day; but you, Patro- clean out of your recollection? There he sits by
clus, even when Achilles slew my husband and the ships all desolate for the loss of his dear
sacked the citv oF noble Mynes, told me that I comrade, and though the others are gone to>j
was not to weep, for vou said you would make their dinner he will neither eat nor drink. Go
Achilles marrv me, and take me back with him then and drop nectar and ambrosia into his
to Phthia, where we should have a wedding brei'st, that he may know no hunger.

feast among the Myrmidons. You were always [349] With these words he urged Minerva,
kind to me and I shall never cease to grieve for who was already of the same mind. She darted
you." down from heaven into the air like some falcon
l^oi] She wept as she spoke, and the women sailing on his broad wings and screaming. Mean-
joined in her lament— making as though their while the Achaeans were arming throughout
tears were for Patroclus, but in truth each was the host, and when Miner\'a had dropped nec-
weeping for her own sorrows. The elders of the tar and ambrosia into Achilles so that no cruel
Achasans gathered round Achilles and prayed hunger should cause his limbs to fail him, she
him to take food, but he groaned and would not went back to the house of her mighty father.
do so. "I pray you," said he, "if any comrade Thick as the chill snow-flakes shed from the
will hear me, bid me neither eat nor drink, for I hand of Jove and borne on the keen blasts of
am in great heaviness, and will stay fasting even the north wind, even so thick did the gleaming
to the going down of the sun." helmets, the bossed shields, the strongly plated
[^09] Onhe sent the other princes away,
this breastplates, and the ashen spears stream from
save only the two sons of Atreus and Ulysses, the ships. The sheen pierced the sky, the whole
Nestor, Idomeneus, and the old knight Phoeni.x, land was radiant with their flashing armour,
who stayed behind and tried to comfort him in and the sound of the tramp of their treading
the bitterness of his sorrow: but he would not rose from under their feet. In the midst of them
be comforted till he should have flung himself all Achilles put on his armour; he gnashed his

into the jaws of battle, and he fetched sigh on teeth, his eyes gleamed like fire, for his grief
sigh, thinking ever of Patroclus. Then he said— was greater than he could bear. Thus, then, full
[315^ "Hapless and dearest comrade, you it of fury against the Trojans, did he don the gift
was who would set a good dinner ready for me of the ood, the armour that Vulcan had made
at once and without delay when the Achaeans him.
were hasting to fight the Trojans; now, there- [3 69 J First he put on the goodly greaves
fore, though I have meat and drink in my tents, fittedwith ancle-clasps, and next he did on the
yet will I fast for sorrow. Grief greater than this breastplate about his chest. He slung the silver-
I could not know, not even though I were to studded sword of bronze about his shoulders,
hear of the death of my father, who is now in and then took up the shield so great and strong
Phthia weeping for the loss of me his son, who that shone afar with a splendour as of the moon.
am here fighting the Trojans in a strange land As the light seen by sailors from out at sea, when
for the accursed sake of Helen, nor yet though I men have lit a fire in their homestead high up
should hear that my son is no more— he who is among the mountains, but the sailors are car-
being brought up in Scyros— if indeed Neop- ried out to sea by wind and storm far from the
tolemus is still living. Till now I made sure that haven where they would be— even so did the
I alone was to fall here at Troy away from Ar- gleam of Achilles' wondrous shield strike up
gos, while you were to return to Phthia, bring into the heavens. He lifted the redoubtable hel-
back my son with vou in your own ship, and met, and set it upon his head, from whence it
show him all my property, my bondsmen, and shone like a star, and the golden plumes which
the greatness of my house— for Peleus must Vulcan had set thick about the ridge of the hel-
surely be either dead, or what little liferemains met, waved all around it. Then Achilles made
to him is oppressed alike with the infirmities of trial of himself in his armour to see whether it

age and e\'er present fear lest he should hear the fitted him, so that his limbs could play freely

sad tidings of my death." under it, and it seemed to buoy him up as

[337] He he spoke, and the elders

wept as though it had been wings.
sighed in concert as each thought on what he [3877 He also drew his father's spear out of
had left at home behind him. The son of Saturn the spear-stand, a spear so great and heavy and
looked down with pity upon them, and said strong that none of the Achasans save only
presently to Minerva, "My child, you have Achilles had strength to wield it; this was the
 BOOK XIX 141
spear of Pelian ash from the topmost ridges of "Dread .Achilles," said he, "we will indeed save
Mt. PeHon, which Chiron had once given to you now, but the day of your death is near, and
Peleus. fraught with the death of heroes. Au- the blame will not be ours, for it will be heaven
tomedon and Alcimus busied themselves with and stern fate that will destroy you. Neither
the harnessing of his horses; thev made the was it through any sloth or slackness on our
bands fast about them, and put the bit in their part that the Trojans stripped Patroclus of his
mouths, drawing the reins back towards the armour: it was the mighty god whom lovely
chariot. Automedon, whip in hand, sprang up Leto bore that slew him as he fought among the
behind the horses, and after him Achilles foremost, and vouchsafed a triumph to Hector.
mounted in full armour, resplendent as the sun- We two can fly as swiftly as Zephvrus who they
god Hvperion. Then with a loud voice hechided say is winds; nevertheless it is vour
fleetest of all
with his father's horses saving, "Xanthus and doom by the hand of a man and of a god."
to fall
Balius, famed offspring of Podarge— this time [418] \A'hen he had thus said the Erinyes
when we have done fighting be sure and bring stayed his speech, and Achilles answered him
vour dri\er safely back to the host of the Achas- in great sadness, saying, "Why, O Xanthus, do
ans, and do not leave him dead on the plain as you thus foretell my death? You need not do so,
vou did Patroclus." for I well know that I am to fall here, far from
[404] Then fleet Xanthus answered from my dear father and mother; none the more,
under the yoke— for white-armed Juno had en- however, shall I stay my hand till I have given
dowed him with human speech— and he bowed the Trojans their fill of fighting."
his head till his mane touched the ground as [424] So saying, with a loud cry he dro\e
it hung down from under the yoke-band. his horses to the front.
 "

BOOK XX
then, did the Achasans ami by with them also came X'ulcan in all his glory,
TllLIS,
their ships round vou, O son of Peleus, limping, but vet with his thin legs plving lust-
who were hungering for battle; while the ilv under him. Mars of gleaming helmet joined

Trojans over against them armed upon the rise the Trojans, and with him Apollo of locks un-
of the plain. shorn, and the archer goddess Diana, Leto,
[4] Meanwhile Jove from the top of many- Xanthus, and laughter-loving Venus.
delled Olympus, bade Themis gather the gods [41] So long as the gods held themselves
in council, whereon she went about and called aloof from mortal warriors the Achasans were
them the house of Jove. There was not a river
to triumphant, for Achilles who had long refused
i'bsent except Oceanus, nor a single one of the to fight was now with them. There was not a

nvmphs that haunt fair groves, or springs of Trojan but his limbs failed him for fear as he
ri\ers and meadows of green grass. When thev beheld the fleet son of Peleus all glorious in his
reached the house of cloud-compelling Jove, armour, and looking like Mars himself. When,
thev took their seats in the arcades of polished however, the Olvmpians came to take their part
marble which Vulcan with his consummate among men, forthwith uprose strong Strife,
skill had made for father ]ove. rouser of hosts, and Minerva raised her loud
[ i^] In such wise, therefore, did they gather voice, now standing bv the deep trench that ran
in the house of Jove. Neptune also, lord of the outside the wall, and now shouting with all
earthquake, obeved the call of the goddess, and her might upon the shore of the sounding sea.
came up out of the sea to join them. There, sit- Mars also bellowed out upon the other side,
ting in the midst of them, he asked what Jove's dark as some black thunder-cloud, and called
purpose might be. "Why," said he, "wielder of on the Trojans at the top of his voice, now from
the lightning, have vou called the gods in coun- the acropolis, and now speeding up the side of
cil? Are vou considering some matter that con- the river Simois till he came to the hill Callico-
cerns the Trojans and /\chaeans— for the blaze lone.
of battle is on the point of being kindled be- [^4] Thus did the gods spur on both hosts
tween them? to fight, and rouse fierce contention also among
[19] And Jove answered, "You know my themselves. The gods and men thun-
sire of

purpose, shaker of earth, and wherefore I have dered from heaven above, while from beneath
called you hither. I take thought for them even Neptune shook the vast earth, and bade the
in their destruction. For mv own part I shall high hills tremble. The spurs and crests of
stay here seated on Mt. Olympus and look on manv-fountained Ida quaked, as also the citv of
in peace, but do you others go about among the Trojans and the ships of the Achasans.
Trojans and Achasans, and help either side as Hades, king of the realms below, was struck
vou may be severally disposed. If Achilles fights with fear; he sprang panic-stricken from his
the Trojans without hindrance they will make throne and cried aloud in terror lest Neptune,
no stand against him; thev have ever trembled lord of the earthquake, should crack the ground
at the sight of him, and now that he is roused over his head, and lav bare his mouldy man-
to such fury about his comrade, he will override sions to the sight of mortals and immortals-
fate itself and storm their city." mansions so ghastlv grim that even the gods
[3 / ] Thus spoke Jo\e and ga\e the word for shudder to think of them. Such was the uproar
war, whereon the gods took their se\'eral sides as the gods came together in battle. Apollo with
and went into battle. Juno, Pallas Minerva, his arrows took his stand to face King Neptune,
earth-encircling Neptune, Mercury bringer of while Minerva took hers against the god of war;
good luck and excellent in all cunning— all the archer-goddess Diana with her golden ar-
these joined the host that came from the ships; rows, sister of far-darting Apollo, stood to face

142
 BOOK XX M3
Juno; Mercury the lusty bringer of good luck Achilles. Shall we turn him back at once, or
faced Leto, while the mighty eddying river shall one of us stand by Achilles and endow
whom men Scamander, but gods Xanthus,
call him with strength so that his heart fail not, and
matched himself against Vulcan. he may learn that the chiefs of the immortals
[7 s] The gods, then, were thus ranged are on his side, while the others who have all
against one another. But the heart of Achilles along been defending the Trojans are but vain
was set on meeting Hector son of Priam, for it helpers? Let us all come down from Olympus
was with his blood that he longed above all and join in the fight, that this day he may take
things else to glut the stubborn lord of battle. no hurt at the hands of the Trojans. Hereafter
Meanwhile Apollo set /Eneas on to attack the let him suffer whatever fate may have spun

son of Peleus, and put courage into his heart, out for him when he was begotten and his
speaking with the voice of Lycaon son of Priam. mother bore him. If Achilles be not thus assured
In his likeness, therefore, he said to /Eneas, by the voice of a god, he may come to fear pres-
"/Eneas, counsellor of the Trojans, where are ently when one of us meets him in battle, for
now the brave words with which you vaunted the gods are terrible if they are seen face to
over your wine before the Trojan princes, say- face."
ing that you would fight Achilles son of Peleus [1^2.] Neptune lord of the earthquake an-
in single combat?" swered her saying, "Juno, restrain your fury; it
[86] And /Eneas answered, "Why do you is not well; I am not in favour of forcing the
thus bid me fight the proud son of Peleus, when other gods to fight us, for the advantage is too
I am in no mind to do so? Were I to face him greatlyon our own side; let us take our places
now, it would not be for the first time. His on some hill out of the beaten track, and let
spear has already put me to flight from Ida, mortals fight it out among themselves. If Mars
when he attacked our cattle and sacked Lyr- or Phoebus Apollo begin fighting, or keep Achil-
nessus and Pedasus; Jove indeed saved me in les in check so that he cannot fight, we, too,
that he vouchsafed me strength to fly, else had will at once raise the cry of battle, and in that
I fallen by the hands of Achilles and Minerva, case they will soon leave the field and go back
who went before him to protect him and urged vanquished to Olympus among the other gods."
him to fall upon the Lelegae and Trojans. No [144] With these words the dark-haired god
man may fight Achilles, for one of the gods is led the way to the high earth-barrow of Her-
always with him as his guardian angel, and cules, built round solid masonry, and made by
even were it not so, his weapon flies ever the Trojans and Pallas Minerva for him to fly
straight, and fails not to pierce the flesh of him to when the sea-monster was chasing him from
who is heaven would let me
against him; if the shore on to the plain. Here Neptune and
fight him on even terms he should not soon those that were with him took their seats,
overcome me, though he boasts that he is made wrapped in a thick cloud of darkness; but the
of bronze." other gods seated themselves on the brow of
[10^] Then said King Apollo, son to Jove, Callicolone round you, O Phoebus, and Mars
"Nay, hero, pray to the ever-living gods, for the waster of cities.

men say that you were born of Jove's daughter [iSil Thus did the gods sit apart and form
Venus, whereas Achilles is son to a goddess of their plans, but neither side was willing to be-
inferior rank. Venus is child to Jove, while gin battle with the other, and Jove from his
Thetis but daughter to the old man of the sea.
is seat on high was in command over them all.
Bring, therefore, your spear to bear upon him, Meanwhile the whole plain was alive with men
and let him not scare you with his taunts and and horses, and blazing with the gleam of ar-
menaces." mour. The earth rang again under the tramp of
[no] As he spoke he put courage into the their feet as they rushed towards each other,
heart of the shepherd of his people, and he and two champions, by far the foremost of them
strode in full armour among the ranks of the all, met between the hosts to fight— to wit,

foremost fighters. Nor did the son of Anchises /Eneas son of Anchises, and noble Achilles.
escape the notice of white-armed Juno, as he [161] y-Eneas was first to stride forward in
went forth into the throng to meet Achilles. attack, his doughty helmet tossing defiance as
She called the gods about her, and said, "Look he came on. He held his strong shield before his
to it, you two, Neptune and Minerva, and con- breast, and brandished his bronze spear. The
sider how this shall be; Phoebus Apollo has been son of Peleus from the other side sprang forth
sending /Eneas clad in full armour to fight to meet him, like some fierce lion that the whole
144 THE ILIAD
country-side has met to hunt and kill— at Hrst that fed by the water-meadows, they and their
he bodes no ill, but when some daring youth foals with them. Boreas was enamoured of
has struck him with a spear, he crouches open them as they were feeding, and covered them
mouthed, his jaws foam, he roars with fury, he in the semblance of a dark-maned stallion.

lashes his tail from side to side about his ribs 7 welve filly foals did they conceive and bear
and loins, and glares as he springs straight be- him, and rhese, as they sped over the rich plain,
fore him, to find out whether he is to slay, or be would go bounding on over the ripe ears of corn
slain among the foremost of his foes— even with and not break them; or again when they would
such fury did Achilles burn to spring upon disport themselves on the broad back of Ocean
/4E,neas. they could gallop on the crest of a breaker.
[iy6] When they were now close up with Erichthonius begat Tros, king of the Trojans,
one another Achilles was first to speak. "/Eneas," and Tros had three noble sons, Ilus, Assaracus,
said he, "why do you stand thus out before the and Ganymede who was comeliest of mortal
host to fight me? Is it that you hope to reign men; wherefore the gods carried him oflF to be
over the Trojans in the seat of Priam? Nay, Jove's cupbearer, for his beauty's sake, that he
though you kill me Priam will not hand his might dwell among the immortals. Ilus begat
kingdom over to you. He is a man of sound Laomedon, and Laomedon begat Tithonus,
judgement, and he has sons of his own. Or have Priam, Lampus, Clytius, and Hiketaon of the
the Trojans been allotting you a demesne of stock of Mars. But Assaracus was father to
passing richness, fair with orchard lawns and Capys, and Capys to Anchises, who was my
corn lands, if you should slay me? This you father, while Hector is son to Priam.
shall hardly do. I have discomfited you once [241] "Such do I declare my blood and line-
alreadv. Have you forgotten how when you age, but as for valour, Jove gives it or takes it as
were alone I chased you from your herds helter- he will, for he is lord of all. And now let there
skelter down the slopes of Ida? You did not be no more of this prating in mid-battle as
turn round to look behind you; you took refuge though we were children. We
could fling taunts
in Lvrnessus, but I attacked the city, and with without end at one another; a hundred-oared
the help of Minerva and father Jove I sacked it galley would not hold them. The tongue can
and carried its women into captivity, though run all whithers and talk all wise; it can go here
jove and the other gods rescued you. You think and there, and as a man says, so shall he be
they will protect you now, but they will not do gainsaid. What is the use of our bandying hard
so; therefore I say go back into the host, and do words, like women who when they fall foul of
not face me, or you will rue it. Even a fool may one another go out and wrangle in the streets,
be wise after the event." one half true and the other lies, as rage inspires

[199] Then yEneas answered, "Son of Pe- them? No words of yours shall turn me now
leus, think not that your words can scare me as that I am fain to fight— therefore let us make
though I were a child. I too, if I will, can brag trial one another with our spears."
of
and talk unseemly. We know one another's race [259] As he spoke he drove his spear at the
and parentage as matters of common fame, great and terrible shield of Achilles, which rang
though neither have you ever seen my parents out as the point struck it. The son of Peleus
nor I vours. Men say that you are son to noble held the shield before him with his strong hand,
Peleus, and that your mother is Thetis, fair- and he was afraid, for he deemed that /Eneas's
haired daughter of the sea. I have noble An- spear would go through it quite easily, not re-
chises for my father, and Venus for my mother; flecting that the god's glorious gifts were little
the parents of one or other of us shall this day likely to yield before the blows of mortal men;
mourn a son, for it will be more than silly talk and indeed /Eneas's spear did not pierce the
that shall part us when the fight is over. Learn, shield, for the layer of gold, gift of the god,
then, my lineage if you will— and it is known to stayed the point. It went through two layers,

many. but the god had made the shield in five, two of
[11^] "In the beginning Dardanus was the bronze, the two innermost ones of tin, and one
son of Jove, and founded Dardania, for Ilius of gold; it was in this that the spear was stayed.
was not yet stablished on the plain for men to [273J Achilles in his turn threw, and struck
dwell in, and her people still abode on the the round shield of /Eneas at the very edge,
spurs of many-fountained Ida. Dardanus had a where the bronze was thinnest; the spear of
son, king Erichthonius, who was wealthiest of Pelian ash went clean through, and the shield
all men living; he had three thousand mares rang under the blow; yE.neas was afraid, and
 BOOK XX 145
crouched backwards, holding the shield away band of warriors both horse and foot did he soar
from him; the spear, howexer, flew over his as the god's hand sped him, till he came to the
back, and stuck quivering in the ground, after very fringe of the battle where the Cauconians
having gone through both circles of the shelter- were arming themselves for fight. Neptune,
ing shield. /Eneas though he had avoided the shaker of the earth, then came near to him and
spear, stood still, blinded with fear and grief said, "/Eneas, what god has egged you on to
because the weapon had gone so near him; this folly in fighting the son of Peleus, who is

then Achilles sprang furiously upon him, with both a mightier man of valour and more be
a cr\' as of death and with his keen blade loved of heaven than you are? Give way before
drawn, and /Eneas seized a great stone, so huge him whensoever you meet him, lest you go
that two men, as men now are, would be unable down to the house of Hades even though fate
to lift it, but /Eneas wielded it quite easily. would have it otherwise. When Achilles is
[288] /Eneas would then have struck Achil- dead you may then fight among the foremost
les as he was springing towards him, either on undaunted, for none other of the Achaeans
the helmet, or on the shield that covered him, shall slay you."
and Achilles would have closed with him and [340] The god left him when he had given
despatched him with his sword, had not Nep- him these instructions, and at once removed
tune lord of the earthquake been quick to the darkness from before the eyes of Achilles,
mark, and said forthwith to the immortals, "Alas, who opened them wide indeed and said in great
I am sorry for great /Eneas, who will now go anger, "Alas! what marvel am I now beholding?
down to the house of Hades, vanquished by Here is my spear upon the ground, but I see
the son of Peleus. Fool that he was to give ear not him whom I meant to kill when I
hurled it.
to the counsel of Apollo. Apollo will never save Of a truth /Eneas also must be under heaven's
him from destruction. Why should this man protection, although I had thought his boast-
suffer when he is guiltless, to no purpose, and ing was idle. Let him go hang; he will be in
in another's quarrelr Has he not at all times no mood to fight me further, seeing how nar-
offered acceptable sacrifice to the gods that rowly he has missed being killed. I will now
dwell in heaven? Let us then snatch him from gi\e my orders to the Danaans and attack some
death's jaws, lest the son of Saturn be angry other of the Trojans."
should Achilles slay him. It is fated, moreover, lis?)] He sprang forward along the line and
that he should escape, and that the race of cheered his men on as he did so. "Let not the
Dardanus, whom Jove loved above all the sons Trojans," he cried, "keep you at arm's length,
born to him of mortal women, shall not perish Achaeans, but go for them and fight them man
utterly without seed or sign. For now indeed for man. However valiant I may be, I cannot
has Jove hated the blood of Priam, while /Eneas give chase to so many and fight all of them.
shall reign over the Trojans, he and his chil- Even Mars, who is an immortal, or Minerva,
dren's children that shall be born hereafter." would shrink from flinging himself into the
[^09] Then answered Juno, "Earth-shaker, jaws of such a fight and laying about him;
look to this matter yourself, and consider con- nevertheless, so far as in me lies I will show no
cerning /Eneas, whether vou will save him, or slackness of hand or foot nor want of endur-
suffer him, brave though he be, to fall by the ance, not even for a moment; I will utterly
hand of Achilles son of Peleus. For of a truth break their ranks, and woe to the Trojan who
we two, I and Pallas Minerva, have sworn full shall venture within reach of my spear."
many a time before all the immortals, that [364] Thus did he exhort them. Meanwhile
never would we shield Trojans from destruc- Hector called upon the Trojans and declared
tion, not even when all Troy is burning in the that he would fight Achilles. "Be not afraid,
flames that the Achasans shall kindle." proud Trojans, said he, "to face the son of
"

[3 1 8] When earth-encircling Neptune heard Peleus; I could fight gods myself if the battle
this he went into the battle amid the clash of were one of words only, but they would be
spears, and came to the place where Achilles more than a match for me, if we had to use
and /Eneas were. Forthwith he shed a darkness our spears. Even so the deed of Achilles will
before the eyes of the son of Peleus, drew the fall somewhat short of his word; he will do in
bronze-headed ashen spear from the shield of part, and the other part he will clip short. I
/Eneas, and laid it at the feet of Achilles. Then will go up against him though his hands be as
he lifted /Eneas on high from off^ the earth and fire— though his hands be fire and his strength
hurried him away. Over the heads of many a iron."
 "

46 THE ILIAD
[374] Thus urged the Trojans hfted up two pieces of the double breastplate overlapped.
their spears against the Achaeans, and raised The point of the spear pierced him through
the cry of battle as they flung themselves into and came out by the navel, whereon he fell
the midst of their ranks. But Phccbus Apollo groaning on to his knees and a cloud of dark-
came up to Hector and said, "Mector, on no ness overshadowed him as he sank holding his
account must you challenge Achilles to single entrails in his hands.
combat; keep a lookout for him while you are [419] W'hen Hector saw his brother Poly-
under cover of the others and away from the dorus with his entrails in his hands and sinking
thick of the fight, otherwise he will either hit down upon the ground, a mist came over his
vou with a spear or cut you down at close eyes, and he could not bear to keep longer at
quarters. a distance; he therefore poised his spear and

[379] Thus he spoke, and Hector drew back darted towards Achilles like a flame of fire.
within the crowd, for he was afraid when he When Achilles saw him he bounded forward
heard what the god had said to him. Achilles and vaunted saying, 'This is he that has
then sprang upon the Trojans with a terrible wounded my heart most deeply and has slain
clothed in valour as with a garment. First
cr\', my beloved comrade. Not for long shall we two
he killed Iphition son of Otrynteus, a leader of quail before one another on the highways of
much people whom a naiad nymph had borne war."
to Otrvnteus waster of cities, in the land of [428] He looked fiercely on Hector and said,
Hvde under snowv heights of Mt. Tmolus.
the "Draw near, that you may meet your doom the
Achilles struckhim full on the head as he was sooner." Hector feared him not and answered,
coming on towards him, and split it clean in "Son of Peleus, think not that your words can
two; whereon he fell heavily to the ground and scare me as though I were a child; I too if I
Achilles vaunted over him saying, "You lie will can brag and talk unseemly; I know that
low, son of Otrynteus, mighty hero; your death you are a mighty warrior, mightier by far than
is here, but your lineage is on the Gygaean lake I, nevertheless the issue lies in the lap of heaven

where your father's estate lies, by Hyllus, rich whether I, worse man though I be, may not
in fish, and the eddying waters of Hermus." slay you with my spear, for this too has been

[393] Thus did he vaunt, but darkness found keen ere now."
closed the eves of the other. The chariots of [438 J He hurled his spear as he spoke, but
the Achaeans cut him up as their wheels passed Minerxa breathed upon it, and though she
over him in the front of the battle, and after breathed but very lightly she turned it back
him Achilles killed Demoleon, a valiant man from going towards Achilles, so that it returned
of war and son to Antenor. He struck him on to Hector and lay at his feet in front of him.
the temple through his bronze-cheeked helmet. Achilles then sprang furiously on him with a
The helmet did not stav the spear, but it went loud cr\, bent on killing him, but Apollo caught
right on, crushing the bone so that the brain him up easily as a god can, and hid him in a
insidewas shed in all directions, and his lust thick darkness. Thrice did Achilles spring to
of fightingwas ended. Then he struck Hip- wards him spear in hand, and thrice did he
podamas in the midriff as he was springing waste his blow upon the air. When he rushed
down from his chariot in front of him, and try- forward for the fourth time as though he were
ing to escape. He breathed his last, bellowing a god, he shouted aloud saying, "Hound, this
like a bull bellows when young men are drag- time too you have escaped death— but of a truth
ging him to offer him in sacrifice to the King it came exceedingly near you. Phoebus Apollo,

of Helice, and the heart of the earth-shaker is to whom it seems you pray before you go into
glad: even so did he bellow as he lay dying. battle, has again saved you; but if I too have
Achilles then went in pursuit of Polvdorus son any friend among the gods I will surely make
of Priam, whom his father had always forbid- an end of you when I come across you at some
den to fight because he was the youngest of his other time. Now, however, I will pursue and
sons, the one he loved best, and the fastest overtake other Trojans."
runner. He, in his folly and showing off the [4SSJ O" this he struck Dr)'ops with his
fleetness of his feet, was rushing about among spear, about themiddle of his neck, and he fell
the front ranks until he lost his life, for Achilles headlong There he let him lie and
at his feet.
struck him in the middle of the back as he was stayed Demouchus son of Philetor, a man both
darting past him: he struck him just at the brave and of great stature, by hitting him on
golden fastenings of his belt and where the the knee with a spear; then he smote him with
 BOOK XX 147
his sword and killed him. After this he sprang a blow from his sword and flung it helmet and
on Laogonus and Dardanus, sons of Bias, and all away from him, and the marrow came

threw them from their chariot, the one with oozing out of his backbone as he lay. He then
a blow from a thrown spear, while the other went in pursuit of Rhigmus, noble son of
he cut down in hand-to-hand fight. There was Peires, who had come from fertile Thrace, and
also Tros the son of Alastor— he came up to struck him through the middle with a spear
Achilles and clasped his knees in the hope that which fixed itself in his belly, so that he fell

he would spare him and not kill him but let headlong from his chariot. He also speared
him go, because thev were both of the same age. Areithous squire to Rhigmus in the back as he
Fool, he might have known that he should not was turning his horses in flight, and thrust him
prevail with him, for the man was in no mood from his chariot, while the horses were struck
for pitv or forbearance but was in grim earnest. with panic.
Therefore when Tros laid hold of his knees and [490] As a fire raging in some mountain glen
sought a hearing for his prayers, Achilles drove after long drought— and the dense forest is in
his sword into his liver, and the liver came a blaze, while the wind carries great tongues
rolling out, while his bosom was all covered of fire in every direction— even so furiously did
with the black blood that welled from the Achilles rage, wielding his spear as though he
wound. Thus did death close his eyes as he were a god, and giving chase to those whom he
lay lifeless. would slay, till the dark earth ran with blood.
[472.] Achilles then went up to Mulius and Or as one who yokes broad-browed oxen that
struck him on the ear with a spear, and the they may tread barley in a threshing-floor—
bronze spear-head came right out at the other and it is soon bruised small under the feet of
ear. He also struck Echeclus son of Agenor on the lowing cattle— even so did the horses of
the head with his sword, which became warm Achilles trample on the shields and bodies of
with the blood, while death and stern fate the slain. The axle underneath and the railing
closed the eyes of Echeclus. Next in order the that ran round the car were bespattered with
bronze point of his spear wounded Deucalion clots of blood thrown up by the horses' hoofs,
in the fore-arm where the sinews of the elbow and from the tyres of the wheels; but the son
are united, whereon he waited Achilles' onset of Peleus pressed on to win still further glory,
with his arm hanging down and death staring and his hands were bedrabbled with gore.
him in the face. Achilles cut his head off with
 BOOK XXI
NOW when they came to the
of the full-flowing river Xanthus, be-
ford wicker sides of a chariot. Achilles then caught
him to his sorrow unawares, and sent him by
gotten of immortal Jove, Achilles cut sea to Lcmnos, where the son of Jason bought
their forces in two: one half he chased over the him. But a guest-friend, Eetion of Imbros, freed
plain towards the city by the same way that the him with a great sum, and sent him to Arisbe,
Achasans had taken when flying panic-stricken whence he had escaped and returned to his
on the preceding day with Hector in full tri- father's house. He had spent eleven days hap-
umph; this way did they flv pell-mell, and Juno pily with his friends after he had come from
sentdown a thick mist in front of them to stay Lemnos, but on the twelfth heaven again de-
them. The other half were hemmed in by the livered him hands of Achilles, who was
into the
deep silver-eddving stream, and fell into it with to send him house of Hades sorelv against
to the
a great uproar.The waters resounded, and the his will. He was unarmed when Achilles caught
banks rang again, as they swam hither and sight of him, and had neither helmet nor shield;
thither with loud cries amid the whirling ed- nor yet had he any spear, for he had thrown all
dies. As locusts flying to a river before the blast his armour from him on to the bank, and was
comes on and on till at
of a grass fire— the flame sweating with his struggles to get out of the
last it them and they huddle into the
overtakes river, so that his strength was now failing him.

water— even so was the eddying stream of Xan- [^4] Then Achilles said tohimself inhis sur-
thus filled with the uproar of men and horses, prise, "What marvel do I see here? If this man
allstruggling in confusion before Achilles. can come back alive after having been sold over
[i~] Forthwith the hero left his spear upon into Lemnos, I shall have the Trojans also whom
the bank, leaning it against a tamarisk bush, I have slain rising from the world below. Could

and plunged into the river like a god, armed not even the waters of the grey sea imprison
with his sword only. Fell was his purpose as he him, as they do many another whether he will
hewed the Trojans down on every side. Their or no? This time let him taste my spear, that I
dving groans rose hideous as the sword smote may know for certain whether mother earth
them, and the river ran red with blood. As when who can keep even a strong man down, will be
fish fly scared before a huge dolphin, and fill able to hold him, or v\'hether thence too he will
every nook and corner of some fair haven— for return."
he is sure to eat all he can catch— even so did [64] Thus did he pause and ponder. But Ly-
the Trojans cower under the banks of the mighty caon came up to him dazed and trying hard to
river, and when
Achilles' arms grew weary with embrace his knees, for he would fain live, not
killing them, he drew twelve youths alive out die. Achilles thrust at him with his spear, mean-
of the water, to sacrifice in revenge for Patro- ing to kill him, but Lycaon ran crouching up
clus son of Menoetius. He drew them out like to him and caught his knees, whereby the spear
dazed fawns, bound their hands behind them passed over his back, and stuck in the ground,
with the girdles of their own shirts, and gave hungering though it was for blood. With one
them over to his men to take back to the ships. hand he caught Achilles' knees as he besought
Then he sprang into the river, thirsting for still him, and with the other he clutched the spear
further blood. and would not let it go. Then he said, "Achil-
[^4] There he found Lycaon, son of Priam les, have mercy upon me and spare me, for I am

seed of Dardanus, as he was escaping out of the your suppliant. It was in your tents that I first
water; he it was whom he had once taken pris- broke bread on the day when you took me pris-
oner when he was in his father's vineyard, hav- oner in the vineyard; after which you sold me
ing set upon him by night, as he was cutting away to Lemnos far from my father and my
young shoots from a wild fig-tree to make the friends, and I brought you the price of a hun-

[48
 BOOK XXI 149
dred oxen. I have paid three times as much to shall the fishes feed on the Lycaon as they
fat of
gain my freedom; it is but twelve days that I dart under the dark ripple of the waters— so
have come to IHus after much suffering, and perish all of you till we reach the citadel of
now cruel fate has again thrown me into your strong Ilius— you in flight, and I following after
hands. Surely father Jove must hate me, that he to destroy you. The river with its broad silver
has given me over to you a second time. Short stream shall serve you in no stead, for all the
of life indeed did my mother Laothoe bear me, bulls you offered him and all the horses that you
daughter of aged Altes— of Altes who reigns over flung living into his waters. None the less mis-
the warlike Lelegas and holds steep Pedasus on erably shall you perish till there is not a man of
the river Satnioeis. Priam married his daughter you but has paid in full for the death of Patro-
along with many other women and two sons clus and the havoc you wrought among the
were born of her, both of whom you will have Achaeans whom you have slain while I held
slain. Your spear slew noble Polydorus as he aloof from battle."
was fighting in the front ranks,and now evil [136/ So spoke Achilles, but the river grew
will here befall me, for I fear that I shall not more and more angry, and pondered within
escape you since heaven has delivered me over himself how he should stay the hand of Achil-
to you. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to les and save the Trojans from disaster. Mean-
your heart, spare me, for I am not of the same while the son of Peleus, spear in hand, sprang
womb as Hector who slew your brave and noble upon Asteropaeus son of Pelegon to kill him. He
comrade." was son to the broad river Axius and Periboea
[97] With such words did the princely son eldest daughter of Acessamenus; for the river
of Priam beseech Achilles; but Achilles an- hid lain with her. Asteropasus stood up out of
swered him sternly. "Idiot," said he, "talk not the water to face him with a spear in either
to me of ransom. Until Patroclus fell I pre- hand, and Xanthus filled him with courage, be-
ferred to give the Trojans quarter, and sold be- ing angry for the death of the youths whom
yond the sea many of those whom I had taken Achilles was slaying ruthlessly within his wa-
alive; but now not a man shall live of those ters. When they were close up with one an-

whom heaven delivers into my hands before the other Achilles was first to speak. "Who and
city of Ilius— and of all Trojans it shall fare whence are you," said he, "who dare to face me?
hardest with the sons of Priam. Therefore, my Woe to the parents whose son stands up against
friend, you too shall die. Why should you whine me." And the son of Pelegon answered, "Great
in thisway? Patroclus fell, and he was a better son of Peleus, why should you ask my lineage.
man than you are. I too— see you not how I am I am from the fertile land of far Paeonia, cap-

great and goodly? I am son to a noble father, tain of the Paeonians, and it is now eleven days
and have a goddess for my mother, but the that I am at Ilius. I am of the blood of the river
hands of doom and death overshadow me all as Axius— of Axius that is the fairest of all rivers
surelv. The day come, either at dawn or
will that run. He
begot the famed warrior Pelegon,
dark, or at the noontide, when one shall take whose son men call me. Let us now fight, Achil-
my life also in battle, either with his spear, or les."
with an arrow sped from his bow." [161] Thus did he defy him, and Achilles
[114] Thus did he speak, and Lycaon's heart raised his spear of Pelian ash. Asteropaeus failed
sank within him. He loosed his hold of the with both his spears, for he could use both
spear, and held out both hands before him; but hands alike; with the one spear he struck Achil-
Achilles drew his keen blade, and struck him les' shield, but did not pierce it, for the layer of

by the collar-bone on his neck; he plunged his gold, gift of the god, stayed the point; with the
two-edged sword into him to the very hilt, other spear he grazed the elbow of Achilles'
whereon he lay at full length on the ground, right arm drawing dark blood, but the spear it-
with the dark blood welling from him till the self went by him and fixed itself in the ground,
earth was soaked. Then Achilles caught him by foiled of its bloody banquet. Then Achilles,
the foot ana flung him into the river to go down fain to kill him, hurled his spear at Asteropaeus,
stream, vaunting over him the while, and say- but failed to hit him and struck the steep bank
ing, "Lie there among the fishes, who will lick of the river, driving the spear half its length
the blood from your wound and gloat over it; into the earth. Theson of Peleus then drew his
your mother shall not lay you on any bier to sword and sprang furiously upon him. Astero-
mourn you, but the eddies of Scamander shall paeus vainly tried to draw Achilles' spear out of
bear you into the broad bosom of the sea. There the bank by main force; thrice did he tug at it,
I50 THE ILIAD
trying with all his might to draw it out, and ing out death among the Trojans, till I have
thrice he had to leave off trying; the fourth pent them up in their city, and made trial of
time he tried to bend and break it, but ere he Hector face to face, that I may learn whether he
could do so /\chilles smote him with his sword is to vanquish me, or I him."

and killed him. He struck him in the belly near [zzy] As he spoke he set upon the Trojans
the navel, so that all his bowels came gushing with a fury like that of the gods. But the river
out on to the ground, and the darkness of death said to Apollo, "Surely, son of Jove, lord of the
came over him as he lay gasping. Then Achil- silver bow, you are not obeying the commands
les set his foot on and spoiled him of
his chest of Jove who charged you straitly that you should
his armour, vaunting over him and saying, "Lie stand by the Trojans and defend them, till twi-
there— begotten of a river though you be, it is light fades, and darkness is over all the earth."
hard for you to strive with the offspring of Sat- [z^^] Meanwhile Achilles sprang from the
urn's son. You declare yourself sprung from the bank into midstream, whereon the river raised
blood of a broad river, but I am of the seed of a high wave and attacked him. He swelled his
mighty Jove. My father is Peleus, son of /Ea- stream into a torrent, and swept away the many
cus ruler over the many Myrmidons, and /Ea- dead whom Achilles had slain and left within
cus was the son of Jove. Therefore as Jove is his waters. These he cast out on to the land,
mightier than any river that flows into the sea, bellowing like a bull the while, but the living
so are his children stronger than those of any he saved alive, hiding them in his mighty ed-
ri\'er whatsoe\er. Moreo\er you have a great dies. The great and terrible wave gathered about
river hard by if he can be of any use to you, but Achilles, falling upon him and beating on his
there is no fighting against Jove the son of Sat- shield, so that he could not keep his feet; he
urn, with whom not even King Achelous can caught hold of a great elm-tree, but it came up
compare, nor the mighty stream of deep-flowing by the roots, and tore away the bank, damming
Oceanus, from whom all rivers and seas with all the stream with its thick branches and bridging
springs and deep wells proceed; even Oceanus it all across; whereby Achilles struggled out of
fears the lightnings of great Jove, and his thun- the stream, and fled full speed over the plain,
der that comes crashing out of heaven." for he was afraid.
[200] With he drew his bronze spear
this [z^g] But the mighty god ceased not in his
out of the bank, and now that he had killed pursuit, and sprang upon him with a dark-
Asteropaeus, he let him lie where he was on the crested wave, to stay his hands and save the
sand, with the dark water flowing over him and Trojans from destruction. The son of Peleus
the eels and fishes busy nibbling and gnawing darted av\'ay a spear's throw from him; swift as
the fat that was about his kidneys. Then he the swoop of a black hunter-eagle which is the
went in chase of the Pasonians, who were flying strongest and even so did
fleetest of all birds,

along the bank of the river in panic when they he spring forward, and the armour rang loudly
saw their leader slain by the hands of the son of about his breast. He fled on in front, but the
Peleus. Therein he slew Thersilochus, Mydon, river with a loud roar came tearing after. As
Astypylus, Mnesus, Thrasius, CEneus, and one who would water his garden leads a stream
Ophelestes, and he would have slain yet others, from some fountain over his plants, and all
had not the river in anger taken human form, his ground— spade in hand he clears away the
and spoken to him from out the deep waters dams to free the channels, and the little stones
saying, "Achilles, if you excel all in strength, so run rolling round and round with the water as
do you also in wickedness, for the gods are ever it goes merrily down the bank faster than the

with vou to protect you: if, then, the son of man can follow— even so did the river keep
Saturn has vouchsafed it to you to destroy all catching up with Achilles albeit he was a fleet
the Trojans, at any rate drive them out of my runner, for the gods are stronger than men. As
stream, and do your grim work on land. My often as he would strive to stand his ground,
fair waters are now filled with corpses, nor can and see whether or no all the gods in heaven
I any channel by which I may pour myself
find were in league against him, so often would the
into the sea for I am choked with dead, and mighty wave come beating down upon his
yet you go on mercilessly slaying. I am in de- shoulders, and he would have to keep flying on
spair, therefore, O captain of your host, trouble and on in great dismay; for the angry flood was
me no further." tiring him out as it flowed past him and ate
[izij Achilles answered, "So be it, Sci'man- the ground from under his feet.
der, Jove-descended; but I will never cease deal- [272J Then the son of Peleus lifted up his
 BOOK XXI 151

voice to heaven saying, "Father Jove, is there lying low in the deep waters covered over with
none of the gods who will take pity upon me, mud. 1 will wrap him in sand, and pour tons of
and save me from the river? I do not care what shingle round him, so that the Achasans shall
may happen to me alterwards. I blame none of not know how to gather his bones for the silt in
the other dwellers on Olympus so severely as which I shall have hidden him, and when they
I do my dear mother, who has beguiled and celebrate his funeral they need build no bar-
tricked me. She told me I was to fall under the row."
walls of Troy by the flying arrows of Apollo; [^24] On this he upraised his tumultuous
would that Hector, the best man among the flood high against Achilles, seething as it was
Trojans, might there slay me; then should I with foam and blood and the bodies of the
fall ahero by the hand of a hero; whereas now dead. The dark waters of the river stood up-
it seems that I shall come to a most pitiable right and would have overwhelmed the son
end, trapped in this river as though I were of Peleus, but Juno, trembling lest Achilles
some swineherd's boy, who gets carried down a should be swept away in the mighty torrent,
torrent while trying to cross during a storm."
it lifted her voice on high and called out to Vul-
[2.84] As soon as he had spoken thus, Nep- can her son. "Crook-foot, she cried, "my child,
"

tune and Minerva came up him in the like-

to be up and doing, for I deem it is with you that
ness of two men, and took him by the hand to Xanthus is fain to fight; help us at once, kindle
reassure him. Neptune spoke first. "Son of Pe- a fierce fire; I will then bring up the west and
leus," said he, "be not so exceeding fearful; we the white south wind in a mighty hurricane
are two gods, come with Jove's sanction to as- from the sea, that shall bear the flames against
sist you, I, and Pallas Minerva. It is not your the heads and armour of the Trojans and con-
fate to perish in this river; he will abate pres- sume them, while you go along the banks of
ently as you will see; moreover we strongly Xanthus burning his trees and wrapping him
ad\'ise vou, if you will be guided by us, not to round with fire. Let him not turn you back
stav your hand from fighting till vou have pent neither by fair words nor foul, and slacken not
the Trojan host within the famed walls of Ilius till I shout and tell you. Then you may stay

—as many of them as mav escape. Then kill your flames."

Hector and go back to the ships, for we will [^42] On this Vulcan kindled a fierce fire,
vouchsafe you a triumph over him." which broke out first upon the plain and burned
[298] When they had so said they went back the many dead whom Achilles had killed and
to the other immortals, but Achilles strove on- whose bodies were lying about in great num-
ward over the plain, encouraged bv the charge bers; by this means the plain was dried and the
the gods had laid upon him. All was now cov- flood stayed. As the north wind, blowing on an
ered with the flood of waters, and much goodly orchard that has been sodden with autumn
armour of the youths that had been slain was rain, soon dries it, and the heart of the owner
drifting about, as also many corpses, but he is glad— even so the whole plan was dried

forced his way against the stream, speeding and the dead bodies were consumed. Then he
right on\vards, nor could the broad waters turned tongues of fire on to the river. He
stay him, for Minerva had endowed him with burned the elms the willows and the tamarisks,
great strength. Nevertheless Scamander did the lotus also, with the rushes and marshy
not slacken in his pursuit, but was still more herbage that grew abundantly by the banks of
furious with the son of Peleus. He lifted his the river. The eels and fishes that go darting
waters into a high crest and cried aloud to Sim- about everywhere in the water, these, too, were
ois saving, "Dear brother, let the two of us sorely harassed by the flames that cunning
unite to stay this man, or he will sack the Vulcan had kindled, and the river himself was
mighty King Priam, and the Trojans
city of scalded, so that he spoke saying, "Vulcan,
will not hold out against him. Help me at once; there is no god can hold his own against you. I
fill your streams with water from their sources, cannot fight you when you flare out your
rouse all your torrents to a fury; raise your flames in this way; strive with me no longer.
wave on high, and let snags and stones come Let Achilles drive the Trojans out of their city
thundering down vou that we mav make an immediately. What have I to do with quarrel-
end of this savage creature who is now lording ling and helping people?"
it as though he were a god. Nothing shall serve [^61] He was boiling as he spoke, and all
him longer, not strength nor comeliness, nor his waters were seething. As a cauldron upon a
his fine armour, which forsooth shall soon be large fire boils when it is melting the lard of
152 THE ILIAD
some Fatted hog, and the lard keeps bubbhng armour rang rattling round him. But Minerva
up all over when the dry laggots blaze under laughed and vaunted over him saying, "Idiot,
it— even so were the goodly waters of Xanthus have you not learned how far stronger 1 am
heated with the fire till they were boiling. He than you, but you must still match yourself
could flow no longer but stayed his stream, so against me? Thus do your mother's curses now
afflicted was he by the blasts of fire which roost upon you, for she is angry and would do

cunning Vulcan had raised. Then he prayed you mischief because you have deserted the
to Juno and besought her saying, "Juno, why Achasans and are helping the Trojans."
should vour son vex my stream with such espe- [4 1 $] She then turned her two piercing eves
cial fury? I am not so much to blame as all the elsewhere, whereon Jove's daughter Venus took
others are who have been helping the Trojans. Mars by the hand and led him away, groaning
I will leave off, since you so desire it, and let all the time, for it was only with great difficulty

your son leave off also. Furthermore I swear that he had come to himself again. When
that never again will I do anything to save the Queen Juno saw her, she said to Minerva,
Trojans from destruction, not even when all "Look, daughter of asgis-bearing Jove, unwea-
Troy is burning in the flames which the Achas- riable, that vixen Venus is again taking Mars

ans will kindle." through the crowd out of the battle; go after
[377] As soon as Juno heard this she said to her at once."
her son Vulcan, "Son Vulcan, hold now your [424] Thus she spoke. Minerva sped after
flames; we ought not to use such violence Venus with a will, and made at her, striking
against a god for the sake of mortals." her on the bosom with her strong hand so that
[38 1 ] When she had thus spoken Vulcan she fell fainting to the ground, and there thev
quenched his flames, and the river went back both lay stretched at full length. Then Mi
once more into his own fair bed. nerva vaunted over her saying, "May all who
[383] Xanthus was now beaten, so these help the Trojans against the Argives prove just
two left off fighting, for Juno stayed them as redoubtable and stalwart as Venus did when
though she was still angry; but a furious quar- she came across me while she was helping
rel broke out among the other gods, for they Mars. Had this been so, we should long since
were of divided counsels. They fell on one an- have ended the war by sacking the strong city
other with a mighty uproar— earth groaned, of Ilius."
and the spacious firmament rang out as with a [4^4] Juno smiled as she listened. Mean-
blare of trumpets. Jove heard as he was sitting while King Neptune turned to Apollo saving.
on Olympus, and laughed for joy when he saw "Phoebus, why should we keep each other at
the gods coming to blows among themselves. arm's length? It is not well, now that the others
Thev were not long about beginning, and Mars have begun fighting; it will be disgraceful to us
piercer of shields opened the battle. Sword in if we return to Jove's bronze-floored mansion
hand he sprang at once upon Minerva and re- on Olympus without having fought each other;
viled her. "Why, vixen," said he, "have you therefore come on, you are the younger of the
again set the gods by the ears in the pride and two, and I ought not to attack you, for I am
haughtiness of your heart? Have you forgot- older and have had more experience. Idiot, you
ten how you set Diomed son of Tydeus on to have no sense, and forget how we two alone of
wound me, and yourself took visible spear and all the gods fared hardly round about Ilius

drove it into me to the hurt of my fair body? when we came from Jove's house and worked
You shall now suffer for what you then did to for Laomedon a whole year at a stated wage
me." and he gave us his orders. I built the Trojans
[400] As he spoke he struck her on the ter- the wall about their city, so wide and fair that
rible tasselled a.>gis— so terrible that not even it might be impregnable, while vou, Phoebus,

can Jove's lightning pierce it. Here did mur- herded cattle for him in the dales of many-
derous Mars strike her with his great spear. valleyed Ida. When, however, the glad hours
She drew back and with her strong hand seized brought round the time of payment, mighty
a stone that was lying on the plain— great and Laomedon robbed us of all our hire and sent
rugged and black— which men of old had set us off with nothing but abuse. He threatened
for the boundary of a field. With this she to bind us hand and foot and sell us over into
struck Mars on the neck, and brought him some distant island. He tried, moreover, to cut
down. Nine roods did he cover in his fall, and off the ears of both of us, so we went away in a
his hair was all soiled in the dust, while his rage, furious about the payment he had prom-
 BOOK XXI 153
ised us, and yet withheld; in spite of all this, whirling dust, and when
she had got them she
you are now showing favour to his people, and made all haste after her daughter. Diana had
will not join us in compassing the utter ruin of now reached Jove's bronze-floored mansion on
the proud Trojans with their wives and chil- Olympus, and sat herself down with many
dren." tears on the knees of her father, while her am-
[462] And King Apollo answered, "Lord of brosial raiment was quivering all about her.
the earthquake, vou would have no respect for The son of Saturn drew her towards him, and
me if I were to fight you about a pack of miser- laughing pleasantly the while began to ques-
able mortals, who come out like leaves in sum- tion her saying, "Which of the heavenly be-
mer and eat the fruit of the field, and presently ings, my dear child, has been treating you in
fall lifeless to the ground. Let us stay this fight- this cruel manner, as though you had been
ing at once and let them settle it among them- misconducting yourself in the face of every-
selves." body?" and the fair-crowned goddess of the
[468] He
turned away as he spoke, for he chase answered, "It was your wife Juno, father,
would no hand on the brother of his own
lav who has been beating me; it is always her do-
father. But his sister the huntress Diana, pa- ing when there is any quarrelling among the
troness of wild beasts, was very angry with him immortals."
and said, "So you would flv, Far-Darter, and [SJ4] Thus did they converse, and mean-
hand victory over to Neptune with a cheap while Phoebus Apollo entered the strong city
vaunt to boot. Baby, why keep your bow thus of Ilius, for he was uneasy lest the wall should
idle? Never let me again hear you bragging in not hold out and the Danaans should take the
my father's house, as you often have done in city then and there, before its hour had come;
the presence of the immortals, that you would but the rest of the ever-living gods went back,
stand up and fight with Neptune." some angry and some triumphant to Olympus,
[478] Apollo made her no answer, but Jove's where they took their seats beside Jove lord of
august queen was angry and upbraided her the storm-cloud, while Achilles still kept on
bitterly. "Bold vixen," she cried, "how dare dealing out death alike on the Trojans and on
you cross me thus? For all your bow you will their horses. As when the smoke from some
find it hard to hold your own against me. Jove burning city ascends to heaven when the anger
made you as a lion among women, and lets you of the gods has kindled it— there is then toil for
kill them whenever you choose. You will find all, and sorrow for not a few— even so did

it better to chase wild beasts and deer upon the Achilles bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans.
mountains than to fight those who are stronger Is 2.6] Old King Priam stood on a high tower
than you are. If you would try war, do so, and of the wall looking down on huge Achilles as
find out by pitting yourself against me, how far the Trojans fled panic-stricken before him, and
stronger I am than you are." there was none to help them. Presently he
[489] She caught both Diana's wrists with came down from off^ the tower and with many
her left hand as she spoke, and with her right a groan went along the wall to give orders to
she took the bow from her shoulders, and the brave warders of the gate. "Keep the gates,"
laughed as she beat her with it about the ears said he, "wide open till the people come flying
while Diana wriggled and writhed under her into the city, for Achilles is hard by and is driv-
blows. Her swift arrows were shed upon the ing them in rout before him. I see we are in
ground, and she fled weeping from under great peril. As soon as our people are inside and
Juno's hand as a dove that flies before a falcon in safety, close the strong gates for I fear lest
to the cleft of some hollow rock, when it is her that terrible man should come bounding inside
good fortune to escape. Even so did she fly along with the others."
weeping away, leaving her bow and arrows [537] ^s he spoke they drew back the bolts
behind her. and opened the gates, and when these were
[497] Then the slayer of Argus, guide and opened there was a haven of refuge for the
guardian, said to Leto, "Leto, I shall not fight Trojans. Apollo then came full speed out of the
you; it is ill to come to blows with any of city to meet them and protect them. Right for
Jove's wives. Therefore boast as you will among the city and the high wall, parched with thirst
the immortals that you worsted me in fair and grimy with dust, still they fled on, with
fight." Achilles wielding his spear furiously behind
[502] Leto then gathered up Diana's bow them. For he was as one possessed, and was
and arrows that had fallen about amid the thirsting after glory.
154 THE ILIAD
[S44] Then had the sons of the Achaeans noble Agenor son of Antenor refuse to fly till
taken the lofty gates of Troy if Apollo had not he had made trial of Achilles, and took aim at
spurred on Agenor, valiant and noble son to him with his spear, holding his round shield
Antenor. He put courage into his heart, and before him and crying with a loud voice. "Of a
stood by his side to guard him, leaning against truth," said he, "noble Achilles, you deem that
a beech tree and shrouded in thick darkness. you shall this day sack the city of the proud
When Agenor saw Achilles he stood still and Trojans. Fool, there will be trouble enough yet
his heart was clouded with care. "Alas," said he before it, for there is many a brave man of us
to himself in his dismay, "if I fly before mighty still inside who will stand in front of our dear

Achilles, and go where all the others are being parents with our wives and children, to defend
driven in rout, he will none the less catch me llius. Here therefore, huge and mighty war-

and kill me for a coward, flow would it be rior though you be, here shall you die."
were I to let Achilles drive the others before [^90] As he spoke his strong hand hurled his
him, and then fly from the wall to the plain javelin from him, and the spear struck Achil-
that is behind llius till I reach the spurs of Ida les on the leg beneath the knee; the greave of

and can hide in the underwood that is thereon? newly wrought tin rang loudly, but the spear
I could then wash the sweat from ofl^ me in the recoiled from the body of him whom it had
river and in the evening return to llius. But struck, and did not pierce it, for the god's gift
why commune with myself in this way? Like stayed it. Achilles in his turn attacked noble
enough he would see me as I am hurrying from Agenor, but Apollo would not vouchsafe him
the city over the plain, and would speed after glory, for he snatched Agenor away and hid
me till he had caught me— I should stand no him in a thick mist, sending him out of the
chance against him, for he is mightiest of all battle unmolested. Then he craftily drew the
mankind. What, then, if I go out and meet him son of Peleus away from going after the host,
in front of the city? His flesh too, I take it, can for he put on the semblance of Agenor and
be pierced by pointed bronze. Life is the same stood in front of Achilles, who ran towards him
in one and all, and men say that he is but mor- to give him chase and pursued him over the
tal despite the triumph that Jove son of Saturn corn lands of the plain, turning him towards
vouchsafes him." the deep waters of the river Scamander. Apollo
Isji] So saying he stood on his guard and ran but a little way before him and beguiled
awaited Achilles, for he was now fain to fight Achilles by making him think all the time that
him. As a leopardess that bounds from out a he was on the point of overtaking him. Mean-
thick covert to attack a hunter— she knows no while the rabble of routed Trojans was thank-
fear and is not dismayed by the baying of the ful to crowd within the city till their numbers
hounds; even though the man be too quick for thronged it; no longer did they dare wait for
her and wound her either with thrust or spear, one another outside the city walls, to learn who
still, though the spear has pierced her she will had escaped and who were fallen in fight, but
not give in till she has either caught him in all whose feet and knees could still carry them
her grip or been killed outright— even so did poured pell-mell into the town.
 BOOK XXII
THUS the Trojans in the city, scared hke
fawns, wiped the sweat from oflF them
pity's sake
cried, "my
come within the walls. "Hector," he
son, stay not to face this man alone
and drank to quench their thirst, lean- and unsupported, or you will meet death at
ing against the goodly battlements, while the the hands of the son of Peleus, for he is might-
Achaeans with their shields laid upon their ier than you. Monster that he is; would indeed
shoulders drew close up to the walls. But stern that the gods loved him no better than 1 do, for
fate bade Hector stay where he was before Ilius so, dogs and vultures would soon devour him as

and the Scasan gates. Then Phoebus Apollo he lay stretched on earth, and a load of grief
spoke to the son of Peleus saying, "Why, son would be lifted from my heart, for many a
of Peleus, do you, who are but man, give chase brave son has he reft from me, either by killing
to me who am immortal? Have you not yet them or selling them away in the islands that
found out that it is a god whom you pursue are beyond the sea: even now I miss two sons
so furiously? You did not harass the Trojans from among the Trojans who have thronged
whom you had routed, and now they are within the city, Lycaon and Polydorus, whom
within their walls, while you have been de- Laothoe peeress among women bore me. Should
coyed hither away from them. Me you cannot they be still alive and in the hands of the
kill, for death can take no hold upon me." Achaeans, we will ransom them with gold and
[14] Achilles was greatly angered and said, bronze, of which we have store, for the old man
"You have baulked me, Far-Darter, most mali- Altes endowed his daughter richly; but if they
cious of all gods, and have drawn me away are already dead and in the house of Hades,
from the wall, where many another man would sorrow will it be to us two who were their
have bitten the dust ere he got within Ilius; parents; albeit the grief of others will be more
you have robbed me of great glor^' and have short-lived unless you too perish at the hands of
saved the Trojans at no risk to yourself, for you Achilles. Come, then, my son, within the city,
ha\e nothing to fear, but I would indeed have to be the guardian of Trojan men and Trojan
my revenge if it were in my power to do so." women, or you will both lose your own life and
[21] On this, with fell intent he made to- afford a mighty triumph to the son of Peleus.
wards the city, and as the winning horse in a Have pity also on your unhappy father while
chariot race strains every nerve when he is fly- life yet remains to him— on me, whom the son
ing over the plain, even so fast and furiously of Saturn will destroy by a terrible doom on
did the limbs of Achilles bear him onwards. the threshold of old age, after I have seen my
King Priam was first to note him as he scoured sons slain and my daughters haled away as
the plain, all radiant as the star which men captives, my bridal chambers pillaged, little
call Orion's Hound, and whose beams blaze children dashed to earth amid the rage of
forth in time of harvest more brilliantly than battle, and my sons' wives dragged away by the
those of any other that shines by night; bright- cruel hands of the Achaeans; in the end fierce
est of them though he be, he yet bodes ill
all hounds will tear me in pieces at my own gates
for mortals, for he brings fire and fever in his after some one has beaten the life out of my
train— even so did Achilles' armour gleam on body with sword or spear— hounds that I my-
his breast as he sped onwards. Priam raised a self reared and fed at my own table to guard
cry and beat his head with his hands as he my gates, but who will yet lap my blood and
lifted them up and shouted out to his dear son, then lie all distraught at my doors. When a
imploring him to return; but Hector still stayed young man falls by the sword in battle, he may
before the gates, for his heart was set upon do- lie where he is and there is nothing unseemly;
ing battle with Achilles. The old man reached let what will be seen, all is honourable in
out his arms towards him and bade him for death, but when an old man is slain there is

155
 :1

156 THE ILIAD

nothing in this world more pitiable than that gue with myself in this way? Were I to go up
dogs should defile his grey hair and beard and to him he would show me no kind of mercy;

all that men hide for shame." he would kill me then and there as easily as
[jj] The old man tore his grey hair as he though I were a woman, when I had put off
spoke, but he moved not the heart of Hector. my armour. There is no parleying with him
His mother hard bv wept and moaned aloud from some rock or oak tree as young men and
as she bared her bosom and pointed to the maidens prattle with one another. Better fight
breast which had suckled him. "Hector," she him at once, and learn to which of us Jove will
cried, weeping bitterly the while, "Hector, my vouchsafe victory."
son, spurn not this breast, but have pity upon [/31] Thus did he stand and ponder, but
me too: if I have ever given you comfort from Achilles came up to him as it were Mars him-
mv own bosom, think on it now, dear son, and self, plumed lord of battle. From his right shoul-
come within the wall to protect us from this der he brandished his terrible spear of Pelian
man; stand not without to meet him. Should ash, and the bronze gleamed around him like

the wretch kill you, neither I nor your richly flashing fire or the ravs of the rising sun. Fear
dowered wife shall e\'er weep, dear offshoot of fell upon Hector as he beheld him, and he

myself, over the bed on which you lie, for dogs dared not stay longer where he was, but fled in
will devour you at the ships of the Achasans." dismay from before the gates, while Achilles
Thus did the two with many tears implore darted after him at his utmost speed. As a
their son, but thev moved not the heart of mountain falcon, swiftest of all birds, swoops
Hector, and he stood his ground awaiting huge dow n upon some cov\ ering dove— the do\ e flies
Achilles as he drew nearer towards him. As a before him but the falcon with a shrill scream
serpent in its den upon the mountains, full fed follows close after, resolved to have her— even
with deadlv poisons, waits for the approach of so did Achilles make Hector with
straight for
man— he is filled with fur)' and his eyes glare all his might, while Hector fled under the Tro-

terriblv as he goes writhing round his den- jan wall as fast as his limbs could take him.
even so Hector leaned his shield against a tower [14s] On they flew along the waggon-road
that jutted out from the wall and stood where that ran hard by under the wall, past the look-
he was, undaunted. out station, and past the weather-beaten wild
[gg] "Alas," said he to himself in the heav- fig-tree, till thev came to two fair springs which
go within the gates, Poly-
iness of his heart, "if I feed the river Scamander. One of these two
damas will be the to heap reproach upon
first springs is warm, and steam rises from it as
me, for it was he that urged me to lead the smoke from a burning fire, but the other even
Trojans back to the city on that awful night in summer is as cold as hail or snow, or the ice
when Achilles again came forth against us. I that forms on water. Here, hard by the springs,
would not listen, but it would ha\'e been in- are the goodly washing-troughs of stone, where
deed better if I had done so. Now that my in the time of peace before the coming of the
folly has destroyed the host, dare not look
1 Achasans the wives and fair daughters of the
Trojan men and Trojan women in the face, Trojans used to wash their clothes. Past these
lest a worse man should say, 'Hector has ruined did thev fly, the one in front and the other giv-
us bv his self-confidence.' Surelv it would be ing chase behind him: good was the man that
better for me to return after having fought fled, but better far was he that followed after,
Achilles and slain him, or to die gloriouslv here and swiftly indeed did they run, for the prize
before the city. What,
again, if I were to lay was no mere beast for sacrifice or bullock's
down my shieldand helmet, lean my spear hide, as it might be for a common foot-race, but
against the wall and go straight up to noble they ran for the life of Hector. As horses in
Achilles? What if I were to promise to give a chariot race speed round the turning-posts
up Helen, who was the fountainhead of all when they are running for some great prize—
this war, and all the treasure that Alexandrus a tripod or woman— at the games in honour of
brought with him in his ships to Troy, aye, and some dead hero, so did these two run full speed
to let the Achasans divide the half of every- three times round the city of Priam. All the
thing that the city contains among themselves? gods watched them, and the sire of gods and
1 might make the Trojans, by the mouths of men was the first to speak.
their princes, take a solemn oath that they [168] "Alas," said he, "my eyes behold a
would hide nothing, but would divide into two man who is dear to me being pursued round
shares all that is within the city— but why ar- the walls of Troy; my heart is full of pity for
 BOOK XXII 157
Hector, who has burned the thigh-bones of him. Thereon Minerva went close up to the
many a heifer in my honour, at one while on son of Pebus and said, "Noble Achilles, fa-
the crests of many-valleyed Ida, and again on voured of heaven, we two shall surely take
the citadel of Troy; and now I see noble Achil- back to the ships a triumph for the Achasans
les in full pursuit of him round the city of by slaying Hector, for all his lust of battle. Do
Priam. What sav you? Consider among your- what Apollo may as he lies grovelling before
selves and decide whether we shall now s:i\e his father, aegis-bearing Jove, Hector cannot
him or lethim fall, valiant though he be, before escape us longer. Stay here and take breath,
Achilles, son of Peleus." while I go up to him and persuade him to make
[177] Then Minerva said, "Father, wielder a stand and fight you."
and storm, what
of the lightning, lord of cloud [2Z4] Thus spoke Minerva. Achilles obeyed
mean vour \\'ould you pluck this mortal whose her gladly, and stood still, leaning on his bronze-
doom has long been decreed out of the jaws of pointed ashen spear, while Minerva left him
death? Do as you will, but we others shall not and went after Hector in the form and with the
be of a mind with vou." voice of Dei'phobus. She came close up to him
And Jove answered, "Mv child, Trito-born, and said,"Dear brother, I see you are hard
take heart. I did not speak in full earnest, and pressed by Achilles who is chasing you at full
I will let vou have vour way. Do without let speed round the city of Priam, let us await his
or hindrance as you are minded." onset and stand on our defence."
[186] Thus did he urge Minerva who was [i^i] And Hector answered, "Deiphobus,
already eager, and down she darted from the you have always been dearest to me of all my
topmost summits of Olympus. brothers, children of Hecuba and Priam, but
[188] Achilles was still in full pursuit of henceforth I shall rate you yet more highly,
Hector, as a hound chasing a fawn which he inasmuch as you have ventured outside the
has started from its covert on the mountains, wall for m)' sake when all the others remain
and hunts through glade and thicket. The inside."
fawn may try to elude him by crouching under [2^8] Then Minerva said, "Dear brother,
cover of a bush, but he will scent her out and my father and mother went down on their
follow her up until he gets her— e\en so there knees and implored me, as did all my comrades,
was no escape for Hector from the fleet son of to remain inside, so great a fear has fallen upon
Peleus. Whenever he made a set to get near them all; but I was in an agony of grief when I
the Dardanian gates and under the walls, that beheld you; now, therefore, let us two make a
his peoplemight help him by showering down stand and fight, and let there be no keeping
weapons from above, Achilles would gain on our spears in reserve, that we may learn whether
him and head him back towards the plain, Achilles shall kill us and bear off our spoils to
keeping himself always on the city side. As a the ships, or whether he shall fall before you."
man in a dream who fails to lay hands upon [247] Thus did Minerva inveigle him by
another whom he is pursuing— the one cannot her cunning, and when the two were now close
escape nor the other overtake— even so neither to one another great Hector was first to speak.
could Achilles come up with Hector, nor Hec- "I will no longer fly vou, son of Peleus," said
torbreak away from Achilles; nevertheless he he, "as I have been doing hitherto. Three times
might even yet have escaped death had not the have I fled round the mighty city of Priam,
time come when Apollo, who thus far had sus- without daring to withstand you, but now, let
tained his strength and nerved his running, me either slay or be slain, for I am in the mind
was now no longer to stay by him. Achilles to face vou. Let us, then, give pledges to one
made signs to the Achaean host, and shook his another by our gods, who are the fittest wit-
head to show that no man was to aim a dart at nesses and guardians of all covenants; let it be
Hector, lest another might win the glors' of agreed between us that if Jove vouchsafes me
having hit him and he might himself come in the longer stay and I take your life, I am not to
second. Then, at last, as they were nearing the treat your dead body in any unseemly fashion,
fountains for the fourth time, the father of all but when I ha\e stripped you of your aimour,
balanced his golden scales and placed a doom I am to gi\e up your body to the Achasans. And

in each ofthem, one for Achilles and the other do you likewise."
for Hector.As he held the scales by the middle, [260] Achilles glared at him and answered,
the doom of Hector fell down deep into the "Fool, prate not to me about covenants. There
house of Hades— and then Phoebus Apollo left can be no covenants between men and lions;
158 THE ILIAD
wolves and lambs can never be of one mind, that hung so great and strong by his side, and
but hate each other out and out all through. gathering himself together he sprang on Achil-
Therefore there can be no understanding be- les like a soaring eagle which swoops down

tween vou and me, nor may there be any cove- from the clouds on to some lamb or timid hare
nants between us, till one or other shall fall and —even so did Hector brandish his sword and
glut grim Mars with his life's blood. Put forth spring upon Achilles. Achilles mad with rage
all your strength; you have need now to prove darted towards him, with his wondrous shield
yourself indeed a bold soldier and man of war. before his breast, and his gleaming helmet,
You have no more chance, and Pallas Minerva made with four layers of metal, nodding fiercely
will forthwith vanquish you by my you
spear: forward. The thick tresses of gold with which
shall now pay me you have
in full for the grief Vulcan had crested the helmet floated round it,
caused me on account of my comrades whom and as the evening star that shines brighter
you have killed in battle." than all others through the stillness of night,
[2737 He poised his spear as he spoke and even such was the gleam of the spear which
hurled it. Hector saw it coming and avoided it; Achilles poised in his right hand, fraught with
he watched it and crouched down so that it the death of noble Hector. He eyed his fair
flew over his head and stuck in the ground flesh over and over to see where he could best

beyond; Minerva then snatched it up and gave wound it, but all was protected by the goodly
it back to Achilles without Hector's seeing her; armour of which Hector had spoiled Patroclus
Hector thereon said to the son of Peleus, "You after he had slain him, save only the throat
have missed your aim, Achilles, peer of the where the collar-bones divide the neck from
gods, and Jove has not yet revealed to you the the shoulders, and this is a most deadly place:
hour of my doom, though you made sure that here then did Achilles strike him as he was
he had done so. You were a false-tongued liar coming on towards him, and the point of his
when you deemed that I should forget my val- spear went right through the fleshy part of the
cur and quail before you. You shall not drive neck, but it did not sever his windpipe so that
your spear into the back of a runaway— drive he could still speak. Hector fell headlong, and
it, should heaven so grant you power, drive it Achilles vaunted over him saying, "Hector, you
into me as I make straight towards you; and deemed that ^'ou should come off scatheless
now for vour own part avoid my spear if you when vou were spoiling Patroclus, and recked
can— would that you might receive the whole not of mvself who was not with him. Fool that
of it into vour body; if you were once dead the you were: for I, his comrade, mightier far than
Trojans would find the war an easier matter, he, was still left behind him at the ships, and
for it is you who have harmed them most." now I have laid vou low. The Achaeans shall
[zSg] He poised his spear as he spoke and give him all due funeral rites, while dogs and
hurled it. His aim was true for he hit the vultures shall work their will upon yourself."
middle of Achilles' shield, but the spear re- [338] Then Hector said, as the life ebbed
bounded from it, and did not pierce it. Hector out of him, "I pray you by your life and knees,
was angrv when he saw that the weapon had and bv vour parents, let not dogs devour me at
sped from his hand in vain, and stood there in the ships of the Achaeans, but accept the rich
dismay for he had no second spear. With a loud treasure of gold and bronze which my father
cry he called Deiphobus and asked him for one, and mother will offer you, and send my body
but there was no man; then he saw the truth home, that the Trojans and their wives may
and said to himself, "Alas! the gods have lured give me mv dues of fire when I am dead."
me on to my destruction. I deemed that the [344] Achilles glared at him and answered,
hero Deiphobus was by my side, but he is "Dog, talk not to me neither of knees nor par-
within the wall, and Minerva has inveigled ents; would that I could be as sure of being able
me; death is now indeed exceedingly near at to cut vour flesh into pieces and eat it raw. for
hand and there is no way out of it— for so Jove the ill vou have done me, as I am that nothing
and his son Apollo the far-darter have willed shall save vou from the dogs— it shall not be,
it, though heretofore they have been ever ready though thev bring ten or twenty-fold ransom
to protect me. My doom has come upon me; and weigh it out for me on the spot, with prom-
let me not then die ingloriously and without a ise of vet more hereafter. Though Priam son
struggle, but let me first do some great thing of Dardanus should bid them offer me your
that shall be told among men hereafter." weight in gold, even so vour mother shall never
[io6] As he spoke he drew the keen blade lav vou out and make lament over the son she
 BOOK XXII 159
bore, but dogs and vultures shall cat you utterly had made: thus he made the body fast to his
up." chariot, letting the head trail upon the ground.
lis 5 J Hector with his dying breath then Then when he had put the goodly armour on
said, "I know you what you are, and was sure the chariot and had himself mounted, he lashed
that I should notmove you, for your heart is his horses on and they flew forward nothing
hard as iron: look to it that I bring not heaven's loth. The dust rose from Hector as he was being
anger upon you on the dav when Paris and dragged along, his dark hair flew all abroad, and
Phoebus Apollo, valiant though you be, shall his head once so comely was laid low on earth,
slayyou at the Scaean gates." for Jo\ e had now delivered him into the hands
[^61] When he had thus said the shrouds of his foes to do him outrage in his own land.
of death enfolded him, whereon his soul went [40s] Thus was the head of Hector being
out of him and flew down house of Ha-
to the dishonoured in the dust. His mother tore her
des, lamenting its sad fate that it should enjov hair, and flung her veil from her with a loud cry
youth and strength no longer. But Achilles as she looked upon her son. His father made
said, speaking to the dead body, "Die; for my piteous moan, and throughout the city the peo-
part I will accept my fate whensoever Jove and ple fell to weeping and wailing. It was as though
the other gods see fit to send it." the whole of frowning Iliuswasbeing smirched
lj,6y] As he spoke he drew his spear from with fire. Hardly could the people hold Priam
the bodv and set it on one side; then he stripped back in his hot haste to rush without the gates
the blood-stained armour from Hector's shoul- of the city. He grovelled in the mire and be-
ders while the other Achasans came running up sought them, calling each one of them by his
to view his wondrous strength and beauty; and name. "Let be, my friends," he cried, "and for
no one came near him without giving him a all your sorrow, suff^er me to go single-handed
fresh wound. Then would one turn to his neigh- to the ships of the Achaeans. Let me beseech this
bour and say, "It is easier to handle Hector now cruel and terrible man, if maybe he will respect
than when he was flinging fire on to our ships" the feeling of his fellow-men, and have com-
—and as he spoke he would thrust his spear passion on my old age. His own father is even
into him anew. such another as myself— Peleus, who bred him
[376] When Achilles had done spoiling Hec- and reared him to be the bane of us Trojans,
tor of his armour, he stood among the Argives and of myself more than of all others. Many a
and said, "My friends, princes and counsellors son of mine has he slain in the flower of his
of the Argives, now that heaven has xouch- youth, and vet, grieve for these as I may, I do
safed us to overcome this man, who has done so for one— Hector— more than for them all,
us more hurt than all the others together, con- and the bitterness of my sorrow will bring me
sider whether we should not attack the city in down to the house of Hades. Would that he
force, and discover in what mind the Trojans had died in my arms, for so both his ill-starred
may be. We should thus learn whether they mother who bore him, and myself, should have
will desert their city now that Hector has fallen, had the comfort of weeping and mourning over
or will still hold out even though he is no longer him."
living. But why argue with myself in this w^ay, [429] Thus did he speak with many tears,
while Patroclus is still lying at the ships unbur- and all the people of the city joined in his la-
ied, and unmourned— he whom I can never for- ment. Hecuba then raised the cry of wailing
get so long as I am alive and my strength fails among the Trojans. "Alas, my son," she cried,
not? Though men dead when once
forget their "what have I left to live for now that you are
they are within the house of Hades, yet not no more? Night and day did I glory in you
even there will I forget the comrade whom I throughout the city, for you were a tower of
have lost. Now, therefore, Achaean youths, let strength to all in Troy, and both men and
us raise the song of victory and go back to the women alike hailed you as a god. So long as
ships taking this man along with us; for we have you li\'ed you were their pride, but now death
achieved a mighty triumph and have slain noble and destruction have fallen upon you."
Hector to whom the Trojans prayed throughout [437] Hector's wife had as yet heard noth-
their city as though he were a god." ing, for no one had come to tell her that her
[395] On this he treated the body of Hector husband had remained without the gates. She
with contumely: he pierced the sinews at the was at her loom in an inner part of the house,
back of both his feet from heel to ankle and weaving a double purple web, and embroider-
passed thongs of ox-hide through the slits he ing it with many flowers. She told her maids
i6o THE ILIAD
to set a large tripod on the fire, so as to have a cus in the house of Eetion who brought me up
warm bath readv for I lector when he came out when I was a child— ill-starred sire of an ill-

of battle; poor woman, she knew not that he starred daughter— would that he had never be-
was now beyond the reach of baths, and that gotten me. You are now going into the house
Minerva had laid him- low by the hands of of I lades under the secret places of the earth,
Achilles. She heard the cry coming as from the and you leave me a sorrowing widow in your
wall, and trembled in every limb; the shuttle house. The child, of whom you and I are the
fell from her hands, and again she spoke to her unhappy parents, ismere infant. Now
as yet a
waiting-women. "Two of vou,"' she said, "come that you are gone, O Hector, you can do noth-
with me that I mav learn what it is that has be- ing lor him nor he for vou. Even though he es-
fallen; I heard the voice of my husband's hon- cape the horrors of this woful war with the
oured mother; mv own heart beats as though it /\chacans, yet shall his life henceforth be one
would come my mouth and mv limbs re-
into of labour and sorrow, for others will seize his
some great misfortune for Pri-
fuse to carry me; lands. 1 he day that robs a child of his parents
am's children must be at hand. May 1 never severs him from his own kind; his head is

live to hear it, but I greatlv fear that Achilles boued, his cheeks are wet with tears, and he
has cut off the retreat of brave Hector and has will go about destitute among the friends of his
chased him on to the plain where he was single- father, plucking one by the cloak and another
handed; I fear he mav have put an end to the bv the shirt. Some one or other of these mav so
reckless daring which possessed mv husb?nd, far pitv him as to hold the cup for a moment
who would ne\er remain with the bodv of his towards him and let him moisten his lips, but
men, but would dash on far in front, foremost he must not drink enough to wet the roof of
"

of them all in valour. his mouth; then one whose parents are alive
[460] Her heart beat fast, and as she spoke will drive him from the table with blows and
she flew from the house like a maniac, with her angr\' v\'ords. Out with you,' he will say, 'you
waiting-women following after. When she have no father here,' and the child will go cry-
reached the battlements and the crowd of peo- ing back to his widowed mother— he, Astyanax,
ple, she stood looking out upon the wall, and who erewhile would sit upon his father's knees,
saw Hector being borne auav in front of the and have none but the daintiest and choicest
city— the horses dragging him without heed or morsels set before him. When he had played
care over the ground towards the ships of the till he was tired and went to sleep, he would

Achaeans. Her eves were then shrouded as with lie in a bed, in the arms of his nurse, on a soft

the darkness of night and she fell fainting back- couch, knowing neither want nor care, whereas
wards. She tore the tiring from her head and now that he has lost his father his lot will be
flung it from her, the frontlet and net with its full of hardship— he, whom the Trojans name
plaited band, and the \'eil which golden Venus Astyanax, because vou, O Hector, were the
had given her on the dav when Hector took onlv defence of their gates and battlements. The
her with him from the house of Eetion, after wriggling writhing worms will now eat you at
having given countless gifts of wooing for her the ships, far from your parents, when the dogs
sake. Her husband's sisters and the wives of his have glutted themselves upon vou. You will lie
brothers crowded round her and supported her, naked, although in vour house vou have fine
for she was fain to die in her distraction: when and goodly raiment made by the hands of
she ?gain presently breathed and came to her- women. This will I now burn; it is of no use
self, she sobbed and made lament among the to you, for vou can never again wear it, and
Trojans saying, "Woe is me, O Hector; woe, thus you will have respect shown you by the
indeed, that to share a common lot we were Trojans both men and women."
born, you at Trov in the house of Priam, and I [315] In such wise did she cry aloud amid
at Thebes under the wooded mountain of Pla- her tears, and the women joined in her lament.
 BOOK XXIII

TMUS did they make

out the city, while the Achaeans
their moan through-
when
told the
the fire,
serving-men to set a large tripod
might persuade the son of
in case they
over

they reached the Hellespont went back Peleus to wash the clotted gore from this body,
every man to his ownBut Achilles would
ship. but he denied them sternly, and swore it with
not let the Myrmidons and spoke to his
go, a solemn oath, saying, "Nay, by King Jove, first
brave comrades saying, "Myrmidons, famed and mightiest of all gods, it is not meet that
horsemen and my own trusted friends, not yet, water should touch my body, till I have laid
forsooth, let us unyoke, but with horse and Patroclus on the flames, have built him a bar-
chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patro- row, and shaved my head— for so long as I live
clus, in due honour to the dead. When we have no such second sorrow shall ever draw nigh me.
had full comfort of lamentation we will unyoke Now, therefore, let us do all that this sad festi-
our horses and take supper all of us here." val demands, but at break of day. King Aga-
[12] On this they all joined in a cry of wail- memnon, bid your men bring wood, and pro-
ing and Achilles led them in their lament. vide all else that the dead may duly take into
Thrice did they drive their chariots all sorrow- the realm of darkness; the fire shall thus burn
ing round the body, and Thetis stirred within him out of our sight the sooner, and the people
them a still deeper yearning. The sands of the shall turn again to their own labours."
seashore and the men's annour were wet with [54] Thus did he speak, and they did even
their weeping, so great a minister of fear was he as he had said. They made haste to prepare the
whom they had lost. Chief in all their mourn- meal, they ate, and every man had his full share
ing was the son of Peleus: he laid his blood- were satisfied. As soon as they had
so that all
stained hand on the breast of his friend. "Fare had enough to eat and drink, the others went to
well," he cried, "Patroclus, even in the house of their rest each in his own tent, but the son of
Hades. I will now do all that I erewhile prom- Peleus lay grieving among his Myrmidons by
ised you; I will drag Hector hither and let dogs the shore of the sounding sea, in an open place
devour him raw; twelve noble sons of Trojans where the waves came surging in one after an-
will I also slay before your pyre to avenge you." other. Here a very deep slumber took hold upon
[24] As he spoke he treated the body of noble him and eased the burden of his sorrows, for
Hector with contumely, laying it at full length his limbswere weary with chasing Hector round
in the dust beside the bier of Patroclus. The windy Ilius. Presently the sad spirit of Patro-
others then put off every man his armour, took clus drew near him, like what he had been in
the horses from their chariots, and seated them- stature, voice, and the light of his beaming eyes,
selves in great multitude by the ship of the fleet clad, too, as he had been clad in life. The spirit
descendant of /Eacus, who thereon feasted them hovered over his head and said—
with an abundant funeral banquet. Many a [6g] "You sleep, Achilles, and have forgot-
goodly ox, with many a sheep and bleating goat ten me; you loved me living, but now that I am
did they butcher and cut up; many a tusked dead you think for me no further. Bury me with
boar moreover, fat and well-fed, did they singe all speed that I may pass the gates of Hades;
and set to roast in the flames of Vulcan; and the ghosts, vain shadows of men that can labour
rivulets of blood flowed all round the place no more, drive me away from them; they will
where the body was lying. not yet suff^er me to join those that are beyond
[357 Then the princes of the Achaeans took the river, and I wander all desolate by the wide
the son of Peleus to Agamemnon, but hardly gates of the house of Hades. Give me now your
could they persuade him to come with them, so hand I pray you, for when you have once given
wroth was he for the death of his comrade. As me my dues of fire, never shall I again come
soon as they reached Agamemnon's tent they forth out of the house of Hades. Nevermore
161
1 62 THE ILIAD
shall \vc sit apart and take sweet counsel among shore at the place where Achilles would make
the living; the cruel fate which was my birth- a mighty monument for Patroclus and for him
rioht has yawned its wide jaws around me— nay, self.

you too Achilles, peer of gods, are doomed to [127] When they had thrown down their
die beneath the wall of the noble Trojans. great logs of v\'ood over the whole ground, they
[82] "One prayer more will I make you, if stayed all of them where they were, but Achil-
vou will grant it; let not mv bones be laid apart les ordered his brave Myrmidons to gird on
from yours, Achilles, but with them; even as we their armour, and to yoke each man his horses;
were brought up together in your own home, thev therefore rose, girded on their armour and
what time Menoctius brought me to you as a mounted each his chariot— they and their chari-
child from Opoeis because by a sad spite I had oteers with them. The chariots went before,
killed the son of Amphidamas— not of set pur- and they were on foot followed as a cloud
that
pose, but in childish quarrel over the dice. The in their tens ofthousands after. In the midst of
knight Peleus took me into his house, entreated them his comrades bore Patroclus and covered
me kindly, and named me
to be your squire; him with the locks of their hair which they cut
therefore our bones lie in but a single urn,
let off and threw upon his body. Last came Achil-

the two-handled golden vase given to you by les with his head bowed for sorrow, so noble a

your mother." comrade was he taking to the house of Hades.

[93J And Achilles answered, "Why, true [738] When they came to the place of which
heart, are you come hither to lay these charges Achilles had told them thev laid the bodv down
upon me? I will of my own self do all as you and built up the wood. Achilles then bethought
have bidden me. Draw closer to me, let us once him of another matter. He went a space away
more throw our arms around one another, and from the pyre, and cut off the yellow lock which
find sad comfort in the sharing of our sorrows." he had let grow for the river Spercheius. He
[99] He opened his arms towards him as looked all sorrowfully out upon the dark sea,

he spoke and would have clasped him in them, and said, "Spercheius, in vain did my father
but there was nothing, and the spirit vanished Peleus vow to you that when
I returned home

as a vapour, gibbering and whining into the to my loved native land should cut off this
I

earth. Achilles sprang to his feet, smote his two lock and offer vou a holy hecatomb; fifty he-goats
hands, and made lamentation saying, "Of a was I to sacrifice to you there at your springs,
truth even in the house of Hades there are where is your grove and your altar fragrant with
ghosts and phantoms that have no life in them; burnt-offerings. Thus did my father vow, but
all night long the sad spirit of Patroclus has you have not fulfilled his prayer; now, there-
hovered over my head making piteous moan, fore, that I shall see my home no more, I give
telling me what I am to do for him, and looking this lock as a keepsake to the hero Patroclus."
wondrouslv like himself." [1527 As he spoke he placed the lock in the
[108] Thus did he speak and his words set hands of his dear comrade, and all who stood by
them all weeping and mourning about the poor were filled with yearning and lamentation. The
dumb dead, till rosy-fingered morn appeared. sun would have gone down upon their mourn
Then King Agamemnon sent men and mules ing had not Achilles presently said to Agamem-
from all camp, to bring wood, and
parts of the non, "Son of Atreus, for it is to you that the
Meriones, squire to Idomeneus, was in charge people will give ear, there is a time to mourn
over them. They went out with woodmen's and a time to cease from mourning; bid the peo-
axes and strong ropes in their hands, and before ple now leave the pvre and set about getting
them went the mules. Up hill and down dale their dinners: we, to whom the dead is dearest,
did thev go, bv straight ways and crooked, and will see to wanted here, and let the
what is

when they reached the heights of many-foun- other princes also stay by me."
tained Ida, they laid their a.xes to the roots of [161] When King Agamemnon heard this
many a tall branching oak that came thunder- he dismissed the people to their ships, but those
ing down as they felled it. Thev split the trees who were about the dead heaped up wood and
and bound them behind the mules, which then built apyre a hundred feet this way and that;
wended their way as they best could through then they laid the dead all sorrowfully upon
the thick brushwood on to the plain. All who the top of it. They flayed and dressed many fat
had been cutting wood bore logs, for so Merio- sheep and oxen before the pyre, and Achilles
nes squire to Idomeneus had bidden them, and took fat from all of them and wrapped the bodv
they threw them down in a line upon the sea- therein from head to foot, heaping the flayed
 :

BOOK XXIII 163

carcases all round it. Against the bier he leaned Trov they fell upon the pyre till the mighty

two-handled jars of honey and unguents; four flames roared under the blast that they blew.
proud horses did he then cast upon the pyre, All night long did they blow hard and beat upon
groaning the while he did so. The dead hero the fire, and all night long did Achilles grasp
had had nine house-dogs;twoof them did Achil- his double cup, drawing wine from a mi.xing-
les slav and threw upon the pyre; he also put bowl of gold, and calling upon the spirit of dead
tweh e brave sons of noble Trojans to the sword Patroclus as he poured it upon the ground until
and laid them with the rest, for he was full of the earth was drenched. zAs a father mourns
bitterness and furv. Then he committed all to when he is burning the bones of his bridegroom
the resistless and devouring might of the fire; son whose death has wrung the hearts of his
he groaned aloud and called on his dead com- parents, e\en so did Achilles mourn while burn-
rade bv name. "Fare well," he cried. "Patroclus, ing the bodv of his comrade, pacing round the
even in the house of Hades; 1 am now doing bier with piteous groaning and lamentation.
all that I ha\e promised vou. Twelve brave sons [226] At length as the Morning Star was be-
of noble Trojans shall the flames consume along ginning to herald the light which saffron-man-
with vourseif, but dogs, not fire, shall de\our tled Dawn was soon to suffuse over the sea. the
the flesh of Hector son of Priam." flames fell and the fire began to die. The winds
[184] Thus did he vaunt, but the dogs came then went home bevond the Thracian sea,
not about the body of Hector, for Jove's daugh- which roared and boiled as they swept over it.
ter V'enus kept them off him night and day, The son of Peleus now turned away from the
and anointed him with ambrosial oil of roses pvre and lav down, overcome with toil, till he
that his flesh might not be torn when Achilles fell into a sweet slumber. Presently they who
was dragoins him about. Phoebus Apollo more- were about the son of Atreus drew near in a
over sent a dark cloud from heaven to earth, bodv, and roused him with the noise and tramp
which gave shade to the whole place where of their coming. He sate upright and said, "Son
Hector lav, that the heat of the sun might not of Atreus, and all other princes of the Achaeans,
parch his body. first pour red wine evervwhere upon the fire

[19^] Now the pyre about dead Patroclus and quench it; let us then gather the bones of
would not kindle. Achilles therefore bethought Patroclus son of Menretius. singling them out
him of another matter; he went apart and prayed with care; they are easily found, for they lie in
to the two winds Boreas and Zephyrus, vowing the middle of the pyre, while all else, both men
them goodly offerings. He made them many and horses, has been thrown in a heap and
drink-ofl-erings from his golden cup, and be- burned at the outer edge. We
will lay the bones
sought them to come and help him that the in a golden urn, in two layers of fat, against the
wood might make haste to kindle and the dead time when I shall mvself go down into the house
bodies be consumed. Fleet Iris heard him pray- ofHades. As for the barrow, labour not to raise
ing and started off to fetch the winds. They a greatone now, but such as is reasonable. Aft-
were holding high feast in the house of boister- erwards, let those Achasans who mav be left at

ous Zephvrus when Iris came running up to the the ships when I am gone, build it both broad
stone threshold of the house and stood there, and high."
but as soon as thev set eves on her thev all came [249] Thus he spoke and they obeyed the
towards her and each of them called her to him, word of the son of Peleus. First thev poured red
but Iris would not sit down. "I cannot stay," wine upon the thick laver of ashes and quenched
she said, "I must go back to the streams of Oce- the fire. W^ith manv tears thev singled out the
anus and the land of the Ethiopians who are whitened bones of their loved comrade and laid
offering hecatombs to the immortals, and I them within a golden urn in two layers of fat
would have mv share; but Achilles pravs that thev then covered the urn with a linen cloth
Boreas and shrill Zephvrus will come to him, and took it inside the tent. They marked off the
and he vows them goodlv offerings; he would circle where the barrow should be, made a foun-
have vou blow upon the pvre of Patroclus for dation for it about the pyre, and forthwith
whom all the Achasans are lamenting." heaped up the earth. When thev had thus
[112] With this she left them, and the two raised a mound they were going away, but Achil-
winds rose with a cry that rent the air and swept les staved the people and made them sit in as-
the clouds before them. Thev blew on and on semblv. He brought prizes from the ships-
until they came to the sea, and the waves rose cauldrons, tripods, horses and mules, noble
high beneath them, but when they reached oxen, women with fair girdles, and swart iron.
164 THE ILIAD
[261] The first prize he offered was for the are skilful at wheeling your horses round the
chariot races— a woman skilled in all useful arts, post, but the horses themselves are very slow,
and a three-legged cauldron that had ears for and it is this that will, 1 fear, mar your chances.
handles, and would hold twenty-two measures. The other drivers know less than you do, but
This was for the man who came in first. For the their horses are fleeter; therefore, my dear son,
second there was a six-year old mare, unbroken, see if you cannot hit upon some artifice whereby
and in foal to a he-ass; the third was to ha\'e a you may insure that the prize shall not slip
goodlv cauldron that had never yet been on the through your fingers. The woodman does more
fire; it was still bright as when it left the maker, by skill than by brute force; by skill the pilot
and would hold four measures. The fourth guides his storm-tossed barque over the sea, and
prize was two talents of gold, and the fifth a so by skill one driver can beat another. If a man
two-handled urn as yet unsoiled by smoke. Then leaves all to his horses, thev will go wide in
he stood up and spoke among the Argives say- rounding the posts at either end of the course;
ing- he has no command over them and cannot keep
[272] "Son of Atreus, and all other Achae- them from swerving this way and that, whereas
ans, these are the prizes that lie waiting the win- a man who knows what he is doing mav have
ners of the chariot races. At any other time I worse horses, but he will keep them well in hand
should carry off the first prize and take it to my when he sees the doubling-post; he knows the
own tent; you know how far my steeds excel all precise moment at which to pull the rein, and
others— for they are immortal; Neptune gave keeps his eye well on the man in front of him.
them to my father Peleus, who in his turn ga\'e I will give vou this certain token which cannot

them to mvsclf; but I hold aloof, I and my

shall escape vour notice. 1 here is a stump of a dead
steeds that have lost their brave and kind driver, tree— oak or pine as it mav be— some six feet
who many a time has washed them in clear abo\'e the ground, and not yet rotted away bv
water and anointed their manes with oil. See rain; it it has two
stands at the fork of the road;
how they stand weeping here, w ith their manes white stones one on each side, and there is
set
trailing on the ground in the extremitv of their a clear course all round it. It may have been a
sorrow. But do you others set yourselves in order monument to some one long since dead, or it
throughout the host, whosoever has confidence may have been used as a doubling-post in days
in his horses and in the strength of his chariot." gone bv; now, however, it has been fixed on bv
[287] Thus spoke the son of Peleus and the Achilles as the mark round which the chariots
drivers of chariots bestirred themselves. First shall turn; hug it as close as you can, but as you
among them all uprose Eumelus, king of men, stand in your chariot lean over a little to the
son of Admetus, a man excellent in horseman- left; urge on your right-hand horse with voice

ship. Next to him rose mightv Diomed son of and lash, and give him a loose rein, but let the
Tvdeus; he yoked the Trojan horses which he left-hand horse keep so close in, that the nave
had taken from /Eneas, when Apollo bore him of vour wheel shall almost graze the post; but
out of the fight. Next to him, yellow-haired mind the stone, or you will wound vour horses
Menelaus son of Atreus rose and voked his fleet and break your chariot in pieces, which would
horses, Agamemnon's mare /Ethe, and his own be sport for others but confusion for yourself.
horse Podargus. The mare had been given to Therefore, my dear son, mind well what you are
Agamemnon by Echepolus son of Anchises, about, for if you can be first to round the post
that he might not have to follow him to Ilius, there is of any one giving vou the go-
no chance
but might stay at home and take his ease; for by not even though you had Adrestus's
later,
Jove had endowed him with great wealth and horse Arion behind you— a horse which is of
he lived in spacious Sicvon. This mare, all eager divine race— or those of Laomedon, which are
for the race, did Menelaus put under the voke. the noblest in this country."
[^01] Fourth in order Antilochus, son to no- [^49] When Nestor had made an end of
ble Nestor son of Neleus, made ready his horses. counselling his son he sat down in his place,
These were bred in Pvlos, and his father came and fifth in order Meriones got ready his horses.
up to him to give him good ad\'ice of which, They then all mounted their chariots and cast
however, he stood in but little need. "Antilo- lots. Achilles shook the helmet, and the lot of
chus," said Nestor, "you are young, but Jove Antilochussonof Nestor fell out first; next came
and Neptune have loved you well, and have that of King Eumelus, and after his, those of
made you an excellent horseman. I need not Menelaus son of /\treus and of Mericmes. The
therefore say much by way of instruction. You last place fell to the lot of Diomed son of Ty-
 BOOK XXIII 165
deus, who was the best man
them all. They
of has put running into them, and has covered Di-
showed them
took their places in line; /\chilles omed with glory; but you must overtake the
the doubling-post round which they were to horses of the son of Atreus and not be left be-
turn, some way oft upon the plain; here he sta hind, or /Ethe who is so fleet will taunt you.
tioned his father's follower Phcenix as umpire, Why, mv good fellows, are you lagging? I tell

to note the running, and report trulv. vou, and it shall surelv be— Nestor will keep
[^61] At the same instant thev all of them neither of vou, but will put both of vou to the
lashed their horses, struck them with the reins, sword, if we win anv the worse a prize through
and shouted at them with all their might. Thev vour carelessness. Hie after them at your utmost
flew full speed over the plain awav from the speed; I will hit on a plan for passing them in
ships, the dust rose from under them as it were a narrow part of the way. and it shall not fail
a cloud or whirlwind, and their manes were all me."
flving in the wind. At one moment the chariots [4 y]
1 They feared the rebuke of their mas-
seemed to touch the ground, and then again ter, and went quicker. Pres-
for a short space
thev bounded into the air; the drivers stood ently Antilochus saw a narrow placewhere the
erect, and their hearts beat fast and furious in rosd had sunk. The ground was broken, for the
their lust of victory. Each kept calling on his winter's rain had gathered and had worn the
horses, and the horses scoured the plain amid road so that the whole place was deepened.
the clouds of dust that they raised. Menelaus was making towards it so as to get
[373] was when they were doing the last
It there first, for fear of a foul, but Antilochus
part of the course on their way back towards turned his horses out of the way, and follo.ved
the sea that their pace was strained to the ut- him a little on one side. The son of Atreus was
most and it was seen what each could do. The afraid and shouted out, "Antilochus, you are
horses of the descendant of Pheres now took the driving recklessly; rein in vour horses; the road
lei'd, and behind them came the Trojan
close is too narrow here, it will be wider soon, and

stallions of Diomed. Thev seemed as if about to vou can pass me then; if vou foul my chariot
mount Eumelus's chariot, and he could feel you may bring both of us to a mischief."
their warm breath on his back and on his broad [419] But Antilochus plied his whip, and
shoulders, for their heads were close to him as drove faster, as though he had not heard him.
they flew over the course. Diomed would have They went side by side for about as far as a
now passed him, or there would have been a young man can hurl a disc from his shoulder
dead heat, but Phoebus Apollo to spite him when he is trying his strength, and then Mene-
made him drop his whip. Tears of anger fell lauss mares drew behind, for he left oflf driving
from his eyes as he saw the mares going on for fear the horses should foul one another and
faster than ever, while his own horses lost upset the chariots; thus, while pressing on ir.
ground through his having no whip. Minerva quest of victorv', they might both come head-
saw the trick which Apollo had played the son long to the ground. Menelaus then upbraided
of Tvdeus. so she brought him his whip and Antilochus and said, "There is no greater trick-
put spirit into his horses; moreover she went ster living than you are; go, and bad luck go
after the son of Admetus in a rage and broke with you; the Achaeans say not well that you
his voke for him; the mares went one to one have understanding, and come what may vou
side the course, and the other to the other, and shall not bear away the prize without sworn
the pole was broken against the ground. Eume- protest on my part.
"

lus was thrown from his chariot close to the [442.]Then he called on his horses and said
wheel; his elbows, mouth, and nostrils were all to them, "Keep your pace, and slacken not; the
torn, and his forehead was bruised above his limbs of the other horses will wearj' sooner than
evebrows; his eves filled with tears and he could yours, for they are neither of them young."
find no utterance. But the son of Tvdeus turned [446] 1 he horses feared the rebuke of their
his horses aside and shot far ahead, for Minerva master, and went faster, so that they were soon
put fresh strength into them and covered Di- nearly up with the others.
omed himself with glory. [448] Meanwhile the Achaeans from their
[401] Menelaus son of Atreus came next be- seats were watching how the horses went, as
hind him, but Antilochus called to his father's they scoured the plain amid clouds of their own
horses. "On with you both," he cried, "and do dust. Idomeneus captain of the Cretans was
your verv utmost. I do not bid vou try to beat first to make out the running, for he was not in

the steeds of the son of Tvdeus, for Minerva the thick of the crowd, but stood on the most
1 66 THE ILIAD
commanding part of the ground. The driver was they flew over the course. The sand and grit
a long way off, but Idomeneus could hear him rained thick on the driver, and the chariot in-
shouting, and could see the foremost horse quite laid with gold and tin ran close behind his fleet
plainly— a chestnut with a round white star, horses. There was little trace of wheel-marks in
like the moon, on its forehead. He stood up and the fine dust, and the horses came flying in at
said among the Argives, "My friends, princes theirutmost speed. Diomed stayed them in the
and counsellors of the Argives, can you see the middle of the crowd, and the sweat from their
running as well as I can? There seems to be an- manes and chests fell in streams on to the
other pair in front now, and another driver; ground. Forthwith he sprang from his goodly
those that led off at the start must have been chariot, and leaned his whip against his horses'
disabled out on the plain. I saw them at first yoke; brave Sthenelus now lost no time, but at
making their way round the doubling-post, but once brought on the prize, and gave the woman
now, though I search the plain of Troy, I can- and the ear-handled cauldron to his comrades
not find them. Perhaps the reins fell from the to take away. Then he unyoked the horses.
driver's hand so that he lost command of his [5^4] Next after him came in Antilochus of
horses at the doubling-post, and could not turn the race of Neleus, who had passed Menelaus
it. I suppose he must have been thrown out by a trick and not by the fleetness of his horses;
there, and broken his chariot, while his mares but even so Menelaus came in as close behind
have left the course and gone off wildly in a him as the wheel is to the horse that draws both
panic. Come up and see for yourselves, I cannot the chariot and its master. The end hairs of a
make out for certain, but the driver seems an horse's tail touch the tyre of the wheel, and
/Etolian by descent, ruler over the Argives, there is never much space between wheel and
brave Diomed the son of Tydeus." horse when the chariot is going; Menelaus was
[47^] Ajax the son of Oileus took him up no further than this behind Antilochus, though
rudely and said, "Idomeneus, why should you at first he had been a full disc's throw behind

be in such a hurry to tell us all about it, when him. He had soon caught him up again, for
the mares are still so far out upon the plain? Agamemnon's mare /Ethe kept pulling stronger
You are none of the youngest, nor vour eyes and stronger, so that if the course had been
none of the sharpest, but you are always laying longer he would have passed him, and there
down the law. You have no right to do so, for would not even have been a dead heat. Idome-
there are better men here than you are. Eume- neus's brave squire Merioneswas about a spear's
lus's horses are in front now, as they always cast behind ^lenelaus. His horses were slowest
have been, and he is on the chariot holding the of all, and he was the worst driver. Last of them
reins." all came the son of Admetus, dragging his char-

[482] The captain of the Cretans was angry, iot and driving his horses on in front. When
and answered, "Ajax, you are an excellent railer, Achilles saw him he was sorry, and stood up
but you have no judgement, and are wanting among the Argives saying, "The best man is

in much else as well, for you have a vile tem- coming in last. Let us give him a prize for it is

per. I will wager you a tripod or cauldron, and reasonable. He shall have the second, but the
Agamemnon son of Atreus shall decide whose first must go to the son of Tydeus."
horses are first. You will then know to your [539] Thus did he speak and the others all
cost. of them applauded his saying, and were for do-
[488] Ajax son of Oileus was for making him ing as he had said, but Nestor's son Antilochus
an angry answer, and there would have been stood up and claimed his rights from the son of
yet further brawling between them, had not Peleus. "Achilles," said he, "I shall take it much
Achilles risen in his place and said, "Cease your amiss if you do you would rob me of
this thing;
railing, Ajax and Idomeneus; it is not seemly; my prize, because you think Eumelus's chariot
you would be scandalised if you saw any one and horses were thrown out, and himself too,
else do the like: sit down and keep your eyes good man that he is. He should have prayed
on the horses; they are speeding towards the duly to the immortals; he would not have come
winning-post and will be here directly. You will in last if he had done so. If you are sorry for
then both of you know whose horses are first, him and so choose, you have much gold in your
and whose come after." tents, with bronze, sheep, cattle and horses.
Isoo] As he was speaking, the son of Tydeus Take something from this store if you would
came driving in, plying his whip lustily from have the Achaeans speak well of you, and give
his shoulder, and his horses stepping high as him a better prize even than that which you
 BOOK XXIII 167
have now offered; but I will not give up the wasyourheart madeglad within you. He turned
mare, and he that will fight me for her, let him to Antilochus and said, "Now, Antilochus, an-

come on." gry though I have been, I can give way to you
[555] Achilles smiled as he heard this, and of my own free will; you have never been head-
was pleased with Antilochus, who was one of strong nor ill-disposed hitherto, but this time
his dearest comrades. So he said— your youth has got the better of your judge-
[558] "Antilochus, if you would have me ment; be careful how you outwit your bet-
find Eumelus another prize, I will give him the ters in future; no one else could have brought

bronze breastplate with a rim of tin running all me round so easily, but your good father, vour
round it which I took from Asteropasus. It will brother, and yourself have all of you had in-
be worth much money to him." finite trouble on my behalf; I therefore yield to

[5637 He bade his comrade Automedon your entreaty, and will give up the mare to
bring the breastplate from his tent, and he did you, mine though it indeed be; the people will
so. Achilles then gave it over to Eumelus, who thus see thatI am neither harsh nor vindictive."

received it gladly. /^6i27 With this he gave the mare over to

^5667 But Menelaus got up in a rage, furi- Antilochus's comrade Noemon, and then took
ously angry with Antilochus. An attendant the cauldron. Meriones, who had come in
placed his staff in his hands and bade the Ar- fourth, carried off the two talents of gold, and
gives keep silence: the hero then addressed the fifth prize, the two-handled urn, being un-
them. "Antilochus," said he, "what is this— awarded, Achilles gave it to Nestor, going up
from you who have been so far blameless? You to him among the assembled Argives and sav-
ha\'e made me cut a poor figure and baulked my ing, "Take this, my good old friend, as an heir-
horses by flinging your own in front of them, loom and memorial of the funeral of Patroclus
though yours are much worse than mine are; —for you shall see him no more among the Ar-
therefore, O princes and counsellors of the Ar- gives. I gi\e you this prize though vou cannot
gives, judge between us and show no favour, win one; you can now neither wrestle nor fight,
lest one of the Achaeans say, 'Menelaus has got and cannot enter for the javelin-match nor foot-
the mare through lying and corruption; his races, for the hand of age has been laid heavily
horses were far inferior to Antilochus's, but he upon you."
has greater weight and influence.' Nay, I will [624] So saying he gave the urn over to Nes-
determine the matter myself, and no man will tor, who received it gladly and answered, "My
blame me, for I shall do what is just. Come son, all that you have said is true; there is no
here, Antilochus, and stand, as our custom is, strength now in my legs and feet, nor can I hit
whip in hand before your chariot and horses; out with my hands from either shoulder. Would
lay your hand on your steeds, and swear by that I were still young and strong as when the
earth-encircling Neptune that you did not pur- Epeans were burying King Amarynceus in Bu-
posely and guilefully get in the way of my prasium, and his sons offered prizes in his hon-
horses." our. There was then none that could vie with

[s86] And Antilochus answered, "Forgive me neither of the Epeans nor the Pylians them-
me; I am much younger. King Menelaus, than selves nor the ^^Etolians. In boxing I overcame
you are; you stand higher than I do and are the Clytomedes son of Enops, and in wrestling,
better man of the two; you know how easily Ancaeus of Pleuron who had come forward
voung men are betrayed into indiscretion; their against me. Iphiclus was a good runner, but I
tempers are more hasty and they have less beat him, and threw farther with my spear than
judgement; make due allowances therefore, and either Phyleus or Polydorus. In chariot-racing
bear with me; I will of my own accord give up the alone did the two sons of Actor surpass me by
mare that I have won, and if you claim any fur- crowding their horses in front of me, for they
ther chattel from my own possessions, I would were angry at the way victory had gone, and at
rather vield it to you, at once, than fall from the greater part of the prizes remaining in the
your good graces henceforth, and do wrong in place in which they had been offered. They
the sight of heaven." were twins, and the one kept on holding the
[596] The son of Nestor then took the mare reins, and holding the reins, while the other
and gave her over to Menelaus, whose anger plied the whip. Such was I then, but now I
was thus appeased; as when dew falls upon a must leave these matters to younger men; I
field of ripening corn, and the lands are bris- must bow before the weight of years, but in
tling with the harvest—even so, Menelaus, O those days I was eminent among heroes. And
 a

i68 THE ILIAD

now, sir, go on with the funeral contests in hon- not keep his legs; they gave way under him in
our of your comrade: gladly do I accept this a moment and he sprang up with c bourd, as a
urn, and my heart rejoices that you do not tor- fish leaps into the air near some shore that is
get me but are ever mindiul of my goodwill to- allbestrewn with sea-wrack, when Boreas furs
wards you, and of the respect due to me from the top of the waves, and then falls back into
the /\chicans. For all which may the grace of deep water. But noble Epeiis caught hold of
heaven be vouchsafed you in great abundance." him and raised him up; his comrades also came
l6$o] Thereon the son of Peleus, when he round him and led him from the ring, unsteady
had listened to all the thanks of Nestor, went in his gait, his head hanging on one side, and
about among the concourse of the Achaeans, spitting great clots of gore. They set him down
and presently offered prizes for skill in the pain- in a swoon and then went to fetch the double
ful art of boxing. He brought out a strong mule, cup.
and made it fast in the middle of the crowd— [700] The son of Peleus now brought out
she-mule never yet broken, but six years old— the prizes for the third contest and showed
when it is hardest ol all to break them: this was them to the Argives. These were for the pain-
for the victor, and for the vanquished he offered ful art of wrestling. For the winner there was
a double cup. Then he stood up and said among a great tripod ready for setting upon the fire,

the Argives, "Son of Atreus, and all other and the Achaeans valued it among themselves
Achaeans, I invite our two champion boxers to attwelve oxen. For the loser he brouohto out a
lay about them lustily and compete for these woman skilled in all manner of arts, and they
prizes. We to whom Apollo vouchsafes the valued herat four oxen. He rose and said among
greater endurance, andwhom the Achaeans the Argives, "Stand forward, vou who will es-
acknowledge as victor, shall take the mule back say this contest."
with him to his own tent, while he that is van- [70S] Forthwith uprose great Ajax the son
quished shall have the double cup." of Telamon, and crafty Ulysses, full of wiles
[664] As he spoke there stood up a champion rose also. The two girded themselves and went
both brave and of great stature, a skilful boxer, into the middle of the ring. They gripped each
Epeiis, son of Panopeus. He laid his hand on other in their strong hands like the rafters
the mule and said, "Let the man who is to have which some master-builder frames for the roof
the cup come hither, for none but myself will of a high house to keep the wind out. Their
take the mule. I am the best boxer of all here backbones cracked as thev tugged at one an-
present, and none can beat me. Is it not enough other with their mighty arms— and sweat rained
that I should fall short of you in actual fight- from them in torrents. Many a bloody weal
ing? Still, no man can be good at everything. I sprang up on their sides and shoulders, but they
tell you plainly, and it shall come true; if any kept on striving with might and main for vic-
man will box with me I will bruise his body tory and to win the tripod. Ulvsses could not
and break his bones; therefore let his friends throw Ajax, nor Ajax him; Ulysses was too
stay here in a body and be at hand to take him strong for him; but when the Achaeans began
away when I have done with him." to tire of watching them, Ajax said to Ulysses,

[676] They all held their peace, and no man "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, you shall either
rose save Euryalus son of Mecisteus, who was lift me, or I you, and let Jove settle it between

son of Talaiis. Mecisteus went once to Thebes us."

after the fall of CEdipus, to attend his funeral, [725] He lifted him from the ground as he
and he beat all the people of Cadmus. The son spoke, but Ulysses did not forget his cunning.
of Tydeus was Euryalus's second, cheering him He hit Ajax in the hollow at the back of his
on and hoping heartily that he would win. knee, so that he could not keep his feet, but
First he put a waistband round him and then fell on his back with Ulysses lying upon his

he gave him some well-cut thongs of oxhide; chest, and all who saw it marvelled. Then
the two men being now girt went into the mid- Ulysses in turn lifted Ajax and stirred him a
die of the ring, and immediately fell to; heavily little from the ground but could not lift him

indeed did they punish one another and lay right off it, his knee sank under him, and the
about them with their brawny fists. One could two fell side by side on the ground and were all
hear the horrid crashing of their jaws, and they begrimed with dust. They now sprang towards
sweated from every pore of their skin. Presently one another and were for wrestling yet a third
Epeiis came on and gave Euryalus a blow on time, but Achilles rose and stayed them. "Put
the jaw as he was looking round; Euryalus could not each other further," said he, "to such cruel
 BOOK XXIII 169
suttering; the victory is with both ahke, take spoiled my running; she watches over Ulysses
each of you an equal prize, and let the other and stands by him as though she were his own
Achaeans now compete." mother." 1 bus did he speak and they all of
[y^S] Thus did he speak and they did even them laughed heartily.
as he had said, and put on their shirts again [78^] Antilochus carried off the last prize
after wiping the dust from off their bodies. and smiled as he said to the bystanders, "You
[740] The son of Peleus then offered prizes all see, my friends, that now too the gods have

for speed in running— a mixing-bowl beauti- shown their respect for seniority. Ajax is some-
fully wrought, of pure silver. It would hold what older than I am, and as for Ulysses, he
six measures, and far exceeded all others in the belongs to an earlier generation, but he is hale
whole world for beauty; it was the work of cun- in spite of his years, and no man of the Achae-
ning artificers in Sidon, and had been brought ans can run against him save only Achilles."
into port by Phoenicians from beyond the sea, [793] Hs said this to pay a compliment to
who had made a present of it to Thoas. Eue- the son of Peleus, and Achilles answered, "An-
neus son of Jason had given it to Patroclus in tilochus, you shall not have praised me to no
ransom of Priam's son Lycaon, and Achilles purpose; I shall give you an additional half
now offered it as a prize in honour of his com- talent of gold." He then gave the half talent to
rade to him who should be the swiftest runner. Antilochus,who received it gladly.
For the second prize he offered a large ox, well [798] Then the son of Peleus brought out
fattened, while for the last there was to be the spear, helmet and shield that had been
half a talent of gold. He then rose and said borne by Sarpedon, and were taken from him
among the Argives, "Stand forward, you who by Patroclus. He stood up and said among the
will essay this contest." Argives, "We bid two champions put on their
[7S4] Forthwith uprose fleet Ajax son of armour, take their keen blades, and make trial
Oileus, with cunning Ulysses, and Nestor's son of one another in the presence of the multi-
Antilochus, the fastest runner among all the tude; whichever of them can first wound the
vouth of his time. They stood side by side and flesh of the other, cut through his armour, and
Achilles showed them the goal. The course draw blood, to him will I give this goodly
was out for them from the starting-post, and
set Thracian sword inlaid with silver, which I
the son of Oileus took the lead at once, with took from Asteropaeus, but the armour let both
Ulysses as close behind him as the shuttle is to hold in partnership, and I will give each of
a woman's bosom when she throws the woof them a hearty meal in my own tent."
across the warp and holds it close up to her; [811] Forthwith uprose great Ajax the son
even so close behind him was Ulysses— treading of Telamon, as also mighty Diomed son of
in his footprints before the dust could settle Tydeus. When they had put on their armour
there, and Ajax could feel his breath on the each on his own side of the ring, they both
back of his head as he ran swiftly on. The went into the middle eager to engage, and with
Achasans all shouted applause as they saw him fire flashing from their eyes. The Achasans

straining his utmost, and cheered him as he marvelled as they beheld them, and when the
shot past them; but when they were now near- two were now close up with one another, thrice
ing the end of the course Ulysses prayed in- did they spring forward and thrice try to strike
wardly to Minerva. "Hear me," he cried, "and each other in close combat. Ajax pierced Dio-
help my feet, O goddess." Thus did he pray, med's round shield, but did not draw blood, for
and Pallas Minerva heard his prayer; she made the cuirass beneath the shield protected h.im;
his hands and his feet feel light, and when the thereon the son of Tydeus from over his huge
runners were at the point of pouncing upon the shield kept aiming continually at Ajax's neck
prize, Ajax, through Minerva's spite slipped with the point of his spear, and the Achaeans
upon some offal that was lying there from the alarmed for his safety bade them leave off fight-
cattle which Achilles had slaughtered in hon- ing and divide the prize between them. Achil-
our of Patroclus, and his mouth and nostrils les then gave the great sword to the son of
were all filled with cow dung. Ulysses there- Tydeus, with its scabbard, and the leathern
he got be-
fore carried off the mixing-bowl, for belt with which to hang it.
fore Ajax and came in first. But Ajax took the [826] Achilles next offered the massive iron
ox and stood with his hand on one of its horns, quoit which mighty Eetion had erewhile been
spitting the dung out of his mouth. Then he used to hurl, until Achilles had slain him and
said to the Argives, "Alas, the goddess has carried it off in his ships along with other
I'/O THE ILIAD
spoils. He stood up and among the /\r-
said row forthwith, but he did not promise heca-
givcs, "Stand forward, you who would essay tombs of firstling lambs to King Apollo, and
this contest. I le who wins it will have a store ol missed his bird, for Apollo foiled his aim; but
iron that will last him five years as they go he hit the string with which the bird was tied,
rolling round, and il his- lair fields lie tar from near its foot; the arrow cut the string clean
a town shepherd or ploughman will not
his throuoh so that it hung down towards the
have to make a journey to buy iron, for he will ground, while the bird Hew up into the sky,
have a stock of it on his own premises." and the Achaeans shouted applause. Meriones,
[8^6] Then uprose the two mighty men Poly- who had his arrow ready while Teucer was
poetes and Leontcus, with Ajax son of Tela- aiming, snatched the bow out of his hand, and
mon and noble Epeus. They stood up one after at once promised that he would sacrifice a heca-

the other and Epeus took the quoit, whirled it, tomb ol firstling lambs to Apollo lord of the
and flung it from him, which set all the Achas- bow; then espying the pigeon high up under
ans laughing. After him threw Leonteus of the the clouds, he hit her in the middle of the
race of Mars. Ajax son of Telamon threw third, wing as she was circling upwards; the arrow
and sent the quoit beyond any mark that had went clean through the wing and fixed itself
been made yet, but when mighty Polypoetes in the ground at Meriones' feet, but the bird
took the quoit he hurled it as though it had perched on the ship's mast hanging her head
been a stockman's stick which he sends flying and with all her feathers drooping; the life
about among his cattle when he is driving went out of her, and she fell heavily from the
them, so far did his throw outdistance those mast. Meriones, therefore, took all ten double-
of the others. All who saw it roared applause, edged axes, while Teucer bore off the single-
and his comrades carried the prize for him and edged ones to his ships.
set it on board his ship. [884] Then the son of Peleus brought in a
[8so] Achilles next oftered a prize of iron spear and a cauldron that had never been on
for archery— ten double-edged axes and ten the fire; it was worth an ox, and was chased
with single edges: he set up a ship's mast, some with a pattern of flowers; and those that would
way off upon the sands, and with a fine string throw the javelin stood up— to wit the son of
tied a pigeon to it by the foot; this was what Atreus, king of men Agamemnon, and Meri-
they were to aim at. "Whoever," he said, "can ones, stalwart squire of Idomeneus. But Achil-
hit the pigeon shall have all the axes and take les spoke saying, "Son of Atreus, we know how

them away with him; he who hits the string far you excel all others both in power and in

without hitting the bird will have taken a throwing the javelin; take the cauldron back
worse aim and shall have the single-edged with you to your ships, but if it so please you,
axes." let us give the spear to Meriones; this at least

[8^9] Then uprose King Teucer, and Me- is what I should myself wish."

riones the stalwart squire of Idomeneus rose [89^] King Agamemnon assented. So he
also. They cast lots in a bronze helmet and the gave the bronze spear to Meriones, and handed
lot of Teucer fell first. He let fly with his ar the goodly cauldron to Talthybius his esquire.
 a

BOOK XXIV
THE assembly now broke up and the peo-
went their ways each to his own ship.
ple
goats?And now dare you not rescue even his
dead body, for his wife to look upon, with his
There they made ready their supper, and mother and child, his father Priam, and his
then bethought them of the blessed boon of people, who would forthwith commit him to
sleep; but Achilles still wept for thinking of the flames, and give him hisdue funeral rites?
his dear comrade, and sleep, before whom all So, then, you would all be on the side of mad
things bow, could take no hold upon him. This Achilles, who knows neither right nor ruth?
way and that did he turn as he yearned after He is some savage lion that in the pride of
like
the miaht
o and manfulness of Patroclus; he his great strength and daring springs upon
thought of all they had done together, and all men's flocks and gorges on them. Even so has
thev had gone through both on the field of Achilles flung aside all pity, and all that con-
battle and on the waves of the weary sea. As science which at once so greatly banes yet
he dwelt on these things he wept bitterly and greatly boons him that will heed it. A man may
lay now on his side, now on his back, and now lose one far dearer than Achilles has lost—
face downwards, till at last he rose and went son, it may be, or a brother born from his own
out as one distraught to wander upon the sea- mother's womb; yet when he has mourned him
shore. Then, when he saw dawn breaking over and wept over him he will let him bide, for
beach and sea, he yoked his horses to his char- it takes much sorrow to kill a man; whereas

iot, and bound the body of Hector behind it Achilles, now that he has slain noble Hector,
that he might drag it about. Thrice did he drag drags him behind his chariot round the tomb
it round the tomb of the son of Menoetius, and of his comrade. It were better of him, and for
then went back into his tent, leaving the body him, that he should not do so, for brave though
on the ground full length and with its face he be we gods may take it ill that he should
downwards. But Apollo would not suffer it vent his fury upon dead clay."
to be disfigured, for he pitied the man, dead [55] Juno spoke up in a rage. "This were
though he now was; therefore he shielded him well," she cried, "O lord of the silver bow, if
with his golden aegis continually, that he might you would give like honour to Hector and to
take no hurt while Achilles was dragging him. Achilles; but Hector was mortal and suckled
[2 2 J Thus shamefully did Achilles in his at a woman's breast, whereas Achilles is the
fury dishonour Hector; but the blessed gods offspring of a goddess whom I myself reared
looked down in pity from heaven, and urged and brought up. I married her to Peleus, who is
Mercurv, slayer of Argus, to steal the body. All above measure dear to the immortals; you gods
were of this mind save only Juno, Neptune, came all of you to her wedding; you feasted
and Jove's grey-eyed daughter, who persisted along with them vourself and brought your
in the hate which thev had ever borne towards lyre— false, and fond of low company, that you
Ilius with Priam and his people; for thev for- have ever been."
gave not the wrong done them by Alexandrus [64] Then said Jove, "Juno, be not so bitter.
in disdaining the goddesses who came to him Their honour shall not be equal, but of all that
when he was in his sheepyards, and preferring dwell in Ilius, Hector was dearest to the gods,
her who had offered him a wanton to his ruin. as also to myself, for his offerings never failed
[31] When, therefore, the morning of the me. Never was my altar stinted of its dues, nor
twelfth day had now come, Phoebus Apollo of the drink-offerings and savour of sacrifice
spoke among the immortals saying, "You gods which we claim of right. I shall therefore per-
ought to be ashamed of yourselves; you are mit the body of mighty Hector to be stolen;
crueland hard-hearted. Did not Hector burn and yet this may hardly be without Achilles
vou thigh-bones of heifers and of unblemished coming to know it, for his mother keeps night
171
172 THE ILIAD
and day beside him. Let some one of you, Achilles as may give him satisfaction.
therefore, send Thetis to me, and I will impart [120] Silver-footed Thetis did as the god
my counsel to her, namely that Achilles is to had told her, and forthwith down she darted
accept a ransom from Priam, and give up the from the topmost summits of Olympus. She
body." went to her son's tents where she found him
[77] Ori this Iris fleet as the wind went gric\ina bitterly, while his trusty comrades
forth to carry his message. Down she plunged round him were busy preparing their morning
into the dark sea midway between Samos and meal, for which they had killed a great woolly
rocky Imbrus; the waters hissed as they closed sheep. His mother sat down beside him and
over her, and she sank into the bottom as the caressed him with her hand saying, "My son,
lead at the end of an ox-horn, that is sped to how long will you keep on thus grieving and
carry death to fishes. She found Thetis sitting making moan? \ou are gnawing at your own
in a great cave with the other sea-goddesses heart, and think neither of food nor of woman's
gathered round her; there she sat in the midst embraces; and yet these too were well, for you
of them weeping for her noble son who was to have no long time to live, and death with the
fall far from hisown land, on the rich plains strong hand of fate are already close beside
of Troy. Iris went up to her and said, "Rise you. Now, heed what I say, for I
therefore,
Thetis; Jove, whose counsels fail not, bids you come from Jove; he says that the
as a messenger
come to him." And Thetis answered, "Why gods are angry with you, and himself more
does the mighty god so bid me? I am in great angry than them all, in that you keep Hector
grief, and shrink from going in and out among at the ships and will not give him up. There-
the immortals. Still, I will go, and the word fore let him go, and accept a ransom for his
that he may speak shall not be spoken in vain." body."
[93] The goddess took her dark veil, than [138] And Achilles answered, "So be it. If

which there can be no robe more sombre, and Olympian Jove of his own motion thus com-
went forth with fleet Iris leading the way be- mands me, let him that brings the ransom bear
fore her. The waves of the sea opened them a the body away."
path, and when they reached the shore they [141] Thus did mother and son talk together
flew up into the heavens, where they found the at the ships in long discourse with one another.
all-seeing son of Saturn with the blessed gods Meanwhile the son of Saturn sent Iris to the
that live for ever assembled near him. Minerva strong city of Ilius. "Go," said he, "fleet Iris,
gave up her seat to her, and she sat down by from the mansions of Olympus, and tell King
the side of father Jove. Juno then placed a fair Priam in Ilius, that he is to go to the ships of
golden cup in her hand, and spoke to her in the Achasans and free the body of his dear son.
words of comfort, whereon Thetis drank and He is to take such gifts with him as shall give
gave her back the cup; and the sire of gods and satisfaction to Achilles, and he is to go alone,
men was the first to speak. with no other Trojan, save only some honoured
[104] "So, goddess," said he, "for all your servant who may drive his mules and waggon,
sorrow, and the grief that I well know reigns and bring back the body of him whom noble
ever in your heart, you have come hither to Achilles has slain. Let him have no thought
Olympus, and I will tell you why I have sent nor fear of death in his heart, for we will send
for you. This nine days past the immortals the slayer of Argus to escort him, and bring
have been quarrelling about Achilles waster of him within the tent of Achilles. Achilles will
cities and the body of Hector. The gods would not kill him nor let another do so, for he will
have Mercury slayer of Argus steal the body, take heed to his ways and sin not, and he will
but in furtherance of our peace and amity entreat a suppliant with all honourable cour-
henceforward, I will concede such honour to tesy."
your son as I will now tell you. Go, then, to the [1S9] On this Iris, fleet as the wind, sped
host and lay these commands upon him; say forth to deliver her message. She went to Pri-
that the gods are angry with him, and that 1 am's house, and found weeping and lamenta-
am myself more angry than them all, in that he tion therein. His sons were seated round their
keeps Hector at the ships and will not give him father in the outer courtyard, and their raiment
up. He may thus fear me and let the body go. was wet with tears: the old man sat in the
At the same time I will send Iris to great Priam midst of them with his mantle wrapped close
to bid him go to the ships of the Achasans, and about his body, and his head and neck all
ransom his son, taking with him such gifts for covered with the filth which he had clutched
 BOOK XXIV 173
as he lay grovelling in the mire. His daughters devour Thus would I avenge my son, who
it.

and his sons' wives went wailing about the showed no cowardice when Achilles slew him,
house, as they thought of the many and brave and thought neither of flight nor of avoiding
men who lay dead, slain by the Argives. The battle as he stood in defence of Trojan men
messenger of Jove stood by Priam and spoke and Trojan women."
softly to him, but fear fell upon him as she [2 1 y] Then Priam said, "I would go, do not
did so. "Take heart," she said, 'Triam offspring therefore stay me nor be as a bird of ill omen
of Dardanus, take heart and fear not. I bring in my house, for you will not mo\'e me. Had
no evil tidings, but am minded well towards it been some mortal man who had sent me—

you. I come as a messenger from Jove, who some prophet or priest who divines from sacri-
though he be not near, takes thought for you fice—I should have deemed him false and have
and pities you. The lord of Olympus bids given him no heed; but now I have heard the
you go and ransom noble Hector, and take goddess and seen her face to face, therefore I
with you such gifts as shall give satisfaction will go and her saying shall not be in vain.
to Achilles. You are to go alone, with no other If it be my fate to die at the ships of the Achae-
Trojan, save only some honoured servant who ans even so would I have it; let Achilles slay
may drive your mules and waggon, and bring me, if I may but first have taken my son in my
back to the city the body of him whom noble arms and mourned him to my heart's comfort-
Achilles has slain. You are to have no thought, ing."
nor fear of death, for Jove will send the slayer [228] So saying he lifted the lids of his
of Argus to escort you. When he has brought chests, and took out twelve goodlv vestments.
you within Achilles' tent, Achilles will not kill He took also twelve cloaks of single fold, twelve
you nor let another do so, for he will take rugs, twelve fair mantles, and an equal number
heed to his ways and sin not, and he will of shirts. He weighed out ten talents of gold,
entreat a suppliant with all honourable cour- and brought moreover two burnished tripods,
tesy." four cauldrons, and a very beautiful cup which
[188] Iris went her way when she had thus the Thracians had given him when he had
spoken, and Priam told his sons to get a mule- gone to them on an embassy; it was verv pre-
waggon ready, and to make the body of the cious, but he grudged not even this, so eager
waggon fast upon the top of its bed. Then he was he to ransom the bodv of his son. Then he
went down into his fragrant store-room, high- chased all the Trojans from the court and re-
vaulted, and made of cedar-wood, where his buked them with words of anger. "Out," he
many treasures were kept, and he called Hecuba cried, "shame and disgrace to me that you are.
his wife. "Wife," said he, "a messenger has Have you no grief in your own homes that you
come to me from Olvmpus, and
has told me to are come to plague me here? Is it a small thing,
go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom my think you, that the son of Saturn has sent this
dear son, taking with me such gifts as shall give sorrow upon me, to lose the bravest of my sons?
satisfaction to Achilles. What think you of this Nay, you shall prove it in person, for now he
matter? for my own partI am greatly moved to is gone the Achaeans will have easier work in

pass through the host of the Achaeans and go to killing you. As for me, let me go down within
their ships." the house of Hades, ere mine eyes behold the
[200] His wife cried aloud as she heard him, sacking and wasting of the city."
and said, "Alas, what has become of that judge- /^247y He drove the men away with his staff,
ment for which you have been ever famous and they went forth as the old man sped them.
both among strangers and your own people? Then he called to his sons, upbraiding Hele-
How can you venture alone to the ships of the nus, Paris, noble Agathon, Pammon, Antiph-
Achaeans, and look into the face of him who onus, Polites of the loud battle-cry, Deiphobus,
has slain so many of your brave sons? You must Hippothoiis, and Dius. These nine did the old
have iron courage, for if the cruel savage sees man call near him. "Come to me at once," he
you and lays hold on you, he will know neither cried, "worthless sons who do me shame; would
respect nor pity. Let us then weep Hector from that you had all been killed at the ships rather
afar here in our own house, for when I gave than Hector. Miserable man that I am, I have
him birth the threads of overruling fate were had the bravest sons in all Troy— noble Nestor,
spun for him that dogs should eat his flesh far Troilus the dauntless charioteer, and Hector
from his parents, in the house of that terrible who was a god among men, so that one would
man on whose liver I would fain fasten and have thought he was son to an immortal—yet
,74 THE ILIAD
there IS not one of them left. Mars has slain washed his hands and took the cup from his
them and those of whom I am ashamed are wife; then he made the drink-offering and
alone left me. Liars, and light of foot, heroes prayed, standing in the middle of the court-
of the dance, robbers of lambs and kids from yard and turning his eyes to heaven. "Father
your own people, why do you not get a waggon Jove," he said, "that rulest from Ida, most glo-
ready for me at once, and put all these things rious and most great, grant that I may be re-
upon it that I may set out on my way?" ceived kindly and compassionately in the tents
[26$] Thus did he speak, and they feared of Achilles; and send your swift messenger
the rebuke of their father. They brought out a upon my right hand, the bird of omen which
strong mule-waggon, newlv made, and set the is strongest and most dear to vou of all birds,

body of the waggon fast on its bed. They took that I may see it with my own eyes and trust
the mule-yoke from the peg on which it hung, it as I go forth to the ships of the Danaans."

a yoke of boxwood vyith a knob on the top of it [314] So did he prav, ;'nd Jove the lord of
and rings for the reins to 20 through. Then counsel heard his prayer. Forthwith he sent an
they brought a yoke-band eleven cubits long, to eagle, the most unerring portent of all birds that
bind the yoke to the pole; they bound it on at fly,the dusky hunter that men also call the
the far end of the pole, and put the ring over Black Eagle. His wings were spread abroad
the upright pin making it fast with three turns on either side as wide as the well-made and
of the band on either side the knob, and bend- well-bolted door of a rich man's chamber. He
ing the thong of the yoke beneath it. This came them flying over the city upon their
to
done, they brought from the store-chamber the right hands, and when they saw him they were
rich ransom that was to purchase the body of glad and their hearts took comfort within them.
Hector, and thev set it all orderly on the wag- The old man made haste to mount his chariot,
gon; then they yoked the strong harness-mules and drove out through the inner gateway and
which the Mysians had on a time given as a under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court.
gocdlv present to Priam; but for Priam himself Before him went the mules drawing the four-
they yoked horses which the old king had bred, wheeled waggon, and driven by wise Idaeus;
and kept for his own use. behind these were the horses, which the old
[281] Thus heedfully did Priam and his man lashed with his v\'hip and drove swiftly
servant see to the yoking of their cars at the through the city, while his friends followed
palpce. Then Hecuba came to them all sorrow- after, wailing and lamenting for him as though
ful, withgolden goblet of wine in her right
a he were on his road to death. As soon as they
hand, that they might make a drink-offering had come down from the city and had reached
before thev set out. She stood in front of the the plain, his sons and sons-in-law who had
horses and said, "Take this, make a drink- followed him went back to Ilius.
and since you are minded
offering to father Jove, [33'] But Priam and Idaeus as they showed
to go to the ships in spite of me, pray that you out upon the plain did not escape the ken of
may come safely back from the hands of your all-seeing Jove, who
looked down upon the old
enemies. Prav to the son of Saturn lord of the man and him; then he spoke to his son
pitied
whirlwind, who sits on Ida and looks down Mercury and said, "Mercury, for it is you who
over all Troy, pray him to send his swift mes- are the most disposed to escort men on their
senger on your right hand, the bird of omen way, and to hear those whom you will hear, go,
which is strongest and most dear to him of all and so conduct Priam to the ships of the Achae-
birds, that vou may see it with your own eyes ans that no other of the Danaans shall see him
and trust it as vou go forth to the ships of the nor take note of him until he reach the son of
Danaans. If all-seeing Jove will not send you Peleus."
this messenger, however set upon it you may [339J Thus he spoke and Mercury, guide
be, I would not have you go to the ships of the and guardian, slaver of Argus, did as he was
Argives." told. Forthwith he bound on his glittering

[29g] And Priam answered, "Wife, I will golden sandals with which he could fly like the
do as you desire me; it is well to lift hands in wind over land and sea; he took the wand with
prayer to Jove, if so be he may have mercy which he seals men's eyes in sleep, or wakes
upon me." them just as he pleases, and flew holding it in
With this the old man bade the serving- his hand till he came to Troy and to the Helles-
woman pour pure water over his hands, and the pont. 1 o look at, he was like a young man of
woman came, bearing the water in a bowl. He noble birth in the hey-day of his youth and
 BOOK XXIV 175
beauty with the down just coming upon his and putting them to the sword. still We stood
face. and marvelled, for Achilles in his anger with
[^49] Now when Priam and Idasus had the son of Atreus suffered us not to fight. I am
driven past the great tomb of IHus, they stayed his squire,and came with him in the same ship.
their mules and horses that they might drink I am a Myrmidon, and my father's name is

in the river, for the shades of night were f alhng, Polyctor: he is a rich man and about as old as
when, therefore, Idaeus saw Mercury standing you are; he has six sons besides myself, and I

near them he said to Priam, "Take heed, de- am the seventh. We cast lots, and it upon
fell

scendant of Dardanus; here is matter which de- me to sail hither with Achilles. I am now come
mands consideration. I see a man who I think from the ships on to the plain, for with day-
will presently fall upon us; let us fly with our break the Achaeans will set battle in array about
horses, or at least embrace his knees and im- the city. They chafe at doing nothing, and are
"
plore him compassion upon us?
to take so eager that their princes cannot hold them

[357] When he heard this the old man's back."

heart failed him, and he was in great fear; he [40^] Then answeired Priam, "If you are
stayed where he was as one dazed, and the hair indeed the squire of Achilles son of Peleus, tell
stood on end over his whole body; but the me now the whole truth. Is my son still at the
bringer of good luck came up to him and took ships, or has Achilles hewn him limb from
him by the hand, saying, "Whither, father, are limb, and given him to his hounds?"
you thus driving your mules and horses in the [410] "Sir," replied the slayerof Argus, guide
dead of night when other men are asleep? Are and guardian, "neither hounds nor vultures
you not afraid of the fierce Achasans who are have vet devoured him; he is still just lying at
hard by you, so cruel and relentless? Should the tents by the ship of Achilles, and though
some one of them see you bearing so much it is now twelve days that he has lain there, his

treasure through the darkness of the flving flesh is not wasted nor have the worms eaten
night, what would not your state then be? You him although they feed on warriors. At day-
are no longer young, and he who is with you break Achilles drags him cruelly round the
is too old to protect you from those who would sepulchre of his dear comrade, but it does him
attack you. For myself, I will do you no harm, no hurt. You should come yourself and see how
and I will defend you from any one else, for he lies fresh as dew, with the blood all washed
you remind me of my own father." away, and his wounds every one of them closed
[372] And Priam answered, "It is indeed as though many pierced him with their spears.
you say, my dear son; nevertheless some god Such care ha\'e the blessed gods taken of your
has held his hand over me, in that he has sent brave son, for he was dear to them beyond all
such a wayfarer as yourself to meet me so op- measure."
portunely; you are so comely in mien and fig- [42.4] The old man was comforted as he
ure, and your judgement is so excellent that heard him and said, "My son, see what a good
you must come of blessed parents." thing it is to have made due offerings to the
[^yS] Then said the slayer of Argus, guide immortals; for as sure as that he was born my
and guardian, "Sir, all that you have said is son never forgot the gods that hold Olympus,
right; but tell me and tell me true, are you and now they requite it to him even in death.
taking this rich treasure to send it to a foreign Accept therefore at my hands this goodly chal-
people where it may be safe, or are you all leav- ice; guard me and with heaven's help guide

ing strong Ilius in dismay now that your son me till I come to the tent of the son of Peleus."
has fallen who was the bravest man among you [4^2] Then answered the slayer of Argus,
and was never lacking in battle with the Achas- guide and guardian, "Sir, you are tempting me
ans?" and playing upon my youth, but you shall not
[386] And Priam said, "Who are you, my move me, for you are offering me presents
friend, and who are your parents, that you without the knowledge of Achilles whom I
speak so truly about the fate of my unhappy fear and hold it great guiltiness to defraud, lest
son?" some evil presently befall me; but as your guide
[389] The slayer of Argus, guide and guard- I would go with you even to Argos itself, and

ian, answered him, "Sir, you would prove me, would guard you so carefully whether by sea or
that you question me about noble Hector. land, that no one should attack you through
Many a time have I set eyes upon him in battle making light of him who was with you."
when he was driving the Argives to their ships [440] The bringer of good luck then sprang
76 THE ILIAD
on to the chariot, and seizing the whip and like unto the gods, who is such even as I am,
reins he breathed Iresh spirit into the mules on the sad threshold of old age. It may be that
and horses. When they reached the trench and those who dwell near him harass him, and there
the wall that was betore the ships, those who is none to keep war and ruin from him. Yet

were on guard had just been getting their sup- when he hears of you as being still alive, he is
pers, and the slaver of Argus threw them all glad, and his days are full of hope that he shall
into a deep sleep. Then he drew back
the bolts see his dear son come home to him from Troy;
to open the gates, and took Priam inside with but I, wretched man that I am, had the bravest
the treasure he had upon his waggon. Ere long in all Troy for my sons, and there is not one of

thev came to the loftv dwelling of the son ot them left. I had fifty sons when the Achaeans
Peleus for which the Myrmidons had cut pine came here; nmeteen of them were from a single
and which thev had built for their king; when womb, and the others were borne to me by the
thev had built it they thatched it with coarse women of my household. The greater part of
tussock-grass which they had mown out on the them has fierce Mars laid low, and Hector, him
plain, and all round it they made a large court- who was alone left, him who was the guardian
yard, which was fenced with stakes set close to- of our city and ourselves, him have you lately
gether. The gate was barred with a single bolt slain; therefore I am now come to the ships of

of pine which it took three men to force into its the Achaeans to ransom his body from you with
place, and three to draw back so as to open the a great ransom. Fear, O Achilles, the wrath of
gate, but Achilles could draw it by himself. heaven; think on your own father and have
Klercury opened the gate for the old man, and compassion upon me, who am the more pitiable,
brought in the treasure that he was taking with for 1 ha\e steeled mvself as no man has e\ er yet
him for the son of Peleus. Then he sprang from steeled himself before me, and have raised to
the chariot on to the ground and said, "Sir, it mv lips the hand of him who slew my son."
is I, immortal Mercury, that am come with [soy] Thus spoke Priam, and the heart of
you, for my father sent me to escort you. I will Achilles yearned as he bethought him of his
now leave you, and will not enter into the father. He took the old man's hand and moved
presence of Achilles, for it might anger him him gently away. The two wept bitterly—
that a god should befriend mortal men thus Priam, as he lay at Achilles' feet, weeping for
openlv. Go vou within, and embrace the knees Hector, and Achilles now for his father and
of the son of Peleus: beseech him by his father, now for Patroclus, till the house was filled with
his lovelv mother, and his son; thus you may their lamentation. But when Achilles was now
move him." sated with grief and had unburthened the bit-
[468] \\' ith these words Mercur\- went back terness of his sorrow, he left his seat and raised
to high Olvmpus. Priam sprang from his chariot the old man by the hand, in pity for his white
to the ground, leaving Idteus where he was, in hair and beard; then he said, "Unhappy man,
charge of the mules and horses. The old man vou have indeed been greatly daring; how could
went straight into the house where Achilles, vou venture to come alone to the ships of the
loved of the gods, was sitting. There he found Achaeans, and enter the presence of him who
him with his men seated at a distance from has slain so many of your brave sons? You must
him: onlv two, the hero Automedon, and Alci- have iron courage; sit now upon this seat, and
mus of the race of Mars, were busy in attend- for all our grief we will hide our sorrows in our
ance about his person, for he had but just done hearts, for weeping will not a\'ail us. The im-
eating and drinking, and the table was still mortals know no care, vet the lot they spin for
there. King Priam entered without their seeing man is full of sorrow; on the floor of Jove's pal-
him, and going right up to Achilles he clasped ace there stand two urns, the one filled with
hiskneesand kissed the dread murderous hands evil gifts, and the other with good ones. He for
that had slain so many of his sons. whom Jove the lord of thunder mixes the gifts
[480] As when some cruel spite has befallen he sends, will meet now with good and now
a man that he should have killed some one in with evil fortune; but he to whom Jove sends
his own country, and must fly to a great man's none but evil gifts will be pointed at by the
protection in a land of strangers, and all marvel finger of scorn, the hand of famine will pursue
who see him, even so did Achilles marvel as he him to the ends of the world, and he will go up
beheld Priam. The others looked one to another and down the face of the earth, respected nei-
and mar\x'lled also, but Priam besought Achil- ther bv gods nor men. Even so did it befall Pe-
les saying, "Think of your father, O Achilles leus; the gods endowed him with all good things
 BOOK XXIV 177
from his birth upwards, for he reigned over the within the house. They lifted the ransom for
Myrmidons exceUing all men in prosperity and Hector's body from the waggon, but they left
wealth, and mortal though he was they gave two mantles and a goodly shirt, that Achilles
him a goddess for his bride. But even on him might wrap the body in them when he gave it
too did heaven send misfortune, for there is no to be taken home. Then he called to his servants
race of royal children born to him in his house, and ordered them to wash the body and anoint
save one son who is doomed to die all untimely; it, but he first took it to a place where Priam

nor may I take care of him now that he is grow- should not see it, lest if he did so, he should
ing old, for I must stay here at Troy to be the break out in the bitterness of his grief, and en-
bane of you and of your children. And you too, rage Achilles, who might then kill him and sin
O Priam, I have heard that you were aforetime against the word of Jove. When the servants
happy. They say that in wealth and plenitude had washed the body and anointed it, and had
of offspring you surpassed all that is in Lesbos, wrapped it in a fair shirt and mantle, Achilles
the realm of Makar northward, Phrygia
to the himself lifted it on to a bier, and he and his
that is more inland, and those that dwell upon men then laid it on the waggon. He cried aloud
the great Hellespont; but from the day when as he did so and called on the name of his dear
the dwellers in heaven sent this evil upon you, comrade, "Be not angry with me, Patroclus,"
war and slaughter have been about your city he said, "if you hear even in the house of Ha-
continually. Bear up against it, and let there des that have given Hector to his father for a
I

be some intervals in your sorrow. Mourn as ransom. has been no unworthy one, and I
It

vou may for your brave son, you will take will share it equitably with you."
nothing by it. You cannot raise him from the [^96] Achilles then went back into the tent
dead, ere you do so yet another sorrow shall and took his place on the richly inlaid seat from
befall you." which he had risen, by the wall that was at
[5^2] And Priam answered, "O king, bid me right angles to the one against which Priam was
not be seated, while Hector is still lying un- sitting. "Sir," he said, "your son is now laid
cared for in your tents, but accept the great upon his bier and is ransomed according to your
ransom which I have brought you, and give him desire; you shall look upon him when you take
to me at once that I may look upon him. May him away at daybreak; for the present let us
you prosper with the ransom and reach your prepare our supper. Even lovely Niobe had to
own land in safety, seeing that you have suf- think about eating, though her twelve children
fered me to live and to look upon the light of —six daughters and six lusty sons— had been all
the sun." slain in her house. Apollo killed the sons with

[559] Achilles looked at him sternly and arrows from his silver bow, to punish Niobe,
said,"Vex me, sir, no longer; I am of myself and Diana slew the daughters, because Niobe
minded to give up the body of Hector. My had vaunted herself against Leto; she said Leto
mother, daughter of the old man of the sea, had borne two children only, whereas she had
came to me from Jove to bid me deliver it to herself borne many— whereon the two killed
you. Moreover I O Priam, and you
know well, the many. Nine days did they lie weltering,
cannot hide it, some god has brought you
that and there was none to bury them, for the son of
to the ships of the Achaeans, for else, no man Saturn turned the people into stone; but on the
however strong and in his prime would dare to tenth day the gods in heaven themselves buried
come to our host; he could neither pass our them, and Niobe then took food, being worn
guard unseen, nor draw the bolt of my gates out with weeping. They say that somewhere
thus easily; therefore, provoke me no further, among the rocks on the mountain pastures of
lest I sin against the word of Jove, and suffer Sipylus, where the nymphs live that haunt the
you not, suppliant though you are, within my river Acheloiis, there, they say, she lives in stone
tents." and still nurses the sorrows sent upon her by
[571] The old man feared him and obeyed. the hand of heaven. Therefore, noble sir, let
Then the son of Peleus sprang like a lion us two now take food; you can weep for your
through the door of his house, not alone, but dear son hereafter as you are bearing him back
with him went his two squires Automedon and to Ilius— and many a tear will he cost you."
Alcimus who were closer to him than any others [6zi] With this Achilles sprang from his
of his comrades now that Patroclus was no seat and killed a sheep of silvery whiteness,
more. These unyoked the horses and mules, and which his followers skinned and made ready all
bade Priam's herald and attendant be seated in due order. They cut the meat carefully up
178 THE ILIAD
into smaller pieces, spitted them, and drew tendant sleep there in the forecourt, full of
them off again when they were well roasted. thought, while Achilles lay in an inner room
Automedon brought bread in fair baskets and of the house, with fair Briseis by his side.
served round the table, while Achilles dealt
it [677] And now both gods and mortals were
out the meat, and they laid their hands on the fast asleep through the livelong night, but upon
good things that were before them. As soon as Mercurv alone, the bringer of good luck, sleep
they had had enough to eat and drink, Priam, could take no hold for he was thinking all the
descendant of Dardanus, marvelled at the time how to get King Priam away from the
strength and beauty of Achilles for he was as a ships without his being seen by the strong force
god to see, and Achilles marvelled at Priam as of sentinels. He hovered therefore over Priam's
he listened to him and looked upon his noble head and said, "Sir, now that Achilles has spared
presence. When they had gazed their fill Priam your life, you seem to have no fear about sleep-
spoke first. "And now, O king," he said, "take ing in the thick of your foes. You have paid a
me to mv couch that we may lie down and en- great ransom, and have received the body of
jov the blessed boon of sleep. Never once have your son; were you still alive and a prisoner the
mv eyes been closed from the dav your hands sons whom you have left at home would have to
took the life of my son; I have grovelled with- give three times as much to free you; and so it
out ceasing in the mire of mv stable-yard, mak- would be if i\gamemnon and the other Achae-
ing moan and brooding over my countless sor- ans were to know of your being here."
rows. Now, moreo\er, I have eaten bread and [68gj When he heard this the old man was
drunk wine; hitherto 1 have tasted nothing." afraid and roused his servant. Mercury' then
[642] As he spoke Achilles told his men and yoked their horses and mules, and drove them
the women-servants to set beds in the room that quickly through the host so that no man per-
was in the gatehouse, and make them with good ceived them. When they came to the ford of
red rugs, and spread coverlets on the top of eddying Xanthus, begotten of immortal Jove,
them with woollen cloaks for Priam and Idaeus Mercury went back to high Olympus, and dawn
to wear. So the maids went out carrying a torch in robe of saffron began to break over all the
and got the two beds readv in all haste. Then land. Priam and Idaeus then drove on towards
Achilles said laughingly to Priam, "Dear sir, the city lamenting and making moan, and the
vou shall lie outside, lest some counsellor of mules drew the body of Hector. No one neither
those who in due course keep coming to advise man nor woman saw them, till Cassandra, fair
with me should see you here in the darkness of as golden Venus standing on Pergamus, caught
the flying night, and tell it to Agamemnon. sight of her dear father in his chariot, and his
This might cause delay in the delivery of the servant that was the city's herald with him.
bodv. And now tell me and tell me true, for Then she saw him that was lying upon the bier,
how many days would you celebrate the funeral drawn bv the mules, and with a loud cry she
rites of noble Hector? Tell me, that I may hold went about the city saying, "Come hither Tro-
aloof from war and restrain the host." jans, men and women, and look on Hector; if

[6^9] And Priam answered, "Since, then, ever vou rejoiced to see him coming from battle
vou suffer me to bur\' my noble son with all when he was ali\'e, look now on him that was
due rites, do thus, Achilles, and I shall be grate- the glorv of our city and all our people."
ful. You know how we are pent up within our [yoy] At this there was not man nor woman
city; it is far for us to fetch wood from the left in the city, so great a sorrow had possessed
mountain, and the people live in fear. Nine them. Hard by the gates they met Priam as he
days, therefore, will we mourn Hector in my was bringing in the body. Hector's wife and his
house; on the tenth day we will bury him and mother were the first to mourn him: they flew
there shall be a public feast in his honour; on towards the waggon and laid their hands upon
the eleventh we will build a mound over his his head, while the crowd stood weeping round
ashes, and on the twelfth, if there be need, we them. They would have stayed before the gates,
will fight." weeping and lamenting the livelong day to the
And Achilles answered, "All, King Priam, going down of the sun, had not Priam spoken
shall be as you have said. I will stay our fight- to them from the chariot and said, "Make way
ing for as long a time as you have named." for the mules to pass you. Afterwards when I
[6yi] As he spoke he laid his hand on the have taken the bodv home you shall have your
old man's right wrist, in token that he should fill of weeping."

ha\e no fear; thus then did Priam and his at- [718] On this the people stood asunder, and
 BOOK XXIV 179
made a way waggon. When they had
for the "Hector," said she, "dearest of all my brothers-
borne the body within the house they laid it in-law— for I am wife to Alexandrus who
upon a bed and seated minstrels round it to lead brought me hither to Troy- would that I had
the dirge, whereon the women joined in the died ere he did so— twenty years are come and
sad music of their lament. Foremost among gone since I my home and came from over
left
them all Andromache led their wailing as she the sea, but have ne\'er heard one word of in-
I

clasped the head of mighty Hector in her em- sult or unkindness from you. When another
brace. "Husband, she cried, "you have died
" would chide with me, as it might be one of your
young, and leave me in vour house a widow: brothers or sisters or of your brothers' wives, or
he of whom we are the ill-starred parents is still my mother-in-law— for Priam was as kind to me
a mere child, and I fear he may not reach man- as though he were my own father— you would
hood. Ere he can do so our city wall be razed and rebuke and check them with words of gentle-
overthrown, for you who watched over it are ness and goodwill. Therefore my tears flow both
no more— you who were its saviour, the guard- for you and for my unhappy self, for there is
ian of our wives and children. Our women will no one else in Troy who is kind to me, but all
be carried away captives to the ships, and I shrink and shudder as they go by me."
among them; while you, my child, who will be [776] She wept as she spoke and the vast
with me will be put to some unseemly tasks, crowd that was gathered round her joined in
working for a cruel master. Or, may be, some her lament. Then King Priam spoke to them
Achasan will hurl you (O miserable death) saying, "Bring wood, O Trojans, to the city,
from our walls, to avenge some brother, son, or and fear no cunning ambush of the Argi\'es, for
father whom Hector slew; many of them have Achilles when he dismissed me from the ships
indeed bitten the dust at his hands, for your gave me his word that they should not attack
father's hand in battle was no light one. There- us until the morning of the twelfth day."
fore do the people mourn him. You have left, O [782] Forthwith they yoked their oxen and
Hector, sorrow unutterable to vour parents, mules and gathered together before the city.
and my own grief is greatest of all, for you did Nine days long did they bring in great heaps of
not stretch forth your arms and embrace me as wood, and on the morning of the tenth day
you lay dying, nor say to me any words that with many tears they took brave Hector forth,
might have lived with me in my tears night and laid his dead body upon the summit of the pile,
dav for evermore." and set the fire thereto. Then when the child
[746] Bitterly did she weep the while, and of morning rosy-fingered dawn appeared on the
the women joined in her lament. Hecuba in ele\'enth day, the people again assembled, round
her turn took up the strains of woe. "Hector," the pyre of mighty Hector. W^hen they were
she cried, "dearest to me of all my children. So got together, they first quenched the fire with
long as you were ali\'e the gods loved vou well, wine wherever it was burning, and then his
and even in death they have not been utterly brothers and comrades with many a bitter tear
unmindful when Achilles took any
of you; for gathered his white bones, wrapped them in
other of my sons,
he would sell him beyond the soft robes of purple, and laid them in a golden
seas, to Samos Imbrus or rugged Lemnos; and um, which they placed in a grave and covered
when he had slain vou too with his sword, over with large stones set close together. Then
many a time did he drag you round the sepul- they built a barrow hurriedly over it keeping
chre of his comrade— though this could not give guard on every side lest the Achasans should at-
him life— yet here you lie all fresh as dew, and tack them before they had finished. When they
comely as one whom Apollo has slain with his had heaped up the barrow they went back again
painless shafts." into the city, and being well assembled they
[760] Thus did she too speak through her held high feast in the house of Priam their king.
tears with bitter moan, and then Helen for a [804] Thus, then, did they celebrate the fu-
third time took up the strain of lamentation. neral of Hector tamer of horses.
THE ODYSSEY
 BOOK I

ME, O MUSE,
TELL
hero who
ingenious
and wide he
travelled far
of that
after
then kill Agamemnon, though he knew it would
be the death of him; for I sent Mercury to warn
had sacked the famous town of Troy. him not to do either of these things, inasmuch
Many cities did he visit, and many were the as Orestes would be sure to take his revenge
nations with whose manners and customs he when he grew up and wanted home.
to return
was acquainted; moreover he suffered much Mercury told him this in all good will but he
by sea while trying to save his own life and would not listen, and now he has paid for every-
bring his men safely home; but do what he thing in full."
might he could not save his men, for they per- [44] Then Minerva said, "Father, son of
ished through their own sheer folly in eating Saturn, King of kings, it served /Egisthus right,
the cattle of the Sun-god Hyperion; so the god and so it would any one else who does as he
prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell did; but /Egisthus is neither here nor there; it

me, too, about all these things, O

daughter of is for Ulysses that my heart bleeds, when 1

Jove, from whatsoever source you may know think of his sufferings in that lonely sea-girt
them. island, far away, poor man, from all his friends.
[ 1 1] So now all who escaped death in battle It is an island covered with forest, in the very

or by shipwreck had got safely home except middle of the sea, and a goddess lives there,
Ulysses, and he, though he was longing to re- daughter of the magician Atlas, who looks after
turn to his wife and country, was detained by the bottom of the ocean, and carries the great
the goddess Calypso, who had got him into a columns that keep heaven and earth asunder.
large cave and wanted to marry him. But as This daughter of Atlas has got hold of poor un-
years went by, there came a time when the gods happy Ulysses, and keeps trying by every kind
settled that he should go back to Ithaca; even of blandishment to make him forget his home,
then, however, when he was among his own so that he is tired of life, and thinks of nothing
people, his troubles were not yet over; never- but how he may once more see the smoke of
theless all the gods had now begun to pity him his own chimneys. You, sir, take no heed of
except Neptune, who still persecuted him with- this, and yet when Ulysses was before Troy did
out ceasing and would not let him get home. he not propitiate you with many a burnt sacri-
[zz] Now Neptune had gone off to the Ethi- fice? Why then should vou keep on being so
opians, who are at the world's end, and lie in angrv with him?"
two halves, the one looking West and the other [6^] And Jove said, "My child, what are you
East. He had gone there to accept a hecatomb talking about? How can I forget Ulysses than
of sheep and oxen, and was enjoying himself whom there is no more capable man on earth,
at his festival; but the other gods met in the nor more liberal in his offerings to the immor-
house of Olympian Jove, and the sire of gods tal gods that live in heaven? Bear in mind, how-
and men spoke first. At that moment he was ever, that Neptune is still furious with Ulysses
thinking of /Egisthus, who had been killed by for having blinded an eye of Polyphemus king
Agamemnon's son Orestes; so he said to the of the Cyclopes. Polyphemus is son to Neptune
other gods: by the nymph
Thoosa, daughter to the sea-king
[^2] "See now, how men lay blame upon us Phorcys; therefore though he will not kill
gods for what is after all nothing but their own Ulysses outright, he torments him by prevent-
folly. Look at /^gisthus; he must needs make ing him from getting home. Still, let us lay our
love to Agamemnon's wife unrighteously and heads together and see how we can help him to
^83
184 THE ODYSSEY
return; Neptune will then be pacified, for if many other spears of his unhappy father, and
we are all of a mind he can hardly stand out he conducted her to a richly decorated seat un-
against us." der which he threw a cloth of damask. There
[So] And Minerva said, "Father, son of Sat- was a footstool also for her feet, and he set an-
urn, King of kings, if, then, the gods now mean other seat near her for himself, away from the
that Ulysses should get home, we should first suitors, that she might not be annoyed while

send Mercury to the Ogygian island to tell eating by their noise and insolence, and that
Calypso that we have made up our minds and he might ask her more freely about his father.
that he is to return. In the meantime I will go /136J A maid servant then brought them
to Ithaca, to put heart into Ulysses' son Telem- water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it
achus; I will embolden him to call the Achae- into a silver basin forthem to wash their hands,
ans in assembly, and speak out to the suitors of and she drew a clean table beside them. An
his mother Penelope, who persist in eating up upper servant brought them bread, and offered
any number of his sheep and oxen; I will also them many good things of what there was in
conduct him to Sparta and to Pylos, to see if he the house, the carver fetched them plates of all
can hear anything about the return of his dear manner of meats and set cups of gold bv their
father— for this will make people speak well of side, and a manservant brought them wine and
him." poured it out for them.
[967 So saying she bound on her glittering [144] Then the suitors came in and took
golden sandals, imperishable, with which she their places on the benches and seats. Forth-
can flv like the wind over land or sea; she with men servants poured water over their
grasped the redoubtable bronze-shod spear, so hands, maids went round with the bread-bas-
stout and sturdy and strong, wherewith she kets, pages filled the mixing-bowls with wine
quells the ranks of heroes who have displeased and water, and they laid their hands upon the
her, and down she darted from the topmost good things that were before them. As soon as
summits of Olympus, whereon forthwith she they had had enough to eat and drink thev
was in Ithaca, at the gateway of Ulysses' house, wanted music and dancing, which are the
disguised as a visitor, Mentes, chief of the crowning embellishments of a banquet, so a
Taphians, and she held a bronze spear in her servant brought a lyre to Phemius, whom the\'
hand. There she found the lordly suitors seated compelled perforce to sing to them. As soon as
on hides of the oxen which they had killed and he touched his lyre and began to sing Telcma-
eaten, and playing draughts in front of the chus spoke low to Minerva, with his head close
house. Men-servants and pages were bustling to hers that no man might hear.
about to wait upon them, some mixing wine [is8] "I hope, sir," said he, "that you will
with water in the mixing-bowls, some cleaning not be offended with what I am going to say.
down the tables with wet sponges and laying Singing comes cheap to those who do not pay
them out again, and some cutting up great for it, and all this is done at the cost of one
quantities of meat. whose bones lie rotting in some wilderness or
[ii^] Telcmachus saw her long before any grinding to powder in the surf. If these men
one else did. He was sitting moodily among the were to see my father come back to Ithaca thev
suitors thinking about his brave father, and would pray for longer legs rather than a longer
how he would send them flying out of the purse, for money would not serve them; but he.
house, if he were to come to his own again and alas, has fallen on an ill fate, and even when
be honoured as in days gone by. Thus brood- people do sometimes say that he is coming, we
ing as he sat among them, he caught sight of no longer heed them; we shall never see him
Minerva and went straight to the gate, for he again. And now, sir, tell me and tell me true,
was vexed that a stranger should be kept wait- who you are and where you come from. Tell
ing for admittance. He took her right hand in me of your town and parents, what manner of
his own, and bade her give him her spear. ship you came in, how your crew brought you
"Welcome," said he, "to our house, and when to Ithaca, and of what nation thev declared
you have partaken of food you shall tell us what themselves to be— for you cannot have come
you have come for." by land. Tell me also trulv, for I want to know,
f 125] He led the way as he spoke, and Mi- are you a stranger to this house, or have you
nerva followed him. When they were within been here in my father's time? In the old days
he took her spear and set it in the spear-stand we had many visitors for my father went about
against a strong bearing-post along with the much himself."
 BOOK I 185
[178] And Minerva answered, "I will tell your question, so long as my father was here it
you truly and particularly all about it. I am was well with us and with the house, but the
Mentes, son of Anchialus, and I am King of the gods in their displeasure have willed it other-
Taphians. I have come here with my ship and wise, and have hidden him awav more closely
crew, on a voyage to men of a foreign tongue than mortal man was ever yet hidden. I could
being bound for Temesa with a cargo of iron, have borne it better even though he were dead,
and I shall bring back copper. As for my ship, if he had fallen with his men before Troy, or

it lies over yonder off the open country away had died with friends around him when the
from the town, in the harbour Rheithron under days of his fighting were done; for then the
the wooded mountain Neritum. Our fathers Achaeans would have built a mound over his
were friends before us, as old Lsertes will tell ashes, and I should myself have been heir to
you, if you will go and ask him. They say, how- his renown; but now the storm-winds have
ever, that he never comes to town now, and spirited him away we know not whither; he is
lives by himself in the country, faring hardly, gone without leaving so much as a trace behind
with an old woman to look after him and get him, and I inherit nothing but dismay. Nor
his dinner for him, when he comes in tired does the matter end simply with grief for the
from pottering about his vineyard. They told loss of my father; heaven has laid sorrows upon
me your father was at home again, and that was me of yet another kind; for the chiefs from all
whv I came, but it seems the gods are still keep- our islands, Dulichium, Same, and the wood-
ing him back, for he is not dead yet— not on land island of Zacynthus, as also all the princi-
the mainland. It is more likelv he is on some pal men of Ithaca itself, are eating up my house
sea-girt island in mid ocean, or a prisoner among under the pretext of paving their court to my
savages who are detaining him against his will. mother, who will neither point blank say that
I am no prophet, and know very little about she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an
omens, but I speak as it is borne in upon me end; so they are making havoc of my estate,
from heaven, and assure you that he will not and before long will do so also with myself."
be away much longer; for he is a man of such [2527 "Is that so?" exclaimed Minerva, "then
resource that even though he were in chains of you do indeed want Ulysses home again. Give
iron he would find some means of getting home him his helmet, shield, and a couple of lances,
again. But tell me, and tell me true, can Ulys- and if he is the man he was when I first knew
ses really have such a fine looking fellow for a him in our house, drinking and making merry,
son? You are indeed wonderfully like him about he would soon lay his hands about these ras-
the head and eyes, for we were close friends be- cally suitors, were he to stand once more upon
fore he set sail for Troy where the flower of all his own threshold. He was then coming from
the Argives went also. Since that time we have Ephyra, where he had been to beg poison for
never either of us seen the other." his arrows from Ilus, son of Mermerus. Ilus
[214] "My mother," answered Telemachus, feared the ever living gods and would not give
"tells me I am son to Ulysses, but it is a wise him any, but my father let him have some, for
child that knows his own father. Would that I he was very fond of him. If Ulysses is the man
were son to one who had grown old upon his he then was these suitors will have a short
own estates, for, since you ask me, there is no shrift and a sorry wedding.
more ill-starred man under heaven than he who [zSy] "But there! It rests with heaven to de-
they tell me is my father." termine whether he is to return, and take his
[2237 And Minerva said, "There is no fear revenge in his own house or no; I would, how-
of your race dying out yet, while Penelope has ever, urge you to set about trying to get rid of
such a fine son as you are. But tell me, and tell these suitors at once. Take my advice, call the
me true, what is the meaning of all this feast- Achaean heroes in assembly tomorrow morn-
ing, and who are these peopler" What is it all ing—lay your case before them, and call heaven
about? Have you some banquet, or is there a to bear you witness. Bid the suitors take them-
wedding in the family— for no one seems to be selves off, each to his own place, and if your
bringing any provisions of his own? And the mother's mind is set on marrying again, let her
guests—how atrociously they are behaving; go back to her father, who will find her a hus-
what riot they make over the whole house; it is band and provide her with all the marriage gifts
enough to disgust any respectable person who that so dear a daughter may expect. As for
comes near them." yourself, let me prevail upon you to take the
[2^0] "Sir," said Telemachus, "as regards best ship you can get, with a crew of twenty
;86 THE ODYSSEY
men, and go in quest of your father who has so not alone, but attended by two of her hand-
long been missing. Some one may tell you some- maids. When she reached the suitors she stood
thing, or (and people often hear things in this by one of the bearing posts that supported the
way) some heaven-sent message may direct roof of the cloisters with a staid maiden on
you. First go to Pylos and ask ^Jestor; thence either side of her. She held a veil, moreover,
go on to Sparta and visit Menelaus, for he got before her face, and was weeping bitterly.
home last of all the Achaeans; if you hear that [337] "Phemius, she cried, "you know many
"

your father is ali\'e and on his way home, you another feat of gods and heroes, such as poets
can put up with the waste these suitors will love to celebrate. Sing the suitors some one of
make for yet another twelve months. If on the these, and let them drink their wine in silence,
other hand you hear of his death, come home but cease this sad tale, for it breaks my sorrow-
at once, celebrate his funeral rites with all due ful heart, and reminds me of my lost husband
pomp, build a barrow to his memory', and make whom I mourn ever without ceasing, and whose
your mother marry again. Then, having done name was great over all Hellas and middle
all this, think it well over in your mind how, Argos."
by fair means or foul, you may kill these suitors [345] "Mother," answered Telemachus, "let
in your own house. You are too old to plead the bard sing what he has a mind to; bards do
infancy any longer; have you not heard how not make the ills they sing of; it is Jove, not
people are singing Orestes' praises for having they, who makes them, and who sends weal or
killed his father's murderer y^igisthusr You are woe upon mankind according to his own good
a fine, smart looking fellow; show your mettle, pleasure. This fellow means no harm by sing-
then, and make yourself a name in story. Now, ing the ill-fated return of the Danaans, for
however, I must go back to my ship and to my people always applaud the latest songs most
crew, who will be impatient if I keep them warmly. Make up your mind to it and bear it;
waiting longer; think the matter over for your- Ulysses not the only man who never came
is

self, and remember what I have said to you." back from Troy, but many another went down
[^06] "Sir," answered Telemachus, "it has as well as he. Go, then, within the house and
been very kind of you to talk to me in this way, busy yourself with your daily duties, your
as though I were your own son, and I will do loom, your distaff, and the ordering of your
all you tell me; I know you want to be getting servants; for speech is man's matter, and mine
on with your voyage, but stay a little longer till above all others— for it is I who am master
you have taken a bath and refreshed yourself. here."
I will then give you a present, and you shall go [360] She went wondering back into the
on your way rejoicing; I will gi\'e you one of house, and laid her son's saying in her heart.
great beauty and value— a keepsake such as Then, going upstairs with her handmaids into
only dear friends give to one another." her room, she mourned her dear husband till
[^14] Minerva answered, "Do not tr)' to Minerva shed sweet sleep over her eyes. But
keep me, for I would be on my way at once. the suitors were clamorous throughout the cov-
As for any present you may be disposed to make ered cloisters, and prayed each one that he
me, keep it till I come again, and I will take it might be her bed fellow.
home with me. You shall give me a very good [36S] Then Telemachus spoke, "Shame-
one, and I will give you one of no less value in less," he cried, "and insolent suitors, let us
return." feast at our pleasure now, and let there be no

[3^9] With these words she flew away like brawling, for it is a rare thing to hear a man

a bird into the air, but she had given Telema- with such a divine voice as Phemius has; but
chus courage, and had made him think more in the morning meet me in full assembly that
than ever about his father. He felt the change, I may give you formal notice to depart, and

wondered at it, and knew that the stranger had feast at one another's houses, turn and turn
been a god, so he went straight to where the about, at your own cost. If on the other hand
suitors were sitting. you choose to persist in spunging upon one
[^2.^] Phemius was still singing, and his man, heaven help me, but Jove shall reckon
hearers sat rapt in silence as he told the sad tale with you in full, and when you fall in my
of the return from 1 roy, and the ills Minerva father's house there shall be no man to avenge
had laid upon the Achasans. Penelope, daugh- you."
ter of Icarius, heard his song from her room up- [381] The suitors bit their lips as they heard
stairs, and came down by the great staircase, him, and marvelled at the boldness of his
 BOOK I 187
speech. Then, Antinous, son of Eupeithes, ecy ings no heed. As for the stranger, he was
said, "The gods seem tohave given you lessons Mentes, son of .Anchialus, chief of the Taphi-
in bluster and tall talking; may Jove never ans, an old friend of my father's." But in his
grant vou to be chief in Ithaca as your father heart he knew that it had been the goddess.
was before vou." [421] The suitors then returned to their
/ 388J Telemachus answered, "Antinous, do singing and dancing until the evening; but
not chide with me, but, god willing, I will be when night fell upon their pleasuring they
chief too if I can. Is this the worst fate you can went home to bed each in his own abode. Te-
think of for me? It is no bad thing to be a lemachus's room was high up in a tower that
chief, for it brings both riches and honour. looked on to the outer court: hither, then, he
Still, now that Ulysses is dead there are many hied, brooding and full of thought. A good old
great men in Ithaca both old and voung, and woman, Euryclea, daughter of Ops, the son of
some other mav take the lead among them; Pisenor, went before him with a couple of
nevertheless I will be chief in mv own house, blazino torches. Laertes had bought her with
and will rule those whom Ulysses has won for his own money when she was quite young; he
me." ga\'e the worth of twenty oxen for her, and

[399] Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, shewed as much respect to her in his household
answered, "It rests with heaven to decide who as he did to his own wedded wife, but he did
shall be chief among us, but vou shall be mas- not take her to his bed for he feared his wife's
ter in your own house and over your own pos- resentment. She it was who now lighted Te-
sessions; no one while there is a man in Ithaca lemachus to his room, and she loved him better
shall do vou violence nor rob vou. And now, than anv of the other women in the house did,
my good fellow, I want to know about this for she had nursed him when he was a baby.
stranger. What country does he come from? Of He opened the door of his bed room and sat
what family is he, and where is his estate? Has down upon the bed; as he took off his shirt he
he brought vou news about the return of vour gave it to the good old woman, who folded it
father, or was he on business of his own? He tidily up, and hung it for him over a peg by
seemed a well-to-do man, but he hurried off so his bed side, after which she went out, pulled
suddenlv that he was gone in a moment before the door to by a silver catch, and drew the bolt
we could get to know him." home by means of the strap. But Telemachus
[412] "Mv father is dead and gone," an- as he lay covered with a woollen fleece kept
swered Telemachus, "and even if some rumour thinking all night through of his intended voy-
reaches me I put no more faith in it now. My age and of the counsel that Minerva had given
mother does indeed sometimes send for a sooth him.
sayer and question him, but I give his proph-
 BOOK II

NOW when the child of morning, rosy-

fingered Dawn, appeared, Telemachus
any host approaching about which I would
warn you, nor is there any matter of public
rose and dressed himself. He bound his moment on which I would speak. My griev-
sandals on to his comely feet, girded his sword ance is purely personal, and turns on two great
about his shoulder, and left his room looking misfortunes which have fallen upon my house.
like an immortal god. He at once sent the criers The first of these is the loss of my excellent
round to call the people in assembly, so they father, who was chief among
you here pres-
all

called them and the people gathered thereon; ent, and was like a father to every one of you;
then, when they were got together, he went to the second is much more serious, and ere long
the place of assembly spear in hand— not alone, will be the utter ruin of my estate. The sons of
for his two hounds went with him. Minerva all the chief men among you are pestering my
endowed him with a presence of such divine mother to marry them against her will.They
comeliness that all marvelled at him as he went are afraid to go to her father Icarius, asking him
by, and when he took his place in his father's to choose the one he likes best, and to provide
seat even the oldest councillors made way for marriage gifts for his daughter, but day by day
him. they keep hanging about my father's house,
[i^] /Egyptius, a man bent double with sacrificing our oxen, sheep, and fat goats for
age, and of infinite experience, was the first to their banquets, and never giving so much as a
speak. His son Antiphus had gone with Ulys- thought to the quantity of wine they drink.
ses to Ilius, land of noble steeds, but the savage No estate can stand such recklessness; we have
Cyclops had killed him when they were all now no Ulysses to ward off harm from our
shut up in the cave, and had cooked his last doors, and I cannot hold my own against them.
dinner for him. He had three sons left, of I shall never all my days be as good a man as

whom two still worked on their father's land, he was, still I would indeed defend myself if I
while the third, Eurynomus, was one of the had power to do so, for I cannot stand such
suitors; nevertheless their father could not get treatment any longer; my house is being dis-
over the loss of Antiphus, and was still weeping graced and ruined. Have respect, therefore, to
for him when he began his speech. your own consciences and to public opinion.
[2^] "Men of Ithaca," he said, "hear my Fear, too, the wrath of heaven, lest the gods
words. From the day Ulysses left us there has should be displeased and turn upon you. I
been no meeting of our councillors until now; pray you by Jove and Themis, who is the be-
who then can it be, whether old or young, that ginning and the end of councils, [do not] hold
finds it so necessary to convene us? Has he got back, my friends, and leave me singlehanded—
wind of some host approaching, and does he unless it be that my brave father Ulysses did
wish to warn us, or would he speak upon some some wrong Achasans which you would
to the
other matter of public moment? I am sure he now avenge on me, by aiding and abetting
is an excellent person, and I hope Jove will these suitors. Moreover, if I am to be eaten out
grant him his heart's desire." of house and home at all, I had rather you did
[35^ Telemachus took this speech as of good the eating yourselves, for I could then take ac-
omen and rose at once, for he was bursting with tion against you to some purpose, and ser\'e you
what he had to say. He stood in the middle of with notices from house to house till I got paid
the assembly and the good herald Pisenor in full, whereas now I have no remedy."
brought him his staff. Then, turning to /Egyp- [80] With this Telemachus dashed his staff
tius, "Sir," said he, "it is I. as you will shortly to the ground and burst into tears. Every one
learn, who have convened vou, for it is I who was verv' sorry for him, but they all sat still and
am the most aggrieved. I have not got wind of no one \entured to make him an angry answer,
 BOOK II 189
save only Antinous, who spoke thus: do not know whether he is alive or dead. It will
[8^] "Telemachus, insolent braggart that you be hard on me if I have to pay Icarius the large
are, how dare you try to throw the blame upon sum which I must give him if I insist on send-
us suitors? It is your mother's fault not ours, for ing his daughter back to him. Not only will he
she is a very artful woman. This three years deal rigorously with me, but heaven will also
past, and close on four, she has been driving punish me; for my mother when she leaves
us out of our minds, by encouraging each one the house will call on the Erinyes to avenge
of us, and sending him messages without mean- her; besides, it would not be a creditable thing
ing one word of what she says. And then there to do, and I will have nothing to say to it. If
was that other trick she played us. She set up you choose to take offence at this, leave the
a great tambour frame in her room, and began house and feast elsewhere at one another's
to work on an enormous piece of fine needle- houses at your own cost turn and turn about.
work. 'Sweet hearts,' said she, 'Ulysses is in- If, on the other hand, you elect to persist in

deed dead, still do not press me to marry again spunging upon one man, heaven help me, but
immediately, wait— for I would not have my Jove shall reckon with you in full, and when
skillin needlework perish unrecorded— till I you fall in my father's house there shall be no
have completed a pall for the hero Laertes, to man to avenge you."
be in readiness against the time when death [146] As he spoke Jove sent two eagles from
shall take him. He is very rich, and the women the top of the mountain, and they flew on and
of the place will talk if he is laid out without on with the wind, sailing side by side in their
a pall.' own lordly flight. When they were right over
[10^] "This was what she said, and we as- the middle of the assembly they wheeled and
sented; whereon we could see her working on circled about, beating the air with their wings
her great web all day long, but at night she and glaring death into the eyes of them that
would unpick the stitches again by torchlight. were below; then, fighting fiercely and tearing
She fooled us in this way for three years and at one another, they flew off^ towards the right
we never found her out, but as time wore on over the town. The people wondered as they
and she was now in her fourth year, one of her saw them, and asked each other what all this
maids who knew what she was doing told us, might be; whereon Halitherses, who was the
and we caught her in the act of undoing her best prophet and reader of omens among them,
work, so she had whether she would
to finish it spoke to them plainly and in all honesty, say-
or no. The make you this an-
suitors, therefore, ing:
swer, that both you and the Achaeans may [161] "Hear me, men of Ithaca, and I speak
understand— 'Send your mother away, and bid more particularly to the suitors, for I see mis-
her marry the man of her own and of her fa- chief brewing for them. Ulysses is not going to
ther's choice'; for I do not know what will hap- be away much longer; indeed he is close at
pen if she goes on plaguing us much longer hand to deal out death and destruction, not
with the airs she gives herself on the score of the on them alone, but on many another of us who
accomplishments Minerva has taught her, and live in Ithaca. Let us then be wise in time, and
because she is so clever. We never yet heard of put a stop to this wickedness before he comes.
such a woman; we know all about Tyro, Alc- Let the suitors do so of their own accord; it will
mena, Mycene, and the famous women of old, be better for them, for I am not prophesying
but they were nothing to your mother, any one without due knowledge; everything has hap-
of them. It was not her to treat us in that
fair of pened to Ulysses as I foretold when the Argives
way, and as long as she continues in the mind set out for Troy, and he with them. I said that
with which heaven has now endowed her, so after going through much hardship and losing
long shall we go on eating up your estate; and all his men he should come home again in the
I do not see why she should change, for she gets twentieth year and that no one would know
allthe honour and glory, and it is you who him; and now all this is coming true."
pay for it, not she. Understand, then, that we [ I jj] Eurymachus son of Polybus then said,
will not go back
to our lands, neither here nor "Go home, old man, and prophesy to your own
elsewhere, she has made her choice and
till children, or it may be worse for them. I can
married some one or other of us." read these omens myself much better than you
[129] Telemachus answered, "Antinous, how can; birds are always flying about in the sun-
can I drive the mother who bore me from my shine somewhere or other, but they seldom
father's house? My
father is abroad and we mean anything. Ulysses has died in a far coun-
190 THE ODYSSEY
tn', and it is a pity you are not dead along with [229] "Hear me, men of Ithaca, I hope that
him, instead of prating here about omens and you mav never have a kind and well-disposed
adding fuel to the anger of Telemachus which ruler anv more, nor one who will govern you

is fierce enough as it is. I suppose you think he

equitably; I hope that all your chiefs hence-
will aive vou something for your family, but I forward may be cruel and unjust, for there is
tell you— and it shall surely be— when an old not one of you but has forgotten Ulvsses, who
man like you, who should know better, talks a ruled vou as though he were vour father. I am
young one over till he becomes troublesome, in not half so angry with the suitors, for if they
the first place his young friend will only fare choose to do violence in the naughtiness of
so much the worse— he will take nothing by it, their hearts, and wager their heads that Ulysses

for the suitors will prevent this— and in the will not return, they can take the high hand

next, we will lay a heavier fine, sir, upon your- and eat up his estate, but as for you others I
selfthan vou will at all like paying, for it will am shocked at the way in which vou all sit still
bear hardlv upon you. As for Telemachus, I without even trying to stop such scandalous go-
warn him in the presence of you all to send his ings on— which you could do if you chose, for
mother back to her father, who will find her vou are many and they are few."
a husband and provide her with all the mar- [242] Leiocritus, son of Evenor, answered
riage gifts so dear a daughter may expect. Till him saving, "Mentor, what folly is all this, that
then we shall go on harassing him with our vou should set the people to stay us? It is a hard
suit; for we fear no man, and care neither for thing for one man to fight with many about
him, with all nor for any
his fine speeches, his victuals. E\'cn though Ulysses himself were
fortune-telling of yours. You may preach as to set upon us uhile we are feasting in his
much as vou please, but we shall only hate you house, and do his best to oust us, his wife, who
the more. We
shall go back and continue to eat wants him back so very badly, would have
up Telemachus's estate without paying him, small cause for rejoicing, and his blood would
till such time as his mother leaves off torment- be upon his own head if he fought against such
ing us by keeping us day after day on the tip- great odds. There is no sense in what you have
toe of expectation, each vying with the other been saying. Now, therefore, do you people go
in his suit for a prize of such rare perfection. about vour business, and let his father's old
we cannot go after the other women
Besides friends. Mentor and Halitherses, speed this boy
whom we should marry in due course, but for on his journev, if he goes at all— which I do not
the way which she treats us."
in think he will, for he is more likely to stay where
[208] Then Telemachus said,"Eur^'machus, he is till some one comes and tells him some-
and you other suitors, 1 shall say no more, and thing."
entreat you no further, for the gods and the [257] On he broke up the assembly, and
this

people of Ithaca now know my story. Give me, every man went back to his own abode, while
then, a ship and a crew of twenty men to take the suitors returned to the house of Ulysses.
me hither and thither, and I will go to Sparta [260] Then Telemachus went all alone by
and to Pvlos in quest of my father who has the sea side, washed his hands in the grey
so long been missing. Some one may tell me waves, and prayed to Miner\'a.
something, or (and people often hear things [262] "Hear me," he cried, "you god who
in this way) some heaven-sent message may \'isited me yesterday, and bade me sail the seas

direct me. If I can hear of him as alive and in search of my father who has so long been
on his way home I will put up with the missing. I would obey you, but the Achasans,
waste you suitors will make for yet another and more particularly the wicked suitors, are
twelve months. If on the other hand I hear of hindering me that I cannot do so."
his death, I will return at once, celebrate his [267] As he thusprayed, Minerva came close
funeral rites with all due pomp, build a bar- up to him in the likeness and with the voice of
row to his memory, and make my mother marry Mentor. "Telemachus," said she, "if you are
again." made of the same stuff as your father you will
[224] With these words he sat down, and be neither fool nor coward henceforward, for
Mentor who had been a friend of Ulysses, and Ulysses never broke his word nor left his work
had been left in charge of everything with full half done. If, then, you take after him, your
authority over the servants, rose to speak. He, voyage will not be fruitless, but unless you
then, plainly and in all honesty addressed them have the blood of Ulysses and of Penelope in
thus: your veins I see no likelihood of your succeed-
 BOOK 11 191
ing. Sons are seldom as good men as their thinks he can bring friends to help him from
fathers; they are generally worse, not better; Pylos, or again from Sparta, where he seems
still, you are not going to be either fool or
as bent on going. Or will he go to Ephyra as well,
coward henceforward, and are not entirely for poison to put in our wine and kill us?"
without some share of your father's wise dis- [33 1 7 Another said, "Perhaps if Telemachus
cernment, I look with hope upon your under- goes on board ship, he will be like his father
taking. But mind vou never make common and perish far from his friends. In this case we
cause with anv of those foolish suitors, for they should have plenty to do, for we could then
have neither sense nor \'irtue, and give no divide up his property amongst us: as for the
thought to death and to the doom that will house we can let his mother and the man who
shortly fall on one and all of them, so that they marries her have that."
shall perish on the same day. As for your voy- [3^7] This was how they talked. But Te-
age, it shall not be long delayed; your father lemachus went down into the lofty and spa-
was such an old friend of mine that I will find cious store-room where his father's treasure of
vou a ship, and will come with you myself. gold and bronze lay heaped up upon the floor,
Now. however, return home, and go about and where the linen and spare clothes were
among the suitors; begin getting provisions kept in oaken chests. Here, too, there was a
ready for your \'oyage; see everything well store of fragrant olive oil, while casks of old
stowed, the wine in jars, and the barley meal, well-ripened wine, unblended and fit for a god

which is the staff of life, in leathern bags, while to drink, were ranged against the wall in case
I go round the town and beat up volunteers at Ulysses should come home again after all. The
once. There are many ships in Ithaca both old room was closed with well-made doors opening
and new; I will run my eye over them for vou in the middle; moreover the faithful old house-
and will choose the best; we will get her ready keeper Euryclea, daughter of Ops the son of
and will put out to sea without delay." Pisenor, was in charge of everything both night
[296] Thus spoke Minerva daughter of Jove, and day. Telemachus called her to the store-
and Telemachus lost no time in doing as the room and said:
goddess told him. He went moodily home, and [^49] "Nurse, draw me ofT some of the best
found the suitors flaying goats and singeing wine vou ha\'e, after what you are keeping for
pigs in the outer court. Antinous came up to my father's own drinking, in case, poor man,
him at once and laughed as he took his hand in he should escape death, and find his way home
his own, saying, "Telemachus, my fine fire- again after all. Let me have twelve jars, and
eater, bear no more ill blood neither in word see that they all have lids; also fill me some
nor deed, but eat and drink with us as you used well-sewn leathern bags with barley meal-
to do. The Achaeans will find you in every- about twenty measures in all. Get these things
thing—a ship and a picked crew to boot— so put together at once, and say nothing about it.
that vou can set sail for Pylos at once and get I will take everything away this evening as

news of your noble father." soon as my mother has gone upstairs for the
[^09] "Antinous," answered Telemachus, "I night. I am going to Sparta and to Pylos to see
cannot eat in peace, nor take pleasure of any if I can hear anything about the return of my

kind with such men as you are. Was it not dear father.
enough that you should waste so much good [^61] When Euryclea heard this she began
property of mine while I was yet a boy? Now to cry, and spoke fondly to him, saying, "My
that I am older and know more about it, I am dear child, what ever can have put such a
also stronger, and whether here among this notion as that into your head? Where in the
people, or by going to Pylos, I will do you all world do you want to go to— you, who are the
the harm I can. I shall go, and my going will one hope of the house? Your poor father is dead
not be in vain— though, thanks to you suitors, and gone in some foreign country nobody
I have neither ship nor crew of my own, and knows where, and as soon as your back is turned
must be passenger not captain." these wicked ones here will be scheming to get
[3217 As he spoke he snatched his hand you put out of the way, and will share all your
from that of Antinous. Meanwhile the others possessions among themselves; stay where you
went on getting dinner ready about the build- are among your own people, and do not go
ings, jeering at him tauntingly as they did so. wandering and worrying your life out on the

[^2^] "Telemachus," said one youngster, barren ocean."

"means to be the death of us; I suppose he [3,71] 'Tear not, nurse," answered Telem-
192 THE ODYSSEY
achus, "my scheme is not without heavens give 'your orders, so make haste and let us be
sanction; but swear that you will say nothing off."

about all this to my mother, till I have been [40^] On this she led the way, while Telem-
away some tweUe
ten or days, unless she hears achus followed in her steps. When they got to
of my having gone, and asks you; for I do not the ship they found the crew waiting by the
want her to spoil her beauty by crying." water side, and Telemachus said, "Now my
[377] The old woman swore most solemnly men, help me to get the stores on board; they
that she would not, and when she had com- are all put together in the cloister, and my
pleted her oath, she began drawing ofF the mother does not know anything about it, nor
wine into jars, and getting the barley meal into any of the maid servants except one."
the bags, while Telemachus went back to the /413] With these words he led the way and
suitors. the others followed after. When they had
[382] Then Minerva bethought her of an- brought the things as he told them, Telema-
other matter. She took his shape, and went chus went on board, Minerva going before him
round the town to each one of the crew, telling and taking her seat in the stern of the vessel,
them to meet at the ship by sundown. She while Telemachus sat beside her. Then the
went also to Noemon son of Phronius, and men loosed the hawsers and took their places
asked him to let her have a ship— which he was on the benches. Minerva sent them a fair wind
very ready to do. When the sun had set and from the West, that whistled over the deep
darkness was over all the land, she got the blue waves whereon Telemachus told them to
ship into the water, put all the tackle on board catch hold of the ropes and hoist sail, and they
her that ships generally carry, and stationed did as he told them. They set the mast in its
her at the end of the harbour. Presentlv the socket in the cross plank, raised it, and made it

crew came up, and the goddess spoke encourag- fast with the forestays; then they hoisted their
ingly to each of them. white sails aloft with ropes of twisted ox hide.
[593] Furthermore she went to the house of As the sail bellied out with the wind, the ship
Ulysses, and threw the suitors into a deep slum- flew through the deep blue water, and the
ber. She caused their drink to fuddle them, foam hissed against her bows as she sped on-
and made them drop their cups from their ward. Then they made all fast throughout the
hands, so that instead of sitting over their wine, ship, filled the mixing-bowls to the brim, and
they went back into the town to sleep, with made drink offerings to the immortal gods that
their eyes heavy and full of drowsiness. Then are from everlasting, but more particularly to
she took the form and voice of Mentor, and the grey-eyed daughter of Jove.
called Telemachus to come outside. [434] Thus, then, the ship sped on her way
[402] "Telemachus," said she, "the men are through the watches of the night from dark
on board and at their oars, waiting for you to till dawn.
 BOOK III

father and his brother Thrasymedes. Then he

BUT into the
sun was rising from the fair sea
as the
firmament of heaven to shed gave them their portions of the inward meats
hght on mortals and immortals, they and poured wine for them into a golden cup,
reached Pylos the city of Neleus. Now the peo- handing it to Minerva first, and saluting her at
ple of Pylos were gathered on the sea shore to the same time.
offer sacrifice of black bulls to Neptune lord of [4^] "Offer a prayer, sir," said he, "to King
the Earthquake. There were nine guilds with Neptune, for it is his feast that you are joining;
five hundred men in each, and there were nine when vou have duly prayed and made your
bulls to each guild. As they were eating the in- drink-offering, pass the cup to your friend that
ward meats and burning the thigh bones [on he may do so also. I doubt not that he too lifts
the embers] in the name of Neptune, Telema- his hands in prayer, for man cannot live with-
chus and his crew arrived, furled their sails, out God in the world. Still he is younger than
brought their ship to anchor, and went ashore. you are, and is much of an age with myself, so
[12] Minerva led the way and Telemachus I will give you the precedence."

followed her. Presently she said, "Telemachus, /51J As he spoke he handed her the cup.
you must not be in the least shy or nervous; you MinerA'a thought it very right and proper of
have taken this voyage to try and find out where him to have given it to herself first; she accord-
vour father is buried and how he came by his i igly began praying heartily to Neptune. "O
end; so go straight up to Nestor that we may thou," she cried, "that encirclest the earth,
see what he has got to tell us. Beg of him to ^'ouchsafe to grant the prayers of thy servants
speak the truth, and he will tell no lies, for he that call upon More especially we pray
thee.
is an excellent person." thee send down thy grace on Nestor and on his
[11] "But how. Mentor," replied Telema- sons; thereafter also make the rest of the Pylian
chus, "dareI go up to Nestor, and how am I to people some handsome return for the goodly
address him? I have never yet been used to hecatomb they are offering you. Lastly, grant
holding long conversations with people, and Telemachus and myself a happy issue, in re-
am ashamed to begin questioning one who is so spect of the matter that has brought us in our
much older than myself." ship to Pylos."
[257 "Some things, Telemachus," answered [62] When she had thus made an end of
Minerva, "will be suggested to you by your praying, she handed the cup to Telemachus
own instinct, and heaven will prompt you fur- and he prayed likewise. By and by, when the
ther; for I am assured that the gods have been outer meats were roasted and had been taken
with you from the time of your birth until now." off the spits, the carvers gave every man his
[zg] She then went quickly on, and Telem- portion and they all made an excellent dinner.
achus followed in her steps till they reached the As soon as they had had enough to eat and
place where the guilds of the Pylian people drink, Nestor, knight of Gerene, began to speak.
were assembled. There they found Nestor sit- [69] "Now," said he, "that our guests have
ting with his sons, while his company round done their dinner, it will be best to ask them
him were busy getting dinner ready, and putting who they are. Who, then, sir strangers, are you,
pieces of meat on to the spits while other pieces and from what port have you sailed? Are you
were cooking. When they saw the strangers traders? or do you sail the seas as rovers with
they crowded round them, took them by the your hand against every man, and every man's
hand and bade them take their places. Nestor's hand against you?"
son Pisistratus at once offered his hand to each [y^] Telemachus answered boldly, for Mi-
of them, and seated them on some soft sheep- nerva had given him courage to ask about his
skins that were lying on the sands near his father and get himself a good name.

193
194 THE ODYSSEY
[yg] "Nestor," said he, "son of Neleus, hon- to vex the Argives on their homeward voyage;
our to the Achaean name, you ask whence we for they had not all been either wise or under-
come, and I will tell you. We
come from Ithaca standing, and hence many came to a bad end
under Neritum, and the matter about which I through the displeasure of Jove's daughter Mi-
would speak is of private not public import. I nerva, who brought about a quarrel between
seek news of my unhappy father Ulysses, who the two sons of Atreus.
is have sacked the town of Troy in com-
said to [^37] "The sons of Atreus called a meeting
pany with yourself. We know what fate befell which was not as it should be, for it was sunset
each one of the other heroes who fought at and the Achaeans were heavy with wine. When
Troy, but as regards Ulysses heaven has hidden they explained why they had called the people
from us the knowledge even that he is dead at together, it seemed that Menelaus was for sail-
all, for no one can certify us in what place he ing homeward at once, and this displeased Aga-
perished, nor say whether he fell in battle on memnon, who thought that we should wait till
the mainland, or was lost at sea amid the waves we had offered hecatombs to appease the .unger
of Amphitrite. Therefore I am suppliant at of Minerva. Fool that he was, he might have
your knees, if haply you may be pleased to tell known that he would not prevail with her, for
me of his melancholy end, whether you saw it when the gods have made up their minds they
with your own eyes, or heard it from some other do not change them lightly. So the two stood
traveller, for he was a man born to trouble. Do bandying hard words, whereon the Achaeans
not soften things out of any pity for me, but sprang to their feet with a cry that rent the air,
tell me in all plainness exactly what you saw. and were of two minds as to what they should do.
If my brave father Ulysses ever did you loyal [ i^i] "That night we rested and nursed our

service, either by word or deed, when you anger, for Jove was hatching mischief against
Achaeans were harassed among the Troj:ms, us. But in the morning some of us drew our

bear it in mind now as in my favour and tell ships into the water and put our goods with
me truly all." our women on board, while the rest, about half
[102]"My friend," answered Nestor, "you in number, stayed behind with Agamemnon.
recall a time of much sorrow to my mind, for We— the other half— embarked and sailed; and
the brave Achasans suffered much both at sea, the ships went well, for heaven had smoothed
while privateering under Achilles, and when the sea. When we reached Tenedos we offered
fighting before the great city of king Priam. sacrifices to the gods, for we were longing to

Our best men all of them fell there— Ajax, get home; cruel Jove, however, did not yet mean
Achilles, Patroclus peer of gods in counsel, and that we should do so, and raised a second quar-
my own dear son Antilochus, a man singularly rel in the course of which some among us turned

fleet of foot and But we suffered

in fight valiant. their ships back again, and sailed away under
much more than what mortal tongue in-
this; Ulysses to make their peace with Agamemnon;
deed could tell the whole story? Though you but I, and all the ships that were with me
were to stay here and question me for five years, pressed forward, for I saw that mischief was
or even six, I could not tell you all that the brewing. The son of Tydeus went on also with
Achaeans suffered, and you would turn home me, and his crews with him. Later on Mene-
ward weary of my tale before it ended. Nine laus joined us at Lesbos, and found us making
long years did we try every kind of stratagem, up our minds about our course— for we did not
but the hand of heaven was against us; during know whether to go outside Chios by the island
all this time there was no one who could com- of Psyra, keeping this to our left, or inside
pare with your father in subtlety— if indeed you Chios, over against the stormy headland of
are his son— I can hardly believe my eyes— and Mimas. So we asked heaven for a sign, and were
you talk just like him too— no one would say shown one to the eflFect that we should be soon-
that people of such difl^^erent ages could speak est out of danger if we headed our ships across
so much alike. He
never had any kind of
and I the open sea to Euboea. 1 his we therefore did,
difference from first camp nor
to last neither in and a fair wind sprang up which gave us a
council, but in singleness of heart and purpose quick passage during the night to Gerasstus,
we advised the Argives how all might be or- where we offered many sacrifices to Neptune
dered for the best. for having helped us so far on our way. Four
[i^o] "When, however, we had sacked the days later Diomed and his men stationed their
city of Priam, and were setting sail in our ships ships in Argos, but I held on for Pylos, and the
as heaven had dispersed us, then Jove saw fit wind never fell light from the day when heaven
 BOOK III 195
first made it fair for me. what are you talking about? Heaven has a long
[184] "Therefore, my dear young friend, I arm if it is minded to save a man; and if it were
returned without hearing anything about the me, should not care how much I suffered be-
I

others. I know neither who got home safely nor fore getting home, provided I could be safe
who were lost but, as in duty bound, I will when I was once there. I would rather this,
give vou without reserve the reports that have th::n get home quicklv, and then be killed in
reached me since I have been here in mv own mv own house as Agamemnon was by the treach-
house. The)' sav the Myrmidons returned home ery of /Egisthus and his wife. Still, death is
safely under Achilles' son Neoptolemus; so also certain, and when a man's hour is come, not
did the valiant son of Poias, Philoctetes. Idome- even the gods can save him, no matter how
neus, again, lost no men at sea, and all his fol- fond they are of him."
lowers who
escaped death in the field got safe [240] "Mentor," answered Telemachus, "do
home with him to Crete. No matter how far not let us talk about it any more. There is no
out of the world vou live, you will have heard chance of mv father's ever coming back; the
of Agamemnon and the bad end he came to at gods have long since counselled his destruction.
the hands of /Egisthus— and a fearful reckon- There is something else, however, about which
ing did /Egisthus presently pay. See what a I should like to ask Nestor, for he knows much

20od thins it is for a man to leave a son behind more than any one else does. They sav he has
him to do as Orestes did, who killed false reigned for three generations so that it is like
/Egisthus the murderer of his noble father. talking to an immortal. Tell me, therefore,
You too, then— for you are a tall, smart-looking Nestor, and tell me true; how did Agamemnon
fellow— show your mettle and make yourself a come way? What was Menelsus
to die in that
name in story." doing? And how came false /Egisthus to kill
[201] "Nestor son of Neleus," answered so far better a than himself? Was Mene-
man
Telemachus, "honour to the Achaean name, laus awav Achaean Argos, voyaging else-
frt)m
the Achaeans applaud Orestes and his name whither among mankind, that /Egisthus took
will live through all time for he has avenged heart and killed Agamemnon?"
his father nobly. Would that heaven might [2^4] "I will tell you truly," answered Nes-
grant me to do like vengeance on the insolence tor, "and indeed you have yourself divined how

of the wicked suitors, who are ill treating me it all happened. If Menelaus when he got back

and plotting my ruin; but the gods have no from Troy had found /Egisthus still alive in
such happiness in store for me and for my fa- his house, there would have been no barrow
ther, so we must bear it as best we may." heaped up for him, not even when he was dead,
[210] "My friend," said Nestor, "now that but he would have been thrown outside the
you remind me, I remember to have heard that city to dogs and vultures, and not a woman
vour mother has many suitors, who are ill dis- would have mourned him, for he had done a
posed towards you and are making havoc of deed of great wickedness; but we were over
your estate. Do you submit to this tamely, or there, fighting hard at Troy, and /Egisthus,
are public feeling and the voice of heaven who was taking his ease quietly in the heart of
against you? Who knows but what Ulysses mav Argos, cajoled Agamemnon's wife Clytemnes-
come back after all, and pay these scoundrels tra with incessant flattery.
in full, either single-handed or with a force of [265] "At first she would have nothing to
Achaeans behind him? If Minerva were to take do \\ ith his wicked scheme, for she was of a
as great a liking to you as she did to Ulysses good natural disposition; moreover there was a
when we were fighting before Troy (for I bard with her, to whom Agamemnon had given
never yet saw the gods so openlv fond of any strict orders on setting out for Troy, that he
one as Minerva then was of your father), if she was to keep guard over his wife; but when
would take as good care of you as she did of heaven had counselled her destruction, /Egis-
him, these wooers would soon some of them thus carried this bard off to a desert island, and
forget their wooing." left him there for crows and seagulls to batten

[z2sJ Telemachus answered, "I can expect upon— after which she went willingly enough
nothing of the kind; it would be far too much to the house of /Egisthus. Then he offered
to hope for. I dare not let myself think of it. many burnt sacrifices to the gods, and decorated
Even though the gods themselves willed it no many temples with tapestries and gilding, for
such good fortune could befall me." he had succeeded far beyond his expectations.
[229] On this Minerva said, "Telemachus, [276] "Meanwhile Menelaus and I were on
196 THE ODYSSEY
our way home from Troy, on good terms with and here are my sons who can escort you to
one another. When we got to Sunium, which Lacedasmon where Menelaus lives. Beg of him
is the point of Athens, Apollo with his pain- to speak the truth, and he will tell you no lies,

less shafts killed Phrontis the steersman o) for he is an excellent person."

Menelaus' ship (and never man knew better f 3 zg] As he spoke the sun set and it came on
how lo handle a vessel in rough weather) so dark, whereon Minerva said, "Sir, all that you
that he died then and there with the helm in have said is well; now, however, order the
his hand, and Menelaus, though ver\' anxious tongues of the victims to be cut, and mix wine
to press forward, had to wait in order to bury that we may make drink-offerings to Neptune,
his comrade and give him his due funeral rites. and the other immortals, and then go to bed,
Prcscntlv, when he too could put to sea again, for it is bed time. People should go away early
and had sailed on as far as the Malean heads, and not keep late hours at a religious festival."
Jove counselled evil against him and made it [337J Thus spoke the daughter of Jove, and
blow hard till the waves ran mountains high. they obeyed her saying. Men servants poured
Here he divided his fleet and took the one half water over the hands of the guests, while pages
towards Crete where the Cydonians dwell filled the mixing-bowls with wine and water,

round about the waters of the river lardanus. and handed it round after giving every man
There is a high headland hereabouts stretching his drink-offering; then they threw the tongues
out into the sea from a place called Gortyn, and of the victims into the fire, and stood up to make
all along this part of the coast as far as Phaestus their drink-offerings. When they had made
the sea runs high when there is a south wind their offerings and had drunk each as much as
blowing, but after Phaestus the coast is more he was minded, Minerva and Telemachus were
protected, for a small headland can make a forgoing on board their ship, but Nestor caught
great shelter. Here this part of the fleet was them up at once and stayed them.
driven on to the rocks and wrecked; but the [^46] "Heaven and the immortal gods," he
crews just managed to save themselves. As for exclaimed, "forbid that you should leave my
the other five ships, they were taken by winds house to go on board of a ship. Do you think I
and seas to Egypt, where Menelaus gathered am so poor and short of clothes, or that I have
much gold and substance among people of an so few cloaks and rugs as to be unable to find
alien speech. Meanwhile /Cgisthus here at comfortable beds both for myself and for my
home plotted his evil deed. For seven years guests? Let me tell you I have store both of
after he had killed Agamemnon he ruled in rugs and cloaks, and shall not permit the son of
Mycene, and the people were obedient under my old friend Ulysses to camp down on the
him, but in the eighth year Orestes came back deck of a ship— not while I live— nor yet will
from Athens to be his bane, and killed the mur- my sons after me, but they will keep open house
derer of his father. Then he celebrated the fu- as I have done."
neral rites of his mother and of false /Egisthus [3567 Then Minerva answered, "Sir, you
by a banquet to the people of Argos, and on have spoken well, and it will be much better
that ver\' day Menelaus came home, with as that Telemachus should do as you have said;
much treasure as his ships could carry. he, therefore, shall return with you and sleep
[3 '3-/ "Take my advice then, and do not go at your house, but I must go back to give orders
travelling about for long so far from home, nor to my crew, and keep them in good heart. I am
leave your property with such dangerous peo- the only older person among them; the rest
ple in your house; they will eat up everything are all voung men of Telemachus' own age,
you have among them, and you will have been who have taken this voyage out of friendship;
on a fool's errand. Still, I should advise you by so I must return to the ship and sleep there.
all means to go and visit Menelaus, who has Moreover to-morrow I must go to the Cauco-
lately come off a voyage among such distant nians where I have a large sum of money long

peoples as no man could ever hope to get back owing me. As for Telemachus, now that he
to
from, when the winds had once carried him so is your guest, send him to Lacedaemon in a

far out of his reckoning; even birds cannot fly chariot, and let one of your sons go with him.
the distance in a twelvemonth, so vast and ter- Be pleased also to provide him with your best
rible are the seas that they must cross. Go to and fleetest horses."
him, therefore, by sea, and take your own men [37 J 7 When she had thus spoken, she flew
with you; or if you would rather travel by land away in the form of an eagle, and all marvelled
you can have a chariot, you can have horses. as thev beheld it. Nestor was astonished, and
 BOOK III 197
took Telemachus by the hand. "My friend," the vessel. Some one run and fetch
else will

said he, "I see that you are going to be a great Laerceus the goldsmith to gild the horns of the
hero some day, since the gods wait upon you heifer. The rest, stay all of you where you are;
thus while you are still so young. This can have tell the maids in the house to prepare an excel-

been none other of those who dwell in heaxen lent dinner, and and logs of wood
to fetch seats,

than Jove's redoubtable daughter, the Trito- for a burnt offering. Tell them also to bring
born, who showed such favour towards your me some clear spring water."
brave father among the Argives." "Holy queen," [4^0] On on their sev-
this they hurried off

he continued, "vouchsafe to send down thy eral errands. The was brought in from
heifer
grace upon myself, my good wife, and my chil- the plain, and Telemachus's crew came from
dren. In return, I will offer you in sacrifice a the ship; the goldsmith brought the anvil, ham-
broad-browed heifer of a vear old, unbroken, mer, and tongs, with which he worked his gold,
and never vet brought bv man under the yoke. and Minerva herself came to accept the sacri-
I will gild her horns, and will offer her up to fice. Nestor gave out the gold, and the smith

you in sacrifice." gilded the horns of the heifer that the goddess
[385] Thus did he pray, and Minerva heard might have pleasure in their beauty. Then
his praver. He then led the way to his own Stratius and Echephron brought her in by the
house, followed bv his sons and sons-in-law. horns; Aretus fetched water from the house in
When they had got there and h?d taken their a ewer that had a flower pattern on it, and in
places on the benches and he mixed them
seats, his other hand he held a basket of barley meal;
a bowl of sweet wine that was eleven years old sturdy Thrasymedes stood by with a sharp axe,
when the housekeeper took the lid off the jar ready to strike the heifer, while Perseus held a
that held it. As he mixed the wine, he prayed bucket. Then Nestor began with washing his
much and made drink-offerings to Miner\'a, hands and sprinkling the barley meal, and he
daughter of /tgis-bearing Jove. Then, when offered many a prayer to Minerva as he threw
they had made their drink-offerings and had a lock from the heifer's head upon the fire.

drunk each as much as he was minded, the I447] When they had done praying and
others went home to bed each in his own abode; sprinkling the barley meal Thrasymedes dealt
but Nestor put Telemachus to sleep in the room his blow, and brought the heifer down with a
that was over the gateway along with Pisistra- stroke that cut through the tendons at the base
tus, who was the onlv unmarried son now left of her neck, whereon the daughters and daugh-
him. As for himself, he slept in an inner room ters-in-law of Nestor, and his venerable wife
of the house, with the queen his wife byhis side. Eurvdice (she was eldest daughter to Clyme-
[404] Now when the child of morning, nus) screamed with delight. Then they lifted
rosy-fingeredDawn, appeared, Nestor left his the heifer's head from off the ground, and Pisis-
couch and took his seat on the benches of tratus cut her throat. When she had done
white and polished marble that stood in front bleeding and was quite dead, they cut her up.
of his house. Here aforetime sat Neleus, peer They cut out the thigh bones all in due course,
of gods in counsel, but he was now dead, and wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and
had gone house of Hades; so Nestor sat
to the set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them;
hand, as guardian of the
in his seat, sceptre in then Nestor laid them upon the wood fire and
public weal. His sons as they left their rooms poured wine over them, while the young men
gathered round him, Echephron, Stratius, Per- stood near him with five-pronged spits in their
seus, Aretus, and Thrasymedes; the sixth son hands. When the thighs were burned and they
was Pisistratus, and when Telemachus joined had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest
them they made him sit with them. Nestor of the meat up small, put the pieces on the
then addressed them. spits and toasted them over the fire.
[41S] "My sons," said he, "make haste to do [464] Meanwhile lovely Polycaste, Nestor's
as I shall bid you. I wish first and foremost to youngest daughter, washed Telemachus. When
propitiate the great goddess Miner\'a, who she had washed him and anointed him with
manifested herself visibly to me during yester- oil, she brought him a fair mantle and shirt,

day's festivities. Go, then, one or other of you and he looked like a god as he came from the
to the plain, tell the stockman to look me out bath and took his seat by the side of Nestor.
a heifer, and come on here with it at once. An- When the outer meats were done they drew
other must go to Telemachus's ship, and invite them off the spits and sat down to dinner where
all the crew, leaving two men only in charge of they were waited upon by some worthy hench-
198 THE ODYSSEY
men, who kept pouring them out their wine in till went down and darkness was over
the sun
cups of gold. As soon as they had had enough all Then they reached Pherae where
the land.
to eat and drink Nestor said, "Sons, put Telem- Diodes lived, who was son to Ortilochus and
achus's horses to the chariot that he may start grandson to Alpheus. Here they passed the
at once." night and Diodes entertained them hospitably.
[477] Thus did he speak, and they did even When the child of morning, rosv-fingered
as he had said, and yoked the fleet horses to the Dawn, appeared, they again yoked their horses
chariot. Ihe housekeeper packed them up a and drove out through the gateway under the
provision of bread, wine, and sweetmeats fit echoing gatehouse. Pisistratus lashed the horses
for the sons of princes. Then Telemachus got on and thev flew forward nothing loth; pres-
into the chariot, while Pisistratus gathered up ently thev came to the com lands of the open
the reins and took his seat beside him. He lashed countrv, and in the course of time completed
the horses on and they flew forward nothing their journey, so well did their steeds take them.
loth into the open country, leaving the high [497] Now when the sun had set and dark-
citadel of Pylos behind them. All that day did ness was over the land,
they travel, swaying the yoke upon their necks
 BOOK IV

THEY reached the low lying city of Lace-

daemon, where they drove straight to the
them
of oats
fast to themangers, and gave them a feed
and barley mixed. Then they leaned the
abode of Menelaus [and found him in his chariot against the end wall of the courtyard,
own house, feasting with his manv clansmen and led the way into the house. Telemachus
in honour wedding of his son, and also
of the and Pisistratus were astonished when they saw
of his daughter, whomhe was marrying to the it, for its splendour was as that of the sun and

son of that valiant warrior Achilles. He had moon; then, when they had admired everything
given his consent and promised her to him to their heart's content, they went into the bath
while he was still at Troy, and now the gods room and washed themselves.
were bringing the marriage about; so he was [49] When the servants had washed them
sending her with chariots and horses to the city and anointed them with oil, thev brought them
of the Myrmidons over whom Achilles' son was woollen cloaks and shirts, and the two took
reigning. For his only son he had found a bride their seats by the side of Menelaus. A maid-
from Sparta, the daughter of Alector. This son, servant brought them water in a beautiful
Megapenthes, was born to him of a bond- golden ewer, and poured it into a silver basin
woman, for heaven vouchsafed Helen no more for them to wash their hands; and she drew a
children after she had borne Hermione, who clean table beside them. An upper servant
was fair as golden Venus herself. brought them bread, and offered them many
[i^] So the neighbours and kinsmen of good things of what there was in the house,
Menelaus were feasting and making merrv in while the carver fetched them plates of all man-
his house. There was a bard also to sing to them ner of meats and set cups of gold by their side.
and plav his Ivre, while two tumblers went [^9] Menelaus then greeted them saying,
about performing in the midst of them when "Fall to, and welcome; when you have done
the man struck up with his tune.] supper I shall ask who you are, for the lineage
[20] Telemachus and the son of Nestor of such men as you cannot have been lost. You
stayed their horses at the gate, whereon Eteo- must be descended from a line of sceptre-bear-
neus servant to Menelaus came out, and as soon ing kings, for poor people do not have such sons
as he saw them ran hurrying back into the as you are."
house to tell his Master. He went close up to [6^] On this he handed them a piece of fat
him and said, "Menelaus, there are some stran- roast loin, which had been set near him as be-
gers come here, two men, who look like sons of ing a prime part, and they laid their hands on
Jove. What are we to do? Shall we take their the good things that were before them; as soon
horses out, or tell them to find friends elsewhere as they had had enough to eat and drink, Te-
as they best canr" lemachus said to the son of Nestor, with his
[30] Menelaus was very angry and said, head so close that no one might hear, "Look,
"Eteoneus, son of Boethous, you never used to Pisistratus, man after my own heart, see the
be a fool, but now you talk like a simpleton. gleam of bronze and gold— of amber, ivory, and
Take their horses out, of course, and show the silver. Everything is so splendid that it is like
strangers in that they may have supper; vou seeing the palace of Olympian Jove. I am lost
and Ihave stayed often enough at other peo- in admiration."
ple's houses before we got back here, where [j6] Menelaus overheard him and said, "No
heaven grant that we may rest in peace hence- one, my sons, can hold his own with Jove, for
forward." his house and everything about him is immor-
[37] So Eteoneus bustled back and bade the tal; but among mortal men— well, there mav be

other servantscome with him. They took their another who has as much wealth as I have, or
sweating steeds from under the yoke, made there may not; but at all events I have travelled

199
200 THE ODYSSEY
much and have undergone much hardship, for his wife gave Helen some beautiful presents,
it was nearly eight years before I could get to wit, a golden distaff, and a silver work-box
home with my fleet. I went to Cyprus, Phoe- that ran on wheels, with a gold band round the
nicia and the Egyptians; I went also to the top of it. Phylo now placed this by her side, full
Ethiopians, the Sidonians, and the Erembians, of fine spun yarn, and a distaff charged with
and to Libya where the lambs have horns as violet coloured wool was laid upon the top of
soon as they are born, and the sheep lamb down it. Then Helen took her seat, put her feet upon

three times a year. Every one in that country, the footstool, and began to question her hus-
whether master or man, has plenty of cheese, band.
meat, and good milk, for the ewes yield all the [i^S] "Do we know, Menelaus," said she,
year round. But while I was travelling and get- "the names of these strangers who have come
ting great riches among these people, my brother to visit us? Shall I guess right or wrong?— but

was secretlyand shockingly murdered through I cannot help saying what I think. Never yet

the perfidy of his wicked wife, so that I have have I seen either man or woman so like some-
no pleasure in being lord of all this wealth. body else (indeed when I look at him I hardly
Whoever your parents mav be they must have know what to think) as this young man is like
told you about all this, and of my heavy loss in Telemachus, whom Ulysses left as a baby be-
the ruin of a stately mansion fully and magnifi- hind him, when you Achasans went to Troy
cently furnished. Would that I had only a third with battle in your hearts, on account of my
of what I now have so that I had stayed at home, most shameless self."
and all those were living who perished on the [147] "My dear wife," replied Menelaus.
plain of Troy, far from Argos. I often grieve, as "I see the likeness just as you do. His hands
I sit here in my house, for one and all of them. and feet are just like Ulysses'; so is his hair,
At times I cry aloud for sorrow, but presently with the shape of his head and the expression
I leave off again, for crying is cold comfort and of his eyes. Moreover, when I was talking about
one soon tires of it. Yet grieve for these as I Ulysses, and saying how much he had suffered
may, I do so for one man more than for them on my account, tears fell from his eyes, and he
all. I cannot even think of him without loath- hid his face in his mantle."
ing both food and sleep, so miserable does he [155] Then
Pisistratus said, "Menelaus, son
make me, for no one of all the Achaeans worked of Atreus, you are right in thinking that this
so hard or risked so much as he did. He took young man is Telemachus, but he is verv mod-
nothing by it, and has left a legacy of sorrow est, and is ashamed to come here and begin

to myself, for he has been gone a long time, and opening up discourse with one whose conversa-
we know not whether he is alive or dead. His tion is so divinely interesting as your own. My
old father, his long-suffering wife Penelope, father, Nestor, sent me to escort him hither, for
and his son Telemachus, whom he left behind he wanted to know whether you could give him
him an infant in arms, are plunged in grief on any counsel or suggestion. A son has always
his account." trouble at home when his father has gone
[113] Thus spoke Menelaus, and the heart away leaving him without supporters; and this
of Telemachus yearned as he bethought him is how Telemachus is now placed, for his fa-
of his father. Tears fell from his eyes as he ther is and there is no one among his
absent,
heard him thus mentioned, so that he held his own people to stand by him."
cloak before his face with both hands. When [168] "Bless my heart," replied Menelaus,
Menelaus saw this he doubted whether to let "then I am receiving a visit from the son of a
him choose his own time for speaking, or to very dear friend, who suffered much hardship
ask him at once and find what it was all about. for my had always hoped to entertain
sake. I

[120] While he was thus in two minds Helen him with most marked distinction when heaven
came down from her high vaulted and perfumed had granted us a safe return from beyond the
room, looking as lovely as Diana herself. Ad- seas. I should have founded a city for him in
raste brought her a seat, Alcippe a soft woollen Argos, and built him a house. I should have
rug, while Phylo fetched her the silver work- made him leave Ithaca with his goods, his son,
box which Alcandra wife of Polybus had given and all his people, and should have sacked for
her. Polybus lived in Egyptian Thebes, which them some one of the neighbouring cities that
is the richest city in the whole world; he gave are subject to me. We should thus have seen
Menelaus two baths, both of pure silver, two one another continually, and nothing but death
tripods, and ten talents of gold; besides all this, could have interrupted so close and happy an
 BOOK IV 201
intercourse. I suppose, however, that heaven to put into the mixing-bowl and others poison-
grudged us such great good fortune, for it has ous. Moreover, every one in the whole country
prevented the poor fellow from ever getting is a skilled physician, for they are of the race of

home at all." Paeeon. When Helen had put this drug in the
[18}] Thus did he speak, and his words set bowl, and had told the servants to serve the
them all a weeping. Helen wept, Telemachus wine round, she said:
wept, and so did Menelaus, nor could Pisistra- [z^ s] "Menelaus, son of Atreus, and you my
tus keep his eves from filling, when he remem- good friends, sons of honourable men (which
bered his dear brother zAntilochus whom the is as Jove wills, for he is the giver both of good

son of bright Dawn had killed. Thereon he and evil, and can do what he chooses), feast
said to Menelaus, here as vou will, and listen while I tell you a
[190] "Sir, my father Nestor, when we used tale in season. I cannot indeed name ever)'

to talk about you at home, told me you were a single one of the exploits of Ulysses, but I can
person of rare and excellent understanding. If, say what he did when he was before Troy, and
then, it be possible, do as I would urge you. I you Achasans were in all sorts of difficulties.
am not fond of crying while I am getting my He covered himself with wounds and bruises,
supper. Morning will come in due course, and dressed himself all in rags, and entered the
in the forenoon I care not how much I cry for enemy's city looking like a menial or a beggar,
those that are dead and gone. This is all we and quite different from what he did when he
can do for the poor things. We can only shave was among his own people. In this disguise he
our heads for them and wring the tears from entered the city of Troy, and no one said anv-
our cheeks. I had a brother who died at Troy; thing to him. I alone recognized him and began
he was by no means the worst man there; you to question him, but he was too cunning for
are sure to have known him— his name was me. When, however, I had washed and anointed
Antilochus; I never set eyes upon him myself, him and had given him clothes, and after I had
but they say that he was singularly fleet of foot sworn a solemn oath not to betray him to the
and in fight valiant." Trojans till he had got safely back to his own
/203J "Your discretion, my friend," an- camp and to the ships, he told me all that the
swered Menelaus, "is beyond your years. It is Achaeans meant to do. He killed many Trojans
plain you take after your father. One can soon and got much information before he reached
see when a man is son to one whom heaven has the Argive camp, for all which things the Tro-
blessed both as regards wife and offspring— and jan women made lamentation, but for my own
it has blessed Nestor from first to last all his part I was glad, for my heart was beginning to
days, giving him a green old age in his own yearn after my home, and I was unhappy about
house, with sons about him who are both well the wrong that Venus had done me in taking
disposed and valiant. We will put an end there- me over there, away from my country, my little
fore to all this weeping,and attend to our sup- girl, and my lawful wedded husband, who is

per again. Let water be poured over our hands. indeed by no means deficient either in person
Telemachus and I can talk with one another or understanding."
fully in themorning." [26$] Then Menelaus said, "All that you
[216] On this Asphalion, one of the servants, have been saying, my dear wife, is true. I have
poured water over their hands and they laid travelled much, and have had much to do with
their hands on the good things that were be- heroes, but I have never seen such another man
fore them. as Ulysses. What endurance too, and what
[iig] Then Jove's daughter Helen be- courage he displayed within the wooden horse,
thought her of another matter. She drugged the wherein all the bravest of the Argives were ly-
wine with an herb that banishes all care, sor- ing in wait to bring death and destruction upon
row, and ill humour. Whoever drinks wine the Trojans. At that moment you came up to
thus drugged cannot shed a single tear all the us; some god who wished well to the Trojans
rest of the day, not even though his father and must have set you on to it and you had Deipho-
mother both of them drop down dead, or he bus with you. Three times did you go all round
sees a brother or a son hewn in pieces before our hiding place and pat it; you called our
his very eyes. This drug, of such sovereign chiefs each by his own name, and mimicked all
power and virtue, had been given to Helen by our wives— Diomed, Ulysses, and I from our
Polydamna wife of Thon, a woman of Egypt, seats inside heard what a noise you made. Di-
where there grow all sorts of herbs, some good omed and I could not make up our minds
 1

202 THE ODYSSEY

whether to spring out then and there, or to an- might as well lav her new born young in the
swer vou from inside, but Ulvsses held us all in lair of a lion, and then go off to feed in the for-

we sat quite still, all except Anticlus,

check, so est or in some grassy dell: the lion when he
who was beginning to answer you, when Ulys- comes back to his lair will make short work with
ses clapped his two brawny hands over his thepair of them— and so will Ulysses with these
mouth, and kept them there. It was this that suitors. By father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo,
saved us all, for he muzzled Anticlus till Ali if Ulysses is still the man that he was when he
"

nerva took vou awav again. wrestled with Philomeleides in Lesbos, and
[290] "How sad," exclaimed Telemachus, threw him so heavily that all the Achaeans
"that all this was of no avail to save him, pot cheered him— if he is still such and were to
vet his own iron courage. But now, sir, be come near these suitors, they would have a short
pleased to send us all to bed, that we mav lie shrift and a sorry wedding. As regards your
down and boon of sleep."
enjo\- the blessed questions, however, I will not prevaricate nor
[ig6] On this Helen told the maid servants deceive you, but will tell vou without conceal-
to set beds in the room that was in the gate- ment all that the old man of the sea told me.
house, and to make them with good red rugs, liSi] "I was trying to come on here, but the
and spread coverlets on the top of them with gods detained me in Egypt, for my hecatombs
woollen cloaks for the guests to wear. So the had not given them full satisfaction, and the
maids went out, carr\'ing a torch, and made the gods are very strict about having their dues.
beds, to which a man-servant presently con- Now off Egypt, about as far as a ship can sail
ducted the strangers. Thus, then, did Telema- in a day with a good stiff breeze behind her,
chus and Pisistratus sleep there in the fore- there is an island called Pharos— it has a pood
court, while the son of Atreus lav in an inner harbour from which vessels can get out into
room with lovely Helen bv his side. open sea when they have taken in water— and
[^06] When the child of morning, rosy- here the gods becalmed me twenty days with-
fingered Dawn, appeared, Menelaus rose and out so much as a breath of fair wind to help me
dressed himself. He bound his sandals on to his forward. W'e should have run clean out of pro-
comely feet, girded his sword about his shoul- visions and mv men would have starved, if a
ders, and left his room looking like an immor- goddess had not taken pity upon me and saved
tal god. Then, taking a seat near Telemachus me in the person of Idothea, daughter to Pro-
he said: teus, the old man of the sea, for she had taken
[3 2] "And what, Telemachus, has led you a great fancy to me.
to take this long sea voyage to Lacedaemon? [3^7] "She came to me one day when I was
Are you on public or private business? Tell me bv myself, as I often was, for the men used to
all about it." go with their barbed hooks, all over the island
[315J have come, sir," replied Telema-
"I in the hope of catching a fish or two to save
chus, "to see if vou can tell me anything about them from the pangs of hunger. 'Stranger,"
my father. I am being eaten out of house and said she, 'it seems to me that you like starving
home; mv fair estate is being wasted, and my in this way— at any rate it does not greatly
house is full of miscreants who keep killing trouble you, for you stick here day after day,
great numbers of my sheep and oxen, on the without even trying to get away though your
pretence of payingtheir addresses to my mother. men are dying by inches.'
Therefore, I am suppliant at your knees if haply [375] " 'Let me tell you,' said I, 'whichever
vou may tell me about my father's melancholy of the goddesses you may happen to be, that I
end, whether you saw it with your own eyes, am not staying here of my own accord, but must
or heard it from some other traveller; for he have offended the gods that li\e in heaven. Tell
was a man born to trouble. Do not soften things me, therefore, for the gods know everything,
out of any pity for myself, but tell me in all which of the immortals it is that is hindering
plainness exactly what you saw. If my brave me in this way, and tell me also how I may sail
father Ulysses ever did you loyal service either the sea so as to reach my home.'
by word or deed, when you Achaeans were har- [^82] " 'Stranger,' replied she, 'I will make
assed by the Trojans, bear it in mind now as in it all quite clear to you. There is an old im-
my favour and tell me truly all." mortal who lives under the and
sea hereabouts
^332] Menelaus on hearing this was very whose name is He
an Egyptian, and
Proteus. is

much shocked. "So," he exclaimed, "these cow- people say he is my father; he is Neptune's
ards would usurp a brave mans bedr A hind head man and knows ever)' inch of ground all
 BOOK IV 203
over the bottom of the sea. If you can snare him rely, and went along by the sea-side, praying
and hold him tight, he will tell you about your heartily heaven. Meanwhile the goddess
to
voyage, what courses you are to take, and how fetched me up four seal skins from the bottom
you are to sail the sea so as to reach your home. of the sea, all of them just skinned, for she
He will also tell you, if you so will, all that has meant playing a trick upon her father. Then
been going on at your house both good and bad, she dug four pits for us to lie in, and sat down
while you have been away on your long and to wait till we should come up. When we were

dangerous journey.' close to her, she made us lie down in the pits

[^94] " 'Can you show me,' said I, 'some one after the other, and threw a seal skin over
stratagem by means of which I may catch this each of us. Our ambuscade would have been
old god without his suspecting it and finding intolerable, for the stench of the fishy seals
me out? For a god is not easily caught— not by was most distressing— who would 20 to bed
a mortal man.' with a sea monster if he could help itr"— but
" 'Stranger,' said she, will make here, too, the goddess helped us, and thought
[^98] 'I it

all About the time when the

quite clear to you. of something that gave us great relief, for she
sun shall have reached mid heaven, the old man put some ambrosia under each man's nostrils,
of the sea comes up from under the waves, which was so fragrant that it killed the smell
heralded by the West wind that furs the water of the seals.
over his head. As soon as he has come up he [447] "We waited the whole morning and
lies down, and goes to sleep in a great sea cave, made the best of it, watching the seals come
where the seals— Halosvdne's chickens as they up in hundreds to bask upon the sea shore, till
call them— come up also from the grey sea, and at noon the old man of the sea came up too, and

go to sleep in shoals all round him; and a very when he had found his fat seals he went over
strong and fish-like smell do they bring with them and counted them. We were among the
them. Early to-morrow morning I will take you first he counted, and he never suspected any
to this place and will lay you in ambush. Pick guile, but laid himself down to sleep as soon
out, therefore, the three best men you ha\'e in as he had done counting. Then we rushed upon
your fleet, and I will tell you all the tricks that him with a shout and seized him; on which he
the old man will play you. began at once with his old tricks, and changed
" 'First
he will look over all his seals, himself first into a lion with a great mane; then
[41 1 ]
and count them; then, when he has seen them all of a sudden he became a dragon, a leopard,

and tallied them on his five fingers, he will go a wild boar; the next moment he was running
to sleep among them, as a shepherd among his water, and then again directly he was a tree,
sheep. The moment you see that he is asleep but we stuck to him and ne\'er lost hold, till at
seize him; put forth all your strength and hold last the cunning old creature became distressed,

him fast, for he will do his very utmost to get and said, 'Which of the gods was it, Son of
away from you. He will turn himself into every Atreus, that hatched this plot with you for
kind of creature that goes upon the earth, and snaring me and seizing me against my will?
will become also both fire and water; but you What do you want?'
must hold him fast and grip him tighter and [464] " 'You know that yourself, old man,'
tighter, till he begins to talk to you and comes I answered, 'you will gain nothing by trying to

back to what he was when you saw him go to put me off. It is because I have been kept so
sleep; then you may slacken your hold and let long in this island, and see no sign of my being
him go; and you can ask him which of the gods able to get away. I am losing all heart; tell me,
it is that is angry with you, and what you must then, for you gods know everything, which of
do to reach your home over the seas.' the immortals it is that is hindering me, and
[425J "Having so said she dived under the tell me also how I may sail the sea so as to reach
waves, whereon I turned back to the place my home?'
where my ships were ranged upon the shore; [471] " 'Then,' he said, 'if you would finish
and my heart was clouded with care as I went your voyage and get home quickly, you must
along. When I reached my ship we got supper offer sacrifices to Jove and to the rest of the gods
ready, for night was falling, and camped down before embarking; for it is decreed that you
upon the beach. shall not get back to your friends, and to your
[431] "When the child of morning, rosy- own house, till you have returned to the heaven-
fingered Dawn, appeared, Itook the three men fed stream of Egypt, and offered holy heca-
on whose prowess of all kinds I could most tombs to the immortal sods that reign in heaven.
204 THE ODYSSEY
When vou have done this thev will let you man saw Agamemnon go by, he went and told
finish your voyage.' /Egisthus, who at once began to lay a plot for
[481] "I was broken hearted when I heard him. I le picked twenty of his bravest warriors
that I must go back all that long and terrible and placed them in ambuscade on one side the
voyage to Egypt; nevertheless, I answered. 'I cloister, while on the opposite side he prepared
will do all, old man, that you have laid upon a banquet. 1 hen he sent his chariots and horse-
me; but now tell me, and tell me true, whether men to Agamemnon, and invited him to the
all the Achaeans whom Nestor and 1 left be- least, but he meant foul play. He got him there,

hind us when we set sail from 1 roy have got all unsuspicious of the doom that was awaiting

home safely, or whether anv one of them came him, and killed him when the banquet was
to a bad end either on board his own ship or over as though he were butchering an ox in
among his friends when the days of his fight- the shambles; not one of Agamemnon's follow-
ing were done.' ers was left alive, nor yet one of /Egisthus', but

[491] "'Son of Atreus,' he answered, 'why they were all killed there in the cloisters.'
ask me? You had better not know what I can [538] "Thus spoke Proteus, and I was broken
tell you, for your eyes will surely fill when you hearted as I heard him. I sat down upon the
have heard my story. Many of those about sands and wept; 1 felt as though I could no
whom you ask are dead and gone, but many longer bear to live nor look upon the light of
still remain, and only two of the chief men the sun. Presently, when I had had my till of
among the Achaeans perished during their re- weeping and writhing upon the ground, the
turn home. As for whin happened on the field old man of the sea said, 'Son of Atreus, do not
of battle— you were there yourself. A third waste any more time in crying so bitterly; it can
Achaean leader is still at sea, alive, but hindered do no manner of good; find your way home as
from returning. Ajax was wrecked, for Neptune fast as ever you can, for /Egisthus may be still
drove him on to the great rocks of Gyrae; never- alive, and even though Orestes has been before-

theless, he let him get safe out of the water, and hand with you in killing him, you may yet come
in spite of all Minerva's hatred he would have in for his funeral.'
escaped death, if he had not ruined himself by [548] "On this I took comfort in spite of all

boastino. He said the gods could not drown him my sorrow, and said, 'I know, then, about these
even though they had tried to do so, and when two; me, therefore, about the third man of
tell

Neptune heard this large he seized his

talk, whom you spoke; is he still alive, but at sea,
trident in his two brawny hands, and split the and unable to get home? or is he dead? Tell me,
rock of Gyrae in two pieces. The base remained no matter how much it may grieve me.'
where it was, but the part on which Ajax was [554] " 'The third man,' he answered, 'is
sitting fell headlong into the sea and carried Ulysses who can see him in
dwells in Ithaca. I

Ajax with it; so he drank salt water and was an island sorrowing house of the
bitterly in the
drowned. nymph Calypso, who is keeping him prisoner,
" 'Your brother and his ships escaped, and he cannot reach his home for he has no
[5 1 2]
for Juno protected him, but when he was just ships nor sailors to take him over the sea. As for
about to reach the high promontory of Malea, your own end, Menelaus, you shall not die in
he was caught by a heavy gale which carried Argos, but the gods will take you to the Elysian
him out to sea again sorely against his will, and plain, which is at the ends of the world. There
drove him to the foreland where Thyestes used fair-haired Rhadamanthus reigns, and men lead
to dwell, but where /Egisthus was then living. an easier life than any where else in the world,
By and by, however, it seemed as thouph he lor in Elysium there falls not rain, nor hail, nor
was to return safely after all, for the gods backed snow, but Oceanus breathes ever with a West
the wind into its old quarter and they reached wind from the sea, and gives
that sings softly
home; whereon /\gamemnon kissed his native fresh life to men. This will happen to you
all

soil, and shed tears of joy at finding himself because you have married Helen, and are Jove's
again in his own country. son-in-law.'
[524] " 'Now there was a watchman whom [S/o] "As he spoke he dived under the waves,
/Egisthus kept always on the watch, and to whereon I turned back to the ships with my

whom he had promised two talents of gold. companions, and my heart was clouded with
This man had been looking out for a whole year care as I went along. When we reached the
to make sure that Agamemnon did not give him ships we got supper ready, for night was falling,
the slip and prepare war; when, therefore, this and camped down upon the beach. When the
 BOOK IV 205
child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, busy cooking their dinners in the courts].
we drew our and put our
ships into the water, [62^] Meanwhile the suitors were throwing
masts and sails within them; then we went on discs or aiming with spears at a mark on the
board ourselves, took our seats on the benches, levelled ground in front of Ulysses' house, and
and smote the grey sea with our oars. I again were behaving with all their old insolence. An-
stationed mv ships in the heaven-fed stream of tinous and Eurvmachus, who were their ring-
Egvpt, and offered hecatombs that were full leaders and much the foremost among them all,
and sufficient. When I had thus appeased heav- were sitting together when Noemon son of
en's anger, I barrow to the memory of
raised a Phronius came up and said to Antinous,
Agamemnon name might live for ever,
that his [6^2] "Have we anv idea, Antinous, on what
after which I had a quick passage home, for the day Telemachus returns from Pylos? He has a
gods sent me a fair wind. ship of mine, and I want it, to cross over to Elis:
[587J "And now for yourself— stay here some I have twelve brood mares there with yearling

ten or twelve days longer, and I will then speed mule foals bv their side not vet broken in, and
vou on vour way. I will make vou a noble pres- I want to bring one of them over here and break

ent of a chariot and three horses. I will also give him."

you a beautiful chalice that so long as you live [6^8] Thev were astoundedwhentheyheard
you mav think of me whenever vou make a this, forthev had made sure that Telemachus
drink-offering to the immortal gods." had not gone to the citv of Neleus. Thev thought
[593] "Son of Atreus," replied Telemachus, he was only away somewhere on the farms, and
"do not press me to stay longer; I should be con- was with the sheep, or with the swineherd; so
tented to remain with vou for another twelve Antinous said, "When did he go? Tell me truly,
months; I find your conversation so delightful and what young men did he take with him?
that I should never once wish myself at home Were they freemen or his own bondsmen— for
with mv parents; but mv crew whom I have he might manage that too? Tell me also, did you
left at Pvlos are already impatient, and you are let him ha\'e the ship of your own free will be-

detaining me from them. As for any present cause he asked vou, or did he take it without
vou mav be disposed to make me, I had rather vour leave?"
that it should be a piece of plate. I will take no [648] "I lent it him," answered Noemon,
horses back with me to Ithaca, but will leave "what else could I do when a man of his posi-
them to adorn vour own stables, for you have tion said he was in a difficultv, and asked me
much flat ground in vour kingdom, where lotus to oblige him? I could not possibly refuse. As
thrives, as also meadowsweet and wheat and for those who went with him they were the best
barley, and oats with their white and spreading voung men we have, and I saw Mentor go on
ears; whereas in Ithaca we have neither open board as captain— or some god who was exactly
fields nor racecourses, and the country is more like him. I cannot understand it, for I saw Men-
fit for goats than horses, and I like it the better tor here mvself vesterday morning, and yet he
for that. None of our islands have much level was then setting out for Pylos."
ground, suitable for horses, and Ithaca least of [657] Noemon then went back to his father's
all." house, but Antinous and Eurymachus were
[609] Menelaus smiled and took Telema- very angry. They told the others to leave off
chus's hand within his own. "What you say," playing, and to sit down along with
come and
said he, "shows that you come of good family. themselves. When
thev came, Antinous son of
I both can, and will, make this exchange for Eupeithes spoke in anger. His heart was black
vou, by giving you the finest and most precious with rage, and his eyes flashed fire as he said:
piece of plate in all mv house. It is a mixing- [663 j "Good heavens, this voyage of Telem-
bowl bv Vulcan's own hand, of pure silver, ex- achus is we had made
a very serious matter;
cept the rim, which is inlaid with gold. Phas- sure that would come to nothing, but the
it

dimus, king of the Sidonians, gave it me in the voung fellow has got away in spite of us, and
course of a visit which I paid him when I re- with a picked crew He will be giving us
too.
turned thither on my homeward journey. I will trouble presently; may
Jove take him before he
make vou a present of it." is full grown. Find me a ship, therefore, with

[620] Thus did they converse [and guests a crew of twenty men, and I will lie in wait for
kept coming to the king's house. Thev brought him in the straits between Ithaca and Samos;
sheep and wine, while their wives had put up he will then rue the day that he set out to try
bread for them to take with them; so they were and set news of his father."
2o6 THE ODYSSE\
[67^] Thus did he speak, and the others ap- to try me with more affliction than any other
plauded his saving; thcv then all of them went woman of my age and country. First I lost my
inside the buildings. bra\'e and lion-hearted husband, who had every
[6y^] was not long ere Penelope came to
It good quality under heaven, and whose name
know what the suitors were plotting; for a man was great over Hellas and middle Argos, and
all

servient, Medon, overheard them from outside now my darling son is at the mercy of the winds

the outer court as they were laying their schemes and waves, without mv having heard one word
within, and went to tell his mistress. As he about his leaving home. You hussies, there was
c:ossed the threshold of her room Penelope not one of vou would so much as think of giv-
s;id: "Medon, what have the suitors sent vou ing me a call out of mv bed, though vou :ill of
here for? Is it to tell the maids to leave their knew when he was starting. If I
\'ou \'er\' well
master's business and cook dinner for them? I had known he meant taking this voyage, he
wish they ma\- neither v\oo nor dine hencefor- would ha\e had to give it up, no matter how
ward, neither here nor anvwhere else, but let much he was bent upon it, or leave me a corpse
this be the very last time, for the waste you all behind him— one or other. Now, however, go
make of my son's estate. Did not your fathers some of vou and call old Dolius, who was given
tell you when vou were children how good Ulvs me bv mv father on my marriage, and who is
ses had been to them— never doing- anvthinw my gardener. Bid him go at once and tell everv-
high-handed, nor speaking harshlv to anvbodv? thing to Laertes, who may be able to hit on
Kings mav sav things sometimes, and thev mav some plan for enlisting public svmpathv on oui
take a fancv to one man and dislike another, who are trving to e.xtermi
side, as against those
but Ulvsses never did an unjust thing bv anv- nate his own race and that of Ulysses."
body— which shows what bad hearts you have, [742.] Then the dear old nurse Euryclea
and that there is no such thing as gratitude left said, "You may kill me. Madam, or let me live
in this world." on vour house, whichever vou please, but I
in

[6g6] Then Medon said, "I wish. Madam, will tellyou the real truth. I knew all about it.
that this were all; but they are plotting some- and gave him evervthing he wanted in the wav
thing
o much more dreadful now— mav heaven of bread and wine, but he made me take mv
frustrate their design. They are going to try solemn oath that I would not tell vou anything
and murder Telemachus as he is coming home lor some ten or twelve days, unless you asked
from Pylos and Lacedaemon, where he has or happened to hear of his having gone, for he
been to get news of his father." did not want vou to spoil vour beauty bv crv-
[703] Then Penelope's heart sank within ing. And now. Madam, wash your face, change
her, and for a long time she was speechless; her vour dress, and go upstairs with your maids to
eves filled with tears, and she could find no ut- offer prayers to Minerva, daughter of ./Egis-
terance. At last, however, she said, "Whv did bearing Jove, for she can save him even though
mv son leave me? What business had he to go he be in the jaws of death. Do not trouble La-
sailing off in ships that make long voyages over ertes: he has trouble enough already. Besides, I
the ocean like sea-horses?Does he want to die cannot think that the gods hate the race of the
without leaving any one behind him to keep up son of Arceisius so much, but there will be a
his name?" son left to come up after him, and inherit both
[711] "I do not know," answered Medon, the house and the fair fields that lie far all
"whether some god set him on to it, or whether round it."

he went on his own impulse to see if he could [7S8] With these words she made her mis-
find out if his father was dead, or alive and on tress leave off crying, and dried the tears from
his way home." her eves. Penelope washed her face, changed
[71s] Then he went downstairs again, leav- her dress, and went upstairs with her maids.
ing Penelope in an agony of grief. There were She then put some bruised barley into a basket
plenty of seats in the house, but she had no and began praying to Minerva.
heart for sitting on any one of them; she could [762] "Mear me," she cried, "Daughter of
only fling herself on the floor of her own room .^gis-bearing Jove, unweariable. If ever Ulys-
and cry; whereon all the maids in the house, ses while he was here burned you fat thigh
both old and young, gathered round her and bones of sheep or heifer, bear it in mind now as
began to cry too, till at last in a transport of sor- in my favour, and save my darling son from
row she exclaimed, the villainy of the suitors."
[712] "My dears, heaven has been pleased [767] She cried aloud as she spoke, and the
 a

BOOK IV 207
goddess heard her prayer; meanwhile the suitors why have you come here? You do not come very
were clamorous throughout the covered cloister, often, but I suppose that is because you live
and one of them said: such a long way off. Am L then, to leave off
[770] "The queen is preparing for her mar- crying and refrain from all the sad thoughts
riage with one or other of us. Little does she that torture who have lost mv brave and
me? \,

dream that her son has now been doomed to die." lion-hearted husband, who had every goodqual-
[772] This was what thev said, but they did itv under hea\en, and whose name was great

not know what was going to happen. Then An- over all Hellas and middle Argos; and now my
tinous said, "Comrades, let there be no loud darling son has gone off on board of a ship—
talking, lest some of it get carried inside. Let us foolish fellow who has never been used
to rough
be up and do that in silence, about which we ing it, going about among gatherings ol
nor to

are all of a mind." men. I am even more anxious about him than
[77S] He then chose twenty men, and they about my husband; I am all in a tremble when
went down to their ship and to the sea side; they I think of him, lest something should happen

drew the vessel into the water and got her mast to him, either from the people among whom he
and sails inside her; they bound the oars to the has gone, or bv sea, for he has many enemies
thole-pins with twisted thongs of leather, all in who are plotting against him, and are bent on
due course, and spread the white sails aloft, killing him before he can return home."
while their fine servants brought them their ar- [824] Then the vision said, "Take heart, and
mour. Then they made the ship fast a little way be not so much dismayed. There is one gone
out, came on shore again, got their suppers, and with him whom many a man would be glad
waited till night should fall. enough to have stand by his side, I mean Mi-
[787] But Penelope lay in her own room up- nerxa; it is she who has compassion upon you,
stairs unable to eat or drink, and wondering and who has sent me to bear vou this message."
whether her brave son would escape, or be over- [8^0] "Then," said Penelope, "if you are a
powered bv the wicked suitors. Like a lioness god or have been sent here by divine commis-
caught in the toils with huntsmen hemming me also about that other unhappy one
sion, tell
her in on every side, she thought and thought —is he still alive, or is he already dead and in
till she sank into a slumber, and lay on her bed the house of Hades?"
bereft of thought and motion. [835] And the vision said, "I shall not tell
[795] Then Minerva bethought her of an- vou for certain whether he is alive or dead, and
other matter, and made a vision in the likeness there is no use in idle conversation."
of Penelope's sister Iphthime daugherof Icarius [838/ Then it vanished through the thong-
who had married Eumelus and lived in Pherae. hole of the door and was dissipated into thin
She told the vision to go to the house of Ulys- air;but Penelope rose from her sleep refreshed
ses, and to make Penelope leave off crving, so and comforted, so vivid had been her dream.
it came into her room bv the hole through which [842] Meantime the suitors went on board
the thong went for pulling the door to, and hov- and sailed their wavs over the sea, intent on
ered o\'er her head, saying, murdering Telemachus. Now there is a rocky
[804] "You are asleep, Penelope: the gods islet called Asteris, of no great size, in mid chan-

who live at ease will not suffer you to weep and nel between Ithaca and Samos, and there is a
be so sad. Your son has done them no wrong, so harbour on either side of it where a ship can
he will yet come back to you." lie. Here then the Achaeans placed themselves

[808] Penelope, who was sleeping sweetly in ambush.

at the gates of dreamland, answered, "Sister,
 BOOK V
A ND NOW, as Dawn rose from her couch money and had got home without disaster. This
ZA Tithonus— harbinger of hght
beside is how we have settled that he shall return to

J- V. ahke to mortals and immortals— the his country and his friends."
gods met in council and with them, Jove the [a-^] Thus he
spoke, and Mercury, guide and
lord of thunder, who is their king. Thereon Mi- guardian, slayer of Argus, did as he was told.
nerva began to tell them of the many sufferings Forthwith he bound on his glittering golden
of Ulysses, for she pitied him away there in the sandals with which he could fly like the wind
house of the nymph Calypso. over land and sea. He took the wand with which
[j] "Father Jove," said she, "and all you heseals men's eyes in sleep or wakes them just
other gods that live in everlasting bliss, I hope ashe pleases, and flew holding it in his hand
there may never be such a thing as a kind and over Pieria; then he swooped down through the
well-disposed ruler anv more, nor one who will firmament till he reached the level of the sea,
govern equitably. I hope they will be all hence- whose waves he skimmed like a cormorant that
forth cruel and unjust, for there is not one of his flies fishing every hole and corner of the ocean,

subjects but has forgotten Ulysses, who ruled and drenching its thick plumage in the spray.
them as though he were their father. There he He flew and flew over many a weary wave, but
is, lying in great pain in an island where dwells when at last he got to the island which was his
the nymph Calypso, who will not let him go; journey's end, he left the sea and went on by
and he cannot get back to his own country, for land till he came to the cave where the nymph
he can find neither ships nor sailors to take him Calypso lived.
over the sea. Furthermore, wicked people are is^] He found her at home. There was a
now trying to murder his only son Telemachus, large fire burning on the hearth, and one could
who is coming home from Pylos and Lacedae- smell from far the fragrant reek of burning cedar
mon, where he has been to see if he can get and sandal wood. As for herself, she was busy
news of his father." at her loom, shooting her golden shuttle through
[xi] "What, my dear, are you talking about?" the warp and singing beautifully. Round her
replied her father, "did you not send him there cave there was a thick wood of alder, poplar,
yourself, because you thought it would help and sweet smelling cv'press trees, wherein all
Ulysses to get home and punish the suitors? kinds of great birds had built their nests— owls,
Besides, you are perfectly able to protect Te- hawks, and chattering sea-crows that occup\'
lemachus, and to see him safely home again, their business in the waters. A vine loaded with
while the suitors have to come hurry-skurrying grapes was trained and grew luxuriantly about
back without having killed him." the mouth of the cave; there were also four run-
^28/ When he had thus spoken, he said to ning rills of water in channels cut pretty close
his son Mercury, "Mercury, you are our mes- together,and turned hither and thither so as to
senger, go therefore and tell Calypso we have beds of violets and luscious herbage
irrigate the
decreed that poor Ulysses is to return home. He over which they flowed. Even a god could not
is to be convoyed neither by gods nor men, but help being charmed with such a lovely spot, so
after a perilous voyage of twenty days upon a Mercury stood still and looked at it; but when
raft he is to reach fertile Scheria, the land of the he had admired it sufficiently he went inside
Phaeacians, who are near of kin to the gods, the cave.
and will honour him though he were one of
as [jj] Calypso knew him at once— for the gods
ourselves. They will send him in a ship to his all know each other, no matter how far they
own country, and will givehim more bronze and live from one another— but Ulysses was not
gold and raiment than he would have brought within; he was on the sea-shore as usual, look-
back from Troy, if he had had all his prize ing out upon the barren ocean with tears in his
208
 BOOK V 209
eyes, groaningand breaking his heart for sor- nor bring his counsels to nothing; therefore, if
row. Calypso gave Mercury a seat and said: he insists upon it, let the man go beyond the
"Why have you come to see me, Mercury— hon- seas again; but I cannot send him anywhere
oured, and ever welcome— for you do not visit myself for I have neither ships nor men who
me often? Sav what vou want; I will do it for can take him. Nevertheless I will readily give
you at once if I can, and if it can be done at all; him such advice, in all good faith, as will be
but come inside, and let me set refreshment be- likely to bring him safely to his own country."
fore you. [14s] "Then send him away," said Mercury,
[qz] As she spoke she drew a table loaded "or Jove will be angry with you and punish
with ambrosia beside him and mixed him some you."
Mercury ate and drank till he had
red nectar, so [148] On he took his leave, and Calypso
this
had enough, and then said: went out to look for Ulysses, for shehad heard
[97] "We are speaking god and goddess to Jove's message. She found him sitting upon
one another, and you ask me why I have come the beach with his eyes ever filled with tears,
here, and I will tell you truly as you would and dying of sheer home-sickness; for he had
have me do. Jove sent me; it was no doing of got tired of Calypso, and though he was forced
mine; who could possibly want to come all to sleep with her in the cave by night, it was

this way over the sea where there are no cities she, not he, that would have it so. As for the
full of people to offer me sacrifices or choice day time, he spent it on the rocks and on the
hecatombs? Nevertheless I had to come, for sea-shore, weeping, crying aloud for his despair,
none of us other gods can cross Jove, nor trans- and always looking out upon the sea. Calypso
gress his orders. He says that you have here then went close up to him and said:
the most ill-starred of all those who fought nine [160] "My poor fellow, you shall not stay
years before the city of King Priam and sailed here grieving and fretting your life out any
home in the tenth year after having sacked longer. I am going to send you away of my
it. On their way home they sinned against own free will; so go, cut some beams of wood,
Minerva, who raised both wind and waves and make yourself a large raft with an upper
against them, so that all his brave companions deck that it may carry you safely over the sea.
perished, and he alone was carried hither by I will put bread, wine, and water on board to

wind and tide. Jove says that you are to let save vou from starving. I will also give you
this man go at once, for it is decreed that he clothes, and will send you a fair wind to take
shall not perish here, far from his own people, you home, if the gods in heaven so will it—
but shall return to his house and country and for they know more about these things, and can
see his friends again." settle them better than I can."

[116] Calypso trembled with rage when she [171] Ulysses shuddered as he heard her.
heard this, "You gods," she exclaimed, "ought "Now goddess," he answered, "there is some-
to be ashamed of yourselves. You are always thing behind all this; you cannot be really
jealous, and hate seeing a goddess take a fancy meaning to help me home when you bid me do
to a mortal man, and li\'e with him in open such a dreadful thing as put to sea on a raft.
matrimony. So when rosy-fingered Dawn made Not even a well-found ship with a fair wind
love to Orion, you precious gods were all of you could venture on such a distant voyage: noth-
furious till Diana went and killed him in ing that you can say or do shall make me go on
Ortvgia. So again when Ceres fell in love with board a raft unless you first solemnly swear
lasion, and yielded to him in a thrice-ploughed that vou mean me no mischief."
fallow Jove came to hear of it before so
field, [180] Calypso smiled at this and caressed
very long and killed lasion with his thunder- him with her hand: "You know a great deal,"
bolts. And now you are angry with me too said she, "but you are quite wrong here. May
because I have a man here. I found the poor heaven above and earth below be my witnesses,
creature sittingall alone astride of a keel, for with the waters of the river Styx— and this is
Jove had struck his ship with lightning and the most solemn oath which a blessed god can
sunk it in mid ocean, so that all his crew were take— that I mean you no sort of harm, and am
drowned, while he himself was driven by wind only advising you to do exactly what I should
and waves on to my island. I got fond of him do myself in your place. I am dealing with you
and cherished him, and had set my heart on quite straightforwardly; my heart is not made
making him immortal, so that he should never of iron, and I am you."
ver)' sorry for

grow old all his days; still I cannot cross Jove, [192] When she had thus spoken she led the
2IO THE ODYSSEY
way rapidly before him, and Ulysses followed and adzed them smooth, squaring them by
in her steps; so the pair, goddess and man, went rule in good workmanlike fashion. Meanwhile
on and on till they came to Calypso's cave, Calypso came back with some augers, so he
where Ulvsscs took the seat that Mercury had bored holes with them and fitted the timbers
just left. Calypso set meat and drink before him together with bolts and rivets. He made the
of the food that mortals eat; but her maids raft as broad as a skilled shipwright makes the
brought ambrosia and nectar for herself, and beam of a large vessel, and he fixed a deck on
they laid their hands on the good things that top of the ribs, and ran a gunwale all round it.
were before them. \A'hen they had satisfied He also made a mast with a yard arm, and a
themselves with meat and drink, Calypso spoke, rudder to steer with. He fenced the raft all
saying: round with wicker hurdles as a protection
[2037 "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, so you against the waves, and then he threw on a
would start home to your own land at once? quantity of wood. By and by Calypso brought
Good luck go with you, but if you could only him some linen to make the sails, and he made
know how much suffering is in store for you these too, excellently, making them fast with
before you get back to your own country, you braces and sheets. Last of all, with the help of
vN'ould stay where you are, keep house along levers, he drew the raft down into the water.
with me, and let me make you immortal, no [262] In four days he had completed the
matter how anxious you may be to see this wife whole work, and on the fifth Calj'pso sent him
of yours, of whom you are thinking all the time from the island after washing him and giving
day after day; yet I flatter myself that I am no him some clean clothes. She gave him a goat
whit less tall or well-looking than she is, for skin full of black wine, and another larger one
it is not to be expected that a mortal woman of water; she also gave him a wallet full of
should compare in beauty with an immortal." provisions, and found him in much good meat.
[214] "Goddess," replied Ulysses, "do not Moreover, she made the wind fair and warm
be angry with me about this. I am quite aware for him, and gladly did Ulysses spread his sail
that my wife Penelope is nothing like so tall before it, while he sat and guided the raft skil-
or so beautiful as yourself. She is only a woman, fully by means of the rudder. He never closed
whereas you are an immortal. Nevertheless, I his eyes, but kept them fixed on the Pleiads, on
want to get home, and can think of nothing late-setting Bootes, and on the Bear— which men
else. If some god wrecks me when I am on the also call the wain, and which turns round and
sea, I will bear it and make the best of it. I have round where it is, facing Orion, and alone
had infinite trouble both by land and sea al- never dipping into the stream of Oceanus— for
ready, so let this go with the rest." Calypso had told him to keep this to his left.
/^2
25J Presently the sun set and it became Days seven and ten did he sail over the sea,
dark, whereon the pair retired into the inner and on the eighteenth the dim outlines of the
part of the cave and went to bed. mountains on the nearest part of the Phasacian
[228] When the child of morning, rosy- coast appeared, rising like a shield on the
fingered Dawn, appeared, Ulysses put on his horizon.
shirt and cloak, while the goddess wore a dress [2827 But King Neptune, who was return-
of a light gossamer fabric, very fine and graceful, ing from the Ethiopians, caught sight of Ulys-
with a beautifulgolden girdle about her waist ses a long way off, from the mountains of the
and a veil to cover her head. She at once set Solymi. He could see him sailing upon the sea,
herself to think how she could speed Ulysses and it made him very angry, so he wagged his
on his way. So she gave him a great bronze axe head and muttered to himself, saying, "Good
that suited his hands; it was sharpened on both heavens, so the gods have been changing their
sides, and had a beautiful olive-wood handle minds about Ulysses while I was away in Ethi-
fitted firmly on to it. She also gave him a sharp opia, and now he is close to the land of the
adze, and then led the way to the far end of the Phaeacians, where it is decreed that he shall
island where the largest trees grew— alder, pop- escape from the calamities that have befallen
lar and pine, that reached the sky— very dry him. Still, he shall have plenty of hardship yet
and well seasoned, so as to sail light for him in before he has done with it."
the water. Then, when she had shown him [291] Thereon he gathered his clouds to-
where the best trees grew. Calypso went home, gether, grasped his trident, stirred it round in
leaving him to cut them, which he soon fin- the sea, and roused the rage of every wind that
ished doing. He cut down twenty trees in all blows till earth, sea, and sky were hidden in
 BOOK V 211

cloud, and night sprang forth out of the heav- awaits you. And here, take my veil and put it
ens. Winds from East, South, North, and West round your chest; it is enchanted, and you can
fell upon him all at the same time, and a tre- come to no harm so long as you wear it. As soon
mendous sea got up, so that Ulysses' heart be- as you touch land take it off, throw it back as
gan to fail him. "Alas," he said to himself in his far as you can into the sea, and then go away
dismay, "what ever will become of me? I am again." With these words she took off her veil
afraid Calypso was right when she said I should and gave it him. Then she dived down again
have trouble by sea before I got back home. It like a sea-gull and vanished beneath the dark
coming true. How black is Jove making
is all blue waters.
heaven with his clouds, and what a sea the [354] But Ulysses did not know what to
winds are raising from every quarter at once. I think. "Alas," he said to himself in his dismay,
am now safe to perish. Blest and thrice blest "this is only some one or other of the gods who
were those Danaans who fell before Troy in is luring me to ruin by advising me to quit my
the cause of the sons of Atreus. Would that I raft. At any rate I will not do so at present, for
had been killed on the day when the Trojans the land where she said I should be quit of all
were pressing me so sorely about the dead body my troubles seemed to be still a good wav off. I
of Achilles, for then I should have had due know what I will do— I am sure it will be best

burial and the Achaeans would have honoured —no matter what happens I will stick to the
my name; but now it seems that I shall come to raft as long as her timbers hold together, but
a most pitiable end." when the sea breaks her up I will swim for it;
[3 1 3? ^^ ^^ spoke a sea broke over him with I do not see how I can do any better than this."

such terrific fury that the raft reeled again, and [3^5] While he was thus in two minds,
he was carried overboard a long way off. He let Neptune sent a terrible great wave that seemed
go the helm, and the force of the hurricane was to rear itselfabove his head till it broke right
so great that it broke the mast half way up, and over the raft, which then went to pieces as
both sail and yard went over into the sea. For though it were a heap of dry chaff tossed about
a long time Ulysses was under water, and it by a whirlwind. Ulysses got astride of one
was he could do to rise to the surface again,
all plank and rode upon it as if he were on horse-
for the clothes Calypso had gixen him weighed back; he then took off the clothes Calypso had
him down; but at last he got his head above given him, bound Ino's veil under his arms,
water and spat out the bitter brine that was and plunged into the sea— meaning to swim
running down his face in streams. In spite of on shore. King Neptune watched him as he did
all this, however, he did not lose sight of his so, and wagged his head, muttering to himself

raft, but swam as fast as he could towards it, and saying, "There now, swim up and down
got hold of it, and climbed on board again so as you best can till vou fall in with well-to-do
as to escape drowning. The sea took the raft people. I do not think vou will be able to say
and tossed it about as Autumn winds whirl that I have let you off too lightly." On this he
thistledown round and round upon a road. It lashed his horses and drove to ^gae where his
was as though the South, North, East, and palace is.

West winds were all playing battledore and [^82] But Minerva resolved to help Ulysses,
shuttlecock with it at once. so shebound the ways of all the winds except
[333] When he was in thisplight,Ino daugh- one, and made them lie quite still; but she
ter of Cadmus, also called Leucothea, saw him. roused a good stiff breeze from the North that
She had formerlv been a mere mortal, but had should lay the waters till Ulvsses reached the
been since raised to the rank of a marine god- land of the Phasacians where he would be safe.
dess. Seeing in what great distress Ulysses now [^88] Thereon he floated about for two
was, she had compassion upon him, and, rising nights and two days in the water, with a heavy
like a sea-gull from the waves, took her seat swell on the sea and death staring him in the
upon the raft. face; but when the third day broke, the wind
[339] "My
poor good man," said she, "why fell and there was dead calm without so
a
is Neptune so furiously angry with you? He is much as a breath of air stirring. As he rose on
giving you a great deal of trouble, but for all the swell he looked eagerly ahead, and could
his bluster he will not kill you. You seem to be see land quite near. Then, as children rejoice
a sensible person, do then as I bid you; strip, when their dear father begins to get better
leave your raft to drive before the wind, and after having for a long time borne sore affliction
swim to the Phaeacian coast where better luck sent him by some angry spirit, but the gods
212 THE ODYSSEY
deliver him from evil, so was Ulysses thankful 1 le felt that there was a current, so he prayed

when he again saw land and trees, and swam inwardly and said:
on with all his strength that he might once [44s] "Hear me, O King, whoever you may
more set foot upon dry ground. When, how- be, and save me from the anger of the sea-god
ever, he got within earshot, he began to hear Neptune, for I approach you prayerfully. Any
the surf thundering up against the rocks, for one who has lost his wav has at ail times a
the swell still broke against them with a terrific claim even upon the gods, wherefore in my
roar. Everything was enveloped in spray; there distress I draw near to vour stream, and cling
were no harbours where a ship might ride, nor to the knees of your riverhood. Have mercy
shelter of any kind, but only headlands, low- upon me, O king, for I declare myself your
lying rocks, and mountain tops. suppliant."
[406] Ulvsses' heart now began to fail him, [4^1] Then the god stayed his stream and
and he said despairingly to himself, "Alas, Jove stilled the waves, making all calm before him,
has let me see land after swimming so far that and bringing him safely into the mouth of the
I had given up hope, but I can find no land-
all river. Here at last Ulysses' knees and strong
is rocky and surf -beaten,
ing place, for the coast hands failed him, for the sea had completely
the rocks are smooth and rise sheer from the broken him. His body was all swollen, and his
sea, with deep water close under them so that mouth and nostrils ran down like a river with
I cannot climb out for want of foothold. I am sea-water, so that he could neither breathe nor
afraid some great wa\'e will lift me oflE my legs speak, and lay swooning from sheer exhaus-
and dash me against the rocks as I leave the tion; presently, when he had got his breath and
water— which would give me a sorry landing. came to himself again, he took off the scarf that
If, on the other hand, I swim further in search Ino had given him and threw it back into the
of some shelvino beach or harbour, a hurricane salt stream of the ri\'er, whereon Ino received

may carry me out to sea again sorely against it into her hands from the wave that bore it

my heaven may send some great mon-

will, or towards her. Then he left the river, laid him
ster of the deep to attack me; for Amphitrite self down among the rushes, and kissed the
breeds many such, and I know that Neptune is bounteous earth.
very angry with me." [464] "Alas," he cried to himself in his dis
[424] While he was thus in two minds a may, "what e\'er will become of me, and how
wave caught him and took him with such force is it all to end? If I stay here upon the river bed

against the rocks that he would have been through the long watches of the night, I am so
smashed and torn to pieces if Minerva had not exhausted that the bitter cold and damp may
shown him what to do. He caught hold of the make an end of me— for towards sunrise there
rock with both hands and clung to it groaning will be a keen wind blowing from off the river.
with pain till the wave retired, so he was saved If, on the other hand, I climb the hill side, find

that time; but presently the wave came on shelter in the woods, and sleep in some thicket,
again and carried him back with it far into I may escape the cold and have a good night's

the sea— tearing his hands as the suckers of a rest, but some savage beast may take advantage

polypus are torn when some one plucks it from of me and devour me."
its bed, and the stones come up along with it [474] In the end he deemed it best to take
—even so did the rocks tear the skin from his to the woods, and he found one upon some
strong hands, and then the wave drew him high ground not far from the water. There he
deep down under the water. crept beneath two shootsof olive that grew from
[4^6] Here poor Ulysses would have cer- a single stock— the one an ungrafted sucker,
tainly perished even in spite of his own destiny, while the other had been grafted. No wind,
if Minerva had not helped him to keep his wits however squally, could break through the cover
about him. He swam seaward again, beyond they afforded, nor could the sun's rays pierce
reach of the surf that was beating against the them, nor the rain get through them, so closely
land, and at the same time he kept looking did they grow into one another. Ulysses crept
towards the shore to see if he could find some under these and began to make himself a bed
haven, or a spit that should take the waves to lie on, for there was a great litter of dead
aslant. By and by, as he swam on, he came to leaves lying about— enough to make a covering
the mouth of a river, and here he thought for two or three men even in hard winter
would be the best place, for there were no weather. He was glad enough to see this, so he
rocks, and it afforded shelter from the wind. laid himself down and heaped the leaves all
 BOOK V 213
round him. Then, as one who lives alone in the Ulysses cover himself up with leaves; and
countrv, far from nny neighbor, hides 1 brand Minerva shed a sweet sleep upon his eyes,
as Hre-seed in the ashes to save himself from closed his eyelids, and made him lose all mem-
having to get a light elsewhere, even so did ory of his sorrows.
 a

-g^^rS^

BOOK VI
HERE Ulysses slept, overcome by sleep much pleasanter for you than walking, for the
SO and toil; but Minerva went off to tbe
country and city of tbe Pbaeacians—
washing-cisterns are some
When
way from tbe town."
she had said this Minerva went
[4 1 ]
people who used to live in tbe fair town of away Olympus, which they say is the ever-
to
Hypereia, near tbe lawless Cyclopes. Now tbe lasting home
of tbe gods. Here no wind beats
Cyclopes were stronger tban tbey and plun- roughly, and neither rain nor snow can fall:
dered tbem, so tbeir king Nausitbous moved but it abides in everlasting sunshine and in a
tbem tbence and settled tbem in Scberia, far great peacefulness of light, wherein the blessed
from all otber people. He
surrounded tbe city gods are illumined for ever and ever. This was
witb a wall, built bouses and temples, and tbe place to which tbe goddess went when she
divided tbe lands among bis people; but he had given instructions to the girl.
was dead and gone to tbe bouse of Hades, and [48] By and by morning came and woke
King Alcinous, whose counsels were inspired Nausicaa, who began wondering about her
of heaven, was now reigning. To his house, dream; she therefore went to the other end of
then, did Minerva hie in furtherance of tbe the house to tell her father and mother all
return of Ulysses. about it, and found them in their own room.
[i^] She went straight to tbe beautifully Her mother was sitting by the fireside spinning
decorated bedroom in which there slept a girl her purple yarn with her maids around her,
who was as lovely as a goddess, Nausicaa, and she happened to catch her father just as he
daughter to King Alcinous. Two maid ser\'ants was going out to attend a meeting of tbe town
were sleeping near her, both very pretty, one council, which tbe Phaeacian aldermen had
on either side of tbe doorway, which was closed convened. She stopped him and said:
with well-made folding doors. Minerva took [^y] "Papa dear, could you manage to let
tbe form of the famous sea captain Dymas's me ba\'e a good big waggon? I want to take all
daughter, who was a bosom friend of Nausicaa our dirty clothes to tbe river and wash them.
and just her own age; then, coming up to the You are the chief man here, so it is only right
girl's bedside like a breath of wind, she hovered that you should ha\'e a clean shirt when you
over her bead and said: attend meetings of the council. Moreover, you
[z^] "Nausicaa, what can your mother have have five sons at home, two of them married,
been about, to have such a lazy daughter? Here while tbe otber three are good-looking bache-
are your clothes all lying in disorder, yet you lors; you know tbey always like to have clean

are going to be married almost immediately, linen when they go to a dance, and I have been
and should not only be well dressed yourself, thinking about all this."
but should find good clothes for those who at- [66] She did not say a v\ord about her own
tend you. This is tbe way to get yourself a good wedding, for she did not like to, but her father
name, and to make your father and mother knew and said, "You shall have tbe mules, my
proud of you. Suppose, then, that we make to- love, and whatever else you ba\'e a mind for.
morrow a washing day, and start at daybreak. Be off witb you, and the men shall get you a
I will come and help vou so that you may have good strong waggon with a body to it that will
everything ready as soon as possible, for all bold all your clothes."
tbe best young men among your own people [yi] On this be gave his orders to the serv-
are courting you, and you are not going to re- ants, who got tbe waggon out, harnessed the
main a maid much longer. Ask your father, mules, and put them to, while tbe girl brought
therefore, to have a waggon and mules ready the clothes down from the linen room and
for us at daybreak, to take tbe rugs, robes, and placed them on the waggon. Her mother pre-
girdles; and you can ride, too, which will be pared her a basket of provisions witb all sorts

214
 BOOK VI 215
of good things, and a goat skin full of wine; and meadows of green grass. At any rate I am
the girl now got into the waggon, and her among a race of men and women. Let me try
mother gave her also a golden cruse of oil, that if I cannot manage to get a look at them."
she and her women might anoint themselves. [127] As he said this he crept from under
Then she took the whip and reins and lashed his bush,and broke off a bough covered with
the mules on, whereon they set off, and their thick leaves to hide his nakedness. He looked
hoofs clattered on the road. They pulled with- like some lion of the wilderness that stalks
out flagging, and carried not only Nausicaa and about exulting in his strength and defying both
her wash of clothes, but the maids also \A'ho wind and rain; his eyes glare as he prowls in
were with her. quest of oxen, sheep, or deer, for he is fam-
^85] When they reached the water side they ished, and will dare break even into a well-
went to the washing-cisterns, through which fenced homestead, trying to get at the sheep
there ran at times enough pure water to
all —even such did Ulysses seem to the voung
wash any quantity of linen, no matter how women, as he drew near to them all naked as
dirty. Here they unharnessed the mules and he was, for he was in great want. On seeing one
turned them out to feed on the sweet juicy so unkempt and so begrimed with salt water,
herbage that grew by the water side. They took the others scampered off along the spits that
the clothes out of the waggon, put them in the jutted out into the sea, but the daughter of
water, and vied with one another in treading Alcinous stood firm, for Minerva put courage
them in the pits to get the dirt out. After they into her heart and took away all fear from her.
had washed them and got them quite clean, She stood right in front of Ulv5ses, and he
thev laid them out by the sea side, where the doubted whether he should go up to her, throw
waves had raised a high beach of shingle, and himself at her feet, and embrace her knees as
set about washing themselves and anointing a suppliant, or stay where he was and entreat
themselves with olive oil. Then they got their her to give him some clothes and show him the
dinner by the side of the stream, and waited for way to the town. In the end he deemed it best
the sun to finish drying the clothes. When they to entreat her from a distance in case the girl
had done dinner they threw off the veils that should take offence at his coming near enough
covered their heads and began to play at ball, to clasp her knees, so he addressed her in hon-
while Nausicaa sang for them. As the hunt- eyed and persuasive language.
ress Diana goes forth upon the mountains of [149] "O queen," he said, "I implore your
Tavgetus or Erymanthus to hunt wild boars or aid— but tell me, are you a goddess or are you a
deer, and the wood-nymphs, daughters of /Egis- mortal woman? If you are a goddess and dwell
bearing Jove, take their sport along with her in heaven, I can only conjecture that you are
(then is Leto proud at seeing her daughter Jove's daughter Diana, for your face and figure
stand a full head taller than the others, and resemble none but hers; if on the other hand
eclipse the loveliest amid a whole bevy of beau- you are a mortal and live on earth, thrice happy
ties), even so did the girl outshine her hand- are your father and mother— thrice happy, too,
maids. are your brothers and sisters; how proud and
[no] When it was time for them to start delighted they must feel when they see so fair
home, and they were folding the clothes and a scion as yourself going out to a dance; most
putting them into the waggon, Minerva began happy, however, of all will he be whose wed-
to consider how Ulysses should wake up and ding gifts have been the richest, and who takes
see the handsome girl who was to conduct him you to his own home. I never yet saw anv one
to the city of the Phaeacians. The girl, there- so beautiful, neither man nor woman, and am
fore, threw a ball at one of the maids, which lost in admiration as I behold you. I can only
missed her and fell into deep water. On this compare you to a young palm tree which I saw
they all shouted, and the noise they made woke when I was at Delos growing near the altar of
Ulysses, who sat up in his bed of leaves and Apollo— for I was there, too, with much people
began to wonder what it might all be. after me, when I was on that journey which
1 119] "Alas," said he to himself, "what kind has been the source of all my troubles. Never
of people have I come amongst? Are they cruel, yet did such a young plant shoot out of the
savage, and uncivilized, or hospitable and hu- ground as that was, and I admired and won-
mane? I seem to hear the voices of young dered at it exactly as I now admire and wonder
women, and they sound like those of the nymphs at yourself. I dare not clasp your knees, but I
that haunt mountain tops, or springs of rivers am in great distress; yesterday made the twen-
2l6 THE ODYSSEY
tieth day that 1 had been tossing about upon little golden cruse ofand told him to go and
oil,

the sea. The winds and waves have taken me wash But Ulysses said, "Young
in the stream.
all the way from the Ogygian island, and now women, please to stand a little on one side that
fate has flung me upon this coast that I may I may wash the brine from my shoulders and

endure still further suffering; for do not

I anoint myself with oil, for it is long enough

think that I have yet come to the end of it, since my skin has had a drop of oil upon it. I
but rather that heaven has still much evil in cannot wash as long as you all keep standing
store for me. there. I am ashamed to strip before a number
1 17s] "And now, O queen, have pity upon of good-looking young women."
me, for you are the first person I have met, and f 2237 Then
they stood on one side and went
I know no one else in this countn,'. Show me while Ulysses washed himself
to tell the girl,
the way to your town, and let me have any- in the stream and scrubbed the brine from his
thing that you may have brought hither to back and from his broad shoulders. When he
wrap your clothes in. May heaven grant you in had thoroughly washed himself, and had got
allthings your heart's desire— husband, house, the brine out of his hair, he anointed himself
and a happy, peaceful home; for there is noth- with oil, and put on the clothes which the girl

ing better in this world than that man and wife had given him; Minerva then made him look
should be of one mind in a house. It discomfits taller and stronger than before, she also made

their enemies, makes the hearts of their friends the hair grow thick on the top of his head, and
glad, and they themselves know more about it flow down in curls like hyacinth blossoms; she
than any one." glorified him about the head and shoulders as
[iS6] To this Nausicaa answered, "Stran- a skilful workman who has studied art of all
ger, you appear to be a sensible, well-disposed kinds under Vulcan and Minerva enriches a
person. There is no accounting for luck; Jove piece of silver plate by gilding it— and his work
gives prosperity to rich and poor just as he is full of beauty. Then he went and sat down a

chooses, so vou must take what he has seen fit little way off upon the beach, looking quite

to send vou, and make the best of it. Now, young and handsome, and the girl gazed on
however, that you have come to this our coun- him with admiration; then she said to her
try, you shall not want for clothes nor for any- maids:
thing else that a foreigner in distress may rea- [2^9] "Hush, my dears, for I want to say
sonably look for. I will show you the way to the something. I believe the gods who live in
town, and will tell you the name of our people; heaven have sent this man to the Phaeacians.
we are called Phaeacians, and 1 am daughter to When I first saw him I thought him plain, but
Alcinous, in whom the whole power of the now his appearance is like that of the gods who
state is vested." dwell in heaven. I should like my future hus-
[198] Then she called her maids and said, band to be just such another as he is, if he
"Stay where you are, you girls. Can you not see would only stay here and not want to go away.
a man without running away from him? Do However, give him something to eat and drink."
you take him for a robber or a murderer? [247] They did as they were told, and set
Neither he nor any one else can come here to food before Ulysses, who ate and drank raven-
do us Phaeacians any harm, for we are dear to ously, for it was long since he had had food of
the gods, and live apart on a land's end that any kind. Meanwhile, Nausicaa bethought her
juts into the sounding sea, and have nothing to of another matter. She got the linen folded and
do with any other people. This is only some placed in the waggon, she then yoked the
poor man who has lost his way, and we must be mules, and, as she took her seat, she called
kind to him, for strangers and foreigners in dis- Ulysses:
tress are under Jove's protection, and will take /255J "Stranger, said she, "rise and let us
"

what they can get and be thankful; so, girls, be going back to the town; I will introduce you
give the poor fellow something to eat and at the house of my excellent father, where I
drink, and wash him in the stream at some can tell you that you will meet all the best peo-
place thatis sheltered from the wind." ple among the Phaeacians. But be sure and do
[iJi] On this the maids left off running as I bid you, for you seem to be a sensible per-
away and began calling one another back. son. As long as we are going past the fields and
They made Ulysses sit down in the shelter as farm lands, follow briskly behind the waggon
Nausicaa had told them, and brought him a along with the maids and I will lead the way
shirt and cloak. They also brought him the myself. Presently, however, we shall come to
 BOOK VI 217
the town, where you will find a high wall about as far from the town as a man's voice
running all round it, and a good harbour on will carry. Sit down there and wait for a while
either side with a narrow entrance into the till the rest of us can get into the town and

city, and the ships will be drawn up by the reach my father's house. Then, when you think
road side, for every one has a place where his we must have done this, come into the town
own ship can lie. You will see the market place and ask the way to the house of my father
with a temple of Neptune in the middle of it, Alcinous. You will have no difficulty in finding
and paved with large stones bedded in the it; any child will point it out to you, for no one
earth. Here people deal in ship's gear of all else in the whole town has anything like such
kinds, such as cables and sails, and here, too, a fine house as he has. When you have got past
are the places where oars are made, for the the gates and through the outer court, go right
Phasacians are not a nation of archers; they across the inner court till you come to my
know nothing about bows and arrows, but are mother. You will find her sitting by the fire and
a sea-faring folk, and pride themselves on their spinning her purple wool by firelight. It is a
masts, oars, and ships,with which they travel fine sight to see her as she leans back against
far over the sea. one of the bearing-posts with her maids all
[2737 "I am afraid of the gossip and scandal ranged behind her. Close to her seat stands that
that may be set on foot against me later on; for of my father, on which he sits and topes like an
the people here are very ill-natured, and some immortal god. Never mind him, but go up to
low fellow, if he met us, might say, 'Who is my mother, and lay your hands upon her knees
this fine-looking stranger that is going about if you would get home quickly. If you can gain

with Nausicaa? Where did she find him? I her over, you may hope to see your own coun-
suppose she is going to marry him. Perhaps he try again, no matter how distant it may be."
is a vagabond sailor whom she has taken from [^ 1 6] So saying she lashed the mules with
some foreign vessel, for we have no neighbours; her whip and they left the river. The mules
or some god has at last come down from heaven drew well, and their hoofs went up and down
in answer to her prayers, and she is going to upon the road. She was careful not to go too
live with him all the rest of her life. It would fast for Ulysses and the maids who were fol-
be a good thing if she would take herself off lowing on foot along with the waggon, so she
and find a husband somewhere else, for she plied her whip with judgement. As the sun was
will not look at one of the many excellent going down they came to the sacred grove of
young Phaeacians who are in love with her.' Minerva, and there Ulysses sat down and
This is the kind of disparaging remark that prayed to the mighty daughter of Jove.
would be made about me, and I could not com- [324] "Hear me," he cried, "daughter of
plain, for should myself be scandalized at
I /Egis-bearing Jove, unweariable, hear me now,
seeing any other girl do the like, and go about for you gave no heed to my prayers when Nep-
with men in spite of everybody, while her fa- tune was wrecking me. Now, therefore, have
ther and mother were still alive, and without pity upon me and grant that I may find friends
having been married in the face of all theworld. and be hospitably received by the Phaeacians."
[289] "If, therefore, you want my father to [328] Thus did he pray, and Minerva heard
give you an escort and to help you home, do as his prayer, but she would not show herself to
I bid you; you will see a beautiful grove of pop- him openly, for she was afraid of her uncle
lars by the road side dedicated to Minerva; it Neptune, who was still furious in his endeav-
has a well in it and a meadow all round it. Here ors to prevent Ulysses from getting home.
my father has a field of rich garden ground,
<^^

BOOK VII

and the
THUS,
but
then, did Ulysses wait and pray;
the girl drove on to the town. When
lofty walls of the city, which, with the
palisade on top of them, were very striking, and
she reached her father's house she drew when they reached the king's house Minerva
up at the gateway, and her brothers— comely said:
as the gods— gathered round her, took the mules [48] "This is the house, father stranger,
out of the waogon, and carried the clothes into which you would have me show you. You will
the house, while she went to her own room, find a number of great people sitting at table,
where an old servant, Eurymedusa of Apeira, but do not be afraid; go straight in, for the bolder
lit the This old woman had been
fire for her. a man is the more likely he is to carry his point,
brought by sea from Apeira, and had been even though he is a stranger. First find the
chosen as a prize for Alcinous because he was queen. Her name is Arete, and she comes of the
king over the Phaeacians, and the people obeyed same family as her husband Alcinous. They
him as though he were a god. She had been both descend originallv from Neptune, who was
nurse to Nausicaa, and had now lit the fire for father to Nausithous by Peribcea, a woman of
her, and brought her supper for her into her great beauty. Periboea was the youngest daugh-
own room. ter of Eurymedon, who at one time reigned

[14] Presentlv Ulysses got up to go towards over the giants, but he ruined his ill-fated peo-
the town; and Klinerva shed a thick mist all ple and lost his own life to boot.

round him to hide him in case any of the proud [61] "Neptune, however, lay with his daugh-
Phaeacians who met him should be rude to him, ter, and she had a son bv him, the great Nausi-

or ask him who he was. Then, as he was just thous, who reigned over the Phaeacians. Nausi-
entering the town, she came towards him in the thous had two sons Rhexenor and Alcinous;
likeness of a little girl carrjdng a pitcher. She Apollo killed the first of them while he was still
stood right in front of him, and Ulysses said: a bridegroom and without male issue; but he
/^2
2J "My dear, will you be so kind as to show left a daughter Arete, whom Alcinous married,

me the house of king Alcinous? I am an unfor- and honours as no other woman is honoured of
tunate foreigner in distress, and do not know^ all those that keep house along with their hus-

any one in your town and country." bands.

[ly] Then Minerva said, "Yes, father stran- [6g] "Thus she both was, and still is, re-
ger, I will show you the house you want, for spected beyond measure by her children, by Al-
Alcinous lives quite close to my own father. I cinous himself, and by the whole people, who
will go before you and show the way, but say look upon her as a goddess, and greet her when-
not a word as you go, and do not look at any ever she goes about the citv, for she is a thor-
man, nor ask him questions; for the people here oughlv good woman both in head and heart,
cannot abide strangers, and do not like men and when any women are friends of hers, she
who come from some other place. They are a will help their husbands also to settle their dis-
sea-faring folk, and sail the seas by the grace of putes. Ifyou can gain her good will, you may
Neptune in ships that glide along like thought, have everv hope of seeing vour friends again,
or as a bird in the air." and getting safelv back to \'our home and coun-
[^-] On this she led the way, and Ulvsses tr)'."

followed in her steps; but not one of the Phaea- [y8] Then Minerva left Scheria and went
cians could see him as he passed through the away over the sea. She went to Marathon and
city in the midst of them; for the great goddess Athens, where she en-
to the spacious streets of
Minerva in her good will towards him had hid- tered the abode of Erechtheus; but Ulysses
den him in a thick cloud of darkness. He ad- went on to the house of Alcinous, and he pon-
mired their harbours, ships, places of assembly. dered much as he paused a while before reach-
218
 BOOK VII 219
ing the threshold of bronze, for the splendour of endowed the house of king Alcinous.
the palace was like that of the sun or moon. The [liil So here Ulysses stood for a while and
walls on either side were of bronze from end to looked about him, but when he had looked long
end, and the cornice was of blue enamel. The enough he crossed the threshold and went
doors were gold, and hung on pillars of silver within the precincts of the house. There he
that rose from a floor of bronze, while the lintel found all the chief people among the Phaeacians
was silver and the hock of the door was of gold. making their drink-offerings to Mercury, which
[gi] On either side there stood gold and sil- they always did the last thing before going away
ver mastiffs which Vulcan, with his consum- for the night. He went straight through the
mate skill, had fashioned expressly to keep watch court, still hidden by the cloak of darkness in

over the palace of king Alcinous; so they were which Minerva had enveloped him, till he
immortal and could never grow old. Seats were reached Arete and King Alcinous; then he laid
ranged all along the wall, here and there from his hands upon the knees of the queen, and at
one end to the other, with coverings of fine that moment the miraculous darkness fell awav
woven work which the women of the house had from him and he became visible. Every one was
made. Here the chief persons of the Phaeacians speechless with surprise at seeing a man there,
used to sit and eat and drink, for there was but Ulysses began once with his petition.
at
abundance at all seasons; and there were golden / 1 46] "Queen Arete," he exclaimed, "daugh-
figures of young men with lighted torches in ter of great Rhe.xenor, in my distress I humbly
their hands, raised on pedestals, to give light by pray you, as also your husband and these your
night to those who were at table. There are fifty guests (whom may heaven prosper with long
maid servants in the house, some of whom are lifeand happiness, and may they leave their
always grinding rich yellow grain at the mill, possessions to their children, and all the hon-
while others work at the loom, or sit and spin, ours conferred upon them by the state) to help
and their shuttles go backwards and forwards me home to my own country as soon as possible:
like the fluttering of aspen leaves, while the for I have been long in trouble and away from
linen is so closely woven that it will turn oil. my friends."
As the Phaeacians are the best sailors in the [153] Then he sat down on the hearth among
world, so their women excel all others in weav- the ashes and they all held their peace, till

ing, forMinerva has taught them all manner of presently the old hero Echeneus, who was an
useful arts, and they are very intelligent. excellent speaker and an elder among the Phaea
[112] Outside the gate of the outer court cians, plainly and in all honesty addressed them
there is a large garden of about four acres thus:
with a wall all round it. It is full of beautiful [159] "Alcinous," said he, "it is not credita-
trees— pears, pomegranates, and the most de- ble to you that a stranger should be seen sitting
licious apples. There are luscious figs also, and among the ashes of your hearth; every one is
olives in full growth. The fruits never rot nor waiting to hear what you are about to say; tell
fail all the year round, neither winter nor sum- him, then, to rise and take a seat on a stool in-
mer, for the air is so soft that a new crop ripens laid with silver, and bid your servants mix some
before the old has dropped. Pear grows on pear, wine and water that we may make a drink-
apple on apple, and fig on fig, and so also with offering to Jove the lord of thunder, who takes
the grapes, for there is an excellent vineyard: all well-disposed suppliants under his protec-
on the level ground of a part of this, the grapes tion; and let the housekeeper give him some
are being made into raisins; in another part supper, of whatever there may be in the house."
they are being gathered; some are being trodden [i6y] When Alcinous heard this he took
in the wine on have shed
tubs, others further Ulysses by the hand, raised him from the
their blossom and are beginning to show fruit, hearth, and bade him take the
seat of Laodamas,
others again are just changing colour. In the who had been him, and was his
sitting beside
furthest part of the ground there are beautifully favourite son. A maid servant then brought
arranged beds of flowers that are in bloom all him water in a beautiful golden ewer and
the year round. Two streams go through it, the poured it into a silver basin for him to wash his
one turned in ducts throughout the whole gar- hands, and she drew a clean table beside him;
den, while the other is carried under the ground an upper servant brought him bread and offered
of the outer court to the house itself, and the him many good things of what there was in the
town's people draw water from it. Such, then, house, and Ulysses ate and drank. Then Alci-
were the splendours with which the gods had nous said to one of the servants, "Pontonous,
220 THE ODYSSEY
mix a cup of wine and hand it round that we have his escort inasmuch as he had spoken rea-

may make drink-offerings to Jove the lord of sonably. they had made their drink-
Then when
thunder, who is the protector of all well-dis- offerings, and had drunk each as much as he

posed suppliants." was minded they went home to bed even,' man
[182] Pontonous then-rriixed wine and water, in his own abode, leaving Ulysses in the cloister

and handed it round after giving even,' man with Arete and Alcinous while the servants
his drink-offering. When they had made their were taking the things away after supper. Arete
offerings,and had drunk each as much as he was the first to speak, for she recognized the
was minded, .\lcinous said: shirt, cloak,and good clothes that Ulysses was
[186] "Aldermen and town councillors of wearing, as the work of herself and of her
the Phaeacians, hear my words. You have had maids; so she said, "Stranger, before we go any
vour supper, so now go home to bed. To-mor- further, there is a should like to .-ask
question I

row morning I shall invite a still larger number you. Who, and whence and who gave
are you,
of aldermen, and will give a sacrificial banquet vou those clothes? Did you not say you had
in honour of our guest; we can then discuss the come here from beyond the sear"
question of his escort, and consider how we may [240] And Ulysses answered, "It would be
at once send him back rejoicing to his own a long storv' Madam, were I to relate in full the
countr)' v\'ithout trouble or inconvenience to tale of my misfortunes, for the hand of heaven
himself, no matter how distant it may be. We has been laid heavy upon me; but as regards
must see that no harm while on his
he comes to your question, there is an island far away in the
homeward journey, but when he is once at sea which is called 'the Ogygian.' Here dwells
home he will have to take the luck he was born the cunning and powerful goddess Calypso,
with for better or worse like other people. It is daughter of Atlas. She lives by herself far from
possible, however, that the stranger is one of all neighbours human or divine. Fortune, how-

the immortals who has come down from heaven ever, brought me to her hearth all desolate and
to visit us; but in this case the gods are depart- alone, for Jove struck my ship with his thunder-
ing from their usual practice, for hitherto they bolts, and broke it up in mid-ocean. My brave
have made themselves perfectly clear to us comrades were drowned every man of them,
when we have been offering them hecatombs. but I stuck to the keel and was carried hither
Thev come and sit at our feasts just like one of and thither for the space of nine days, till at
our selves, and if any solitary' wayfarer happens last during the darkness of the tenth night the

to stumble upon some one or other of them, gods brought me to the Ogygian island where
they affect no concealment, for we are as near the great goddess Calypso lives. She took me in
of kin to the gods as the Cyclopes and the sav- and treated me with the utmost kindness; in-
age giants are." deed she wanted to make me immortal that I
[zoy] Then Ulvsses said: "Pray, xAlcinous, might never grow old, but she could not per-
do not take anv such notion into vour head. I suade me to let her do so.
have nothing of the immortal about me, neither [259] "I staved with Calypso seven years
in body nor mind, and most resemble those straight on end, and watered the good clothes
among you who are the most afflicted. Indeed, she gave me with mv tears during the whole
were I to tell you all that heaven has seen fit to time; but at last when the eighth year came
lay upon me, you would say that I was still round she bade me depart of her own free will,
worse off than they are. Nevertheless, let me either because Jove had told her she must, or
sup in spite of sorrow, for an empty stomach is because she had changed her mind. She sent
a very importunate thing, and thrusts itself on me from her island on a raft, which she pro-
a man's notice no matter how dire is his distress. visioned with abundance of bread and wine.
I am in great trouble, yet it insists that I shall Moreover she gave me good stout clothing, and
eat and drink, bids me lay aside all memory of sent me a wind that blew both warm and fair.
my sorrows and dwell only on the due replen- Days seven and ten did I sail over the sea, and
ishing of itself. As for yourselves, do as you on the eighteenth I caught sight of the first out-
propose, and at break of day set about helping lines of the mountains upon your coast— and
me to get home. I shall be content to die if I glad indeed was J to set eyes upon them. Nev-
may first once more behold my property, my erthess there was still much trouble in store
bondsmen, and all the greatness of my house." forme, for at this point Neptune would let me
[226] Thus did he speak. Every one ap- go no further, and raised a great storm against
proved his saying, and agreed that he should me; the sea was so terribly high that I could no
 —
BOOK VII 221
longer keep to mv raft, which went to pieces ing; it is always better to be reasonable; but by

under the fur)' of the gale, and I had to swim Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, now that 1
for it, till wind and current hrought me to vour see what kind of person you are, and how much
shores. vou think as I do, I wish vou would stay here,
[ijS] "There I tried to land, but could not, marry mv daughter, and become my son-in-law.
for it was a bad place and the waves dashed me If vou will stav I will give vou a house and an
against the rocks, so I again took to the sea and estate, but no one (heaven forbid) shall keep
swam on till I came to a river that seemed the you here against your own wish, and that you
most likely landing place, for there were no mav be sure of this I will attend to-morrow to
rocks and it was sheltered from the wind. Here, the matter of your escort. You can sleep during
then, I got out of the water and gathered mv the whole voyage if you like, and the men shall
senses together again. Night was coming on, so sail you over smooth waters either to your own

I left the river, and went where

into a thicket, home, or wherever you please, even though it
I covered myself all over with leaves, and pres- be a long way further off than Eubcea, which
ently heaven sent me off into a very deep sleep. those of my people who saw it when they took
Sick and sorry as I was I slept among the leaves yellow-haired Rhadamanthus to see Titvus the
all night, and through the next day till after- son of Gaia, tell me is the furthest of any place
noon, when I woke as the sun was westering, and vet thev did the whole vovage in a single
and saw your daughter's maid servants playing dav without distressing themselves, and came
upon the beach, and vour daughter among back again afterwards. You will thus see how
them looking like a goddess. I besought her aid. much my ships excel all others, and what mag-
and she proved to be of an excellent disposition, nificent oarsmen mv sailors are."
much more so than could be expected from so [szg] Then was Ulysses glad and prayed
young a person— for voung people are apt to be aloud, saying, "Father Jove, grant that Alcinous
thoughtless. She gave me plenty of bread and may do all as he has said, for so he will win an
wine, and when she had had me washed in the imperishable name among mankind, and at the
river she also gave me the clothes in which you same time I shall return to my own country."
see me. Now, therefore, though it has pained ^3347 Thus did they converse. Then Arete
me to do so, I have told you the whole truth." told her maids to set a bed in the room that was
[igS] Then Alcinous said, "Stranger, it was in the gatehouse, and make it with good red
very wrong of my daughter not to bring you on rugs, and to spread coverlets on the top of them
at once my
house along with the maids, see-
to with woollen cloaks for Ulysses to wear. The
ing that she was the first person whose aid you maids thereon went out with torches in their
asked." hands, and when they had made the bed they
[302] "Pray do not scold her," replied Ulys- came up to Ulysses and said, "Rise, sir stran-
ses; "she is not to blame. She did tell me to fol- ger, and come with us for your bed is ready,"
low along with the maids, but I was ashamed and glad indeed was he to go to his rest.
and afraid, for I thought you might perhaps be [^44] So Ulysses slept in a bed placed in a
displeased if you saw me. Every human being room over the echoing gateway; but Alcinous
is sometimes a little suspicious and irritable." lay in the inner part of the house, with the
[^oS] "Stranger," replied Alcinous, "I am queen his wife by his side.
not the kind of man to get angry about noth-
 BOOK VIII

NOW when the child of morning, rosy-

fingered Dawn, appeared, Alcinousand
and town councillors, you will join
tertaining our guest in the cloisters.
me
I
in en-
can take
Ulysses both rose, and Alcinous led no excuses, and we will have Demodocus to
the wayto the Phaeacian place of assembly, sing to us; for there is no bard like him what-
which was near the ships. When they got there ever he may choose to sing about."
they sat down side by side on a seat of polished [46] Alcinous then led the way, and the
stone, while Minerva took the form of one of others followed after, while a servant went to
Alcinous' servants, and went round the town fetch Demodocus. The fifty-two picked oars-
in order to help Ulysses to get home. She went men went to the sea shore as they had been
up to the citizens, man by man, and said, "Al- told, and when they got there they drew the

dermen and town councillors of the Phaeacians, ship into the water, got her mast and sails in-
come to the assembly all of you and listen to side her, bound the oars to the thole-pins with
the stranger who has just come off a long voy- twisted thongs of leather, all in due course, and
age to the house of King Alcinous; he looks spread the white sails aloft. They moored the
like an immortal god." vessel a little way out from land, and then came

[15J With these words she made them all on shore and went to the house of King Alcin-
want to come, and they flocked to the assembly ous. The outhouses, yards, and all the precincts
till seats and standing room were alike crowded. were filled with crowds of men in great multi-
Every one was struck with the appearance of tudes both old and young; and Alcinous killed
Ulysses, for Minerva had beautified him about them a dozen sheep, eight full grown pigs, and
the head and shoulders, making him look taller two oxen. These they skinned and dressed so as
and stouter than he really was, that he might to provide a magnificent banquet.
impress the Phaeacians favourably as being a [627 A servant presently led in the famous
very remarkable man, and might come off well bard Demodocus, whom the muse had dearly
in the many trials of skill to which they would loved, but to whom she had given both good
challenge him. Then, when they were got to- and evil, though she had endowed him
for
gether, Alcinous spoke: with a divine she had robbed him
gift of song,

[26] "Hear me," said he, "aldermen and of his eyesight. Pontonous set a seat for him
town councillors of the Phaeacians, that I may among the guests, leaning it up against a bear-
speak even as I am minded. 1 his stranger, who- ing-post. He hung the lyre for him on a peg
ever he may be, has found his way my
house
to over his head, and showed him where he was
from somewhere or other either East or West. to feel for it with his hands. He also set a fair
He wants an escort and wishes to have the by his side, and
table with a basket of victuals
matter settled. Let us then get one ready for a cup of wine from which he might drink
him, as we have done for others before him; in- whenever he was so disposed.
deed, no one who ever yet came to my house [yi] The company then laid their hands
has been able to complain of me for not speed- upon the good things that were before them,
ing him on his way soon enough. Let us draw but as soon as they had had enough to eat and
a ship into the sea— one that has never yet made drink, the muse inspired Demodocus to sing
a voyage— and man her with two and fifty of the feats of heroes, and more especially a matter
our smartest young sailors. Then when you that was then in the mouths of all men, to wit,
have made fast your oars each by his own seat, the quarrel between Ulysses and y\chilles, and
leave the ship and come to my house to prepare the fierce words that they heaped on one an-
a feast. I will find you in everything. I am giv- other as they sat tog-ether at a banquet. But
ing these instructions to the young men who Agamemnon was glad when he heard his chief-
will form the crew, for as regards you aldermen tains quarrelling with one another, for Apollo
 BOOK VIII 223
had foretold him this at Pytho when he crossed had all been diverted with the games, "Let us
the stone floor to consult the oracle. Here was ask the stranger whether he excels in any of
the beginning of the evil that by the will of these sports; he seems very powerfully built;
Jove fell both upon Danaans and Trojans. his thighs, calves, hands,and neck are of pro-
[8^] Thus sang the bard, but Ulysses drew digious strength, nor he at all old, but he has
is

his purple mantle over his head and covered his suffered much lately, and there is nothing like
face, for he was ashamed to let the Phaeacians the sea for making havoc with a man, no matter
see that he was weeping. When the bard left how strong he is."
off singing he wiped the tears from his eyes, [140] "You are quite right, Laodamas," re-
uncovered his face, and, taking his cup, made plied Euryalus, "go up to your guest and speak
a drink-offering to the gods; but when the
'

to him about it yourself.

Phaeacians pressed Demodocus to sing further, [14^] When Laodamas heard this he made
for they delighted in his lays, then Ulysses his wav into the middle of the crowd and said
again drew his mantle over his head and wept to Ulysses, "I hope, Sir, that you will enter
bitterly. No one noticed his
distress except Al- yourself for some one or other of our competi-
cinous, who was near him, and heard
sitting tions you are skilled in any of them— and you
if

the heavy sighs that he was heaving. So he at must have gone in for many a one before now.
once said, "Aldermen and town councillors of There is nothing that does anv one so much
the Phaeacians, we have had enough now, both credit all his life long as the showing himself a
of the feast,and of the minstrelsy that is its due proper man with his hands and feet. Have a
accompaniment; let us proceed therefore to the try therefore at something, and banish all sor-
athletic sports, so that our guest on his return row from your mind. Your return home will
home mav be able to tell his friends how much not be long delayed, for the ship is already
we surpass all other nations as boxers, wrestlers, drawn into the water, and the crew is found."
jumpers, and runners." [iS^] Ulysses answered, "Laodamas, why
[104] With these words he led the way, and do you taunt me in this way? my mind is set
the others followed after. A servant hung De- rather on cares than contests; I have been
modocus's lyre on its peg for him, led him out through infinite trouble, and am come among
and set him on the same way as
of the cloister, you now as a suppliant, praying your king and
that along which all the chief men of the Phaea- people to further me on my return home."
cians were going to see the sports; a crowd of [js8] Then Euryalus reviled him outright
several thousands of people followed them, and and said, "I gather, then, that you are unskilled
there were many excellent competitors for all in any of the many sports that men generally
the prizes. Acroneos, Ocvalus, Elatreus, Nau- delight in. I suppose you are one of those grasp-
teus, Prvmneus, Anchialus, Eretmeus, Ponteus, ing traders that go about in ships as captains or
Proreus, Thoon, Anabesineus, and Amphialus merchants, and who think of nothing but of
son of Polvneus son of Tecton. There was also their outward freights and homeward cargoes.
Euryalus son of Naubolus, who was like Mars There does not seem to be much of the athlete
himself, and was the best looking man among about you."
the Phaeacians except Laodamas. Three sons of [16^] "For shame. Sir," answered Ulysses,
Alcinous, Laodamas, Halios, and Clytoneus, fiercely, "you are an insolent fellow— so true is
competed also. it that the gods do not grace all men alike in

[120] The foot races came first. The course speech, person, and understanding. One man
was set out for them from the starting post, may be of weak presence, but heaven has
and they raised a dust upon the plain as thev adorned this with such a good conversation that
all flew forward at the same moment. Clyto- he charms every one who sees him; his honeyed
neus came in first by a long way; he left every moderation carries his hearers with him so that
one else behind him by the length of the fur- he is leader in all assemblies of his fellows, and
row that a couple of mules can plough in a where\'er he goes he is looked up to. Another

fallow field. They then turned to the painful may be as handsome as a god, but his good looks
art of wrestling,and here Euryalus proved to are not crowned with discretion. This is your
be the best man. Amphialus excelled all the case. No god could make a finer looking fellow
others in jumping, while at throwing the disc than you are, but you are a fool. Your ill-judged
there was no one who could approach Elatreus. remarks have made me exceedingly angry, and
Alcinous's son Laodamas was the best boxer, you are quite mistaken, for I excel in a great
and he it was who presently said, when they many athletic exercises; indeed, so long as I
224 THE ODYSSEY
had youth and strength, was among the first
I with him and killed him because he challenged
athletes of the age. Now, however, I am worn him as an archer. I can throw a dart farther
out by labour and sorrow, for I have gone than any one else can shoot an arrow. Running
through much both on the field of battle and by is the only point in respect cf which I am

the waves of the weary sea; still, in spite of all afraid some of the Phaeacians might beat me,
this I will compete, for your taunts have stung for I have been brought down very low at sea;
me to the quick." my provisions ran short, and therefore I am
[i86] So he hurried up without even taking still weak."
his cloak off, and seized a disc, larger, more [2^4] They held their peace except King
all

massive and much heavier than those used by Alcinous, began, "Sir, we have had much
who
the Phaeacians when disc-throwing among them- pleasure in hearing all that you have told us,
selves. Then, swinging it back, he threw it from from which I understand that vou are willing
his brawny hand, and it made a humming to show your prowess, as having been displeased
sound in the air as he did so. The Phaeacians with some insolent remarks that have been made
quailed beneath the rushing of its flight as it to you by one of our athletes, and which could

sped gracefullv from his hand, and flew beyond never have been uttered by any one who knows
any mark that had been made yet. Minerva, in how to talk with propriety. I hope you will ap-
the form of a man, came and marked the place prehend my meaning, and will explain to any
where it had fallen. "A blind man, Sir," said one of your chief men who may be dining with
she, "could easily tell your mark by groping for yourself and your family when you get home,
it— it is so far ahead of any other. You may make that we have an hereditar)' aptitude for accom-
vour mind easy about this contest, for no Phaea- plishments of all kinds. We
are not particularly
cian can come near to such a throw as yours." remarkable for our boxing, nor yet as wrestlers,
[199] Ulvsses was glad when he found he but we are singularly fleet of foot and are ex-
had a friend among the lookers-on, so he began cellent sailors. We
are extremely fond of good
to speak more pleasantly. "Young men," said dinners, music, and dancing; we also like fre-
he, "come up to that throw if you can, and I quent changes of linen, warm baths, and good
will throw another disc as heavy or even heav- beds, so now, please, some of you who are the
ier. If anyone wants to have a bout with me best dancers set about dancing, that our guest
let him come on, for I am e.xceedingly angry; on his return home may be able to tell his

I will box, wrestle, or run, I do not care what friends how much we surpass all other nations
it is, with any man of you all except Laodamas, and minstrels. De-
as sailors, runners, dancers,
but not with him because I am his guest, and modocus has left his lyre at my house, so run
one cannot compete with one's own personal some one or other of you and fetch it for him."
friend. At least I do not think it a prudent or [2^6] On this a servant hurried off to bring
a sensible thing for a guest to challenge his the lyre from the king's house, and the nine
host's family at any game, especially when he men who had been chosen as stewards stood
is in a foreign country. He will cut the ground forward. It was their business to manage every-

from under his own he does; but I make

feet if thing connected with the sports, so they made
no exception as regards any one else, for I want the ground smooth and marked a wide space
to have the matter out and know which is the for the dancers. Presently the servant came back
best man. I am a good hand at every kind of with Demodocus's lyre, and he took his place
athletic sport known among mankind. I am an in the midst of them, whereon the best young
excellent archer. In battle I am always the first dancers in the town began to foot and trip it so
to bring a man down with my arrow, no matter nimbly that Ulysses was delighted with the
how many more are taking aim at him along- merry twinkling of their feet.
side of me. Philoctetes was the only man who [2667 Meanwhile the bard began to sing the
could shoot better than I could when we Achas- loves of Mars and Venus, and how they first
ans were before Troy and in practice. I far ex- began their intrigue in the house of Vulcan.
cel every one else in the whole world, of those Mars made Venus many presents, and defiled
who still eat bread upon the face of the earth, King Vulcan's marriage bed, so the sun, who
but I should not like to shoot against the mighty saw what they were about, told Vulcan. Vulcan
dead, such as Hercules, or Eur^'tus the CEcha- was very angry when he heard such dreadful
lian— men who could shoot against the gods news, so he went to his smithy brooding mis-
themselves. This in fact was how Eurytus came chief, got his great anvil into its place, and be-
prematurely by his end, for Apollo was angry gan to forge some chains which none could
 BOOK VIII 225
either unloose or break, so that they might stay cunning Vulcan had been, whereon one would
there in that place. When
he had finished his turn towards his neighbour saving:
snare he went into his bedroom and festooned f 3 29] "111 deeds do not prosper, and the weak
the bed-posts all over with chains like cobwebs; confound the strong. See how limping Vulcan,
he also let man^' hang down from the great lame as he is, has caught Mars who is the fleet-
beam of the ceiling. Not even a god could see est god in heaven; and now Mars will be cast
them, so fine and subtle were they. As soon as in heavv damages."
he had spread the chains all over the bed, he [333] Thus did they converse, but King
made as though he were setting out for the fair Apollo said to Mercurv, "Messenger Mercury,
state of Lemnos, which of all places in the world giver of good things, vou would not care how
was the one he was most fond of. But Mars strong the chains were, would vou, if vou could
kept no blind look out, and as soon as he saw sleep with \'enus?"
him start, hurried of? to his house, burning with [3387 "King Apollo," answered Mercury, "I
love for Venus. onlv wish I might get the chance, though there

[289] Now Venus was just come in from a were three times as many chains— and vou
visit to her father Jove, and was about sitting might look on, all of you, gods and goddesses,
down when Mars came inside the house, and but I would sleep with her if I could."
said as he took her hand in his own, "Let us go ^3437 The immortal gods burst out laughing
to the couch of \'ulcan: he is not at home, but as they heard him, but Neptune took it all seri-
is gone ofT to Lemnos among the Sintians, whose ously, and kept on imploring Vulcan to set
speech is barbarous." Mars free again. "Let him go," he cried, "and I
[z9S] S^ie ^^'3S nothing loth, so they went to will undertake, as you require, that he shall
the couch to take their rest, whereon they were pay you all the damages that are held reason-
caught in the toils which cunning Vulcan had able among the immortal gods."
spread for them, and could neither get up nor [^49] "Do not," replied Vulcan, "ask me to
stir hand or foot, but found too late that they do this; a bad man s bond is bad security; what
were in a trap. Then Vulcan came up to them, remedy could I enforce against you if Mars
for he had turned back before reaching Lem- should go away and leave his debts behind him
nos, when his scout the sun told him what was along with his chains?"
going on. He was in a furious passion, and [354] "Vulcan," said Neptune, "if Mars goes
stood in the vestibule making a dreadful noise awav without paving his damages, I will pay
as he shouted to all the gods. vou mvself." So Vulcan answered, "In this case
[^06] "Father Jove," he cried, "and all vou I cannot and must not refuse vou."

other blessed gods who live for ever, come here [359] Thereon he loosed the bonds that
and see the ridiculous and disgraceful sight bound them, and as soon as they were free they
that I will show vou. Jove's daughter Venus is scampered off. Mars to Thrace and laughter-
always dishonouring me because I am lame. loving Venus to Cyprus and to Paphos, where
She is in love with Mars, who is handsome and is her grove and her altar fragrant with burnt

clean built, whereas I am a cripple— but mv offerings. Here the Graces bathed her, and
parents are to blame for that, not h thev ought anointed her with oil of ambrosia such as the
never to have begotten me. Come and see the immortal gods make use of, and thev clothed
pair together asleep on my bed. It makes me her in raiment of the most enchanting beautv.
furious to look at them. Thevfond of
are very [^67] Thus sang the bard, and both Ulysses
one another, but do not think thev will lie
I and the seafaring Phaeacians were charmed as
there longer than they can help, nor do I think thev heard him.
that thev will sleep much; there, however, thev [^70] Then Alcinous told Laodamas and
shall stay till her father has repaid me the sum Halius to dance alone, for there was no one to
I gave him for his baggage of a daughter, who compete with them. So thev took a red ball
is fair but not honest." which Polybus had made for them, and one of
[321] On this the gods gathered to the house them bent himself backwards and threw it up
of Vulcan. Earth-encircling Neptune came, and towards the clouds, while the other jumped
Mercury the bringer of luck, and King Apollo, from oflF the ground and caught it with ease be-
but the goddesses stayed at home all of them for fore it came down again. When they had done
shame. Then the givers of all good things stood throwing the ball straight up into the air they
in the doorwav, and the blessed gods roared began to dance, and at the same time kept on
with inextinguishable laughter, as they saw how throwing it backwards and forwards to one an-
226 THE ODYSSEY
other, while all the young men in the ring ap- both his supper and the singing that will fol-
plauded and made a great stamping with their low. I shall myself give him this golden goblet
feet. Then Ulysses said: —which is of exquisite workmanship— that he
[3827 "King Alcinous, you said your people may be reminded of me for the rest of his life
were the nimblest dancers in the world, and in- whenever he makes a drink-offering to Jove, or
deed thev have proved themselves to be so. I to anv of the gods."
was astonished as I saw them." ^43 3/ ThenArete told her maids to set a
[385] The king was delighted at this, and large tripod upon the
fire as fast as they could,

exclaimed to the Phasacians, "Aldermen and whereon thev set a tripod full of bath water on
town councillors, our guest seems to be a per- to a clear fire; they threw on sticks to make it

son of singular judgement; let us give him such blaze, and the water became hot as the flame
proof of our hospitality as he may reasonably played about the belly of the tripod. Mean-
expect. There are twelve chief men among you, while Arete brought a magnificent chest from
and counting myself there are thirteen; con- her own room, and inside it she packed all the
tribute, each of you, a clean cloak, a shirt, and beautiful presents of gold and raiment which
a talent of fine gold; let us give him all this in the Phasacians had brought. Lastly she added
a lump down at once, so that when he gets his a cloak and a good shirt from Alcinous, and
supper he may do so with a light heart. As for said to Ulysses:
Euryalus he will have to make a formal apology [443/ "See to the lid yourself, and have the
and a present toe, for he has been rude." whole bound round at once, for fear any one
[3987 Thus did he speak. The others all of should rob you by the way when you are asleep
them applauded his saying, and sent their serv- in your ship."
ants to fetch the presents. Then Eur^'alus said, [446] When Ulysses heard this he put the
"King Alcinous, I will give the stranger all the lid on the chest and made it fast with a bond

satisfaction you require. He shall have my that Circe had taught him. f^e had hardly done
sword, which is of bronze, all but the hilt, so before an upper servant told him to come to
which is of silver. I will also give him the scab- the bath and wash himself. He was very glad
bard of newly sawn ivory into which it fits. It of a warm bath, for he had had no one to wait
will be worth a great deal to him." upon him ever since he left the house of Ca-
[406] As he spoke he placed the sword in lypso, who as long as he remained with her had
the hands of Ulysses and said, "Good luck to taken as good care of him as though he had
you, father stranger; if anything has been said been a god. When the servants had done wash-
amiss mav the winds blow it away with them, ing and anointing him with oil, and had given
and mav heaven grant you a safe return, for I him a clean cloak and shirt, he left the bath
understand you have been long away from room and joined the guests who were sitting
home, and have gone through much hardship." over their wine. Lovely Nausicaa stood by one
[412] To which Ulysses answered, "Good of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the
luck to you too my friend, and may the gods and admired him as she saw him pass.
cloister,

grant you every happiness. I hope you will not "Farewell stranger," said she, "do not forget me
miss the sword you have given me along with when you are safe at home again, for it is to me
your ppology." first that you owe a ransom for having saved
[4 1 6] With these words he girded the sword your life."

about his shoulders and towards sundown the [46^] And

Ulysses said, "Nausicaa, daugh-
presents began to make their appearance, as the ter of great may Jove the mighty hus-
Alcinous,
servants of the donors kept bringing them to band of Juno, grant that I may reach my home;
the house of King Alcinous; here his sons re- so shall I bless you as my guardian angel all my
ceived them, and placed them under their days, for was you who saved me."
it

mother's charge. Then Alcinous led the way to 1 469] WTien he had said
this, he seated him-

the house and bade his guests take their seats. self beside Alcinous. Supper was then served,

[424] "Wife," said he, turning to Queen and the wine was mixed for drinking. A serv-
Arete, "Go, fetch the best chest we have, and ant led in the favourite bard Demodocus, and
put a clean cloak and shirt in it. Also, set a cop- set him in the midst of the company, near one
per on the fire and heat some water; our guest of the bearing-posts supporting the cloister,
will take a warm bath; see also to the careful that he might lean against it. Then Ulysses cut
packing of the presents that the noble Phaea- off a piece of roast pork with plenty of fat (for
cians havemade him; he will thus better enjoy there was abundance left on the joint) and said
 BOOK VIII 227
"Take this piece of pork over to
to a servant, with tears. He wept as a woman weeps when
Demodocus and tell him to eat it; for all the she throws herself on the body of her husband
pain his lays may cause me I will salute him who has fallen before his own city and people,
none the bards are honoured and respected
less; fighting bravely in defence of his home and
throughout the world, for the muse teaches children. She screams aloud and flings her arms
them their songs and loves them." about him as he lies gasping for breath and
[482] The servant carried the pork in his dving, but her enemies beat her from behind
fingers over to Demodocus, who took it and about the back and shoulders, and carry her
was very much pleased. They then laid their ofi^into slaver)', to a life of labour and sorrow,
hands on the good things that were before and the beauty fades from her cheeks— even so
them, and as soon as thev had had enough to piteouslv did Ulvsses weep, but none of those
eat and drink, Lllvsses said to Demodocus, "De- present perceived his tears except Alcinous,
modocus, there is no one in the world whom I who was sitting near him, and could hear the
admire more than I do vou. You must have sobs and sighs that he was heaving. The king,
studied under the Muse, Jove's daughter, and therefore, i't once rose and said:
under Apollo, so accuratelv do you sing the re- [536] "Aldermen and town councillors of
turn of the Achasans with all their sufferings the Phasacians, let Demodocus cease his song,
and adventures. If you were not there yourself, for there are those present who do not seem to
vou must have heard it all from some one who like it. From the moment that we had done sup-
was. Now, however, change vour song and tell per and Demodocus began to sing, our guest
us of the wooden horse which Epeus made with has been all the time groaning and lamenting.
the assistance of Minerva, and which Ulvsses He is evidently in great trouble, so let the bard
got by stratagem into the fort of Trov after leave ofi^, that we may all enjoy ourselves, hosts
freighting it with the men who afterwards and guest This will be much more as it
alike.
sacked the city. If you will sing this tale aright should be, for these festivities, with the es-
all

I will tell all the M'orld how magnificentlv cort and the presents that we are making with
heaven has endowed vou." so much good will, are wholly in his honour,
[499] The bard inspired of heaven took up and any one with even a moderate amount of
the story at the point where some of the Argives right feeling knows that he ought to treat a
set fire to their tents and sailed away while guest and a suppliant as though he were his
others, hidden within the horse, were waiting own brother.
with Ulysses in the Trojan place of assemblv. [548] "Therefore, Sir, do you on your part
For the Trojans themselves had drawn the horse aff^ect no more concealment nor reserve in the

into their fortress, and it stood there while thev matter about which I shall ask you; it will be
sat in council round it, and were
in three minds more polite in you to give me a plain answer;
as to what they should do. Some were for break- tell me the name by which your father and

ing it up then and there; others would have it mother over yonder used to call you, and by
dragged to the top of the rock on which the which vou were known among your neigh-
fortress stood, and then thrown down the preci- bours and fellow-citizens. There is no one,
pice; while yet others were for letting it remain neither rich nor poor, who is absolutely with-
as an offering and propitiation for the gods. out any name whatever, for people's fathers
And this was how they settled it in the end, for and mothers give them names as soon as they
the city was doomed when it took in that horse, are born. Tell me your country, nation,
also
within which were all the bravest of the Ar- iind citv, that our ships may shape their purpose
gives waiting to bring death and destruction on accordingly and take you there. For the Phaea-
the Trojans. Anon he sang how the sons of the cians have no pilots; their vessels have no rud-
Achasans issued from the horse, and sacked the ders as those of other nations have, but the ships
town, breaking out from their ambuscade. He themselves understand what it is that we are
sang how they overran the city hither and thinking about and want; they know all the
thither and ravaged it, and how Ulysses went cities and countries in the whole world, and
raging like Mars along with Menelaus to the can traverse the sea just as well even when it is
house of Deiphobus. It was there that the fight covered with mist and cloud, so that there is no
raged most furiously, nevertheless by Minerva's danger of being wrecked or coming to any
help he was victorious. harm. Still I do remember hearing my father
[521] All this he told, but Ulysses was over- say that Neptune was angry with us for being
come as he heard him, and his cheeks were wet too easy-going in the matter of giving people
228 THE ODYSSEY
escorts.He said that one of these days he should Tell us also why you are made so unhappy on
wreck a ship of ours as it was returning from hearing about the return of the Argive Danaans
having escorted some one, and bury our city from Troy. The gods arranged all this, and
under a high mountain. This is what my fa- sent them their misfortunes in order that fu-
ther used to say, but wh.ether the god will carry ture generations might have something to sing
out his threat or no is a matter which he will about. Did you lose some brave kinsman of
decide for himself. your wife's when vou were before Troy? a son-
Is7^] "And now, tell me and tell me true. in-law or father-in-law— which are the nearest
Where have you been wandering, and in what relations a man has outside his own flesh and
countries have you travelled? Tell us of the blood? or was it some brave and kindly-natured
peoples themselves, and of their cities— who comrade— for a good friend is as dear to a man
were hostile, savage and uncivilized, and who, as his own brother?"
on the other hand, hospitable and humane.
 BOOK IX
A ND ULYSSES answered, "King Alcin- and also much booty,which we divided equita-
/-\ ous, it is a good thing to hear a bard bly amongst us, so that none might have reason
JL A. with such a divine voice as this man to complain. I then said that we had better
has. There is nothing better or more dehghtful make off at once, but my men very foolishly
than when a whole people make merry together, would not obey me, so they stayed there drink-
with the guests sitting orderly to listen, while ing much wine and killing great numbers of
the table is loaded with bread and meats, and sheep and oxen on the sea shore. Meanwhile
the cup-bearer draws wine and fills his cup for the Cicons cried out for help to other Cicons
every man. This is indeed as fair a sight as a who These were more in number,
lived inland.
man can see. Now, however, since you are in- and and they were more skilled in the
stronger,
clined to ask the story of my sorrows, and re- art of war, for they could fight, either from
kindle my own sad memories in respect of them, chariots or on foot as the occasion served; in the
I do not know how to begin, nor yet how to morning, therefore, they came as thick as leaves
continue and conclude my tale, for the hand of and bloom in summer, and the hand of heaven
heaven has been laid heavily upon me. was against us, so that we were hard pressed.
[i6] "Firstly, then, I will tell you my name They set the battle in array near the ships, and
that you too may know and one day, if I
it, the hosts aimed their bronze-shod spears at one
outlive this time of sorrow, may become my another. So long as the day waxed and it was
guests though I live so far away from all of you. still morning, we held our own against them,

I am Ulysses son of Laertes, renowned among though they were more in number than we;
mankind for all manner of subtlety, so that my but as the sun went down, towards the time
fame ascends to heaven. I live in Ithaca, where when men loose their oxen, the Cicons got the
there is a high mountain called Neritum, cov- better of us, and we lost half a dozen men from
ered with forests; and not far from it there is a every ship we had; so we got away with those
group of islands very near to one another— Du- that were left.

lichium. Same, and the wooded island of Za- [62] "1 hence we sailed onward with sorrow
cynthus. It lies squat on the horizon, all highest in our hearts, but glad to have escaped death
up in the sea towards the sunset, while the though we had lost our comrades, nor did we
otherslie away from it towards dawn. It is a leave till we had thrice invoked each one of the
rugged island, but it breeds brave men, and my poor fellows who had perished by the hands of
eyes know none that they better love to look the Cicons. Then
Jove raised the North wind
upon. The goddess Calypso kept me with her against us blew a hurricane, so that land
till it

in her cave, and wanted me to marry her, as and sky were hidden in thick clouds, and night
did also the cunning /Eaean goddess Circe; but sprang forth out of the heavens. We let the
they could neither of them persuade me, for ships run before the gale, but the force of the
there is nothing dearer to a man than his own wind we took them
tore our sails to tatters, so
country and his parents, and however splendid down and rowed our
for fear of shipwreck,
a home he may have in a foreign country, if it hardest towards the land. There we lay two
be far from father or mother, he does not care days and two nights suffering much alike from
about it. Now, however, I will tell you of the toil and distress of mind, but on the morning
many hazardous adventures which by Jove's of the third day we again raised our masts, set
will I met with on my return from Troy. sail, and took our places, letting the wind and
[39] "When I had set sail thence the wind steersmen direct our ship. I should have got
took me first to Ismarus, which is the city of home at that time unharmed had not the North
the Cicons. There I sacked the town and put wind and the currents been against me as I was
the people to the sword. We
took their wives doubling Cape Malea, and set me off my course
229
230 THE ODYSSEY
hard by the island of Cythera. in due season. There are meadows that in some
[82] "I was driven thence by foul winds for places come right down to the sea shore, well

a space of nine days upon the sea, but on the watered and full of luscious grass; grapes would
tenth day we reached the land of the Lotus- do there excellently; there is level land for
eaters, who live on a food that comes from a ploughing, and it would always yield heavily at
kind of flower. Here we landed to take in fresh harvest time, for the soil is deep. There is a
water, and our crews got their midday meal on good harbour where no cables are wanted, nor
the shore near the ships. When they had eaten yet anchors, nor need a ship be moored, but all
and drunk I sent two of my company to see one has to do is to beach one's vessel and stay
what manner of men the people of the place there till the wind becomes fair for putting out
might be, and they had a third man under them. to sea again. At the head of the harbour there
They started at once, and went about among is a spring of clear water coming out of a cave,

the Lotus-eaters, who did them no hurt, but and there are poplars growing all round it.
gave them to eat of the lotus, which was so de- [142] "Here we entered, but so dark was the
licious that those who ate of it left off caring night that some god must have brought us in,
about home, and did not even want to go back for there was nothing whatever to be seen. A
and say what had happened to them, but were thick mist hung all round our ships; the moon
for staying and munching lotus with the Lotus- was hidden behind a mass of clouds so that no
eaters without thinking further of their return; one could have seen the island if he had looked
nevertheless, though they wept bitterly I forced for it, nor were there any breakers to tell us we
them back to the ships and made them fast were close in shore before we found ourselves
under the benches. Then I told the rest to go upon the land itself; when, however, we had
on board at once, lest any of them should taste beached the ships, we took down the sails, went
of the lotus and leave off wanting to get home, ashore and camped upon the beach till daybreak.
so they took their places and smote the grey sea [152] "When the child of morning, rosy-
with their oars. fingered Dawn, appeared, we admired the is-
[105] "We sailed hence, always in much dis- land and wandered all over it, while the nymphs
tress, till we came to the land of the lawless Jove's daughters roused the wild goats that we
and inhuman Cyclopes. Now the Cyclopes nei- might get some meat for our dinner. On this
ther plant nor plough, but trust in providence, we fetched our spears and bows and arrows
and live on such wheat, barley, and grapes as from the ships, and dividing ourselves into three
grow wild without any kind of tillage, and their bands began to shoot the goats. Heaven sent us
wild grapes yield them wine as the sun and the excellent sport; I had twelve ships with me,
rain may grow them. They have no laws nor and each ship got nine goats, while my own
assemblies of the people, but live in caves on ship had ten; thus through the livelong day to
the tops of high mountains; each is lord and the going down of the sun we ate and drank
master in his family, and they take no account our fill, and we had plenty of wine left, for
of their neighbours. each one of us had taken many jars full when
[116] "Now off their harbour there lies a we sacked the city of the Cicons, and this had
wooded and not quite close to the
fertile island not vet run out. While we were feasting we
land of the Cyclopes, but still not far. It is over- kept turning our eyes towards the land of the
run with wild goats, that breed there in great Cvclopes, which was hard by, and saw the
numbers and are never disturbed by foot of smoke of their stubble fires. We
could almost
man; for sportsmen— who as a rule will suffer fancy we heard their voices and the bleating of
so much hardship in forest or among mountain their sheepand goats, but when the sun went
precipices— do not go there, nor yet again is it down and came on dark, we camped down
it

ever ploughed or fed down, but it lies a wilder- upon the beach, and next morning I called a
ness untilled and unsown from year to year, council.
and has no living thing upon it but only goats. [172] "'Stay here, my brave fellows,' said
For the Cyclopes have no ships, nor yet ship- I, 'all the rest of you, while I go with my ship
wrights who could make ships for them; they and exploit these people myself: I want to see
cannot therefore go from city to city, or sail if they are uncivilized savages, or a hospitable
over the sea to one another's country as people and humane race.'
who have ships can do; if they had had these [177] "1 went on board, bidding my men
they would have colonized the island, for it is to do so also and loose the hawsers; so they took
a very good one, and would yield everything their places and smote the grey sea with their
 BOOK IX 231
oars. When we got to the land, which was not been indeed better if we had done so but I
far, there, on the face of a cHff near the sea, would not listen to them, for I wanted to see
we saw a sreat cave overhung with laurels. the owner himself, in the hope that he might
It was a station for a great many sheep and give me a present. When, however, we saw
goats, and outside there was a large yard, with him my poor men found him ill to deal with.
a high wall round it made of stones built into [2^1] "We lit a fire, off^ered some of the
the ground and of trees both pine and oak. cheeses in sacrifice, ate others of them, and
This was the abode of a huge monster who was then sat waiting till the Cyclops should come
then awav from home shepherding his flocks. in with his sheep. When he came, he brought
He would have nothing to do with other peo- in with him a huge load of dry firewood to
ple, but led the life of an outlaw. He was a light the fire for his supper, and this he flung
horrid creature, not like a human being at all, with such a noise on to the floor of his cave
but resembling rather some crag that stands out that we hid ourselves for fear at the far end of
boldly against the sky on the top of a high the cavern. Meanwhile he drove all the ewes
mountain. inside, as well as the she-goats that he was
[19^] "I told my men to draw the ship going to milk, leaving the males, both rams
ashore, and stay where they were,
but the all and he-goats, outside in the yards. Then he
twelve best among them, who were
go along to rolled a huge stone to the mouth of the cave— so
with myself. I also took a goatskin of sweet huge that two and twenty strong four-wheeled
black wine which had been given meby Maron, waggons Avould not be enough to draw it from
son of Euanthes, who was priest of Apollo the its place against the doorway. When he had so

patron god of Ismarus, and lived within the done he sat down and milked his ewes and
wooded precincts of the temple. When we goats, all in due course, and then let each of
were sacking the city we respected him, and them have her own young. He curdled half the
spared his life, as also his wife and child; so he milk and set it aside in wicker strainers, but
made me some presents of great value— seven the other half he poured into bowls that he
talents of fine gold, and a bowl of silver, with might drink it for his supper. When he had got
twelve jars of sweet wine, unblended, and of through with all his work, he lit the fire, and
the most exquisite flavour. Not a man nor maid then caught sight of us, whereon he said:
in the house knew about it, but only himself, ^252] " 'Strangers, who are you? Where do
his wife, and one housekeeper: when he drank you sail from? Are vou traders, or do vou sail
it he mixed twenty parts of water to one of the sea as rovers, with your hands against everv
wine, and yet the fragrance from the mixing- man, and every man's hand against you?'
bowl was so exquisite that it was impossible to [2^6] "We were frightened out of our senses
refrain from drinking. I filled a large skin with bv his loud voice and monstrous form, but I
this wine, and took a wallet full of provisions managed to say, 'We are Achaeans on our way
with me, for my mind misgave me that I might home from Trov, but by the will of Jove, and
have to deal with some savage who would be stress of weather, we have been driven far out
of great strength, and would respect neither of our course. We
are the people of Agamem-
right nor law. non, son of Atreus, who has won infinite re-
[216] "We soon reached his cave, but he nown throughout the whole world, bv sacking
was out shepherding, so we went
inside and so great a citv and killing so many people. We
took stock of all that we His cheese-
could see. therefore humbly pray you to show us some
racks were loaded with cheeses, and he had hospitality, and otherwise make us such pres-
more lambs and kids than his pens could hold. ents as visitors may reasonably expect. May
They were kept in separate flocks; first there your excellency fear the wrath of heaven, for
were the hoggets, then the oldest of the younger we are your suppliants, and Jove takes all re-
lambs and lastly the very young ones all kept spectable travellers under his protection, for he
apart from one another; as for his dairv, all the is the avenger of all suppliants and foreigners
vessels, bowls, and milk pails into which he in distress.'
milked, were swimming with whev. When (272] "To this he gave me but a pitiless an-
they saw all this, my men begged me to let swer, 'Stranger,' said he, 'you are a fool, or else
them first steal some cheeses, and make off^ vou know nothing of this country. Talk to me,
with them to the ship; thev would then return, indeed, about fearing the gods or shunning
drive down the lambs and kids, put them on their anger? We
Cvclopes do not care about Jove
board and sail away with them. It would have or any of your blessed gods, for we are ever so
232 THE ODYSSEY
much stronger than they. I shall not spare either sheep pens; it was of green olive wood, and he
yourself or your companions out of any regard had cut it intending to use it for a staff as soon
for Jove, unless I am in the humour for doing as it should be dry. h was so huge that we

so. And now tell me where you made your ship could only compare it to the mast of a twenty-
fast when you came on. shore. Was it round the oared merchant vessel of large burden, and
point, or she lying straight off the land?"
is able to venture out into open sea. I went up to
[281] "He said this to draw me out, but I this club and cut off about six feet of it; I then

was too cunning to be caught in that way, so I gave this piece to the men and told them to
answered with a lie; 'Neptune,' said I, 'sent my fine it evenly off at one end, which they pro-
ship on to the rocks at the far end of your ceeded to do, and lastly I brought it to a point
country, and wrecked it. We
were driven on mvself, charring the end in the fire to make it

to them from the open but I and those who

sea, harder. When Ihad done this I hid it under
are with me escaped the jaws of death.' the dung, which was lying about all over the
^28 7 j "The cruel wretch vouchsafed me not cave, and told the men to cast lots which of
one word of answer, but with a sudden clutch them should venture along with myself to lift
he gripped up two of my men at once and it and bore it into the monster's eye while he

dashed them down upon the ground as though was asleep. The lot fell upon the very four
thev had been puppies. Their brains were shed whom I should have chosen, and I myself made
upon the ground, and the earth was wet with five. In the evening the wretch came back from

their blood. Then he tore them limb from limb shepherding, and drove his flocks into the cave
and supped upon them. He gobbled them up —this time driving them all inside, and not
like a lion in the wilderness, flesh, bones, mar- leaving any in the yards; I suppose some fancy
row, and entrails, without leaving anything must have taken him, or a god must have
uneaten. As for us, we wept and lifted up our prompted him to do so. As soon as he had put
hands to heaven on seeing such a horrid sight, the stone back to its place against the door, he
for we did not know what else to do; but when sat down, milked his ewes and his goats all

the Cyclops had filled his huge paunch, and quite rightly, and then let each have her own
had washed down his meal of human flesh young one; when he had got through with all
with a drink of neat milk, he stretched himself this work, he gripped up two more of my men,

full length upon the ground among his sheep, and made his supper oft them. So I went up to
and went was at first inclined to
to sleep. I him with an ivy-wood bowl of black wine in
seize my sword, draw it, and drive it into his my hands:
vitals,but I reflected that if I did we should all [^47] " 'Look here, Cyclops,' said I, 'you have
certainly be lost, for we should never be able to been eating a great deal of man's flesh, so take
shift the stone which the monster had put in this and drink some wine, that you may see
front of the door. So we stayed sobbing and what kind of liquor we had on board my ship.
sighing where we were till morning came. I was bringing it to you as a drink-offering, in

[307] "When the child of morning, rosy- the hope that you would take compassion upon
fingered Dawn, appeared, he again lit his fire, me and further me on my way home, whereas
milked his goats and ewes, all quite rightly, all you do is to go on ramping and raving most

and then let each have her own young one; as intolerably. You ought to be ashamed of your-
soon as he had got through with all his work, self; how can yDU expect people to come and

he clutched up two more of my men, and be- see you any more if vou treat them in this way?'
gan eating them for his morning's meal. Pres- [353] "He then took the cup and drank. He
ently, with the utmost ease, he rolled the stone was so delighted with the taste of the wine
away from the door and drove out his sheep, that he begged me for another bowl full. 'Be
but he at once put it back again— as easily as so kind,' he said, 'as to give me some more, and
though he were merely clapping the lid on to tell me your name at once. I want to make you

a quiver full of arrows. As soon as he had done a present that you will be glad to have. We
so he shouted, and cried 'Shoo, shoo,' after his have wine even in this country, for our soil
sheep to drive them on to the mountain; so I grows grapes and the sun ripens them, but this
was left to scheme some way of taking my drinks like nectar and ambrosia all in one.'
revenge and covering myself with glory. [360] "I then gave him some more; three
[3/8] "In the end I deemed it would be the times did I fill the bowl for him, and three
best plan to do as follows. The Cyclops had a times did he drain it without thought or heed;
great club which was lying near one of the then, when I saw that the wine had got into
 BOOK IX 233
his head, I said to him as plausibly as I could: from inside the cave, 'Noman is killing me by
'Cyclops, you ask mv name and I will tell it fraud! Noman is killing me by force!'
you: give me, therefore, the present you prom- [409] " 'Then," said they, 'if no man is at-
ised me; mv name is Noman; this is what my tacking you, you must be ill; when Jove makes
father and mother and my friends have alwavs people ill, there is no help for it, and you had
called me.' better pray to vour father Neptune.'
[^68] "But the cruel wretch said, 'Then I [413] "Then they went awav, and I laughed
will eat all Noman's comrades before Noman inwardly at the success of my clever stratagem,
himself, and will keep Noman for the last. but the Cvclops, groaning and in an agony of
This is the present that I will make him.' pain, felt about with his hands till he found
[37^] "As he spoke he reeled, and fell sprawl- the stone and took it from the door; then he
ing face upwards on the ground. His great sat in thedoorway and stretched his hands in
neck hung heavilv backwards and a deep sleep front of to cftch anyone going out with the
it

took hold upon him. Presently he turned sick, sheep.for bethought I might be foolish enough
and threw up both wine and the gobbets of to attempt this.
human flesh on which he had been gorging, [420] myself I kept on puzzling to
"/\s for
for he was very drunk. Then I thrust the beam think how could best save my own life
I

of wood far into the embers to heat it, and en- and those of my companions; I schemed and
couraged mv men lest any of them should turn schemed, as one who knows that his life de-
faint-hearted. \\ hen the wood, green though pends upon it, for the danger was very great.
it was, was about to blaze, I drew it out of the In the end I deemed that this plan would be
fire glowing with heat, and my men gathered the best. The male sheep were well grown,
round me, for heaven had filled their hearts and carried a heavy black fleece, so I bound
with courage. We drove the sharp end of the them noiselessly in threes together, with some
beam into the monster's eye, and bearing upon of the withies on which the wicked monster
it with all my weight I kept turning it round used to sleep. There was to be a man under
and round as though I were boring a hole in a the middle sheep, and the two on either side
ship's plank with an auger, which two men v^'ere to cover him, so that there were three
with a wheel and strap can keep on turning as sheep to each man. As for myself there was a
long as they choose. Even thus did we bore the ram finer than any of the others, so I caught
red hot beam into his eve, till the boiling blood hold of him by the back, esconced myself in
bubbled all over it as we worked it round and the thick wool under his belly, and hung on
round, so that the steam from the burning eye- patiently to his fleece, face upwards, keeping a
ball scalded his eyelids and eyebrows, and the firm hold on it all the time.
roots of the eye sputtered in the fire. As a [4^6] "Thus, then, did we wait in great fear
blacksmith plunges an axe or hatchet into cold of mind till morning came, but when the child
water to temper it— for it is this that gives of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, the
strength to the iron— and it makes a great hiss male sheep hurried out to feed, while the ewes
as he does so, even thus did the Cvclops' eye remained bleating about the pens waiting to be
hiss round the beam of olive wood, and his milked, for their udders were full to bursting;
hideous yells made the cave ring again. We but their master in spite of all his pain felt the
ran away in a fright, but he plucked the beam backs of all the sheep as they stood upright,
all besmirched with gore from his eye, and without being sharp enough to find out that
hurled it from him in a frenzy of rage and pain, the men were underneath their bellies. As the
shouting as he did so to the other Cyclopes ram was going out, last of all, heavy with its
who lived on the bleak headlands near him: so fleece and with the weight of mv crafty self,
they gathered from all quarters round his cave Polyphemus laid hold of it and said:
when they heard him crying, and asked what [447] " 'My good ram, what is it that makes
was the matter with him. you the last to leave my cave this morning?
[40^] " 'What ails you, Polyphemus,' said You are not wont to let the ewes go before you,
they, 'that you make such a noise, breaking the but lead the mob with a run whether to flowery
stillness of the night, and preventing us from mead or bubbling fountain, and are the first to
being able to sleep? Surely no man is carrying come home again at night; but now you lag
off your sheep? Surely no man is trying to kill last of all. Is it because you know vour master
you either by fraud or by force?' has lost his eye, and are sorry because that
[407] "But Polyphemus shouted to them wicked Noman and his horrid crew have got
234 THE ODYSSEY
him down in his drink and Winded him? But I Isoo] "But I would not listen to them, and
will have his life yet. If you could understand shouted out to him in my rage, 'Cyclops, if any
and talk, you would tell me where the wretch one asks you who it was that put your eye out
is hiding, and I would dash his brains upon and spoiled your beauty, say it was the valiant
the ground till they flew all over the cave. I warrior Ulysses, son of Laertes, who lives in
should thus have some satisfaction for the Ithaca.'
harm this no-good Noman has done me.' [so6] "On this he groaned, and cried out,
[461] "As he spoke he drove the ram out- then the old prophecy about me is
'y\las, alas,

side, but when we were a little way out from coming true. There was a prophet here, at one
the cave and yards, I first got from under the time, a man both brave and of great stature,
ram's belly, and then freed my comrades; as Telemus son of Eurymus, who was an excel-
for the sheep, which were very fat, by con- lent seer, and did all the prophesying for the
stantly heading them in the right direction we Cyclopes till he grew old; he told me that all
managed to drive them down to the ship. The this would happen to me some day, and said I

crew rejoiced greatly at seeing those of us who should lose my sight by the hand of Ulysses.
had escaped death, but wept for the others I have been all along expecting some one of

whom the Cyclops had killed. However, I imposing presence and superhuman strength,
made signs to them by nodding and frowning whereas he turns out to be a little insignificant
that they were to hush their crying, and told weakling, who has managed to blind my eye
them to get all the sheep on board at once and by taking advantage of me in my drink; come
put out to sea; so they went aboard, took their here, then, Ulysses, that I may make you pres-

places,and smote the grey sea with their oars. ents to show my and urge Neptune
hospitality,
Then, when I had got as far out as my voice to help you forward on your journey— for Nep-

would reach, I began to jeer at the Cyclops. tune and I are father and son. He, if he so will,
/475J
" 'Cvclops,' said I, 'you should have shall heal me, which no one else neither god
taken better measure of your man before eating nor man can do.'
up his comrades in your cave. You wretch, eat [522/ "Then I said, 'I wish I could be as
up your visitors in your own house? You might sure of killing you outright and sending you
have known that your sin would find you out, down to the house of Hades, as I am that it
and now Jove and the other gods have pun- will take more than Neptune to cure that eye
ished you.' of yours.'
[480] "He got more and more furious as he Is '2.6] "On this he lifted up his hands to the
heard me, so he tore the top from off a high firmament of heaven and prayed, saying, 'Hear
mountain, and flung it just in front of my ship me, great Neptune; if I am indeed your own
so that it was within a little of hitting the end true-begotten son, grant that Ulysses maynever
of the rudder. The quaked as the rock fell
sea reach his home alive; or if he must get back to
into it, and the wash of the wave it raised car- his friends at last, let him do so late and in sore
ried us back towards the mainland, and forced plight after losing all his men [let him reach
us towards the shore. But I snatched up a long his home in another man's ship and find
pole and kept the ship off, making signs to my trouble in his house.']
men by nodding my head, that they must row Is3,(>] "Thus did he pray, and Neptune
for their lives, whereon they laid out with a heard his prayer. Then he picked up a rock
will. When we had got twice as far as we were much larger than the first, swung it aloft and
before, I was for jeering at the Cyclops again, hurled it with prodigious force. It fell just
but the men begged and prayed of me to hold short of the ship, but was within a little of
my tongue. hitting the end of the rudder. The sea quaked
[494] 'Do not,' they exclaimed, 'be mad
" as the rock fell into it, and the wash of the

enough to provoke this savage creature further; wave it raised drove us onwards on our way
he has thrown one rock at us already which towards the shore of the island.
drove us back again to the mainland, and we l54il "When at last we got to the island
made sure it had been the death of us; if he where we had left the rest of our ships, we
had then heard any further sound of voices he found our comrades lamenting us, and anx-
would have pounded our heads and our ship's iously awaiting our return. We ran our vessel
timbers into a jelly with the rugged rocks he upon the sands and got out of her on to the
would have heaved at us, for he can throw sea shore; we also landed the Cyclops' sheep,
them a long way.' and divided them equitably amongst us so that
 BOOK IX 235
none might have reason to complain. As for on meat and drink, but when the sun went
the ram, my companions agreed that I should down and it came on dark, we camped upon
have it as an extra share; so I sacrificed it on the beach. When the child of morning, rosy-
the sea shore, and burned its thigh bones to fingered Dawn, appeared, I bade my men go
Jove, who is the lord of all. But he heeded not on board and loose the hawsers. Then they
my sacrifice, and only thought hovi^ he might took their places and smote the grey sea with
destroy both my ships and my comrades. their oars; so we sailed on with sorrow in our
[55^] "Thus through the livelong day to hearts, but glad to have escaped death though
the going down of the sun we feasted our fill we had lost our comrades.
 BOOK X
'HENCE we went on to the ^^olian man honoured and makes
TI island where Uves /Eolus son of Mip-
potas, dear to the immortal gods. It is
ing, 'how this gets
friends to whatever city or country he
See what fine prizes he is taking home from
may go.

an island that floats (as it were) upon the sea, Troy, while we, who have travelled just as far
iron bound with a wall that girds it. Now as he has, come back with hands as empty as
/Eolus has six daughters and six lusty sons, so we set out with— and now /Eolus has given
he made the sons marry the daughters, and him ever so much more. Quick— let us see
they all live with their dear father and mother, what it and how much gold and silver
all is,

feasting and enjoying every conceivable kind there is he gave him.'

in the sack
of luxury. All day long the atmosphere of the [46] "Thus they talked and evil counsels
house is loaded with the savour of roasting prevailed. They loosed the sack, whereupon
meats till it groans again, yard and all; but by the wind flew howling forth and raised a storm
night they sleep on their well-made bedsteads, that carried us weeping out to sea and away
each with his own wife between the blankets. from our own country. Then I awoke, and
These were the people among whom we had knew not whether to throw myself into the sea
now come. or to live on and make the best of it; but I bore
[14] "^olus entertained me for a whole it, covered myself up, and lay down in the

month asking me questions all the time about ship, while the men lamented bitterly as the
Troy, the Argive fleet, and the return of the fierce winds bore our fleet back to the /Eolian

Achaeans. I told him exactly how everything island.

had happened, and when I said Imust go, and [^6] "When we
reached it we went ashore
asked him to further me on my way, he made to take in water, and dined hard by the ships.
no sort of difficulty, but set about doing so at Immediately after dinner I took a herald and
once. Moreover, he flayed me a prime ox-hide one of my men and went straight to the house
to hold the ways of the roaring winds, which of y^olus, where I found him feasting with
he shut up in the hide as in a sack— for Jove his wife and family; so we sat down as suppli-
had made him captain over the winds, and he ants on the threshold. They were astounded
could stir or still each one of them according when they saw us and said, 'Ulysses, what
to his own pleasure. He put the sack in the brings you here? What god has been ill-treating
ship, and bound the mouth so tightly with a you? We took great pains to further you on
silver thread that not even a breath of a side- your way home to Ithaca, or wherever it was
wind could blow from any quarter. The West that you wanted to go to.'
wind which was fair for us did he alone let [6y] "Thus did they speak, but I answered
blow as it chose; but it all came to nothing, for sorrowfully, 'My men have undone me; they,
we were lost through our own folly. and cruel sleep, have ruined me. My friends,
[28] "Nine days and nine nights did we mend me this mischief, for you can if you will.'
sail, and on the tenth day our native land [yo] "I spoke as movingly as I could, but
showed on the horizon. We got so close in that they said nothing, till their father answered,
we could see the stubble fires burning, and I, 'Vilest ofmankind, get you gone at once out
being then dead beat, fell into a light sleep, of the island; him whom heaven hates will I
for I had never let the rudder out of my own in no wise help. Be off, for you come here as
hands, that we might get home the faster. On one abhorred of heaven.' And with these words
this the men fell to talking among themselves, he sent me sorrowing from his door.
and said was bringing back gold and silver in
I [77] "Thence we sailed sadly on till the
the sack that /Eolus had given me. 'Bless my men were worn out with long and fruitless
heart,' would one turn to his neighbour, say- rowing, for there was no longer any wind to
236
 BOOK X 237
help them. Six days, night and day did we they were thus killing my men within the har-
toil, and on the seventh day wc reached the bour I drew my sword, cut the cable of my own
rocky stronghold of Lamus— Telepylus, the city ship, and told my men to row with all their
of the Lasstrygonians, where the shepherd who might they too would not fare like the rest; so
if

is driving in his sheep and goats [to be milked] they laid out for their lives, and we were thank-
salutes him who driving out his flock [to
is ful enough when we got into open water out
feed] and answers the salute. In that
this last of reach of the rocks they hurled at us. As for
country a man who could do without sleep the others there was not one of them left.

might earn double wages, one as a herdsman of [133] "Thence we sailed sadly on, glad to
cattle, and another as a shepherd, for they have escaped death, though we had lost our
work much the same by night as they do by comrades, and came to the ^aean island, where
day. Circe lives— a great and cunning goddess who
[87] "When we reached the harbour we is own sister to the magician yEetes— for they

found it land-locked under steep cliffs, with a are both children of the sun by Perse, who is
narrow entrance between two headlands. My daughter to Oceanus. We
brought our ship
captains took all their ships inside, and made into a safe harbour without a word, for some
them fast close to one another, for there was god guided us thither, and having landed we
never so much as a breath of wind inside, but lay there for two days and two nights, worn
it was always dead calm. I kept my own ship out in body and mind. When the morning of
outside, and moored it to a rock at the very the third day came I took my spear and my
end of the point; then I climbed a high rock to sword, and went away from the ship to recon-
reconnoitre, but could see no sign neither of noitre, and see if I could discover signs of hu-
man nor cattle, only some smoke rising from man handiwork, or hear the sound of voices.
the ground. So I sent two of my company with Climbing to the top of a high look-out I espied
an attendant to find out what sort of people the smoke of Circe's house rising upwards
the inhabitants were. amid a dense forest of trees, and when I saw
[103/ "The men when they got on shore this I doubted whether, having seen the smoke,
followed a level road by which the people draw I would not go on at once and find out more,

their firewood from the mountains into the but in the end I deemed it best to go back to
town, till presently they met a young woman the ship, give the men their dinners, and send
who had come outside to fetch water, and who some of them instead of going myself.
was daughter to a Laestrygonian named An- [is6] "When I had nearly got back to the
tiphates. She was going to the fountain Artacia ship some god took pity upon my solitude, and
from which the people bring in their water, sent a fine antlered stag right into the very
and when my men had come close up to her, middle of my path. He was coming down from
they asked her who the king of that country his pasture in the forest to drink of the river,
might be, and over what kind of people he for the heat of the sun drove him, and as he
ruled; so she directed them to her father's passed I struck him in the middle of the
house, but when they got there they found his back; the bronze point of the spear went clean
wife to be a giantess as huge as a mountain, through him, and he lay groaning in the dust
and they were horrified at the sight of her. until the life went out of him. Then I set my
[114] "She at once called her husband An- foot upon him, drew my spear from the wound,
tiphates from the place of assembly, and forth- and laid it down; I also gathered rough grass
with he set about killing my men. He snatched and rushes and twisted them into a fathom or
up one of them, and began to make his dinner so of good stout rope, with which I bound the
off him then and there, whereon the other two four feet of the noble creature together; having
ran back to the ships as fast as ever they could. so done I hung him round my neck and walked
But Antiphates raised a hue and cry after back to the ship leaning upon my spear, for the
them, and thousands of sturdy Laestrygonians stag was much too big for me to be able to carry
sprang up from every quarter— ogres, not men. him on my shoulder, steadying him with one
They threw vast rocks at us from the cliffs as hand. As I threw him down in front of the
though they had been mere stones, and I heard ship, I called the men and spoke cheeringly
the horrid sound of the ships crunching up man by man to each of them. 'Look here my
against one another, and the death cries of my friends,' said I, 'we are not going to die so
men, as the Laestrygonians speared them like much before our time after all, and at any rate
fishes and took them home to eat them. While we will not starve so long as we have got some-
238 THE ODYSSEY
thing to eat and drink on board.' On this they trustedmore than any other of my men, said,
uncovered their heads upon the sea shore and 'There some one inside working at a loom
is

admired the stag, for he was indeed a splendid and singing most beautifully; the whole place
fellow. Then, when they had feasted their resounds with it, let us call her and see whether
eyes upon him sufHciently, they washed their she is woman or goddess.'
hands and began to cook him for dinner. [zzg] "They called her and she came down,
f 183/ "Thus through the livelong day to the unfastened the door, and bade them enter.
going down of the sun we stayed there eating They, thinking no evil, followed her, all except
and drinking our fill, but when the sun went Eurvlochus, who suspected mischief and stayed
douTi and it came on dark, we camped upon outside. When she had got them into her house,
the sea shore. When the child of morning, rosy- she set them upon benches and seats and mixed
fingered Dawn, appeared, I called a council them a mess with cheese, honey, meal, and
and said, 'My friends, we are in very great diffi- Pramnian wine, but she drugged it with wicked
culties; listen therefore to me. We have no idea poisons to make them forget their homes, and
where the sun either sets or rises, so that we do when they had drunk she turned them into pigs
not even know East from West. I see no way by a stroke of her wand, and shut them up in
out of it; nevertheless, we must try and find her pigsties. They were like pigs— head, hair,
one. We are certainly on an island, for I went and all, and they grunted just as pigs do; but
as high as I could this morning, and saw the their senses were the same as before, and they
sea reaching all round it to the horizon; it lies remembered everything.
low, but towards the middle I saw smoke rising [2.4.1] "Thus then were they shut up squeal-
from out of a thick forest of trees.' ing, and Circe threw them some acorns and
[198] "Their hearts sank as they heard me, beech masts such as pigs eat, but Eurvlochus
for they remembered how they had been treated hurried back to tell me about the sad fate of our
by the Laestrygonian Antiphates, and by the comrades. He was so overcome with dismay
savage ogre Polyphemus. They wept bitterly in that though he tried to speak he could find no
their dismay, but there was nothing to be got words to do so; his eyes filled with tears and he
by crying, so I divided them into two companies could only sob and sigh, till at last we forced
and set a captain over each; I gave one company his story out of him, and he told us what had
to Eurylochus, while I took command of the happened to the others.
other myself. Then we cast helmet, and
lots in a [25 1 7 " 'We went,' said he, 'as you told us,
the lot fell upon Eurylochus; so he set out with through the forest, and in the middle of it there
his twenty-two men, and they wept, as also did was a fine house built with cut stones in a place
we who were left behind. that could be seen from far. There we found a
[210] "When they reached Circe's house woman, or else she was a goddess, working at
they found it built of cut stones, on a site that her loom and singing sweetly; so the men
could be seen from far, in the middle of the shouted to her and called her, whereon she at
forest. There were wild mountain wolves and once came down, opened the door, and invited
lions prowling all round it— poor bewitched us in. The others did not suspect any mischief
creatures whom she had tamed by her enchant- so they followed her into the house, but I stayed
ments and drugged into subjection. They did where I was, for I thought there might be some
not attack my men, but wagged their great tails, treachery. From that moment I saw them no
fawned upon them, and rubbed their noses lo^'- more, for not one of them ever came out, though
ingly against them. As hounds crowd round I sat a long time watching for them.'

their master when they see him coming from [261] "Then I took my sword of bronze and
dinner— for they know he will bring them some- slung it over my shoulders; I also took my bow,
thing—even so did these wolves and lions with and told Eurylochus to come back with me and
their great claws fawn upon my men, but the show me the way. But he laid hold of me with
men were terribly frightened at seeing such both his hands and spoke piteously, saying,
strange creatures. Presently they reached the 'Sir, do not force me to go with vou, but let me

gates of the goddess's house, and as they stood stay here, for I know you will not bring one of
there they could hear Circe within, singing them back with you, nor even return alive your-
most beautifully as she worked at her loom, self; let us rather see if we cannot escape at any
making a web so fine, so soft, and of such daz- rate with the few that are left us, for we may
zling colours as no one but a goddess could still save our lives.'

weave. On this Polites, whom I valued and [2J0]

" 'Stay where you are, then,' answered
 BOOK X 239
I, 'eating and drinking at the ship, but I must inlaid with silver, there was un-
a footstool also
go, for I am most urgently bound to do so.' der my feet, and she mi.xed mess in a golden
a

[274] "With this I left the ship and went up goblet for me to drink; but she drugged it, for
inland. When I got through the charmed grove, she meant me mischief. When she had given
and was near the great house of the enchantress it me, and I had drunk it without its charm-
Circe, I met Mercury with his golden wand, ing me, she struck me with her wand. 'There
disguised as a young man in the hey-day of his now,' she cried, 'be off to the pigsty, and make
youth and beauty with the dov\Ti just coming your lair with the rest of them.'
upon his face. He came up to me and took my [^2i] "But I rushed at her with my sword
hand within his own, saying, 'My poor unhappy drawn as though I would kill her, whereon she
man, whither are you going over this mountain fell with a loud scream, clasped mv knees, and

top, alone and without knowing the way? Your spoke piteously, saying, 'Who and whence are
men are shut up in Circe's pigsties, like so many you? from what place and people have you
wild boars in their lairs. You surely do not fancy come? How can it be that my drugs have no
that vou can set them free? I can tell you that power to charm you? Never yet was any man
vou will never get back and will have to stay able to stand so much as a taste of the herb I
there with the rest of them. But never mind, I gave you; you must be spell-proof; surely you
will protect vou and get you out of your diffi- can be none other than the bold hero Ulysses,
culty. Take this herb, which is one of great vir- who Mercury always said would come here
tue, and keep it about vou when you go to Cir- some day with his ship while on his way home
ce's house, it will be a talisman to you against from Troy; so be it then; sheathe your sword
everv' kind of mischief. and let us go to bed, that we may make friends
" 'And will tell you of the wicked and learn to trust each other.'
[289] I all

witchcraft that Circe will try to practise upon ^3367 "And I answered, 'Circe, how can you
vou. She wall mess for you to drink, and
mix a expect me to be friendly with you when you
she will drug the meal with which she makes have just been turning all my men into pigs?
it, but she will not be able to charm you, for the And now that you have got me here myself, you
virtue of the herb that I shall give you will pre- mean me mischief when vou ask me to go to
vent her spells from working. I will tell you all bed with you, and will unman me and make me
about it. When Circe strikes you with her fitfor nothing. I shall certainly not consent to
wand, draw your sword and spring upon her as go to bed with you unless vou will first take
though you were going to kill her. She will then your solemn oath to plot no further harm against
be frightened, and will desire you to go to bed me.'
with her; on this vou must not point blank re- [3,45] "So she swore at once as I had told her,
fuse her, for vou want her to set your compan- and when she had completed her oath then I
ions free, and to take good care also of yourself, went to bed with her.
but vou must make her swear solemnly by all [348] "Meanwhile her four servants, who
the blessed gods that she will plot no further are her housemaids, set about their work. They
mischief against vou, or else when she has got are the children of the groves and fountains,
you naked she will unman you and make vou and of the holy waters that run down into the
fit for nothing.' sea. One of them spread a fair purple cloth over
l^ox] "As he spoke he pulled the herb out a seat,and laid a carpet underneath it. Another
of theground and showed me what it w?s like. brought tables of silver up to the seats, and set
The root was black, while the flower was as them with baskets of gold. A third mi.xed some
white as milk; the gods call it Moly, and mortal sweet wine with water in a silver bowl and put
men cannot uproot it, but the gods can do what- golden cups upon the tables, while the fourth
ever they like. brought in water and set it to boil in a large
[307/ "Then Mercury went back to high cauldron over a good fire which she had lighted.
Olympus passing over the wooded island; but W^hen the water in the cauldron was boiling,
I fared onward to the house of Circe, and my she poured cold into it till it was just as I liked
heart was clouded with walked along.
care as I it, and then she set me in a bath and began

When I got to the gates and called

I stood there washing me from the cauldron about the head
the goddess, and as soon as she heard me she and shoulders, to take the tire and stiffness out
came down, opened the door, and asked me to of mv limbs. As soon as she had done washing
come in; so I followed her— much troubled in me and anointing me with oil, she arrayed me
my mind. She set me on a richly decorated seat in a good cloak and shirt and led me to a richly
240 THE ODYSSEY
decorated seat inlaid with silver; therewas a are as glad to see you back as though we had
footstool also under my feet. A maid servant got safe home to Ithaca; but tell us all about
then brought me water in a beautiful golden the fate of our comrades.'
ewer and poured it into a silver basin for me to [422] "I spoke comfortingly to them and
wash my hands, and she drew a clean table be- said, 'We must draw our ship on to the land,
side me; an upper servant brought me bread and hide the ship's gear with all our property
and offered me many good things of what there in some cave; then come with me all of you as
was in the house, and then Circe bade me eat, fast as you can to Ciice's house, where you
but I would not, and sat without heeding what will find your comrades eating and drinking in
was before me, still moody and suspicious. the midst of great abundance.'
[7,75] "When Circe saw me sitting there [428] "On this the men would have come
without eating, and in great grief, she came to with me at once, but Eurylochus tried to hold
me and said, 'Ulysses, why do you sit like that them back and said, 'Alas, poor wretches that
as though you were dumb, gnawing at your we are, what will become of us? Rush not on
own heart, and refusing both meat and drinkr your ruin by going to the house of Circe, who
Is it that you are still suspicious? You ought will turn us all into pigs or wolves or lions, and
not to be, for I have already sworn solemnly we shall have to keep guard over her house.
that I will not hurt you.' Remember how the Cyclops treated us when
[^82] "And 1 said, 'Circe, no man with any our comrades went inside his cave, and Ulysses
sense of what is right can think of either eat- with them. It was all through his sheer folly
ing or drinking in your house until you have set that those men lost their lives.'
his friends free and let him see them. If you [42,8] "When I heard him I was in two minds
want me to eat and drink, you must free mv whether or no to draw the keen blade that hung
men and bring them to me that I may see them by mv sturdy thigh and cut his head off in spite
with my own eyes.' of his being a near relation of my own; but the
[3887 "When I had said this she went men interceded for him and said, 'Sir, if it may
straight through the court with her wand in her so be, let this fellow stay here and mind the
hand and opened the pigsty doors. My men ship, but take the rest of us with you to Circe's
came out like so many prime hogs and stood house.'
looking at her, but she went about among them [446] "On this we
went inland, and Eu-
all

and anointed each with a second drug, whereon rvlochus was not left after all, but came
behind
the bristles that the bad drug had given them on too, for he was frightened by the severe rep-
fell off, and they became men again, younger rimand that I had given him.
than they were before, and much taller and [449] "Meanwhile Circe had been seeing
better looking. They knew me at once, seized that the men who had been left behind were
me each of them bv the hand, and wept for joy washed and anointed with olive oil; she had
till the whole house was filled with the sound also given them woollen cloaks and shirts, and
of their hullabalooing, and Circe herself was when we came we found them all comfortably
so sorry for them that she came up to me and at dinner in her house. As soon as the men saw
said, 'Ulvsses, noble son of Laertes, go back at each other face to face and knew one another,
once to the sea where you have left vour ship, they wept for joy and cried aloud till the whole
and first draw it on to the land. Then, hide all palace rang again. Thereon Circe came up to
your ship's gear and property in some cave, and me and said, 'Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, tell
come back here with your men.' your men to leave off crying; I know how much
[406] "1 agreed to this, so I went back to the you have all of you suffered at sea, and how ill
sea shore, and found the men at the ship weep- vou have fared among cruel savages on the
ing and wailing most piteously. When they mainland, but that is over now, so stay here,
saw me the silly blubbering fellows began frisk- and eat and drink till you are once more as
ing round me as calves break out and gambol strong and hearty as you were when you left
round their mothers, when
they see them com- Ithaca; for at presentyou are weakened both in
ing home to be milked after they have been body and mind; you keep all the time thinking
feeding all day, and the homestead resounds of the hardships you have suffered during your
with their lowing. They seemed as glad to see travels, so that you have no more cheerfulness
me as though they had got back to their own left in you.'
rugged Ithaca, where they had been born and [466] "Thus did she speak and we assented.
bred. 'Sir,' said the affectionate creatures, 'we W^e stayed with Circe for a whole twelvemonth
 BOOK X 241
feasting upon an untold quantity both of meat length, breadth, and depth, and pour into it

and wine. But when the year had passed in the as a drink-off^ering to all the dead, first, honey
waning of moons and the long days had come mixed with milk, then wine, and in the third
round, my men called me apart and said, 'Sir, place water— sprinkling white barley meal over
it is time you began to think about going home, the whole. Moreover you must ofFer many pray-
if so be you are to be spared to see your house ers to the poor feeble ghosts, and promise them
and native country at all.' that when you get back to Ithaca you will sacri-

[47s] "Thus did they speak and I assented. fice a barren heifer to them, the best you have,

Thereon through the livelong day to the going and will load the pyre with good things. More
down of the sun we feasted our fill on meat particularly you must promise that Teiresias
and wine, but when the sun went down and it shall have a black sheep all to himself, the finest
came on dark the men laid themselves down to in all your flocks.
sleep in the covered cloisters. I, however, after [5267 " 'When you shall have thus besought
I had got into bed with Circe, besought her by the ghosts with your prayers, ofl^er them a ram
her knees, and the goddess listened to what I and a black ewe, bending their heads towards
had got to say. 'Circe,' said I, 'please to keep the Erebus; but yourself turn awav from them as
promise you made me about furthering me on though you would make towards the river. On
my homeward voyage. I want to get back and this, many dead men's ghosts will come to you,

so do my men, they are always pestering me and you must tell vour men to skin the two
with their complaints as soon as ever your back sheep that you have just killed, and ofFer them
is turned.' as a burnt sacrifice with prayers to Hades and
[487] "And the goddess answered, 'Ulysses, to Proserpine. Then draw your sword and sit
noble son of Laertes, you shall none of you stay there, so as to prevent anv other poor ghost
here anv longer if you do not want to, but there from coming near the spilt blood before Teires-
is another journey which you have got to take ias shall have answered your questions. The
before you can sail homewards. You must go seer will presently come to you, and will tell
to the house of Hades and of dread Proserpine you about your voyage— what stages you are to
to consult the ghost of the blind Theban make, and how you are to sail the sea so as to
prophet Teiresias, whose reason is still un- reach your home.'
shaken. To him alone has Proserpine left his [541] "It was day-break by the time she had
understanding even in death, but the other done speaking, so she dressed me in my shirt
ghosts flit about aimlessly.' and cloak. As for herself she threw a beautiful
[496] "I was dismayed when I heard this. lightgossamer fabric over her shoulders, fasten-
I sat up in bed and wept, and would gladly ing with a golden girdle round her waist, and
it

have lived no longer to see the light of the sun, she covered her head with a mantle. Then I
but presently when I was tired of weeping and went about among the men everj'where all over
tossing myself about, I said, 'And who shall the house, and spoke kindly to each of them
guide me upon this voyage— for the house of man by man: 'You must not lie sleeping here
Hades is a port that no ship can reach.' any longer,' said I to them, 'we must be going,
[504] " 'You will want no guide,' she an- for Circe has told me all about it.' And on this
swered; 'raise you mast, set your white sails, sit they did as I bade them.
quite and the North Wind will blow you
still, [55 1 J "Even so, however, I did not get them
there of When your ship has traversed
itself. away without misadventure. We had with us a
the waters of Oceanus, you will reach the fer- certain youth named Elpenor, not very remark-
tile shore of Proserpine's country with its groves able for sense or courage, who had got drunk
and willows that shed their fruit
of tall poplars and was lying on the house-top away from the
untimely; here beach your ship upon the shore rest of the men, to sleep off^ his liquor in the
of Oceanus, and go straight on to the dark cool. When he heard the noise of the men
abode of Hades. You will find it near the place bustling about, he jumped up on a sudden and
where the rivers Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus forgot all about coming down by the main stair-
(which is a branch of the river Styx) flow into case, so he tumbled right oflF the roof and broke
Acheron, and you will see a rock near it, just his neck, and his soul went down to the house
where the two roaring rivers run into one an- of Hades.
other. [561] "When I had got the men together I
" 'When you have reached this spot, said tothem, 'You think you are about to start
[516]
as I now tell you, dig a trench a cubit or so in home again, but Circe has explained to me that
242 THE ODYSSEY
iiistead of this, wc have got to go to the house we reached the sea shore, weeping and lament-
oi Hades and Proserpine to consult the ghost ing our fate, Circe brought the ram and the
of the Theban prophet Teircsias.' ewe, and we made them fast hard by the ship.
[^66] "The men were broken-hearted as She passed through the midst of us without our
they heard me, and threw themsehes on the knowing it, for who can see the comings and
ground groaning and tearing their hair, but goings of a god, if the god does not wish to be
rhey did not mend matters by crying. When seen?
 BOOK XI
when we had got down
THEN,
shore we drew our ship
the
the water into
to sea ing sound that
When I
made me turn pale with fear.
saw them coming I told the men to be
and got her mast and sails into her; we quick and flay the carcasses of the two dead
also put thesheep on board and took our places, sheep and make burnt offerings of them, and
weeping and in great distress of mind. Circe, at the same time to repeat prayers to Hades and
that great and cunning goddess, sent us a fair to Proserpine; but I sat where I was with my
wind that blew dead aft and stayed steadily sword drawn and would not let the poor feck-
with us keeping our sails all the time well filled; less ghosts come near the blood till Teiresias
so we did whatever wanted doing to the ship's should have answered my questions.
gear and let her go as the wind and helmsman [51] "The first ghost that came was that of
headed her. All day long her sails were full as my comrade Elpenor, for he had not yet been
she held her course over the sea, but when the laid beneath the earth. We had left his body
sun went down and darkness was over all the unwaked and unburied in Circe's house, for
earth, we got into the deep waters of the river we had had too much else to do. I was very
Oceanus, where lie the land and city of the sorry for him, and cried when I saw him: 'El-
Cimmerians who live enshrouded in mist and penor,' said I, 'how did you come down here
darkness which the rays of the sun never pierce into this gloom and darkness? You have got
neither at his rising nor as he goes down again here on foot quicker than I have with my ship.'
out of the heavens, but the poor wretches live [60] " 'Sir,' he answered with a groan, 'it
in one long melancholy night. When we got was all bad luck, and my own unspeakable
there we beached the ship, took the sheep out drunkenness. I was lying asleep on the top of
of her, and went along by the waters of Oceanus Circe's house, and never thought of coming
till we came to the place of which Circe had down again by the great staircase but fell right
told us. off the roof and broke my neck, so my soul came
[i^] "Here Perimedes and Eurylochus held down to the house of Hades. And now I be-
the victims, while I drew my sword and dug seech you by all those whom you have left be-
the trench a cubit each way. I made a drink- hind you, though they are not here, by your
offering to all the dead, with honey and
first wife, by the father who brought you up when
milk, then with wine, and thirdly with water, you were a child, and by Telemachus who is
and I sprinkled white barley meal over the the one hope of your house, do what I shall now
whole, praying earnestly to the poor feckless ask you. I know that when you leave this limbo
ghosts, and promising them that when I got you will again hold your ship for the /Easan
back to Ithaca I would sacrifice a barren heifer island. Do not go thence leaving me unwaked
for them, the best I had, and would load the and unburied behind you, or I may bring heav-
pyre with good things. I also particularly prom- en's anger upon you; but burn me with what-
ised that Teiresias should have a black sheep to ever armour I have, build a barrow for me on
himself, the best in all my flocks. When I had the sea shore, that may tell people in days to
prayed sufficiently to the dead, I cut the throats come what a poor unlucky fellow I was, and
of the two sheep and let the blood run into the plant over my grave the oar I used to row with
trench, whereon the ghosts came trooping up when I was yet alive and with my messmates.'
from Erebus— brides, young bachelors, old men And I said, 'My poor fellow, I will do all that
worn out with toil, maids who had been crossed you have asked of me.'
in love, and brave men who had been killed in [Si] "Thus, then, did we sit and hold sad
battle, with their armour still smirched with talk with one another, I on the one side of the
blood; they came from every quarter and flitted trench with my sword held over the blood, and
round the trench with a strange kind of scream- the ghost of my comrade saying all this to me

243
244 THE ODYSSEY
from the other side. Then came the ghost of other. As come to you
for yourself, death shall
my dead mother Anticlea, daughter to Autoly- from the and your life shall ebb away very
sea,
cus. I had left her aUve when I set out for Troy gently when you are full of years and peace of
and was moved to tears when I saw her, but mind, and your people shall bless you. All that
even so, for all mv sorrow I would not let her I have said will come true].'

come near the blood till I had asked my ques- [i^S] "'This,' I answered, 'must be as it
tions of Teiresias. may please heaven, but tell me and tell me
[go] "Then came also the ghost of Theban true, I see my poor mother's ghost close by us;
Teiresias, with his golden sceptre in his hand. she is sitting by the blood without saying a
He knew me and said, 'Ulysses, noble son of word, and though I am her own son she does
Laertes, why, poor man, have you left the light not remember me and speak to me; tell me. Sir,
of day and come down to visit the dead in this how I can make her know me.'
sad place? Stand back from the trench and with- " 'That,' said he, 'I can soon do. Any
[14s]
draw your sword that 1 may drink of the blood ghost that you let taste of the blood will talk
and answer your questions truly.' with you like a reasonable being, but if you do
[gy] "So I drew back, and sheathed my not let them have any blood they will go away
sw^ord, whereon when he had drank of the blood again.'
he began with his prophecy. 1 1 so] "On this the ghost of Teiresias went
[loo] " 'You want to know,' said he, 'about back to the house of Hades, for his prophecy-
vour return home, but heaven will make this ings had now been spoken, but I sat still where
hard for you. I do not think that you will es- I was until my mother came up and tasted the

cape the eye of Neptune, who still nurses his blood. Then she knew me at once and spoke
bitter grudge against vou for having blinded his fondlv to me, saying, 'My son, how did you
son. Still, after much suffering you may get come down to this abode of darkness while you
home if you can restrain yourself and your com- are still alive? It is a hard thing for the living
panions when your ship reaches theThrinacian to see these places, for between us and them
island, where you will find the sheep and cattle there are great and terrible waters, and there is
belonging to the sun, who sees and gives ear to Oceanus, which no man can cross on foot, but
everything. If you leave these flocks unharmed he must have a good ship to take him. Are you
and think of nothing but of getting home, you all this time trying to find your way home from

may yet after much hardship reach Ithaca; but Troy, and have you never yet got back to Ithaca
if you harm them, then I forewarn you of the nor seen your wife in your own house?'
destruction both of your ship and of your men. " 'Mother,' said was forced
[163] I, 'I to
Even though you may yourself escape, you will come here to consult the ghost of the Theban
return in bad plight after losing all your men, prophet Teiresias. I have never yet been near
[in another man's ship, and you will find trou- the Achaean land nor set foot on my native
ble in your house, which will be overrun by country, and I have had nothing but one long
high-handed people, who are devouring your series of misfortunes from the very first day that
substance under the pretext of paying court and I set out with Agamemnon for Ilius, the land

making presents to your wife. of noble steeds, to fight the Trojans. But tell
" 'When you get home you will take me, and tell me true, in what way did you die?
[ 1 18]
your revenge on these suitors; and after vou Did you have a long illness, or did heaven vouch-
have killed them by force or fraud in your own safe you a gentle easy passage to eternity? Tell
house, vou must take a well-made oar and carry me also about my father, and the son whom I
it on and on, till you come to a country where left behind me; is my property still in their
the people have never heard of the sea and do hands, or has some one else got hold of it, who
not even mix salt with their food, nor do they thinks that I shall not return to claim it? Tell
know anything about ships, and oars that are as me again what my wife intends doing, and in
the wings of a ship. I will give you this certain what mind she is; does she live with my son and
token which cannot escape your notice. A way- guard my estate securely, or has she made the
farer will meet vou and will say it must be a best match she could and married again?'
winnowing shovel that you have got upon your 1 1 80] "My mother answered, 'Your wife still
shoulder; on this you must fix the oar in the remains in your house, but she is in great dis-
ground and sacrifice a ram, a bull, and a boar tress of mind and spends her whole time in
to Neptune. Then go home and offer heca- tears both night and day. No one as yet has got
tombs to all the gods in heaven one after the possession of your fine property, and Telema-
 BOOK XI 245
chus holds your lands undisturbed. He has
still daughter of Salmoneus and wife of Cretheus
to entertain largely, as of course he must, con- the son of /Eolus. She fell in love with the
sidering his position as a magistrate, and how river Enipeus who is much the most beautiful
every one invites him; vour father remains at river in thewhole world. Once when she was
his old place in the country and never goes near taking a walk by his side as usual, Neptune,
the town. He
has no comfortable bed nor bed- disguised as her lover, lay with her at the mouth
ding; in the winter he sleeps on the floor in and a huge blue wave arched itself
of the river,
front of the fire with the men and goes about all like amountain over them to hide both woman
in rags, but in summer, when the warm weather and god, whereon he loosed her virgin girdle
comes on again, he lies out in the vineyard on and laid her in a deep slumber. When the god
a bed of vine leaves thrown anyhow upon the had accomplished the deed of love, he took her
ground. He grieves continually about vour hand in his own and said, 'Tyro, rejoice in all
never having come home, and suffers more and good will; the embraces of the gods are not
more as he grows older. As for my own end it fruitless, and you
will have fine twins about
was in this wise: heaven did not take me swiftly this time twehe months. Take great care of
and painlessly in my own house, nor was I at- them. I am Neptune, so now go home, but hold
tacked by any illness such as those that gener- your tongue and do not tell any one.'
ally wear people out and kill them, but my [-53] 'Then he divedunderthe sea, and she
longing to know what you were doing and the in due course bore Pelias and Neleus, who both
force of my affection for you— this it was that of them served Jove with all their might. Pelias
was the death of me.' was a great breeder of sheep and lived in lolcus,
[204] "Then I tried to find some way of em- but the other lived in Pylos. The rest of her
bracing my poor mother's ghost. Thrice 1 sprang children were by Cretheus, namely, yEson,
towards her and tried to clasp her in my arms, Pheres, and Amythaon, who was a mighty war-
but each time she flitted from my embrace as rior and charioteer.
it were a dream or phantom, and being touched [260] "Next to her I saw Antiope, daughter
to the quick I said to her, 'Mother, why do you to Asopus, who could boast of having slept in
not stay still when I would embrace vou? If we the arms of even Jove himself, and who bore
could throw our arms around one another we him two sons Amphion and Zethus. These
might find sad comfort in the sharing of our founded Thebes with its seven gates, and built
sorrows even in the house of Hades; does Pro- a wall all round it; for strong though they were
serpine want to lay a still further load of grief they could not hold Thebes till they had walled
upon me by mocking me with a phantom only?' it.

[215J "'My son,' she answered, 'most ill- [266] "Then I saw Alcmena, the wife of
fated of all mankind, not Proserpine that is
it is Amphitryon, who also bore to Jove indomitable
beguiling you, but all people are like this when Hercules; and Megara who was daughter to
they are dead. The sinews no longer hold the great King Creon, and married the redoubtable
flesh and bones together; these perish in the son of Amphitrs'on.
fierceness of consuming fire as soon as life has [2yi] "I also saw fair Epicaste mother of
left the body, and the soul flits away as though king CEdipodes whose awful lot it was to marry
it were a dream. Now, however, go back to the her own son without suspecting it. He married
light of day as soon as you can, and note all her after having killed his father, but the gods
these things that you may tell them to vour proclaimed the whole storv' to the world;
wife hereafter.' whereon he remained king of Thebes, in great
[225J "Thus did we converse, and anon Pro- grief for the spite the gods had borne him; but
serpine sent up the ghosts of the wives and Epicaste went to the house of the mighty jailor
daughters of all the most famous men. They Hades, having hanged herself for grief, and the
gathered in crowds about the blood, and I con- avenging spirits haunted him as for an outraged
sidered how I might question them severally. In mother— to his ruing bitterly thereafter.
the end I deemed that it would be best to draw [iSi] "Then I saw Chloris, whom Neleus
the keen blade that hung by my sturdy thigh, married for her beauty, having given priceless
and keep them from all drinking the blood at presents for her. She was youngest daughter to
once. So they came up one after the other, and Amphion son of lasus and king of \linyan
each one as I questioned her told me her race Orchomenus, and was Queen in Pylos. She
and lineage. bore Nestor, Chromius, and Periclymenus, and
[235] "The first I saw was Tyro. She was she also bore that mar\'ellously lovely woman
246 THE ODYSSEY
Pero, who was wooed by all the country round; Phasacians? Is he not tall and good looking, and

but Neleus would only give her to him who ishe not clever? True, he is my own guest, but
should raid the cattle of Iphicles from the graz- you all of you share in the distinction. Do not
ing grounds of Phylace, and this was a hard be in a hurry to send him away, nor niggardly
task. 1 he only man who- would undertake to in the presents you make to one who is in such
raid them was a certain excellent seer, but the great need, for heaven has blessed all of you
will of heaven was against him, for the rangers with greit abundance."
of the cattle caught him and put him in prison; [342] Then spoke the aged hero Echeneus
nevertheless when a full year had passed and who was one of the oldest men among them,
the same season came round again, Iphicles set "My friends," said he, "what our august queen
him at liberty, after he had expounded all the has just said to us is both reasonable and to the
oracles of heaven. Thus, then, was the will of purpose, therefore be persuaded by it; but the
Jove accomplished. decision whether in word or deed rests ulti-
[298] "And I saw Leda the wife of Tynda- mately with King Alcinous."
rus, who bore him two famous sons, Castor [347] "The thing shall be done," exclaimed
breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer. Alcinous, "as surely as I still live and reign
Both these heroes are lying under the earth, over the Pha;acians. Our indeed very
guest is

though thev are still alive, for by a special dis- anxious to get home, still we must persuade
pensation of Jove, they die and come to life him to remain with us until to-morrow, by
again, each one of them every other day through- which time I shall be able to get together the
out all time, and they have the rank of gods. whole sum that I mean to give him. As regards
[2,0$] "After her 1 saw Iphimedeia wife of his escort it will be a matter for you all, and
Alceus who boasted the embrace of Neptune. mine above all others as the chief person among
'

She bore two sons Otus and Ephialtes, but both vou.
were short lived. They were the finest children [354] And Ulysses answered, "King Alcin-
that were ever born in this world, and the best ous, if you were to bid me to stay here for a

looking, Orion only excepted; for at nine years whole twelve months, and then speed me on
old thev were nine fathoms high, and measured my way, loaded with your noble gifts, I should
nine cubits round the chest. They threatened obey you gladly and it would redound greatly
to make war with the gods in Olympus, and to mv advantage, for I should return fuller-
tried to set Mount Ossa on the top of Mount handed to my own people, and should thus be
Olvmpus, and Mount Pelion on the top of more respected and beloved by all who see me
Ossa, that they might scale heaven itself, and when I get back to Ithaca."
thev would have done it too if they had been [362] "Ulvsses," replied Alcinous, "not one
grown up, but Apollo, son of Leto, killed both of us who sees you has any idea that you are a
of them, before they had got so much as a sign charlatan or a swindler. I know there are many
cf hair upon their cheeks or chin. people going about who tell such plausible
[3217 "Then I saw Phaedra, and Procris, and stories that it is very hard to see through them,
fairAriadne daughter of the magician Minos, but there is a style about your language which
whom Theseus was carrying off from Crete to assures me of your good disposition. IVloreover
Athens, but he did not enjoy her, for before he vou have told the story of your own misfor-
could do so Diana killed her in the island of tunes, and those of the Argives, as though you
Dia on account of what Bacchus had said were a practised bard; but tell me, and tell me
against her. true, whether you saw any of the mighty heroes
[326] saw Maera and Clymene and
"I also who went to Trov at the same time with your-
hateful Eriphvle, who sold her own husband for self, and perished there. The evenings are still

gold. But it would take me all night if I were at their longest, and it is not yet bed time— go
to name every single one of the wives and on, therefore, with your divine story, for I could
daughters of heroes whom I saw, and it is time stav here listening till to-morrow morning, so
for me to go to bed, either on board ship with long as you will continue to tell us of your ad-
mv crew, or here. As for my escort, heaven and ventures."
vourselves will see to it." [377] "Alcinous," answered Ulysses, "there
liiil Here he ended, and the guests sat all is a time for making speeches, and a time for
of them enthralled and speechless throughout going to bed; nevertheless, since you so desire,
the covered cloister. Then Arete said to them: I will not refrain from telling you the still sad-

[336J "What do you think of this man, O der tale of those of my comrades who did not
 BOOK XI 247
fall fighting with the Trojans, but perished on [441] "'Be continued Aga-
sure, therefore,'

their return, through the treachery of a wicked memnon, 'and not be too friendly even with
woman. your own wife. Do not tell her all that you
[^8^] "When Proserpine had dismissed the know perfectly well yourself. Tell her a part
female ghosts in all directions, the ghost of only, and keep your own counsel about the
Agamemnon son of Atreus came sadly up tome, rest. Not that your wife, Ulysses, is likely to

surrounded by those who had perished with murder you, for Penelope is a very admirable
him in the house of yEgisthus. As soon as he woman, and has an excellent nature. left We
had he knew me, and weeping
tasted the blood her a young bride with an infant at her breast
bitterly stretched out his arms towards me to when we set out for Troy. This child no doubt
embrace me; but he had no strength nor sub- is now grown up happily to man's estate, and

stance any more, and I too wept and pitied him he and his father will have a joyful meeting
as I beheld him. 'How did you come by your and embrace one another as it is right they
death,' saidI, 'King Agamemnon? Did Nep- should do, whereas my wicked wife did not
tune raise his winds and waves against you even allow me the happiness of looking upon
when you were at sea, or did your enemies make my son, but killed me ere I could do so. Fur-
an end of you on the mainland when you were thermore I say— and lay my saying to your heart
cattle-lifting or sheep-stealing, or while they —do not tell people when you are bringing your
were fighting in defence of their wives and city r"' ship to Ithaca, but steal a march upon them,
[404] " 'Ulysses,' he answered, 'noble son of for after all this there no trusting women.
is

Laertes, I was not lost at sea in any storm of But now tell me, and tell me
true, can you give
Neptune's raising, nor did my foes despatch me any news of my son Orestes? Is he in Or-
me upon the mainland, but yEgisthus and my chomenus, or at Pylos, or is he at Sparta with
wicked wife were the death of me between Menelaus— for I presume that he is still living.'
them. He asked me to his house, feasted me, [462] "And I said, 'Agamemnon, why do
and then bu tchered me most miserably as though you ask me? I do not know whether your son
I were a fat beast in a slaughter house, while all is alive or dead, and it is not right to talk when

around me my comrades were slain like sheep one does not know.'
or pigs for the wedding breakfast, or picnic, or [46^] "As we two sat weeping and talking
gorgeous banquet of some great nobleman. You thus sadly with one another the ghost of Achil-
must have seen numbers of men killed either les came up to us with Patroclus, Antilochus,
in a general engagement, or in single combat, and Ajax who was the finest and goodliest man
but you never saw anything so truly pitiable as of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus. The
the way in which we fell in that cloister, with fleet descendant of ^acus knew me and spoke

the mixing-bowl and the loaded tables lying all piteously, saying, 'Ulysses, noble son of Laertes,
about, and the ground reeking with our blood. what deed of daring will you undertake next,
I heard Priam's daughter Cassandra scream as that you venture down to the house of Hades
Clytemnestra killed her close beside me. I lay among us silly dead, who are but the ghosts
dying upon the earth with the sword in my of them that can labour no more?'
body, and raised my hands to kill the slut of a [47y] "And I said, 'Achilles, son of Peleus,
murderess, but she slipped away from me; she foremost champion of the Achaeans, I came
would not even close my lips nor my eyes when to consult Teiresias, and see if he could advise
I was dying, for there is nothing in this world me about my return home to Ithaca, for I have
so cruel and so shameless as a woman when she never yet been able to get near the Achaean
has fallen into such guilt as hers was. Fancy land, nor to set foot in my own country, but
murdering her own husband! I thought I was have been in trouble all the time. As for you,
going to be welcomed home by my children and Achilles, no one was ever yet so fortunate
my servants, but her abominable crime has as you have been, nor ever will be, for you were
brought disgrace on herself and all women who adored by all us Argives as long as you were
shall come after— even on the good ones.' alive, and now that you are here you are a great

[43s] "And I said, 'In truth Jove has hated prince among the dead. Do not, therefore, take
the house of Atreus from first to last in the mat- it so much to heartyou are dead.'
even if

ter of their women's counsels. See how many [48-/] " 'Say not a word,' he answered, 'in
of us fell for Helen's sake, and now it seems death's favour; I would rather be a paid serv-
that Clytemnestra hatched mischief against you ant in a poor man's house and be above ground
too during your absence.' than king of kings among the dead. But give
248 THE ODYSSE\
me news about my son; is he gone to the wars tale; but that of Ajax son of Telamon alone

and he be a great soldier, or is this not sor

will held aloof— still angry with me for having won
Tell me also if you have heard anything about the cause in our dispute about the armour of
mv father Peleus— does he still rule among the .Achilles. Thetis had offered it as a prize, but

Mvrmidons, or do they show him no respect the Trojan prisoners and Minerva were the
throughout I lellas and Phthia now that he is judges. Would that I had never gained the day
old and his limbs fail him? Could I but stand in such a contest, for it cost the life of Ajax,
by his side, in the light of day, with the same who was foremost of all the Danaans after the
strength that I had when I killed the bravest son of Peleus, alike in stature and prowess.
of our foes upon the plain of Troy— could I but [552.] "When saw him
I I tried to pacify him
be as I then was and go even for a short time and you not forget and for-
said, 'Ajax, will
to mv father's house, any one who tried to do give even in death, but must the judgement
him violence or supersede him would soon about that hateful armour still rankle with you?
rue it.' It cost us Argives dear enough to lose such

[^04] "
have heard nothing,' I answered,
'I a tower of strength as you were to us. We
of Peleus, but I can tell you all about your son mourned vou as much as we mourned Achil-
Neoptolemus, for I took him in mv own ship les son of Peleus himself, nor can the blame
from Scvros with the Achaeans. In our councils be laid on anything but on the spite which
of war before Troy he was always first to speak, Jove bore against the Danaans, for it was this
and his judgement was unerring. Nestor and that made him counsel your destruction— come
I were the only two who could surpass him: hither, therefore, bring your proud spirit into
and when it came to fighting on the plain of subjection, and hear what I can tell you.'
Troy, he would never remain with the bodv of ^563] "He would not answer, but turned
his men, but would dash on far in front, fore- away to Erebus and to the other ghosts; never-
most of them all in valour. Many a man did he theless, should have made him talk to me in
I

kill in battle— I cannot name every single one spite of hisbeing so angr\', or I should have
of those whom he slew while fighting on the gone on talking to him, only that there were
side of the Argives, but will only say how still others among the dead whom I desired to
he killed that valiant hero Eurypylus son of see.
Telephus, who was the handsomest man I ever [568] "Then I saw Minos son of Jove with
saw except Memnon; many others also of the his golden sceptre in his hand sitting in judge-
Ceteians fell around him by reason of a wom- ment on the dead, and the ghosts were gath-
an's bribes. Moreover, when all the bravest of ered sitting and standing round him in the
the Argives went inside the horse that Epeus spacious house of Hades, to learn his sentences
had made, and it was left to me to settle when upon them.
we should either open the door of our ambus- [S72.J "After him I saw huge Orion in a
cade, or close it, though all the other leaders meadow full of asphodel driving the ghosts of
and chief men among the Danaans were dry- the wild beasts that he had killed upon the
ing their eyes and quaking in ever)' limb, I mountains, and he had a great bronze club in
never once saw him turn pale nor wipe a tear his hand, unbreakable for ever and ever.
from his cheek; he was all the time urging [576] "AndlsawTityus son of Gaia stretched
me to break out from the horse— grasping the upon the plain and covering some nine acres
handle of his sword and his bronze-shod spear, of ground. Two vultures on either side of him
and breathing fury against the foe. Yet when were digging their beaks into his liver, and he
we had sacked the city of Priam he got his kept on trying to beat them off with his hands,
handsome share of the prize money and went but could not; for he had violated Jove's mis-
on board (such is the fortune of war) without tress Leto as she was going through Panopeus
a wound upon him, neither from a thrown on her way to Pytho.
spear nor in close combat, for the rage of Mars [582] "I saw also the dreadful fate of Tanta-
is a matter of great chance.' lus, who stood in a lake that reached his chin;
Isi^l "When I had told him this, the ghost he was dying to quench his thirst, but could
of Achilles strode off across a meadow full of never reach the water, for whenever the poor
asphodel, exulting over what I had said con- creature stooped to drink, it dried up and van-
cerning the prowess of his son. ished, so that there was nothing but dry ground
Is 41] "The ghosts of other dead men stood —parched bv the spite of heaven. There were
near me and told me each his own melancholy tall trees, moreover, that shed their fruit over
 a

BOOK XI 249
his head— pears, pomegranates, apples, sweet and spoke piteously, saying, 'My poor Ulysses,
figs and juicy but whenever the poor
olives, noble son of Laertes, are vou too leading the
hand to take some,
creature stretched out his same sorry kind of life that I did when I was
the wind tossed the branches back again to above ground? I was son of Jove, but I went
the clouds. through an infinity of suffering, for I became
[59i] "And I saw Sisyphus at his endless bondsman to one who was far beneath me—
task raising his prodigious stone with both his low fellow who set me all manner of labours.
hands. With hands and feet he tried to roll it He once sent me here to fetch the hell-hound
up to the top of the hill, but always, just before —for he did not think he could find anvthing
he could roll it over on to the other side, its harder for me than this, but I got the hound
weight would be too much for him, and the out of Hades and brought him to him, for
pitilessstone would come thundering down Mercurv and Minerva helped me.'
again on to the plain. Then he would begin [Szy] "On this Hercules went down again
trying to push it up hill again, and the sweat into the house of Hades, but I stayed where I
ran off him and the steam rose after him. was in case some other of the mighty dead
[601] "After him I saw mighty Hercules, should come to me. And I should have seen
but it was his phantom only, for he is feasting still other of them that are gone before, whom

ever with the immortal gods, and has lovely I would fain have seen— Theseus and Pirithous

Hebe to wife, who is daughter of Jove and —glorious children of the gods, but so many
Juno. The ghosts were screaming round him thousands of ghosts came round me and ut-
like scared birds flying all whithers. He looked tered such appalling cries, that I was panic
black as night with his bare bow in his hands stricken lest Proserpine should send up from
and his arrow on the string, glaring around as the house of Hades the head of that awful
though ever on the point of taking aim. About monster Gorgon. On this I hastened back to
his breast there was a wondrous golden belt my ship and ordered my men to go on board at
adorned in the most marvellous fashion with once and loose the hawsers; so they embarked
bears, wild boars, and lions with gleaming and took their places, whereon the ship went
eyes; there was also war, battle, and death. The down the stream of the river Oceanus. We had
man who made that belt, do what he might, to row at first, but presently a fair wind sprang
would never be able to make another like it. up.
Hercules knew me at once when he saw me.
 BOOK XII
«' A FTER we were clear of the river Oceanus, you will to the Sirens who enchant all
come
/\ and had got out into the open sea, we who come near them. If any one unwarily
J_ \. went on till we reached the y'Eaean draws in too close and hears the singing of the
island where there is dawn and sunrise as in Sirens, his wife and children will never wel-
other places. We
then drew our ship on to the come him home again, for they sit in a green
sands and got out of her on to the shore, where fieldand warble him to death with the sweet-
we went to sleep and waited till day should There is a great heap of dead
ness of their song.
break. men's bones lying all around, with the flesh
fSy "Then, when the child of morning, rosy- still rotting them. Therefore pass these
off

fingered Dawn, appeared, I sent some men to Sirens bv, and stop your mens ears with wax
Circe's house to fetch the body of Elpenor. We that none of them may hear; but if you like
cut firewood from a wood where the headland vou can listen yourself, for you may get the
jutted out into the sea, and after we had wept men to bind you as you stand upright on a
over him and lamented him we perfonncd his cross piece half wav up the mast, and they
funeral rites. When his bodv and armour had must lash the rope's ends to the mast itself, that
been burned to ashes, we raised a cairn, set a vou mav have the pleasure of listening. If vou
stone over and at the top of the cairn we
it, beg and prav the men to unloose you, then
fixed the oar that he had been used to row with. thev must bind you faster.
" When vour crew have taken you
[i6] "While we were doing all this. Circe, [55]
who knew that we had got back from the house past these Sirens, I cannot gi\ e vou coherent
of Hades, dressed herself and came to us as directions as to which of two courses you are to
fast as she could; and her maid servants came take; I will lay the two alternatives before you,
with her bringing us bread, meat, and wine. and vou must consider them for yourself. On
Then she stood in the midst of us and said, the one hand there are some overhanging rocks
'You have done a bold thing in going down against which the deep blue waves of Am-
ali\ e to the house of Hades, and you will have phitrite beat with terrific fury; the blessed gods
died twice, to other people's once; now, then, call these rocks the Wanderers. Here not even
stav here for the rest of the day. feast your fill, a bird mav pass, no, not even the timid doves
and go on with your voyage at daybreak to- that bring ambrosia to Father Jove, but the
morrow morning. In the meantime I will tell sheer rock always carries off one of them, and
Ulysses about your course, and will explain Father Jove has to send another to make up
everything to him so as to prevent your suffer- their number; no ship that ever yet came to
ing from misadventure either bv land or sea.' these rocks has got awav again, but the waves
/aSy "We agreed to do as she had said, and and whirlwinds of fire are freighted with wreck-
feasted through the livelong day to the going age and with the bodies of dead men. The only
down of the sun. but when the sun had set vessel that ever sailed and got through, was
and it came on dark, the men laid themselves the famous /\rgo en her way from the house
down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship. of /Fetes, and she too would have gone against
Then Circe took me by the hand and bade me these great rocks, only that Juno piloted her
be seated awav from the others, while she re- past them for the love she bore to Jason.
clined bv mv side and asked me all about our [73] " 01 these two rocks the one reaches
adventures. hea\en and its peak is lost in a dark cloud.
lil]
"
So far so good,' said she, when I had 1 his never leaves it, so that the top is never
ended mv storv, and now pay attention to clear not even in summer and earlv autumn.
what I am about you— heaven itself,
to tell in- No man though he had twcntv hands and
deed, will recall it to vour recollection. First twenty feet could get a foothold on it and climb
250
 BOOK XII 251

it, for it runs sheer up, as smooth as though island, and here you will see many herds of
it had been poHshed. In the middle of it there cattleand flocks of sheep belonging to the sun-
is a large cavern, looking West and turned god— seven herds of cattle and seven flocks of
towards Erebus; you must take your ship this sheep, with fifty head in each flock. They do
way, but the cave is so high up that not even not breed, nor do they become fewer in num-
the stoutest archer could send an arrow into it. ber, and they are tended by the goddesses
Inside it Scvlla sits and yelps with a voice that Phaethusa and Lampetie, who are children of
you might take to be that of a young hound, the sun-god Hvperionty Neaera. Their mother
but in truth she is a dreadful monster and no when she had borne them and had done suck-
one— not even a god— could face her without ling them sent them to the Thrinacian island,
being terror-struck. She has twelve mis-shapen which was a long way off, to live there and
feet, and six necks of the most prodigious look after their father's flocks and herds. If you
length; and at the end of each neck she has a leave these flocks unharmed, and think of noth-
frightful head with three rows of teeth in ing but getting home, you may yet after much
each, all set very close together, so that they hardship reach Ithaca; but if you harm them,
would crunch any one to death in a moment, then I forewarn you of the destruction both of
and she sits deep within her shady cell thrust- your ship and of your comrades; and even
ing out her heads and peering all round the though you may yourself escape, you will re-
rock, fishing for dolphins or dogfish or any turn late, in bad plight, after losing all your
larger monster that she can catch, of the thou- men.'
sands with which Amphitrite teems. No ship [142] "Here she ended, and dawn enthroned
ever yet got past her without losing some men, in gold began to show in heaven, whereon she
for she shoots out all her heads at once, and returned inland. I then went on board and told
carries oflF a man in each mouth. my men to loose the ship from her moorings;
" 'You will find the other rocks so they at once got into her, took their places,
[101] lie

lower, but they are so close together that there and began to smite the grey sea with their oars.
is not more than a bowshot between them. Presentlv the great and cunning goddess Circe
[A large fig tree in full leaf grows upon it], and befriended us with a fair wind that blew dead
under it lies the sucking whirlpool of Charyb- aft, and stayed steadily with us, keeping our

dis. Three times in the day does she vomit forth sails well filled, so we did whatever wanted

her waters, and three times she sucks them doing to the ship's gear, and let her go as wind
down again; see that you be not there when and helmsman headed her.
she is sucking, for if you are, Neptune himself /'1537 "Then, being much troubled in mind,
could not save you; you must hug the Scylla I said to my men, 'My friends, it is not right
side and drive your ship by as fast as you can, that one or two of us alone should know the
for vou had better lose six men than your prophecies that Circe has made me, I will
whole crew.' therefore tell you about them, so that whether
[i 1 1] " 'Is there no way,' said I, 'of escaping we live or die we may do so with our eyes open.
Charybdis, and at the same time keeping Scylla First she said we were to keep clear of the
off when she is trying to harm my men?' Sirens, who sit and sing most beautifully in a
[115] " 'You dare-devil,' replied the goddess, field of flowers; but she said I might hear them
'you are always wanting to fight somebody or myself so long as no one else did. Therefore,
something; you will not let yourself be beaten take me and bind me to the crosspiece half way
even by the immortals. For Scylla is not mortal; up the mast; bind me as I stand upright, with
moreover she is savage, extreme, rude, cruel a bond so fast that I cannot possibly break
and invincible. There is no help for it; your away, and lash the rope's ends to the mast it-
best chance will be to get by her as fast as self. If I beg and pray you to set me free, then

ever you can, for if you dawdle about her rock bind me more tightly still.'
while you are putting on your armour, she may [165] "I had hardly finished telhng every-
catch you with a second cast of her six heads, thing to the men before we reached the island
and snap up another half dozen of your men; of the two Sirens, for the wind had been very
so drive your ship past her at full speed, and favourable. Then all of a sudden it fell dead
roar out lustily to Crataiis who is Scylla's dam, calm; there was not a breath of wind nor a
bad luck to her; she will then stop her from ripple upon the water, so the men furled the
making a second raid upon you. sails and stowed them; then taking to their oars

[izy] " 'You will now come to the Thrinacian they whitened the water with the foam they
252 THE ODYSSEY
raised in rowing. Meanwhile I look a large said nothing about the awful monster Scylla,
wheel of wax and cut it up small with my for knew the men would not go on rowing if
I

sword. Then I kneaded the wax in my strong I did, but would huddle together in the hold.

hands till it became soft, which it soon did be- In one thing only did I disobey Circe's strict
tween the kneading and -the rays of the sun- instructions— I put on my armour. Then seiz-
god son of Hyperion. Then 1 stopped the ears ing two strong spears I took my stand on the
of all my men, and they bound me hands and ship's bows, for it was there that I expected first
feet to the mast as I stood upright on the cross- to see themonster of the rock, who was to do
piece; but they went on rovying themselves. my men much harm; but I could not make
so
VVhen we had got within earshot of the land, her out anywhere, though I strained my eyes
and the ship was going at a good rate, the with looking the gloomy rock all over and over.
Sirens saw that we were getting in shore and [2-3,4] "Then we entered the Straits in great
began with their singing. fear ofmind, for on the one hand was Scylla,
[184] " 'Come here,' they sang, 'renowned and on the other dread Charybdis kept sucking
Ulysses, honour to the Achaean name, and lis- up the salt water. As she vomited it up, it was
ten to our two voices. No one ever sailed past like the water in a cauldron when it is boiling
us without staying to hear the enchanting over upon a great fire, and the spray reached
sweetness of our song— and he who listens will the top of the rocks on either side. When she
go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for began to suck again, we could see the water
we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the all inside whirling round and round, and it
Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell made deafening sound as it broke against the
a
you everything that is going to happen over the rocks. We
could see the bottom of the whirl-
whole world.' pool all black with sand and mud, and the men
[192] "They sang these words most musi- were at their wit's ends for fear. While we were
cally, and as I longed to hear them further I taken up with this, and were expecting each
made signs by frowning to my men that they moment to be our last, Scylla pounced down
should set me free; but they quickened their suddenly upon us and snatched up my six best
stroke, and Eurylochus and Perimedes bound men. I was looking at once after both ship and
me with still stronger bonds till we had got men, and in a moment I saw their hands and
out of hearing of the Sirens' voices. Then my feet ever so high above me, struggling in the
men took the wax from their ears and unbound air as Scylla was carrying them off, and I

me. heard them out my name in one last de-

call
[201] "Immediately after we had got past spairing cry. As a fisherman, seated, spear in
the island 1 saw a great wave from which hand, upon some jutting rock throws bait into
spray was rising, and I heard a loud roaring the water to deceive the poor and little fishes,

sound. The men were so frightened that they spears them with which
the ox's horn with
loosed hold of their oars, for the whole sea re- his spear is shod, throwing them gasping on to
sounded with the rushing of the waters, but the the land as he catches them one by one— even
ship stayedwhere it was, for the men had left so did Scylla land these panting creatures on
off I went round, therefore, and ex-
rowing. her rock and munch them up at the mouth of
horted them man by man not to lose heart. her den, while they screamed and stretched out
[208] " 'My friends,' said I, 'this is not the their hands to me in their mortal agony. This
firsttime that we have been in danger, and we was the most sickening sight that I saw through-
are in nothing like so bad a case as when the out all my voyages.
Cyclops shut us up in his cave; nevertheless, [260] "When we had passed the [Wander-
my courage and wise counsel saved us then, ing] rocks, with Scylla and terrible Charybdis,
and we back on all this as well.
shall live to look we reached the noble island of the sun-god,
Now, therefore, let us all do as I say, trust in where were the goodly cattle and sheep be-
Jove and row on with might and main. As for longing to the sun HN'perion. While still at sea
you, coxswain, these are your orders; attend to in my ship I could hear the cattle lowing as
them, for the ship is in your hands; turn her they came home to the yards, and the sheep
head away from these steaming rapids and hug bleating. Then I remembered what the blind
the rock, or she will give you the slip and be Theban prophet Teiresias had told me, and
over yonder before you know where you are, how carefullv /Eaean Circe had warned me to
and you will be the death of us.' shun the island of the blessed sun-god. So be-
[222] "So they did as I told them; but I ing much troubled I said to the men, 'My men,
 1

BOOK XII 253

I know you are hard pressed, but listen while and drink in the ship, let us mind, therefore,
I tellyou the prophecy that Teiresias made me, and not touch the cattle, or we shall suffer for
and how carefully /Eaean Circe warned me to it; for these cattle and sheep belong to the

shun the island of the blessed sun-god, for it mighty sun, who sees and gives ear to every-
was here, she said, that our worst danger would thing.' And again they promised that they
lie. Head the ship, therefore, away from the would obey.
island.' [3^5] "For a whole month the wind blew
[277] "The men were in despair at this, and steadilyfrom the South, and there was no other
Eurylochus at once gave me an insolent an- wind, but only South and East. As long as corn
swer. 'Ulysses,' said he, 'you are cruel; you are and wine held out the men did not touch the
very strong yourself and never get worn out; cattle when they were hungry; when, how-
you seem to be made of iron, and now, though ever, they had eaten all there was in the ship,
your men are exhausted with toil and want of they were forced to go further afield, fishing
sleep, you will not let them land and cook with hook and line, catching birds, and taking
themselves a good supper upon this island, but whatever they could lay their hands on; for
bid them put out to sea and go faring fruit- they were starving. One day, therefore, I went
lessly on through the watches of the flying up inland that I might pray heaven to show
night. It is by night that the winds blow hard- me some means of getting away. When I had
est and do so much damage; how can we escape gone far enough to be clear of all my men, and
should one of those sudden squalls spring up had found a place that was well sheltered from
from South West or West, which so often the wind, I washed my hands and prayed to
wreck a vessel when our lords the gods are all the gods in Olympus till by and by they

unpropitious? Now, therefore, let us obey the sent me off into a sweet sleep.
behests of night and prepare our supper here [339] "Meanwhile Eurylochus had been giv-
hard by the ship; to-morrow morning we will ing evil counsel to the men, 'Listen to me,'
go on board again and put out to sea.' said he, 'my poor comrades. All deaths are bad
[294] "Thus spoke Eurylochus, and the men enough, but there is none so bad as famine.
approved his words. I saw that heaven meant Why should not we drive in the best of these
us a mischief and said, 'You force me to yield, cows and offer them in sacrifice to the immortal
for you are many against one, but at any rate gods? If we ever get back to Ithaca, we can
each one of you must take his solemn oath that build a fine temple to the sun-god and enrich
if he meet with a herd of cattle or a large flock it with every kind of ornament; if, however,

of sheep, he will not be so mad as to kill a single he is determined to sink our ship out of revenge
head of either, but will be satisfied with the for these homed cattle, and the other gods are
food that Circe has given us.' of the same mind, I for one would rather drink
/303J "They swore as I bade them, and
all salt water once for all and have done with it,
when they had completed their oath we made than be starved to death by inches in such a
the ship fast in a harbour that was near a desert island as this is.'

stream of fresh water, and the men went ashore [35^] "Thus spoke Eurylochus, and the men
and cooked their suppers. As soon as they had approved his words. Now the cattle, so fair
had enough to eat and drink, they began talk- and goodly, were feeding not far from the
ing about their poor comrades whom Scylla ship; the men, therefore, drove in the best of
had snatched up and eaten; this set them weep- them, and they all stood round them saying

ing, and they went on crying till they fell off their prayers, and using young oak-shoots in-
into a sound sleep. stead of barley-meal, for there was no barley
^3 2] "In the third watch of the night when left. When they had done praying they killed
the stars had shifted their places, love raised a the cows and dressed their carcasses; they cut
great gale of wind that blew a hurricane so out the thigh bones, wrapped them round in
that land and sea were covered with thick two layers of fat, and set some pieces of raw
clouds, and night sprang forth out of the heav- meat on the top of them. They had no wine
ens. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered with which to make drink-offerings over the
Dawn, appeared, we brought the ship to land sacrifice while it was cooking, so they kept
and drew her into wherein the sea-
a cave pouring on a little water from time to time
nymphs hold their courts and dances, and I while the inward meats were being grilled;
called the men together in council. then, when the thigh bones were burned and
[^ 20] " 'My friends,' said I, 'we have meat they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the
254 THE ODYSSEY
rest up small and put the pieces upon the spits. head of the helmsman in the ship's stern, so

[366] "By this time my deep sleep had left that the bones of his head were crushed to
me, and I turned back to the ship and to the pieces, and he fell overboard as though he were
sea shore. As I drew near I began to smell hot diving, with no more life left in him.
roast meat, so I groaned out a prayer to the im- [41s] "Then Jove let fly with his thunder-
mortal gods. 'Father Jove,' I exclaimed, 'and all bolts,and the ship went round and round,
vou other gods who live in everlasting bliss, and was filled with fire and brimstone as the
you have done me a cruel mischief by the sleep lightning struck it. The men all fell into the
intowhich you have sent me; see what fine sea; they were carried about in the water round
work these men of mine have been making in the ship, looking like so many sea-gulls, but the
my absence." god presently deprived them of all chance of
[374] "Meanwhile Lampetie went straight getting home again.
off to the sun and told him we had been killing [420] "I stuck to the ship till the sea knocked
his cows, whereon he flew into a great rage, her sides from her keel (which drifted about
and said to the immortals, 'Father Jove, and all by itself) and struck the mast out of her in
you other gods who live in everlasting bliss, I the direction of the keel; but there was a back-
must have vengeance on the crew of Ulysses* stay of stout ox-thong still hanging about it,
ship: they have had the insolence to kill my and with this I lashed the mast and keel to-
cows, which were the one thing I loved to look gether, and getting astride of them was car-
upon, whether I was going up heaven or down ried wherever the winds chose to take me.
again. If they do not square accounts with me [426] "[The gale from the West had now
about mv cows, I will go down to Hades and spent its force, and the wind got into the South
shine there among the dead.' again, which frightened me lest I should be
[384] " 'Sun,' said Jove, 'go on shining upon taken back to the terrible whirlpool of Char\'b-
us gods and upon mankind over the fruitful dis. This indeed was what actually happened,

earth. I will shiver their ship into little pieces for I was borne along by the waves all night,
with a bolt of white lightning as soon as they and by sunrise had reached the rock of Scylla,
get out to sea.' and the whirlpool. She was then sucking down
[3897 "I was told all this by Calypso, who the salt sea water, but I was carried aloft to-
said she had heard it from the mouth of Mer- ward the fig tree, which I caught hold of and
cury. clung on to like a bat. I could not plant my feet
[391] "As soon as I got down to my ship anywhere so as to stand securely, for the roots
and to the sea shorerebuked each one of the
I were a long wav off and the boughs that over-
men separately, but we could see no way out shadowed the whole pool were too high, too
of it, for the cows were dead already. And in- vast, and too far apart for me to reach them;
deed the gods began at once to show signs and so I hung patiently on, waiting till the pool
wonders among us, for the hides of the cattle should discharge my mast and raft again— and
crawled about, and the joints upon the spits a very long while it seemed. A jur)'man is not
began to low like cows, and the meat, whether more glad to get home to supper, after having
cooked or raw, kept on making a noise just as been long detained in court by troublesome
cows do. cases, than I was to see my raft beginning to

[397] "For six days my men kept driving in work its way out of the whirlpool again. At
the best cows and feasting upon them, but last I let go with my hands and feet, and fell
when Jove the son of Saturn had added a heavily into the sea, hard by my raft on to
seventh day, the fury of the gale abated; we which I then got, and began to row with my
therefore went on board, raised our masts, hands. As for ScvUa, the father of gods and
spread sail, and put out to sea. As soon as we men would not let her get further sight of me—
were well away from the island, and could see otherwise I should have certainlv been lost.]
nothing but sky and sea, the son of Saturn 1 447] "Hence I was carried along for nine
raised a black cloud over our ship, and the sea davs till on the tenth night the gods stranded
grew dark beneath it. We
did not get on much me on the Ogygian island, where dwells the
further, for in another moment wc were caught great and powerful goddess Calypso. She took
by a terrific squall from the West that snapped me in and was kind to me, but I need say no
the forestays of the mast so thjt it fell aft, more about this, for I told you and your noble
while all the ship's gear tumbled about at the wife all about it yesterday, and I hate saying
bottom of the vessel. The mast fell upon the the same thing over and over again."
 BOOK XIII

you have fulfilled my heart's de-

THUS did he speak, and they all held their
peace throughout the covered cloister,
rejoicing, for
sire by giving me an escort, and making me
enthralled bv the charm of his story, till presents, which heaven grant that I may turn
presently Alcinous began to speak. to good account; may I find my admirable wife

[^] "Ulysses," said he, "now that you have living in peace among friends, and may you
reached my house I doubt not you will get whom I leave behind me give satisfaction to
home without further misadventure no matter your wives and children; may heaven vouch-
how much you have suffered in the past. To safe you every good grace, and may no evil
you others, however, who come here night thing come among your people."
after night to drink my choicest wine and lis- [42] Thus did he speak. His hearers all of
ten to my bard, I would insist as follows. them approved his saying and agreed that he
Our guest has already packed up the clothes, should have his escort inasmuch as he had
wrought gold, and other valuables which you spoken reasonably. Alcinous therefore said to
have brought for his acceptance; let us now, his servant, "Pontonous, mix some wine and
therefore, present him further, each one of us, hand it round to everybody, that we may offer
with a large tripod and a cauldron. will We a prayer to father Jove, and speed our guest
recoup ourselves by the levy of a general rate; upon his way."
for private individuals cannot be expected to [53] Pontonous mixed the wine and handed
bear the burden of such a handsome present." it to every one in turn; the others each from
[i6] Every one approved of this, and then his own seat made a drink-offering to the
they went home to bed each in his own abode. blessed gods that live in heaven, but Ulysses
When the child of morning, rosy-fingered rose and placed the double cup in the hands
Dawn, appeared, they hurried down to the ship of queen Arete.
and brought their cauldrons with them. Alcin- [59] "Farewell, queen," said he, "hencefor-
ous went on board and saw everything so se- ward and for ever, till age and death, the com-
curelv stowed under the ship's benches that mon lot of mankind, lay their hands upon you.
nothing could break adrift and injure the row- I now take my leave; be happy in this house

ers. Then they went to the house of Alcinous with your children, your people, and with king
to get dinner, and he sacrificed a bull for them Alcinous."
in honour of Jove who is the lord of all. They [6^] As he spoke he crossed the threshold,
set the steaks to grill and made an excellent din- and Alcinous sent a man to conduct him to his
ner, after which the inspired bard, Demodocus, ship and to the sea shore. Arete also sent some
who was a favourite with ever)' one, sang to maid servants with him— one with a clean shirt
them; but Ulysses kept on turning his eyes to- and cloak, another to carr)' his strong-box, and
wards the sun, as though to hasten his setting, a third with corn and wine. When they got
for he was longing to be on his wav. As one to the water side the crew took these things and
who has been all day ploughing a fallow field put them on board, with all the meat and
with a couple of oxen keeps thinking about his drink; but for Ulysses they spread a rug and a
supper and is glad when night comes that he linen sheet on deck that he might sleep soundly
may go and get it, for it is all his legs can do to in the stern of the ship. Then he too went on
carry him, even so did Ulysses rejoice when board and lay down without a word, but the
the sun went down, and he at once said to the crew took every man his place and loosed the
Phasacians, addressing himself more particu- hawser from the pierced stone to which it had
larly toKing Alcinous: been bound. Thereon, when they began row-
[^8] "Sir, and all of you, farewell. Make ing out to sea, Ulysses fell into a deep, sweet,
your drink-offerings and send me on my wav and almost deathlike slumber.
255
256 THE ODYSSEY
[81] bounded forward on her way
The ship show such small regard for me. I saidlwouldlet
as a four in hand chariot flies over the course Ulysses get home when he had suffered suffi-
when the horses feel the whip. Her prow cur- ciently. I did not say that he should never get
veted as it were the neck of a stalhon, and a home at all, for I knew you had already nodded
great wave of dark blue water seethed in her your head about it, and promised that he should
wake. She held steadily on her course, and do so; but now
they have brought him in a ship
even a falcon, swiftest of all birds, could not fast asleepand have landed him in Ithaca after
have kept pace with her. Thus, then, she cut loading him w ith more magnificent presents of
her wav through the water, carrying one who bronze, gold, and raiment than he would ever
was as cunning as the gods, but who was now have brought back from Troy, if he had had his
sleeping peaccfuUv, forgetful of all that he had share of the spoil and got home without mis-
suffered both on the field of battle and by the adventure."
wa\es of the wearv sea. [139] And Jove answered, "What, O Lord
[93] ^^'hen the bright star that heralds the of the Earthquake, are you talking about? The
approach of dawn began to show, the ship drew gods are by no means wanting in respect for
near to land. Now there haven of
is in Ithaca a you. It would be monstrous were they to insult
the old merman Phorcvs, which
between lies one so oldand honoured as you are. As regards
two points that break the line of the sea and mortals, however, if any of them is indulging

shut the harbour in. These shelter it from the in insolence and treating you disrespectfully, it
storms of wind and sea that rage outside, so will always rest with yourself to deal with him as
that, when once within it, a ship may lie with- you may think proper, so do just as you please."
out being even moored. At the head of this [146] "I should have done so at once," re-
harbour there is a large olive tree, and at no plied Neptune, "if I were not anxious to avoid
great distance a fine overarching cavern sacred anything that might displease you; now, there-
to the nymphs who are called Naiads. There fore, I should like to wreck the Phaeacian ship
are mi.xing-bowls within it and wine-jars of as it is returning from its escort. This will stop
stone, and the bees hive there. Moreover, there them from escorting people in future; and I
are great looms of stone on which the nymphs should also like to bury their city under a huge
v\eave their robes of sea purple— very curious mountain."
to see— and at all times there is water within it. [^53] "My good friend," answered Jove, "I
It has two entrances, one facing North bv should recommend you at the very moment
which mortals can go down into the cave, while when the people from the city are watching the
the other comes from the South and is more ship on her way, to turn it into a rock near the
mvsterious: mortals cannot possiblv get in by land and looking like a ship. This will astonish
it, it is the wav taken bv the gods. e\'erybodv, and you can then bury their city
[ 1 1
i] Into this harbour, then, they took their under the mountain."
ship, for thev knew the place. She had so much [159] When earth-encircling Neptune heard
way upon her that she ran half her own length this he went to Scheria where the Phaeacians
on to when, however, thev had
the shore; live, and stayed there till the ship, which was
landed, the first thing they did was to lift Ulys- making rapid way, had got close in. Then he
ses with his nag and linen sheet out of the ship, went up to it, turned it into stone, and drove it
and lay him down upon the sand still fast down with the flat of his hand so as to root it

asleep. Then thev took out the presents which he went away.
in the ground. After this
Minerva had persuaded the Phaeacians to give [16^] The Phaeacians then began talking
him when he was setting out on his voyage among themselves, and one would turn towards
homewards. They put these all together by the his neighbour, saying, "Bless my heart, who is

root of the olive tree, away from the road, for it that can have rooted the ship in the sea just
fear some passer bv might come and steal them as she was getting into port? We could see the
before Ulysses awoke; and then they made the whole of her only a moment ago."
way home again.
best of their [lyo] This was how they talked, but they
ButNeptunedidnot forget the threats
/^i25J knew nothing about it; and Alcinous said, "I
with which he had already threatened Ulysses, remember now the old prophecy of my father.
so he took counsel with Jove. "Father Jove," He said that Neptune would be angry with us
no longer be held in any sort of
said he, "I shall for taking ever\' one so safely over the sea, and
respect among you gods, if mortals like the would one day wreck a Phasacian ship as it was
Phaeacians, who are my own flesh and blood, returning from an escort, and bury our city un-
 BOOK XIII 257
der a high mountain. This was what my old fa- folded double about her shoulders; she had
ther used to say, and now it is all coming true. sandals on her comely feet and held a javelin
Now therefore let us all do as I say; in the first in her hand. Ulysses was glad when he saw
place we must leave off giving people escorts her, and went straight up to her.
when they come here, and in the next let us [228] "My friend," said he, "you are the first
sacrifice twelve picked bulls to Neptune that person whom I ha\e met with in this country;
he mav have mercv upon us, and not bury our I salute you, therefore, and beg you to be well

city under the high mountain." When the peo- disposed towards me. Protect these my goods,
ple heard this they were afraid and got ready and myself too, for I embrace your knees and
the bulls. pray to \'ou as though vou were a god. Tell me,
[i8^] Thus did the chiefs and rulers of the then, and tell me truly, what land and country
Phaeacians pray to king Neptune, standing is this? Who are its inhabitants? Am I on an is-

round his altar; and at the same time Ulysses land, or is this the sea board of some continent?"
woke up once more upon his own soil. He had [2^6] Minerva answered, "Stranger, you
been so long away that he did not know it must be very simple, or must have come from
again; moreover. Jove's daughter Minerva had somewhere a long way off, not to know what
made it a foggy day, so that people might not country this is. It is a very celebrated place, and
know of his having come, and that she might everybody knows it both East and West. It is
tell him ever\'thing without either his wife or rugged and not a good driving country, but it
his fellow citizens and friends recognizing him isby no means a bad island for what there is of
until he had taken his revenge upon the wicked it.It grows any quantity of corn and also wine,

suitors.Everything, therefore, seemed quite for it is watered both by rain and dew; it breeds
different to him— the long straight tracks, the cattle also and goats; all kinds of timber grow
harbours, the precipices, and the goodly trees, here, and there are watering places where the
appeared all changed as he startedup and looked water never runs dry; so, sir, the name of Ithaca
upon his native land. So he smote his thighs is known even as far as Troy, which I under-

with the flat of his hands and cried aloud de- stand to be a long way off from this Achaean
spairingly. country."
[200] "Alas," he exclaimed, "among what [2^0] Ulysses was glad at finding himself,
manner of people am I fallen? Are they savage as Minerva told him, in his own country, and
and uncivilized or hospitable and humane? he began to answer, but he did not speak the
Where shall I put all this treasure, and which truth, and made up a lying story in the instinc-
way shall I go? I wish I had stayed over there tive wiliness of his heart.
with the Phaeacians; or I could have gone to [2^6] "I heard of Ithaca," said he, "when I
some other ogreat chief who would have been was in Crete beyond the seas, and now it seems
good to me and given me an escort. As it is I I have reached it with all these treasures. I have

do not know where to put my treasure, and I left as much more behind me for my children,

cannot leave it here for fear somebody else but am flying because I killed Orsilochus son
should get hold of it. In good truth the chiefs of Idomeneus, the fleetest runner in Crete. I
and rulers of the Phaeacians have not been killed him because he wanted to rob me of the
dealing fairly by me, and have left me in the spoils I had got from Troy with so much trou-
wrong country; they said they would take me ble and danger both on the field of battle and
back to Ithaca and they have not done so: may by the waves of the weary sea; he said I had
Jove the protector of suppliants chastise them, not served his father lovallv at Troy as vassal,
for he watches over everybody and punishes but had set myself up as ap independent ruler,
those who do wrong. Still, I suppose I must so lay in wait for him with one of my follow-
I

count my goods and see if the crew have gone ers by the road side, and speared him as he was
off with any of them." coming into town from the country. It was a
[ziy] He counted his goodly coppers and very dark night and nobody saw us; it was not
cauldrons, his gold and all his clothes, but there known, therefore, that I had killed him, but as
was nothing missing; still he kept grieving soon as I had done so I went to a ship and be-
about not being in his own country, and wan- sought the owners, who were Phoenicians, to
dered up and down by the shore of the sound- take me on board and set me in Pylos or in Elis
ing sea bewailing his hard fate. Then Minerva where the Epeans rule, gi\'ing them as much
came up to him disguised as a young shepherd spoil as satisfied them. Thev meant no guile,
of delicate and princely mien, with a good cloak but the wind drove them off their course, and
258 THE ODYSSEY
we sailed on till we came hither by night. It are mocking me and deceiving me in all you
was all we could do to get inside the harbour, have been saying. Tell me then truly, have I
and none of us said a word about supper though really got br.ck to my own country?"
we wanted it badlv, but we all went on shore [329] "You are always taking something of
and lay down just as we were. I was very tired that sort into your head," replied Minerva, "and
and fell asleep directly, so they took my goods that why I cannot desert you in your afflic-
is

out of the ship, and placed them beside me tions;you are so plausible, shrewd, and shifty.
where I was lying upon the sand. Then they Any one but yourself on returning from so long
sailed away to Sidonia, and I was left here in a voyage would at once have gone home to see
great distress of mind." his wife and children, but you do not seem to
[287^ Such was his story, but Minerva smiled care about asking after them or hearing any
and caressed him with her hand. Then she took news about them till you have exploited your
the form of a woman, fair, stately, and wise, wife, who remains at home vainly grieving for
"He must be indeed a shifty lying fellow," said you, and having no peace night or day for the
she, "who could surpass you in all manner of tears she sheds on your behalf. As for my not
craft even though you had a god for your antag- coming near you, I was never uneasy about you,
onist. Dare-devil that you are, full of guile, un- for I was certain you would get back safely
wear)'ing in deceit, can you not drop your tricks though you would lose all your men, and I did
and your instinctive falsehood, even now that not wish to quarrel with my uncle Neptune,
you are in your own country again? We will who never forgave you for having blinded his
say no more, however, about this, for we can son. I will now, however, point out to you the
both of us deceive upon occasion— you are the lie of the land, and you will then perhaps be-

most accomplished counsellor and orator among lieve me. This is the haven of the old merman
all mankind, while I for diplomacy and sub- Phorcys, and here is the olive tree that grows
tlety have no equal among the gods. Did you at the head of it; [near it is the cave sacred to

not know Jove's daughter Miner\'a—me, who the Naiads;] here too is the overarching cavern
have been ever with you, who kept watch over in which you have offered many an acceptable
vou in all your troubles, and who made the hecatomb to the nymphs, and this is the wooded
Phasacians take so great a liking to you? And mountain Neritum."
now, again, I am come here to talk things over [352] As she spoke the goddess dispersed
with vou, and help you to hide the treasure I the mist and the land appeared. Then Ulysses
made the Phaeacians give you; I want to tell rejoiced at finding himself again in his own
vou about the troubles that await you in your land, and kissed the bounteous soil; he lifted
own house; you have got to face them, but tell up his hands and prayed to the nymphs, say-
no one, neither man nor woman, that you have ing, "Naiad nymphs, daughters of Jove, I made
come home again. Bear everything, and put up sure that I was never again to see you, now
with every man's insolence, without a word." therefore I greet you with all loving saluta-
[^ii] And Ulysses answered, "A man, god- tions, and I will bring you offerings as in the
dess, may know a great deal, but you are so old days, if Jo\'e's redoubtable daughter will
constantly changing your appearance that when grant me and bring my son to manhood."
life,

he meets you it is a hard matter for him to know [362] "Take heart, and do not trouble your-
whether it is you or not. This much, however, self about that," rejoined Minerva, "let us
I know exceedingly well; you were very kind rather set about stowing your things at once in
to me as long as we Achasans were fighting be- the cave, where they will be quite safe. Let us
fore Troy, but from the day on which we went see how we can best manage it all."
on board ship after having sacked the city of [366] Therewith she went down into the
Priam, and heaven dispersed us— from that day, cave to look for the safest hiding places, while
Minerva, I saw no more of you, and cannot ever Ulysses brought up all the treasure of gold,
remember your coming to my ship to help me bronze, and good clothing which the Phasa-
in a difficulty; I had to wander on sick and sorry cians had given him. They stowed everything
till the gods delivered me from evil and I reached carefully away, and Minerva set a stone against
the city of the Phaeacians, where vou encour- the door of the cave. Then the two sat down
aged me and took me into the town. And now, by the root of the great olive, and consulted
I beseech you in your father's name, tell me how to compass the destruction of the wicked
the truth, for I do not believe I am really back suitors.
in Ithaca. I am in some other country and you [375] "Ulysses," said Minerva, "noble son
 BOOK XIII 259
of Laertes, think how you can lay hands on are fattening on beechmast and spring water
these disreputable people who have been lord- after their manner. Stay with him and find out
ing it in your house these three years, courting how things are going, while I proceed to Sparta
your wife and making wedding presents to her, and see your son, who is with Menelaus at
while she does nothing but lament your ab- Lacedaemon, where he has gone to try and find
sence, giving hope and sending encouraging out whether you are still alive."
messages to every one of them, but meaning [416] "But why," said Ulysses, "did you not
the very opposite of all she savs." tell him, for you knew all about it? Did vou

[382] And Ulysses

answered, "In good truth, want him too to go sailing about amid all kinds
goddess, it seems I should have come to much of hardship while others are eating up his
the same bad end in my own house as Aga- estate?"
memnon did, if you had not given me such [420] Minerva answered, "Never mind about
timely information. Advise me how I shall best him, I sent him that he might be well spoken
avenge myself. Stand by my side and put your of for having gone. He is in no sort of difficulty,
courage into my heart as on the day when we but is staying quite comfortably with Mene-
loosed Troy's fair diadem from her brow. Help laus, and is surrounded with abundance of
me now as you did then, and I will fight three every kind. The suitors have put out to sea
hundred men, if you, goddess, will be with and are lying in wait for him, for they mean to
me." kill him before he can get home. I do not much

[393] "Trust me for that," said she, "I will think they will succeed, but rather that some
not lose sight of you when once we set about of those who are now eating up your estate will
it, and I imagine that some of those who are first find a grave themselves."
devouring your substance will then bespatter [429] As she spoke Minerva touched him
the pavement with their blood and brains. I with her wand and covered him with wrinkles,
will begin by disguising you so that no human took away all his yellow hair, and withered the
being shall know you; I will cover your body flesh over his whole bodv; she bleared his eyes,
with wrinkles; you shall lose all your yellow which were naturally very fine ones; she changed
hair; I will clothe a garment that shall
you in his clothes and threw an old rag of a wrap about
fill all who with loathing; I will blear
see it him, and a tunic, tattered, filthy, and begrimed
your fine eyes for you, and make you an un- with smoke; she also gave him an undressed
seemly object in the sight of the suitors, of deer skin as an outer garment, and furnished
your wife, and of the son whom you left be- him with a staff and a wallet all in holes, with
hind you. Then go at once to the swineherd a twisted thong for him to sling it over his
who is in charge of your pigs; he has been al- shoulder.
ways well affected towards vou, and is devoted [439] When the pair had thus laid their
to Penelope and your son; you will find him plans they parted, and the goddess went straight
feeding his pigs near the rock that is called to Lacedaemon to fetch Telemachus.
Raven by the fountain Arethusa, where they
 BOOK XIV
ULYSSES now the haven, and took
left given me enough worries without that,
quite
rough track up through the wooded
the for I have lost and am in
the best of masters,
country and over the crest of the moun- continual grief on his account. I have to attend
tain he reached the place where Minerva
till swine for other people to eat, while he, if he
had said that he would find the swineherd, yet lives to see the light of day, is starving in
who was the most thrifty servant he had. He some distant land. But come inside, and when
found him sitting in front of his hut, which you have had your fill of bread and wine, tell
was by the yards that he had built on a site me where you come from, and all about your
which could be seen from far. He had made misfortunes."
them spacious and fair to see, with a free run [48] On this the swineherd led the way into
for the pigs all round them; he had built them the hut and bade sit down. He strewed a
him
during his master's absence, of stones which he good thick bed of rushes upon the floor, and on
had gathered out of the ground, without saying the top of this he threw the shaggy chamois
anything to Penelope or Laertes, and he had skin— a great thick one— on which he used to
fenced them on top with thorn bushes. Out- sleep by night. Ulysses was pleased at being
side the yard he had run a strong fence of made thus welcome, and said "May Jove, sir,
oaken posts, split, and set pretty close together, and the rest of the gods grant you your heart's
while inside he had built twelve sties near one desire in return for the kind way in which you
another for the sows to lie in. There were fifty have received me."
pigs wallowing in each sty, all of them breeding [ss] To this you answered, O swineherd
sows; but the boars slept outside and were Eumaeus, "Stranger, though a still poorer man
much fewer in number, for the suitors kept on should come here, it would not be right for me
eating them, and the swineherd had to send to insult him, for all strangers and beggars are
them the best he had continually. There were from Jove. You must take what you can get
three hundred and sixty boar pigs, and the and be thankful, for servants live in fear when
herdsman's four hounds, which were as fierce they have young lords for their masters; and
as wolves, slept always with them. The swine- this is my misfortune now, for heaven has hin-
herd was at that moment cutting out a pair of dered the return of him who would have been
sandals from a good stout ox hide. Three of his always good to me and given me something of
men were out herding the pigs in one place or my own— a house, a piece of land, a good look-
another, and he had sent the fourth to town ing wife, and all else that a liberal master al-
with a boar that he had been forced to send the lows a servant who has worked hard for him,
suitors that they might sacrifice it and have and whose labour the gods have prospered as
their fill of meat. they have mine in the situation which I hold. If
[zg] When the hounds saw Ulysses they set my master had grown old here he would have
up a furious barking and flew at him, but Ulys- done great things by me, but he is gone, and I
ses was cunning enough to sit down and loose wish that Helen's whole race were utterly de-
his hold of the stick that he had in his hand: stroyed, for she has been the death of many a
still, he would have been torn by them in his good man. It was this matter that took my
own homestead had not the swineherd dropped master to Ilius, the land of noble steeds, to fight
his ox hide, rushed full speed through the gate the Trojans in the cause of king Agamemnon."
of the yard and driven the dogs off by shouting [yz] As he spoke he bound his girdle round
and throwing stones at them. Then he said to him and went to the sties where the young
Ulysses, "Old man, the dogs were likely to sucking pigs were penned. He picked out two
have made short work of you, and then you which he brought back with him and sacri-
would have got me into trouble. The gods have ficed. He singed them, cut them up, and spitted

260
 BOOK XIV 261

them; when the meat was cooked he brought eller who comes here with news will get Ulys-
it all in and set it before Ulysses, hot and still ses' wife and son to believe his story. Neverthe-
on the spit, whereon Ulysses sprinkled it over less, tramps in want of a lodging keep coming

with white barley meal. The swineherd then with their mouths full of lies, and not a word
mixed wine in a bowl of ivy- wood, and taking of truth; every one who finds his way to Ithaca
a seat opposite Ulysses told him to begin. goes to my mistress and tells her falsehoods,
[80] "Fall to, stranger," said he, "on a dish whereon she takes them in, makes much of
of servant's pork. The
have to go to
fat pigs them, and asks them all manner of questions,
the suitors, who eat them up without shame or crying all the time as women will when they
scruple; but the blessed gods love not such have lost their husbands. And you too, old man,
shameful doings, and respect those who do for a shirt and cloak would doubtless make up
what lawful and right. Even the fierce free-
is a very pretty story. But the wolves and birds of
booters who go raiding on other people's land, prey have long since torn Ulysses to pieces, or
and Jove gives them their spoil— even they, the fishes of the sea have eaten him, and his
when they have filled their ships and got home bones are lying buried deep in sand upon some
again live conscience-stricken, and look fear- foreign shore; he is dead and gone, and a bad
fully for judgement; but some god seems to business it is for all his friends— for me espe-
have told these people that Ulysses is dead and cially; go where I may I shall never find so good

gone; they will not, therefore, go back to their a master, not even if I were to go home to my
own homes and make their offers of marriage father and mother where I was bred and bom. I
in the usual way, but waste his estate by force, do not so much care, however, about my par-
without fear or stint. Not a day or night comes ents now, though I should dearly like to see
out of heaven, but they sacrifice not one victim them again in my own country; it is the loss of
nor two only, and they take the run of his wine, Ulysses that grieves me most; I cannot speak of
for he was exceedingly rich. No other great him without reverence though he is here no
man either in Ithaca or on the mainland is as longer, for he was very fond of me, and took
rich as he was; he had as much as twenty men such care of me that wherever he may be I shall
put together. I will tell you what he had. There always honour his memory."
are twelve herds of cattle upon the mainland, [148] "My friend," replied Ulysses, "you are
and as many flocks of sheep, there are also very positive, and very hard of belief about your
twelve droves of pigs, while his own men and master's coming home again, nevertheless I will
hired strangers feed him twelve widely spread- not merely say, but will swear, that he is com-
ing herds of goats. Here in Ithaca he runs ing. Do not give me anything for my news till
eleven large flocks of goats on the far end of he has actually come, you may then give me a
the island, and they are in the charge of excel- shirt and cloak of good wear if you will. I am
lent goatherds. Each one of these sends the in great want, but I will not take anything at

suitors the best goat in the flock every day. all till then, for I hate a man, even as I hate hell
As for myself, I am in charge of the pigs that fire, who lets his poverty tempt him into lying.
you see here,and I have to keep picking out the I swear by king Jove, by the rites of hospitality,
best I have and sending it to them." and by that hearth of Ulysses to which I have
[log] This was his story, but Ulysses went now come, that all will surely happen as I have
on eating and drinking ravenously without a said it will. Ulysses will return in this self same
word, brooding his revenge. When he had year; with the end of this moon and the begin-
eaten enough and was satisfied, the swineherd ning of the next he will be here to do vengeance
took the bowl from which he usually drank, on all thosewhoareilltreatinghiswifeandson."
filled it with wine, and gave it to Ulysses, who [16^] To this you answered, O swineherd
was pleased, and said as he took it in his hands, Eumasus, "Old man, you will neither get paid
"My friend, who was this master of yours that for bringing good news, nor will Ulysses ever
bought you and paid for you, so rich and so come home; drink your wine in peace, and let
powerful as you tell me? You say he perished us talk about something else. Do not keep on
in the cause of King Agamemnon; tell me who reminding me of all this; it always pains me
he was, in case I may have met with such a when any one speaks about my honoured mas-
person. Jove and the other gods know, but I ter. As for your oath we will let it alone, but I

may be able to give you news of him, for I have only wish he may come, as do Penelope, his old
travelled much." father Laertes, and his son Telemachus. I am
/^
1 2 1 7 Eumaeus answered, "Old man, no trav- terribly unhappy too about this same boy of his;
262 THE ODYSSEY
he was running up fast into manhood, and bade fore the .\cha?ans went to Troy, nine times was
fare to be no worse man, face and figure, than I command of men and ships on foreign serv-
in
his father, but some one, either god or man, has ice, and amassed much wealth. I had my pick
I

been unsettHng his mind, so he has gone off to of the spoil in the first instance, and much more
Pylos to trv and get news of his father, and the was allotted to me later on.
suitors are lying in wait for him as he is coming ^2337 "My house grew apace and I became
home, in the hope of leaving the house of Ar- a great man among the Cretans, but when Jove
ceisius without a name in Ithaca. But let us say counselled that terrible expedition, in which so
no more about him, and leave him to be taken, many perished, the people required me and
or else to escape if the son of Saturn holds his Idomeneus to lead their ships to Troy, and there
hand over him to protect him. And now, old was no way out of it, for they insisted on our
man, tell me vour own story; tell me also, for I doing so. There we fought for nine whole vears,
want to know, v\ho you are and where you but in the tenth we sacked the city of Priam
come from. Tell me of vour town and parents, and sailed home again as heaven dispersed us.
what manner of ship you came in, how your Then it was that Jove devised evil against me.
crew brought you to Ithaca, and from what I spent but one month happily with my chil-

country they professed to come— for you cannot dren, wife, and property, and then I conceived
have come by land." the idea of making a descent on Egypt, so I
[191] And Ulysses answered, "I will tell you fitted out a fine fleet and manned it. I had nine

all about it. If there weremeat and wine enough, ships, and the people flocked to fill them. For
and we could stay here in the hut with noth- six days I and mv men made feast, and I found

ing to do but to eat and drink while the others them many victims both for sacrifice to the gods
go to their work, I could easily talk on for a ;5nd for themselves, but on the seventh day we
whole t\\ eK e months without ever finishing the went on board and set sail from Crete with a
storv of the sorrows w ith which it has pleased fair North wind behind us though we were go-

heaven to visit me. ing down a river. Nothing went ill with any of
[199] "I am by birth a Cretan; my father was our ships, and we had no sickness on board, but
a well-to-do man, who had many sons born in sat where we were and let the ships go as the

marriage, whereas I was the son of a slave whom wind and steersmen took them. On the fifth
he had purchased for a concubine; nevertheless, day we reached the river /Egyptus; there I sta-
mv father Castor son ofHylax (whose lineage tioned my ships in the river, bidding my men
I claim, and who was held in the highest hon- stav bv them and keep guard over them while 1
our among the Cretans for his wealth, prosper- sent out scouts to reconnoitre from everv point
and the \alour of his sons) put me on the
ity, of vantage.
same level with mv brothers who had been bom [262] "But the disobeyed my orders,
men
in wedlock. When, however, death took him to took to their own and ravaged the land
devices,
the house of Hades, his sons divided his estate of the Egyptians, killing the men, and taking
and cast lots for their shares, but to me they their wives and children captive. The alarm
gave a holding and little else; nevertheless, my was soon carried to the citv, and when they
valour enabled me to marr\' into a rich family, heard the war cry, the people came out at day-
for I was not given to bragging, or shirking on break till the plain was filled with horsemen
the field of battle. It is all over now; still, if you and foot soldiers and with the gleam of armour.
look at the straw you can see what the ear was, Then Jove spread panic among my men, and
forI have had trouble enough and to spare. thev would no longer face the enemy, for they
Mars and Minerva made me doughty in war; found themselves surrounded. The Egyptians
when I had picked my men to surprise the en- killed many of us, and took the rest alive to do
emy with an ambuscade I never gave death so forced labour for them. Jove, however, put it in
much as a thought, but was the first to leap for- mv mind to do thus— and I wish I had died then
ward and spear all whom I could overtake. Such and there Egypt instead, for there was much
in
was I in battle, but I did not care about farm sorrow in store for me— I took off^ my helmet
work, nor the frugal home life of those who and shield and dropped my spear from my hand;
would bring up children. My delight was in then I went straight up to the king's chariot,
and arrows— things that
ships, fighting, javelins, clasped his knees and kissed them, whereon he
most men shudder to think of; but one man spared mv life, bade me get into his chariot, and
likes one thing and another another, and this took me weeping to his own home. Many made
was what I was most naturally inclined to. Be- at me with their ashen spears and tried to kill
 BOOK XIV 263
me but the king protected me, for
in their furv, god high oak tree, and know whether after so
s

he feared the wrath of Jove the protector of long an absence he should return to Ithaca
strangers, who punishes those who do evil. openly, or in secret. Moreover the king swore
[28^] "I staved there for seven years and got in mv presence, making drink-offerings in his
together much monev among the Egyptians, own house ashe did so, that the ship was by the
for thev all gave me something; but when it water side, and the crew found, that should
was now going on for eight vears there came a take him to his own country. He sent me off
certain Phoenician, a cunning rascal, who had however before Ulysses returned, for there hap-
alreadv committed all sorts of villainy, and this pened to be a Thesprotian ship sailing for the
man talked me over into going with him to wheat-growing island of Dulichium, and he
Phoenicia, where
house and his possessions
his told those in charge of her to be sure and take
lav. I staved there for a whole twelve months, me s?felv to King Acastus.
but at the end of that time when months and [337] "These men hatched a plot against me
days had gone bv till the same season had come that would have reduced me to the very extreme
round again, he set me on board a ship bound of misen,', for when the ship had got some way
for Libva, on a pretence that I was to take a out from land they resolved on selling me as a
cargo along with him to that place, but really slave. Thev stripped me of the shirt and cloak
that he might sell me as a slave and take the that I was wearing, and gave me instead the
money I fetched. I suspected his intention, but tattered old clouts in which you now see me;
went on board with him, for I could not help it. then, towards nightfall, they reached the tilled
[299] "The ship ran before a fresh North lands of Ithaca, and there they bound me with
wind till we had reached the sea that lies be- a strongrope fast in the ship, while they went
tween Crete and Libva; there, however, Jove on shore to get supper by the sea side. But the
counselled their destruction, for as soon as we gods soon undid my bonds for me, and having
were well out from Crete and could see noth- drawn mv rags over mv head I slid down the
ing but sea and skv, he raised a black cloud over rudder into the sea, where I struck out and
our ship and the sea grew dark beneath it. Then swam till I was well clear of them, and came
Jove let fly with his thunderbolts and the ship ashore near a thick wood in which I lay con-
went round and round and was filled with cealed.They were very angry at mv having es-
fire and brimstone as the lightning struck it. caped and went searching about for me, till at
The men fell all into the sea; they were carried last they thought it was no further use and
about in the water round the ship looking like went back to their ship. The gods, having hid-
so many sea-gulls, but the god presently de- den me thus easily, then took me to a good
prived them of all chance of gettinghome again. man's door— for it seems that I am not to die
I was all dismayed; Jove, however, sent the yet awhile."
ship's mast within my reach, which saved mv [^60] To this you answered, O swineherd
life, for I clung to it, and drifted before the furv Eumaeus, "Poor unhappy stranger, I have found
of the gale. Nine days did I drift but in the the story of vour misfortunes extremely inter-
darkness of the tenth night a great wave bore esting, but that part about Ulysses is not right;
me on to the Thesprotian coast. There Pheidon and you will never get me to believe it. Why
king of the Thesprotians entertained me hos- should a man like you go about telling lies in
pitably without charging me anything at ali- this wayr I know all about the return of my
tor his son found me when I was nearly dead master. The gods one and all of them detest
with cold and fatigue, whereon he raised me by him, or they would have taken him before Troy,
the hand, took me to his father's house and or let him die with friends around him when
gave me clothes to wear. the days of his fighting were done; for then the
/^32i7 "There it was that I heard news of Achaeans would have built a mound over his
Ulysses, for the king told me he had entertained ashes and his son would have been heir to his
him, and shown him much hospitality while renown, but now the storm winds have spirited
he was on his homeward journey. He showed him away we know not whither.
me also the treasure of gold, bronze, and wrought [372] "As for me I live out of the way here
iron that Ulysses had got together. There was with the pigs, and ne\er go to the town unless
enough keep his family for ten generations,
to when Penelope sends for me on the arrival of
so much had heleft in the house of king Phei- some news about Ulysses. Then thev all sit
don. But the king said Ulysses had gone to Do- round and ask questions, both those who grieve
dona that he might learn Jove's mind from the over the king's absence, and those who rejoice
264 THE ODYSSEY
at it because they can eat up his property with- he clubbed the pig with a billet of oak which
out paying for it. For my own part I have never he had kept back when he was chopping the
cared about asking any one else since the time firewood, and stunned it, while the others
when I was taken in by an /Etohan, who had slaughtered and singed it. Then they cut it up,
killed a man and come a long way till at last and Eumasus began by putting raw pieces from
he reached my station, and I was very kind to each joint on to some of the fat; these he sprin-
him. He said he had seen Ulysses with Idome- kled with barley meal, and laid upon the em-
neus among the Cretans, refitting his ships bers; they cut the rest of the meat up small, put
which had been damaged in a gale. He said the pieces upon the spits and roasted them till
Ulysses would return in the following summer they were done; when they had taken them oflf
or autumn with his men, and that he would the spits they threw them on to the dresser in a
bring back much wealth. And now you, you heap. The swineherd, who was a most equita-
unfortunate old man, since fate has brought ble man, then stood up to give every one his
you to my door, do not try to flatter me in this share. He made seven portions; one of these he
way with not for any such rea-
vain hopes. It is set apart for Mercury the son of Maia and the

son that I shall treat you kindly, but only out nymphs, praying to them as he did so; the oth-
of respect for Jove the god of hospitality, as ers he dealt out to the men man by man. He
fearing him and pitying you." gave Ulysses some slices cut lengthways down
[^90] Ulysses answered, "I see that you are the loin as a mark of especial honour, and Ulys-
of an unbelieving mind; I have given you my ses was much pleased. "I hope, Eumaeus," said
oath, and yet you will not credit me; let us then he, "that Jove will be as well disposed towards
make a bargain, and call all the gods in heaven you as I am, for the respect you are showing to
to witness it. If your master comes home, give an outcast like myself."
me a cloak and shirt of good wear, and send me [441] To this you answered, O swineherd
to Dulichium where I want to go; but if he does Eumaeus, "Eat, my good fellow, and enjoy your
not come as I say he will, set your men on to supper, such as it is. God grants this, and with-
me, and tell them to throw me from yonder holds that, just as he thinks right, for he can do
precipice, as a warning to tramps not to go about whatever he chooses."
the country telling lies." [446] As he spoke he cut oflF the first piece
[4017 "And a pretty figure I should cut and offered it as a burnt sacrifice to the immor-
then," replied Eumasus, "both now and here- tal gods; then he made them a drink-off-ering,

after, if were to kill you after receiving you

I put the cup in the hands of Ulysses, and sat
into my hut and showing you hospitality. I down to his own portion. Mesaulius brought
should have to say my prayers in good earnest them their bread; the swineherd had bought
if I did; but it is just supper time and I hope this man on his own account from among the

my men will come in directly, that we may Taphians during his master's absence, and had
cook something savoury for supper." paid for him with his own money without say-
[409] Thus did they converse, and presently ing anything either to his mistress or Laertes.
the swineherds came up with the pigs, which They then laid their handsupon the good things
were then shut up for the night in their sties, that were before them, and when they had had
and a tremendous squealing they made as they enough to eat and drink, Mesaulius took away
were being driven into them. But Eumaeus what was left of the bread, and they all went
called to his men and said, "Bring in the best to bed after having made a hearty supper.
pig you have, that I may sacrifice him for this 1 457] Now the night came on stormy and
stranger, and we will take toll of him ourselves. very dark, for there was no moon. It poured
We have had trouble enough this long time without ceasing, and the wind blew strong
feeding pigs, while others reap the fruit of our from the West, which is a wet quarter, so Ulys-
labour." ses thought he would see whether Eumasus, in
[418] On this he began chopping firewood, the excellent care he took of him, would take
while the others brought in a fine fat five year oflF his own cloak and give it him, or make one

old boar pig, and set it at the altar. Eumasus of his men give him one. "Listen to me,"
did not forget the gods, for he was a man of said he, "Eumaeus and the rest of you; when I
good principles, so the first thing he did was to have said a prayer I will tell you something. It
cut bristles from the pig's face and throw them is the wine that makes me talk in this way;

into the praying to all the gods as he did

fire, wine will make even a wise man fall to singing;
so that Ulysses might return home again. Then it will make him chuckle and dance and say
 BOOK XIV 265
many a word that he had better leave unspoken; I were young and strong as I was in those
still

still, have begun, I will go on. Would that

as I days, for then some one of you swineherds
I were still voung and strong as when we got would give me a cloak both out of good will and
up an ambuscade before Troy. Menelaus and for the respect due to a brave soldier: but now
Ulvsses were the leaders, but I was in com- people look down upon me because my clothes
mand also, for the other two would have it so. are shabbv."
When we had come up to the wall of the city [507] And Eumaeus answered, "Old man,
we crouched down beneath our armour and lay you have told us an excellent story, and have
there under cover of the reeds and thick brush- said nothing so far but what is quite satisfac-
wood grew about the swamp. It came on to
that tory; for the present, therefore, you shall want
freeze with a North wind blowing; the snow neither clothing nor anything else that a stran-
fell small and fine like hoar frost, and our ger in distress may reasonably expect, but to-
shields were coated thick with rime. The others morrow morning you have to shake vour
will
had all got cloaks and shirts, and slept comfort- own old rags about your bodv again, for we
ablv enough with their shields about their have not many spare cloaks nor shirts up here,
shoulders, but I had carelessly left my cloak be- but every man has only one. When Ulvsses'
hind me, not thinking that I should be too cold, son comes home again he will give you both
and had gone off in nothing but my shirt and cloak and shirt, and send you wherever you
shield. When the night was two-thirds through may want to go."
and the stars had shifted their places, I nudged [siS] With this he got up and made a bed
Ulysses who was close to me with mv elbow, for Ulysses by throwing some goatskins and
and he at once gave me his ear. sheepskins on the ground in front of the fire.
[486] " 'Ulysses,' said I, 'this cold will be the Here Ulysses lay down, and Eumasus covered
death of me, for I have no cloak; somegod fooled him over with a great heavy cloak that he kept
me into setting off with nothing on but my for a change in case of extraordinarily bad
shirt, and I do not know what to do.' weather.
[490] "Ulysses, who was as crafty as he was [52.3] Thus did
Ulysses sleep, and the young
valiant, hit upon the following plan: men slept besidehim. But the swineherd did
" Keep still,' said he in a low voice, 'or not like sleeping away from his pigs, so he got
[493]
the others will hear you.' Then he raised his ready to go outside, and Ulysses was glad to see
head on his elbow. that he looked after his property during his
[495] " My friends,' said he, 'I have had a master's absence. First he slung his sword over
dream from heaven in my sleep. are a longWe his brawny shoulders and put on a thick cloak
way from the ships: I wish some one would go to keep out the wind. He also took the skin of
down and tell Agamemnon to send us up more a largeand well fed goat, and a javelin in case
men at once.' of attackfrom men or dogs. Thus equipped he
[499] "On this Thoas son of Andrasmon went to his rest where the pigs were camping
threw off his cloak and set out running to the under an overhanging rock that gave them shel-
ships, whereon I took the cloak and lav in it ter from the North wind.
comfortably enough till morning. Would that
 BOOK XV
BUT Minerva went to the fair city of
Lacedaemon to tell Ulysses' son that he
and then send him to Penelope to tell her that
you have got back safe from Pylos."
was to return at once. She found him [4^] Then she went back to Olympus; but
and Pisistratus sleeping in the forecourt of Telemachus stirred Pisistratus with his heel to
Menelaus's house; Pisistratus was fast asleep, rouse him, and said, "Wake up Pisistratus, and
but Telemachus could get no rest all night for yoke the horses to the chariot, for we must set
thinking of his unhappy father, so Miner\'a off home."
went close up to him and said: [48] But Pisistratus said, "No matter what
[lo] "Telemachus, you should not remain so hurr)' we are in we cannot drive in the dark. It

far away from home any longer, nor leave vour will bemorning soon; wait till Menelaus has
property with such dangerous people in your brought his presents and put them in the chariot
house; thev will eat up everything you have for us; and let him say good-bye to us in the us-
among them, and you will have been on a fool's ual way. So long as he lives a guest should never
errand. Ask Menelaus to send you home at forget a host who has shown him kindness."
once if you wish to find your excellent mother [^6] As he spoke day began to break, and
still there when you get back. Her father and Menelaus, who had already risen, leaving Helen
brothers are already urging her to marr\' Eur)'- in bed, came towards them. When Telemachus
machus, who has given her more than any of saw him he put on his shirt as fast as he could,
the others, and has been greatly increasing his threw a great cloak over his shoulders, and
wedding presents. I hope nothing valuable may went out to meet him. "Menelaus," said he,
have been taken from the house in spite of you, "let me go back now to my own countr)-, for I
but you know what women are— they always want to get home."
want to do the best they can for the man who [6y] And Menelaus answered, "Telema-
marries them, and never give another thought chus, if you on going I will not detain you.
insist
to the children of their first husband, nor to I do not like to see a host either too fond of his

their father either when he is dead and done guest or too rude to him. Moderation is best in
with. Go home, therefore, and put ever^'thing all things, and not letting a man go when he
in charge of the most respectable woman serv- wants to do so is as bad as telling him to go if he
ant that you have, until it shall please heaven would like to stay. One should treat a guest
to send you a wife of your own. Let me tell you well as long as he is in the house and speed him
also of another matter which you had better at- when he wants to leave it. Wait, then, till I can
tend to. The chief men among the suitors are get your beautiful presents into your chariot,
lying in wait for you in the Strait between Ith- and till you have yourself seen them. I will tell
aca and Samos, and they mean to kill you be- the women to prepare a sufficient dinner for
fore you can reach home. I do not much think you of what there may be in the house; it will
they will succeed; it is more likely that some of be at once more proper and cheaper for you to
those who are now eating up your property will get your dinner before setting out on such a
find a grave themselves. Sail night and day, and long journey. If, moreover, you have a fancy
keep your ship well away from the islands; the for making Hellas or in the Pelopon-
a tour in
god who watches over you and protects you will nese, I yoke my horses, and will conduct
will
send you a fair wind. As soon as you get to Ith- you myself through all our principal cities. No
aca send your ship and men on to the town, but one will send us away empty handed; every one
yourself go straight to the swineherd who has will give us something— a bronze tripod, a cou-
charge of your pigs; he is well disposed towards ple of mules, or a gold cup."
you, stay with him, therefore, for the night. [86] "Menelaus," replied Telemachus, "I

266
 BOOK XV 267
want to go home at once, for when I came away clean table beside them; an upper servant
I left my property without protection, and fear brought them bread and offered them many
that while looking for my father I shall come good things of what there was in the house.
to ruin myself, or find that something valuable Eteoneus carved the meat and gave them each
has been stolen during mv absence." their portions, while Megapenthes poured out
^927 When Menelaus heard this he immedi- the wine. Then they laid their hands upon the
ately told his wife and servants to prepare a good things that were before them, but as soon
sufficient dinner from what there might be in as they had had enough to eat and drink Telem-
the house. At this moment Eteoneus joined achus and Pisistratus yoked the horses, and took
him, for he lived close by and had just got up; their places in the chariot. They drove out
so Menelaus told him to light the fire and cook through the inner gateway and under the echo-
some meat, which he at once did. Then Mene- ing gatehouse of the outer court, and Menelaus
laus went down into his fragrant store room, came after them with a golden goblet of wine
not alone, but Helen went too, with Megapen- in his right hand that they might make a drink-
thes. When he reached the place where the offering before they set out. He stood in front
treasures of his house were kept, he selected a of the horsesand pledged them, saying, "Fare-
double cup, and told his son Megapenthes to well to both of you; see that you tell Nestor
bring also a silver mixing-bowl. Meanwhile how I have treated you, for he was as kind to
Helen went to the chest where she kept the me as any father could be while we Achasans
lovely dresses which she had made with her were fighting before Troy."
own hands, and took out one that was largest [1S4] "We will be sure, sir," answered Telem-
and most beautifully enriched with embroidery; achus, "to tell him everything as soon as we see
it glittered like a star, and lay at the very bot- him. I wish I were as certain of finding Ulysses
tom of the chest. Then they all came back returned when I get back to Ithaca, that I might
through the house again till they got to Telem- tell him of the very great kindness you have

achus, and Menelaus said, "Telemachus, may shown me and of the many beautiful presents
Jove, the mighty husband of Juno, bring you I am taking with me."
safely home according to your desire. I will now [160] As he was thus speaking a bird flew
present you with the finest and most precious by on his right hand— an eagle with a great
piece of plate in all my house. It is a mixing- white goose in its talons which it had carried
bowl of pure silver, except the rim, which is in- off from the farm yard— and all the men and
laid with gold, and it is the work of Vulcan. women were running after it and shouting. It
Phasdimus king of the Sidonians made me a came quite close up to them and flew away on
present of it in the course of a visit that I paid their right hands in front of the horses. When
him while I was on my return home. I should they saw it they were glad, and their hearts
like to give it to you." took comfort within them, whereon Pisistratus
[120] With these words he placed the double said, "Tell me, Menelaus, has heaven sent this
cup in the hands of Telemachus, while Mega- omen for us or for you?"
penthes brought the beautiful mixing-bowl and [169] Menelaus was thinking what would
set it before him. Hard by stood lovely Helen be the most proper answer for him to make, but
with the robe ready in her hand. Helen was too quick for him and said, "I will
[125J "I too, my son," said she, "have some- read this matter as heaven has put it in my
thing for you as a keepsake from the hand of heart, and as I doubt not that it will come to
Helen; it is for your bride to wear upon her pass. The eagle came from the mountain where
wedding day. Till then, get your dear mother it was bred and has its nest, and in like manner

to keep it for you; thus may you go back rejoic- Ulysses, after having travelled far and suffered
ing to your own country and to your home." much, will return to take his revenge— if indeed
[i^o] So saying she gave the robe over to he is not back already and hatching mischief
him and he received it gladly. Then Pisistratus for the suitors."
put the presents into the chariot, and admired [179] "May Jove Telem-
so grant it," replied
them all as he did so. Presently Menelaus took achus; "if it be so, I will make
should prove to
Telemachus and Pisistratus into the house, and vows to you as though you were a god, even
they both of them sat down to table. A maid when I am at home."
servant brought them water in a beautiful [182] As he spoke he lashed his horses and
golden ewer, and poured it into a silver basin they started off at full speed through the town
for them to wash their hands, and she drew a towards the open country. They swayed the
268 THE ODYSSEY
yoke upon their necks and travelled the whole upon him. In the end, however, he escaped
dav long till the sun set and darkness was over with his life, drove the cattle from Phylace to
all the land. Then thev reached Pherae, where Pylos, avenged the wrong that had been done
Diodes lived who was son of Ortilochus, the him, and gave the daughter of Neleus to his
son of Alpheus. There they passed the night brother. Then he left the countrs' and went to
and were treated hospitablv. When the child Argos, where it was ordained that he should
of morning, rosv fingered Dawn, appeared, reign over much people. There he married,
thev again voked their horses and took their established himself, and had two famous sons
places in the chariot. They drove out through Antiphates and Mantius. Antiphates became
the inner gateway and under the echoing gate- father of Oicleus, and Oicleus of Amphiaraus,
house of the outer court. Then Pisistratus lashed who was dearly loved both by Jove and by
his horses on and they flew forward nothing Apollo, but he did not live to old age, for he
loath; ere long they came to Pylos, and then was killed in Thebes by reason of a woman's
Telemachus said: gifts. His sons were Alcmaeon and Amphilo-
[i9S] "Pisistratus, I hope you will promise chus. Mantius, the other son of Melampus, was
to do what I am going to ask you. You know our father to Polvpheides and Cleitus. Aurora,
fathers were old friends before us; moreover, throned in gold, carried off Cleitus for his beau-
we are both of an age, and this journey has ty's sake, that he might dwell among the im-

brought us together still more closely; do not, mortals, but Apollo made Polypheides the
therefore, take me past my ship, but leave me greatest seer in the whole world now that
there, for if I go to your father's house he will Amphiaraus was dead. He quarrelled with his
trv to keep me in the warmth of his good will father and went to live in Hyperesia, where he
"

towards me, and I must go home at once. remained f.nd prophesied for all men.
[202] Pisistratus thought how he should do [2^6] His son, Theoclymenus, it was who
as he was asked, and in the end he deemed it now came up to Telemachus as he was making
best to turn his horses towards the ship, and put drink-offerings andpraying in his ship. "Friend,"
Menelaus's beautiful presents of gold and rai- said he, "now that I find you sacrificing in this
ment in the stern of the vessel. Then he said, place, I beseech you by your sacrifices them-
"Go on board at once and tell your men to do selves, and by the god to whom you make them,
so also before I can reach home to tell my fa- I pray you also by your own head and by those

ther. I know how obstinate he is, and am sure of your followers, tell me the truth and nothing
he will not let you go; he will come down here but the truth. \\'ho and whence are your Tell
"

to fetch you, and he will not go back without me also of your town and parents.
vou. But he will be very angry." [26^] Telemachus said, "I will answer you
[2157 With this he drove his goodly steeds quite truly. I am from Ithaca, and my father is
back to the city of the Pylians and soon reached Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived. But he
his home, but Telemachus called the men to- has come to some miserable end. Therefore I
gether and gave his orders. "Now, my men," have taken this ship and got my crew together
said he, "get everything in order on board the to see if I can hear any news of him, for he has
ship, and let us set out home." been away a long time."
[220] Thus did he speak, and they went on [2yi] "I too," answered Theoclymenus, "am
board even as he had said. But as Telemachus an exile, for I have killed a man of my own
was thus busied, praying also and sacrificing to race. He has many brothers and kinsmen in Ar-
Miner\'a in the ship's stern, there came to him gos, and they ha\'e great power among the Ar-
a man from a distant countrs% a seer, who was gives. I am flying to escape death at their hands,
flving from Argos because he had killed a man. and am thus doomed be a wanderer on the
to

He was descended from Melampus, who used face of the earth. am

your suppliant; take me,
I

to live in Pylos, the land of sheep; he was rich therefore, on board your ship that they may
and owned a great house, but he was driven not kill me, for I know they are in pursuit."
into exile by the great and powerful king Ne- [2^9] "I will not refuse you," replied Telem-
leus. Neleus seized his goods and held them for achus, "if you wish to join us. Come, therefore,
a whole year, during which he was a close pris- and in Ithaca we will treat you hospitably ac-
oner in the house of king Phylacus, and in cording to what we have."
much distress of mind both on account of the [282] On he received Theoclymenus'
this
daughter of Neleus and because he was haunted spear and laid it down on
the deck of the ship.
by a great sorrow that dread Erinyes had laid He went on board and sat in the stern, bidding
 :

BOOK XV 269
Theoclymenus sit beside him; then the men let their hair always tidy, the tables are kept quite
go the hawsers. Telemachus told them to catch clean and are loaded with bread, meat, and wine.
hold of the ropes, and they made all haste to do Stay where you are, then; you are not in any-
so. Thev set the mast in its socket in the cross body's way;I do not mind your being here, no

plank, raised it and made it fast with the fore- more do anv of the others, and when Telema-
Siavs, and they hoisted their white sails with chus comes home he will give you a shirt and
sheets of twisted ox hide. Minerva sent them cloak and will send you wherever you want to
a fair wind that blew fresh and strong to take go"
the ship on her course as fast as possible. Thus [340] Ulysses answered, "I hope you mav
then thev passed bv Crouni and Chalcis. be as dear to the gods as vou are to me, for hav-
[296] Presently the sun set and darkness was ing saved me from going about and getting into
over all the land. The vessel made a quick pas- trouble; there is nothing worse than being al-
sage to Pheas and thence on to Elis, where the ways on the tramp; still, when men have once
Epeans rule. Telemachus then headed her for got low down in the world they will go through
the flying islands, wondering within himself a great deal on behalf of their miserable bellies.
whether he should escape death or should be Since, however, you press me to stay here and
taken prisoner. await the return of Telemachus, tell me about
[^oi] Meanwhile Ulysses and the swine- Ulysses' mother, and his father whom he left
herd were eating their supper in the hut, and on the threshold of old age when he set out for
the men supped with them. As soon as they had Troy. Are they still living or are they alread\
had enough to eat and drink, Ulysses began dead and in the house of Hades?"
trying to prove the swineherd and see whether [351] "I will tell you all about them," re
he would continue to treat him kindlv, and plied Eumaeus, "Laertes is still living and prays
ask him to stay on at the station or pack him of? heaven to let him depart peacefully in his own
he said
to the city; so house, for he is terribly distressed about the
[3°?] "Eumaeus, and all of you, to-morrow absence of his son, and also about the death of
I want to go away and begin begging about the his wife, which grieved him greatly and aged
town, so as to be no more trouble to vou or to him more than anything else did. She came to
your men. Give me your advice therefore, and an unhappy end through sorrow for her son:
let me ha\'e a good guide to go with me and may no friend or neighbour who has dealt
show me the way. I will go the round of the kindly bv me come to such an end as she did.
city begging as I needs must, to see if anv one As long as she was still living, though she was
will give me a drink and a piece of bread. I always grieving, I used to like seeing her and
should like also to go to the house of Ulvsses asking her how she did, for she brought me up
and bring news of her husband to Queen Pene- along with her daughter Ctimene, the voung-
lope. could then go about among the suitors
I est ofher children; we were boy and girl to-
and seeif out of all their abundance they will gether,and she made little difference between
give me a dinner. I should soon make them an us. When, however, we both grew up, thev
excellent servant in all sorts of ways. Listen and sent Ctimene to Same and received a splendid
when
believe you that by the blessing of
I tell dowry for her. As for me, my mistress gave mc
Mercury who gives grace and good name to the a good shirt and cloak with a pair of sandals
works of all men, there is no one living who for my feet, and sent me off into the countrv,
would make a more handy servant than I should but she was just as fond of me as ever. This is
—to put fresh wood on the fire, chop fuel, carve, all over now. Still it has pleased heaven to pros-
cook, pour out wine, and do all those services per my work in the situation which I now hold.
that poor men have to do for their betters." I have enough to eat and drink, and can find

[3^5] The swineherd was very much dis- something for any respectable stranger who
turbed when he heard this. "Heaven help me," comes here; but there is no getting a kind word
he exclaimed, "what ever can have put such a or deed out of mv mistress, for the house has
notion as that into vour head? If you go near fallen into the hands of wicked people. Serv-
the suitors you will be undone to a certainty, ants want sometimes to see their mistress and
for their pride and insolence reach the very have a talk with her; they like to have some-
heavens. They would never think of taking a thing to eat and drink at the house, and some-
man like you for a servant. Their servants are thing too to take back with them into the coun-
all young men, well dressed, wearing good trv. This is what will keep servants in a good
cloaks and shirts, with well looking faces and humour."
270 THE ODYSSEY
[^So] Ulysses answered, "Then you must One day was coming into the town from
as I

have been a very little fellow, Huma^us, when the country some Taphian pirates seized me
vou were taken so lar away from your home and took me here over the sea, where they sold
and parents. Tell me, and tell me true, was the me to the man who owns this house, and he
citv in which vour father and mother lived gave them their price for me.'
sacked and pillaged, or did some enemies carry [4^0] "The man who had seduced her then
vou off when you were alone tending sheep or said, 'Would you like to come along with us to

cattle, ship you off here, and sell you for what- see the house of your parents and your parents
c\'er vour master gave them?" themselves? They are both alive and are said
/"389J "Stranger," replied Eumaeus, "as re- to be well off.'
gards your question: sit still, make yourself [4^4] " 'I will do so gladly,' answered she,
comfortable, drink your wine, and listen to me. 'if vou men will first swear me a solemn oath

The nights are now at their lonoest; there is that vou will do me no harm by the way.'
plenty of time both for sleeping and sitting up [437] "They all swore as she told them, and
talking together; you ought not to go to bed till when they had completed their oath the woman
bed time, too much sleep is as bad as too little; said, 'Hush; and if any of your men meets me

if any one of the others wishes to go to bed let in the street or at the well, do not let him speak
him leave us and do so; he can then take my to me, for fear some one should go and tell my
master's pigs out when he has done breakfast master, in which case he would suspect some-
in the morning. We two will sit here eating and thing. He would put me in prison, and would
drinking in the hut, and telling one another have all you murdered; keep your own coun-
of
storiesabout our misfortunes; for when a man sel therefore; buy your merchandise as fast as

has suffered much, and been buffeted about in you can, and send me word when you have
the world, he takes pleasure in recalling the done loading. I will bring as much gold as I can
memory of sorrows that have long gone by. As lay my hands on, and there is something else
regards your question, then, my tale is as fol- also that I can do towards paying my fare. I am
lows: nurse to the son of the good man of the house,
[40^] "You may have heard of an island a funny little fellow just able to run about. I
called Syra that lies over above Ortygia, where will carry him off in your ship, and you will
the land begins to turn round and look in an- get a great deal of money for him if you take
other direction. It is not very thickly peopled, him and sell him in foreign parts.'
but the soil is good, with much pasture fit for [4S4] "On this she went back to the house.
cattleand sheep, and it abounds with wine and The Phoenicians stayed a whole year till they
wheat. Dearth never comes there, nor are the had loaded their ship with much precious mer-
people plagued by any sickness, but when they chandise, and then, when they had got freight
grow old Apollo comes with Diana and kills enough, they sent to tell the woman. Their
them with his painless shafts. It contains two messenger, a verv cunning fellow, came to my
communities, and the whole country is divided father's house bringing a necklace of gold with
between these two. My father Ctesius son of amber beads strung among it; and while my
Ormenus, a man comparable to the gods, reigned mother and the servants had it in their hands
over both. admiring it and bargaining about it, he made a
[41s] "Now to this place there came some sign quietly to the woman and then went back
cunning traders from Phoenicia (for the Phoe- to the ship, whereon she took me by the hand

nicians are great mariners) in a ship which they and led me out of the house. In the fore part of
had freighted with gewgaws of all kinds. There the house she saw the tables set with the cups
happened to be a Phoenician woman in my fa- of guests who had been feasting with my fa-
ther's house, very tall and comely, and an excel- ther, as being in attendance on him; these were

lent servant; these scoundrels got hold of her now all gone to a meeting of the public assem-
one day when she was washing near their ship, bly, so she snatched up three cups and carried

seduced her, and cajoled her in ways that no them off" in the bosom of her dress, while I
woman can resist, no matter how good she may followed her, for I knew no better. The sun
be by nature. The man who had seduced her was now set, and darkness was over all the land,
asked her who she was and where she came so we hurried on as fast as we could till we
from, and on this she told him her father's reached the harbour, where the Phoenician ship
name. 'I come from Sidon,' said she, 'and am was lying. When they had got on board they
daughter to Arybas, a man rolling in wealth. sailed their ways over the sea, taking us with
 BOOK XV 271
them, and Jove sent then a fair wind; six days house you can go to— I mean Eurymachus the
did we sail both night and day, but on the son of Polybus, who is held in the highest esti-
seventh day Diana struck the woman and she mation by every one in Ithaca. He is much the
fell heavily down into the ship's hold as though best man and the most persistent wooer, of all
she were a sea gull alighting on the water; so those who are paying court to my mother and
thev threw her overboard to the seals and fishes, trying to take Ulysses' place. Jove, however, in
and I was left all sorrowful and alone. Presently heaven alone knows whether or no they will
the winds and waves took the ship to Ithaca, come to a bad end before the marriage takes
where Laertes gave sundry of his chattels for place."
me, and thus it was that ever I came to set eyes lS'2-5] As he was speaking a bird flew by
upon this country." upon his right hand— a hawk, Apollo's messen-
[48^] Ulysses answered, "Eumasus, I have ger. It held a dove in its talons, and the feathers,
heard the stor\' of your misfortunes with the as it tore them off, fell to the ground midway
most lively interest and pity, but Jove has given between Telemachus and the ship. On this
you good as well as evil, for in spite of every- Theoclvmenus called him apart and caught
thing you have a good master, who sees that him bv the hand. "Telemachus," said he, "that
you always have enough to eat and drink; and bird did not fly on your right hand without
you lead a good life, whereas I am still going having been sent there by some god. As soon as
about begging my way from city to city" I saw it I knew it was an omen; it means that

[493] Thus did they converse, and they had you will remain powerful and that there will
only a very little time left for sleep, for it was be no house in Ithaca more roval than vour own."
soon daybreak. In the meantime Telemachus Isisl "I wish it may prove so," answered
and his crew were nearing land, so they loosed Telemachus. "If it does, I will show you so
the sails, took down the mast, and rowed the much good will and give you so many presents
ship into the harbour. They cast out their moor- that all who meet you will congratulate you."
ing stones and made fast the hawsers; they then [539] Then he said to his friend Piraeus,
got out upon the sea shore, mixed their wine, "Piraeus, son of Clytius, you have throughout
and got dinner ready. As soon as they had had shown yourself the most willing to serve me of
enough to eat and drink Telemachus said, all those who have accompanied me to Pylos;

"Take the ship on to the town, but leave me I wish you would take this stranger to your own

here, for I want to look after the herdsmen on house and entertain him hospitably till I can
one of my farms. In the evening, when I have come for him."
seen all I want, I will come down to the city, [544] And Piraeus answered, "Telemachus,
and to-morrow morning in return for your trou- you may stay away as long as you please, but I
ble I will give you all a good dinner with meat will look after him for you, and he shall find
and wine." no lack of hospitalitv."
[508] Then Theoclymenus said, 'And what, [547] As he spoke he went on board, and
my dear young friend, is to become of me? To bade the others do so also and loose the haw-
whose house, among all your chief men, am I sers, so they took their places in the ship. But
to repair? or shall I go straight to your own Telemachus bound on his sandals, and took a
house and to your mother?" long and doughty spear with a head of sharp-
[s 1 2] "At any other time," replied Telema- ened bronze from the deck of the ship. Then
chus, "I should have bidden you go to my own they loosed the hawsers, thrust the ship off
house, for you would find no want of hospital- from land, and made on towards the city as they
ity; at the present moment, however, you would had been told to do, while Telemachus strode
not be comfortable there, for I shall be away, on as fast as he could, till he reached the home-
and my mother will not see you; she does not stead where his countless herds of swine were
often show herself even to the suitors, but sits feeding, and where dwelt the excellent swine-
at her loom weaving in an upper chamber, out herd, who was so devoted a servant to his master.
of their wav; but I can tell vou a man whose
 '

BOOK XVI
MEANWHILE
herd had
Ulysses and the swine-
ht a fire in the hut and
whereon he crossed the stone threshold and
came inside. Ulysses rose from his seat to give
were getting breakfast ready at day- him place as he entered, but Telemachus
break, for they had sent the men out with the checked him; "Sit down, stranger," said he, "I
pigs. When Telemachus came up, the dogs did can easily find another seat, and there is one
not bark but fawned upon him, so Ulysses, here who will lay it for me."
hcarino the sound of feet and noticing that the [46] Ulysses went back to his own place,
dogs did not bark, said to Eumaeus: and Eumaeus strewed some green brushwood
[8] "Eumaeus, I hear footsteps; I suppose on the floor and threw a sheepskin on top of it
one of your men or some one of your acquaint- for Telemachus to sit upon. Then the swine-
ance is coming here, for the dogs are fawning herd brought them platters of cold meat, the
upon him and not barking." remains from what they had eaten the day be-
[i i] The words were hardly out of his mouth fore, and he filled the bread baskets with bread

before his son stood at the door. Eumaeus sprang as fast as he could. He mixed wine also in bowls

to his feet, and the bowls in which he was mix- of ivy-wood, and took his seat facing Ulysses.
ing wine fell from his hands, as he made to- Then they laid their hands on the good things
wards his master. He kissed his head and both that were before them, and as soon as they had
his beautiful eyes, and wept for joy. A father had enough to eat and drink Telemachus said
could not be more delighted at the return of an to Eumaeus, "Old friend, where does this stran-

only son, the child of his old age, after ten years' ger come from? How did his crew bring him to
absence in a foreign country and after having Ithaca, and who were they?— for assuredly he
gone through much hardship. He embraced did not come here by land.
him, kissed him all over as though he had come [60] To this you answered, O swineherd
back from the dead, and spoke fondly to him Eumaeus, "My son, I will tell you the real truth.
saying: He says he is a Cretan, and that he has been a
[2^] "So you are come, Telemachus, light of great traveller. At this moment he is running
my eyes that you are. When I heard you had away from a Thesprotian ship, and has taken
gone to Pylos I made sure I was never going to refuge at my station, so I will put him into your
see you any more. Come in, my dear child, and hands. Do whatever you like with him, only
sit down, that I may have a good look at you remember that he is your suppliant."
now vou are home again; it is not very often [68] "I am ver)' much distressed," said Telem-
you come into the country to see us herdsmen; achus, "by what you have just told me. How
you stick pretty close to the town generally. I can I take this stranger into my house? I am as
suppose you think it better to keep an eye on yet young, and am not strong enough to hold
what the suitors are doing." my own if any man attacks me. My mother can-
[^o] "So be it, old friend," answered Telem- not make up her mind whether to stay where
achus, "but I am come now because I want to she is and look house out of respect
after the
see you, and to learn whether my mother is still for public opinion and the memory of her hus-
at her old home or whether some one else has band, or whether the time is now come for her
married her, so that the bed of Ulysses is with- to take the best man of those who are wooing
out bedding and covered with cobwebs." her, and the one who will make her the most
[^6] "She is still at the house," replied Eu- advantageous oflFer; still, as the stranger has
maeus, "grieving and breaking her heart, and come to your station I will find him a cloak and
doing nothing but weep, both night and day shirt of good wear, with a sword and sandals,
continually." and will send him wherever he wants to go. Or
[40] As he spoke he took Telemachus' spear. if you like you can keep him here at the station,

272
 BOOK XVI 273
and I will send him
and food that he
clothes there are many who are plotting mischief
may be no burden on you and on your men; against me."
but I will not have him go near the suitors, for [^35] I understand and heed you," replied
they are very insolent, and are sure to ill-treat Eumaeus; "you need instruct me no further,
him in a way that would greatly grieve me; no only as I am going that way say whether I had
matter how valiant a man may be he can do not better let poor Laertes know that you are
nothing against numbers, for they will be too returned. He used to superintend the work on
strong for him." his farm in spite of his bitter sorrow about
[90] Then Ulysses said, "Sir, it is right that Ulysses, and he would eat and drink at will
I should say something myself. I am much along with his sen'ants; but they tell me that
shocked by what you have said about the inso- from the day on which vou set out for Pylos he
lent way in which the suitors are behaving in has neither eaten nor drunk as he ought to do,
despite of such a man as you are. Tell me, do nor does he look after his farm, but sits weeping
you submit to such treatment tamely, or has and wasting the flesh from off his bones."
some god set your people against vour May you [146] "More's the pity," answered Telema-
not complain of your brothers— for it is to these chus, "I am sorr)' for him, but we must leave
that a man may look however great
for support, him to himself just now. If people could have
his quarrel may be? I were as young as
wish I everything their own way, the first thing I
you are and in my present mind; if I were son should choose would be the return of my fa-
to Ulysses, or, indeed,Ulysses himself, I would ther; but go, and give your message; then make
rather some one came and cut my head off, but haste back again, and do not turn out of your
I would go to the house and be the bane of way to tell Laertes. Tell my mother to send one
even*' one of these men. If thev were too many of her women secretly with the news at once,
for me — I being single-handed— I would rather and let him hear it from her."
die fighting in my own house than see such dis- [1^4] Thus did he urge the swineherd; Eu-
graceful sights day after day, strangers grossly maeus, therefore, took his sandals, bound them
maltreated, and men dragging the women serv- to his feet, and started for the town. Minerva
ants about the house in an unseemly way, wine watched him well off the station, and then
drawn recklessly, and bread wasted all to no came up to it in the form of a woman— fair,
purpose for an end that shall never be accom- stately, and wise. She stood against the side of
plished." the entr\', and revealed herself to Ulysses, but
[112] And Telemachus answered, "I will tell Telemachus could not see her, and knew not
you truly everything. 1 here is no enmity be- that she was there, for the gods do not let them-
tween me and my people, nor can I complain selves be seen by everybody. Ulysses saw her,
of brothers, to whom a man may look for sup- and so did the dogs, for thev did not bark, but
port however great his quarrel may be. Jove has went scared and whining off to the other side
made us a race of only sons. Laertes was the of the yards. She nodded her head and mo-
only son of Arceisius, and Ulvsses only son of tioned to Ulysses with her eyebrows; whereon
Laertes. I am myself the only son of Ulysses he left the hut and stood before her outside the
who left me
behind him when he went away, main wall of the yards. Then she said to him:
so that have never been of any use to him.
I [i6y] "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, it is
Hence it comes that my house is in the hands now time for you to tell your son do not keep:

of numberless marauders; for the chiefs from him in the dark any longer, but lay your plans
all the neighbouring islands, Dulichium, Same, for the destruction of the suitors, and then make
Zacynthus, as also all the principal men of Ith- for the town. I will not be long in joining you,
aca itself, are eating up my house under the for I too am eager for the fray."
pretext of paying court to my mother, who will [172] As she spoke she touched him with
neither say point blank that she will not marry, her golden wand. First she threw a fair clean
nor yet bring matters to an end, so they are shirt and cloak about his shoulders; then she
making havoc of my estate, and before long will made him younger and of more imposing pres-
do so with myself into the bargain. The issue, ence; she gave him back his colour, filled out
however, rests with heaven. But do you, old his cheeks, and let his beard become dark again.
friend Eumaeus, go at once and tell Penelope Then she went away and Ulvsses came back in-
that I am safe and have returned from Pylos. side the hut. His son was astounded when he
Tell it to herself alone, and then come back saw him, and turned his eves away for fear he
here without letting any one else know, for might be looking upon a god.
274 THE ODYSSEY
[i8i] "Stranger," said he, "how suddenly reaches their coasts. They took me over the sea
you have changed from what you were a mo- while I was fast asleep, and landed me in Ith-
ment or two ago. You are dressed differently aca, after giving me many presents in bronze,
and your colour is not the same. Are you some gold,and raiment. These things by heaven's
one or other of the gods -that live in heaven: If mercy are lying concealed in a cave, and I am
so, be propitious to me till I can make you due now come here on the suggestion of Minerva
sacrifice and offerings of wrought gold. Have that we may consult about killing our enemies.
mercv upon me." First, therefore, give me a list of the suitors,

[i86] And Ulysses said, "I am no god, why with their number, that I may learn who, and
should you take me for one? I am your father, how many, they are. I can then turn the matter
on whose account you grieve and suffer so over in my mind, and see whether we two can
much at the hands of lawless men." fight the whole body of them ourselves, or
[190] As he spoke he kissed his son, and a whether we must find others to help us."
tear fell from his cheek on to the ground, for [240] To this Telemachus answered, "Fa-
he had restrained all tears till now. But Telem- ther, I ha\'e always heard of your renown both
achus could not yet believe that it was his fa- in the field and in council, but the task you talk
ther, and said: of is a very great one: I am awed at the mere
[194] "You are not my father, but some god thought of it; two men cannot stand against
is flattering me with vain hopes that I may many and brave ones. There are not ten suitors
grieve the more hereafter; no mortal man could only, nor twice ten, but ten many times over;
of himself contrive to do as you have been do- you shall learn their number at once. There
ing, and make yourself old and young at a mo- are fifty-two chosen youths from Dulichium,
ment's notice, unless a god were with him. A and they have six servants: from Same there
second ago you were old and all in rags, and are twenty-four; twenty young Achaeans from
now you are like some god come down from Zacynthus, and twehe from Ithaca itself, all
heaven." of them well born. They have with them a
Ulysses answered, "Telemachus, you ought ser\'ant Medon, a bard, and two men who can
not to be so immeasurably astonished at my car\'e at table. If we face such numbers as this,
being really here. There is no other Ulysses you may have bitter cause to rue your coming,
who will come Such as I am, it is 1,
hereafter. and your revenge. See whether you cannot
who after long wandering and much hardship think of some one who would be willing to
have got home in the twentieth year to my own come and help us."
country. What you wonder at is the work of [2$y] "Listen to me," replied Ulysses, "and
the redoubtable goddess Minerva, who does think whether Minerva and her father Jove
with me whatever she will, for she can do what may seem sufficient, or whether I am to try and
she pleases. At one moment she makes mc like find some one else as well."
a beggar, and the next I am a young man with [262] "Those whom you have named," an-
good clothes on my back; it is an easy matter swered Telemachus, "are a couple of good al-
for the gods who live in heaven to make any lies, for though they dwell high up among the

man look either rich or poor." clouds they have power over both gods and
[21^] As he spoke he sat doun, and Telem- men."
achus threw his arms about his father and wept. [266] "These two," continued Ulysses, "will
They were both so much moved that they cried not keep long out of the fray, when the suitors
aloud like eagles or vultures with crooked tal- and we join fight in my house. Now, therefore,
ons that have been robbed of their half fledged return home early to-morrow morning, and go
young by peasants. Thus piteously did they about among the suitors as before. Later on
weep, and the sun would have gone down upon the svv^ineherd will bring me to the city dis-
their mourning if Telemachus had not sud- guised as a miserable old beggar. If you see
denly said, "In what ship, my dear father, did them ill-treating me, steel your heart against
your crew bring you to Ithaca? Of what nation my sufferings; even though they drag me feet
did they declare themselves to be— for you can- foremost out of the house, or throw things at
not have come by land?" me, look on and do nothing beyond gently try-
[226] "I will tell you the truth, my son," re- ing to make them behave more reasonably; but
plied Ulysses. "It was the Phaeacians who they will not listen to you, for the day of their
brought me here. They are great sailors, and reckoning is at hand. Furthermore I say, and
are in the habit of giving escorts to any one who lay my saying to your heart, when Minerva
 BOOK XVI 275
shall put it in my
mind, I will nod my head to said to thequeen in the presence of the wait-
you, and on seeing me do this you must collect ing women, "Your son, Madam, is now returned
all the armour that is in the house and hide it from Pylos"; but Eumaeus went close up to
in the strong store room. Make some excuse Penelope, and said privately all that her son
when the suitors ask you why you are removing had bidden him tell her. When he had given
it; say that you have taken it to be out of the his message he left the house with its outbuild-
way inasmuch as it is no longer
of the smoke, ings and went back to his pigs again.
what it was when Ulysses went away, but has [^42] The suitors were surprised and angry
become soiled and begrimed with soot. Add to at what had happened, so they went outside
this more particularly that you are afraid Jove the great wall that ran round the outer court,
may set them on to quarrel over their wine, and and held a council near the main entrance.
that they may do each other some harm which Eurymachus, son of Polybus, was the first to
may disgrace both banquet and wooing, for the speak.
sight of arms sometimes tempts people to use [^46] "My friends," said he, "this voyage of
them. But leave a sword and a spear apiece for Telemachus's is a very serious matter; we had
yourself and me, and a couple of oxhide shields made sure that it would come to nothing. Now,
so that we can snatch them up at any moment; however, let us draw and
a ship into the water,
Jove and Minerva will then soon quiet these get a crew together to send after the others and
people. There is also another matter; if you are tell them to come back as fast as they can."

indeed my son and my blood runs in your veins, ^35 1 7 He had hardly done speaking when
let no one know that Ulysses is within the Amphinomus turned in his place and saw the
house— neither Laertes, nor yet the swineherd, ship inside the harbour, with the crew lowering
nor any of the servants, nor even Penelope her- her sails, and putting by their oars; so he laughed,
self. Let you and me exploit the women alone, and said to the others, "We need not send them
and let us also make trial of some other of the any message, for they are here. Some god must
men servants, to see who is on our side and have told them, or else they saw the ship go by,
whose hand is against us." and could not overtake her."
[308] "Father," replied Telemachus, "you [358] On this they rose and went to the
will come to know me by and by, and when you water side. The crew then drew the ship on
do you will find that I can keep your counsel. shore; their servants took their armour from
I do not think, however, the plan you propose them, and they went up in a body to the place
will turn out well for either of us. Think it of assembly, but they would not let any one old
over. It will take us a long time to go the round or young sit along with them, and Antinous,
of the farms and exploit the men, and all the son of Eupeithes, spoke first.

time the suitors will be wasting your estate [364] "Good heavens," said he, "see how the
with impunity and without compunction. Prove gods have saved this man from destruction. We
the women by all means, to see who are dis- kept a succession of scouts upon the headlands
loyal and who guiltless, but I am not in favour all day long, and when the sun was down we
of going round and trying the men. can at- We never went on shore to sleep, but waited in the
tend to that later on, if you really have some ship all night till morning in the hope of cap-
sign from Jove that he will support you." turing and killing him; but some god has con-
/^32ij Thus did they converse, and mean- veyed him home in spite of us. Let us consider
while the ship which had brought Telemachus how we can make an end of him. He must not
and his crew from Pylos had reached the town escape us; our affair is never likely to come off
of Ithaca. When they had come inside the har- while he is alive, for he is very shrewd, and
bour they drew the ship on to the land; their public feeling is by no means all on our side.
servants came and took their armour from them, We must make haste before he can call the
and they left all the presents at the house of Achaeans in assembly; he will lose no time in
Clytius. Then they sent a servant to tell Penel- doing so, for he will be furious with us, and
ope that Telemachus had gone into the coun- will tell all the world how we plotted to kill
try, but had sent the ship to the town to pre- him, but failed to take him. The people will
vent her from being alarmed and made not like this when they come to know of it; we
unhappy. This servant and Eumaeus happened must see that they do us no hurt, nor drive us
to meet when they were both on the same er- from our own country into exile. Let us try and
rand of going to tell Penelope. When they lay hold of him either on his farm away from
reached the house, the servant stood up and the town, or on the road hither. Then we can
276 THE ODYSSEY
divide up his property amongst us, and let his wooing his wife and trying to kill his son.
mother and the man who marries her have the Leave off doing so, and stop the others also."
house. If this does not please you, and you wish [4^4] To this Eurymachus son of Polybus
Telemachus to live on and hold his father's answered, "Take heart. Queen Penelope daugh-
property, then we must -not gather here and eat ter of Icarius, and do not trouble vourself about
up his goods in this way, but must make our these matters. The man is not yet born, nor
offers to Penelope eaeh from his own house, never will be, who shall lay hands upon your
and she ean marrv the man who will give the son Telemachus, while I yet live to look upon
most for her, and whose lot it is to win her." the face of the earth. I say— and it shall surely

[393] They held their peace until Am-

all be— that my spear shall be reddened with his
phinomus rose to speak. He was the son of blood; for many a time has Ulysses taken me on
Nisus, who was son to king Aretias, and he his knees, held wine up to my lips to drink,
was foremost among all the suitors from the and put pieces of meat into my hands. There-
wheat-growing and well grassed island of Du- fore Telemachus is much the dearest friend I
lichium; his conversation, moreover, was more have, and has nothing to fear from the hands of
agreeable to Penelope than that of anv of the us suitors. Of course, if death comes to him
other suitors, for he was a man of good natural from the gods, he cannot escape it." He said
disposition. "Mv friends," said he. speaking to this to quiet her, but in reality he was plotting
them plainly and in all honesty, "I am not in against Telemachus.
favour of killing Telemachus. It is a heinous [449] Then Penelope went upstairs again
thing to kill one who is of noble blood. Let us and mourned her husband till Minerva shed
first take counsel of the gods, and if the oracles sleep over her eyes. In the evening Eumaeus
of Jove advise it, I will both help to kill him got back to Ulysses and his son, who had just
myself, and will urge everyone else to do so; sacrificed a young pig of a year old and were
but if they dissuade us, I would have you hold helping one another to get supper ready; Mi-
vour hands." nerva therefore came up to Ulysses, turned
[406] Thus did he speak, and his words him into an old man with a stroke of her wand,
pleased them well, so they rose forthwith and and clad him in his old clothes again, for fear
went house of Ulysses, where they took
to the that the swineherd might recognize him and
their accustomed seats. not keep the secret, but go and tell Penelope.
[409] Then Penelope resolved that she would [460] Telemachus was the first to speak. "So
show herself to the suitors. She knew of the you have got back, Eumaeus," said he. "What
plot against Telemachus, for the servant Me- is the news of the town? Have the suitors re-

don had overheard their counsels and had told turned, or are they still waiting over yonder,
her; she went down therefore to the court at- to take me on my way home?"
tended bv her maidens, and when she reached [464] "I did not think of asking about that,"
the suitors she stood by one of the bearing-posts replied Eumaeus, "when I was in the town. I

supporting the roof of the cloister holding a veil thought I would give my message and come back
before her face, and rebuked Antinous saying: as soon as I could. I met a man sent by those
[417] "Antinous, insolent and wicked schem- who had gone with you to Pylos, and he was
er, they say you are the best speaker and coun- the first to tell the news to your mother, but I
sellor of any man vour own age in Ithaca, but can say what 1 saw with my own eyes; I had
vou are nothing of the kind. Madman, why just got on to the crest of the hill of Mercury
should vou try to compass the death of Telem- above the town when I saw a ship coming into
achus, and take no heed of suppliants, whose harbour with a number of men in her. They
witness is Jove himself? It is not right for you had many shields and spears, and I thought it
to plot thus against one another. Do you not was the suitors, but I cannot be sure."
remember how your father fled to this house in [476] On hearing this Telemachus smiled
fear of the people, who were enraged against to his father, but so that Eumaeus could not see
him for having gone with some Taphian pi- him.
rates and plundered the Thesprotians who were [478] Then, when they had finished their
at peace with us? They wanted to tear him in work and the meal was ready, thev ate it, and
pieces and eat up everything he had, but Ulys- every man had his full share so that all were
ses stayed their hands although they were in- satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat
furiated, and now you devour his property and drink, they laid down to rest and enjoyed
without paying for it, and break my heart by the boon of sleep.
 BOOK XVII

WHEN fingered
the child of morning, rosy-
Dawn, appeared, Telema-
anything about it or obtaining my consent. But
come, tell me what vou saw."
chus bound on his sandals and took [4^] "Do not scold me, mother," answered
a strong spear that suited his hands, for he Telemachus, "nor vex me, seeing what a nar-
wanted to go into the city. "Old friend," said he row escape I have had, but wash your face,
to the swineherd, "I will now go to the town change your dress, go upstairs with your maids,
and show myself to my mother, for she will and promise full and sufficient hecatombs to
never leave off grieving till she has seen me. all the gods if Jove will only grant us our re-

As for this unfortunate stranger, take him to venge upon the suitors. I must now go to the
the town and let him beg there of any one who place of assembly to invite a stranger who has
will give him a drink and a piece of bread. I come back with me from Pylos. I sent him on
have trouble enough of my own, and cannot with my crew, and told Piraeus to take him
be burdened with other people. If this makes home and look after him till I could come for
him angry so much the worse for him, but I him myself."
like to say what I mean." [^y] She heeded her son's words, washed
[i6] Then Ulysses said, "Sir, I do not want her face, changed her dress, and vowed full and
to stay here; a beggar can always do better in sufficient hecatombs to all the gods if they
town than country, for any one who likes can would only vouchsafe her revenge upon the
give him something. I am too old to care about suitors.
remaining here at the beck and call of a master. [61] Telemachus went through, and out of,
Therefore let this man do as you have just told the cloisters spear inhand— not alone, for his
him, and take me to the town as soon as I have two dogs went with him. Minerva en-
fleet
had a warm by the fire, and the day has got a dowed him with a presence of such divine
little heat in it. My clothes are wretchedlv comeliness that all marvelled at him as he went
thin, and this frosty morning I shall be per- by, and the suitors gathered round him with
ished with cold, for you say the city is some fair words in their mouths and malice in their
way off." hearts; but he avoided them, and went to sit
[26] On this Telemachus strode off through with Mentor, Antiphus, and Halitherses, old
the yards, brooding his revenge upon the suit- friends of his father's house, and they made
ors. When he reached home he stood his spear him tell them all that had happened to him.
against a bearing-post of the cloister, crossed Then Piraeus came up with Theoclymenus,
the stone floor of the cloister itself, and went whom he had escorted through the town to the
inside. place of assembly, whereon Telemachus at
[317 Nurse Euryclea saw him long before once joined them. Piraeus was first to speak:
any one else did. She was putting the fleeces "Telemachus," said he, "I wish you would
on to the seats, and she burst out crying as she send some of your women to my house to take
ran up to him; all the other maids came up too, away the presents Menelaus gave you."
and covered his head and shoulders with their ^777 "We do not know, Piraeus," answered
kisses. Penelope came out of her room looking Telemachus, "what may happen. If the suitors
like Diana or Venus, and wept as she flung her kill me in my own house and divide my prop-
arms about her son. She kissed his forehead erty among them, I would rather you had the
and both his beautiful eyes, "Light of my presents than that anv of those people should
eyes," she cried as she spoke fondly to him, "so get hold of them. If on the other hand I man-
you are come home again; I made sure I was age to kill them, I shall be much obliged if you
never going to see you any more. To think of will kindlv bring me my presents."
your having gone off to Pvlos without saying [84] With these words he took Theocly-

277
278 THE ODYSSEY
menus to his own house. When they got there Ulysses on an island sorrowing bitterly in the
they laid their cloaks on the benches and seats, house of the nymph Calypso, who was keep-
went into the baths, and washed themselves. ing him prisoner, and he could not reach his
When the maids had washed and anointed home, for he had no ships nor sailors to take
them, and had given them cloaks and shirts, him over the sea.' This was what Menelaus
they took their seats at table. A maid servant told me, and when I had heard his stor\' I came
then brought them water in a beautiful golden away; the gods then gave me a fair wind and
ewer, and poured it into a silver basin for them soon brought me safe home again."
to wash their hands; and she drew a clean table [iSo] With these words he moved the heart
beside them. An upjjer servant brought them of Penelope. Then Theoclymenus said to her:
bread and offered them many good things of /1527 "Madam, wife of Ulysses, Telema-
what there was in the house. Opposite them chus does not understand these things; listen
sat Penelope, reclining on a couch by one of therefore to me, for I can divine them surely,
the bearing-posts of the cloister, and spinning. and will hide nothing from you. May Jove the
Then thev laid their hands on the good things king of heaven be my witness, and the rites
that were before them, and as soon as they had of hospitality, with that hearth of Ulysses to
had enough to eat and drink Penelope said: which I now come, that Ulysses himself is
/^loij "Telemachus, I shall go upstairs and even now in Ithaca, and, either going about the
lie down on that sad couch, which I have not country or staying in one place, is enquiring
ceased to water with my tears, from the day into all these evil deeds and preparing a day of
Ulysses set out for Troy with the sons of reckoning for the suitors. I saw an omen when
Atreus. You however, to make it clear
failed, I was on the ship which meant this, and 1 told

to me came back to the house,

before the suitors Telemachus about it."
whether or no vou had been able to hear any- [162] "May it be even so," answered Pene-
thing about the return of your father." lope; "if your words come true, you shall have
[jo6] "I will tell you the truth," replied her such gifts and such good will from me that all
son. "We went to Pylos and saw Nestor, who who see you shall congratulate you."
took me to his house and treated me as hos- [166] Thus did they converse. Meanwhile
pitably as though I were a son of his own who the suitors were throwing discs, or aiming with
had just returned after a long absence; so also spears at a mark on the levelled ground in front
did his sons; but he said he had not heard a of the house, and behaving with all their old
word from any human being about Ulysses, insolence. But when it was now time for din-
whether he was alive or dead. He sent me, ner, and the flock of sheep and goats had come
therefore, with a chariot and horses to Mene- into the town from all the country round, with
laus. TTiere saw Helen, for whose sake so
I their shepherds as usual, then Medon, who was
many, both Argives and Trojans, were in heav- their favourite servant, and who waited upon
en's wisdom doomed to suffer. Menelaus asked them at table, said, "Now then, my young
me what it was that had brought me to Lace- masters, vou have had enough sport, so come
daemon, and I told him the whole truth, whereon inside that we may get dinner ready. Dinner
he said, 'So, then, these cowards would usurp is not a bad thing, at dinner time."
a brave man's bed? A hind might as well lay [177] They left their sports as he told them,
her new-born young in the lair of a lion, and and when they were within the house, they
then go oflF to feed in the forest or in some laid their cloaks on the benches and seats in-
grassy dell. The lion, when he comes back to side, and then sacrificed some sheep, goats,
his lair, will make short work with the pair of pigs, and a heifer, all of them fat and well
them, and so will Ulysses with these suitors. grown. Thus they made ready for their meal.
By father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, if Ulysses In the meantime Ulysses and the swineherd
is still the man that he was when he UTestled were about starting for the town, and the
with Philomeleides in Lesbos, and threw him swineherd said, "Stranger, I suppose you still
so heavily that all the Greeks cheered him— if want to go to town to-day, as my master said
he is still such, and were to come near these you were to do; for my own part I should have
suitors, they would have a short shrift and a liked vou to stay here as a station hand, but
sorry wedding. As regards your question, how- I must do as my master tells me, or he viall scold

ever, I will not prevaricate nor deceive you, but me later on, and a scolding from one's master is
what the old man of the sea told me, so much a very serious thing. Let us then be off, for it
will I tell you in full. He said he could see is now broad day; it will be night again directly
 BOOK XVII 279
and then you will find it colder." a kick on the hip out of pure wantonness, but
[192] "I know, and understand you," re- Ulysses stood firm, and did not budge from the
plied Ulysses; "you need say no more. Let us path. For a moment he doubted whether or no
be going, but if you have a stick ready cut, let to fly at Melanthius and kill him with his staff,
me have it to walk with, for you say the road or fling him to the ground and beat his brains
is a very rough one." out; he resolved, however, to endure it and
[197] As he spoke he threw his shabby old keep himself in check, but the swineherd looked
tattered wallet over his shoulders, by the cord straight at Melanthius and rebuked him, lift-
from which it hung, and Eumaeus gave him a ing up his hands and praying to heaven as he
stick to his liking. The two then started, leav- did so.
ing the station in charge of the dogs and herds- [240] "Fountain nymphs," he cried, "chil-
men who remained behind; the swineherd led dren of Jove, if ever Ulysses burned you thigh
the way and his master followed after, look- bones covered with fat whether of lambs or
ing like some broken-down old tramp as he kids, grant my prayer that heaven mav send
leaned upon his staff, and his clothes were all him home. He would soon put an end to the
in rags. When they had got over the rough swaggering threats with which such men as
steep ground and were nearing the city, they you go about insulting people— gadding all over
reached the fountain from which the citizens the town while your flocks are going to ruin
drew their water. This had been made by Itha- through bad shepherding."
cus, Neritus, and Polyctor. There was a grove [247] Then Melanthius the goatherd an-
of water-loving poplars planted in a circle all swered, "You ill-conditioned cur, what are you
round it, and the clear cold water came down to talking about? Some day or other I will put you
it from a rock high up, while above the foun- on board ship and take you to a foreign coun-
tain there was an altar to the nymphs, at which try, where I can sell you and pocket the money
all wayfarers used to sacrifice. Here Melan- you will fetch. I wish I were as sure that Apollo
thius son of Dolius overtook them as he was would strike Telemachus dead this very day, or
driving down some goats, the best in his flock, that the suitors would kill him, as I am that
for the suitors' dinner, and there were two Ulysses will never come home again."
shepherds with him. When he saw Eumaeus [2^4] With he left them to come on at
this
and Ulysses he reviled them with outrageous their leisure, while he went quickly forward
and unseemly language, which made Ulysses and soon reached the house of his master.
\'ery angry. When he got there he went in and took his
y] "There you go," cried he, "and a pre-
[2. 1 seat among the suitors opposite Eurymachus,
cious pair you are. See how heaven brings birds who liked him better than any of the others.
of the same feather one another. Where,
to The servants brought him a portion of meat,
pray, master swineherd, are you taking this and an upper woman servant set bread before
poor miserable object? It would make any one him that he might eat. Presently Ulysses and
sick to see such a creature at table. A fellow like the swineherd came up to the house and stood
this never won a prize for anything in his life, by it, amid a sound of music, for Phemius was
but will go about rubbing his shoulders against just beginning to sing to the suitors. Then
every man's door post, and begging, not for Ulysses took hold of the swineherd's hand,
swords and cauldrons like a man, but only for and said:
a few scraps not worth begging for. If you [264] "Eumaeus, this house of Ulysses is a
would give him to me for a hand on my station, very fine place. No matter how far you go you
he might do to clean out the folds, or bring a will find few like it. One building keeps fol-
bit of sweet feed to the kids, and he could lowing on after another. The outer court has a
fatten his thighs as much as he pleased on wall with battlements all round it; the doors are
whey; but he has taken to bad ways and will double folding, and of good workmanship; it
not go about any kind of work; he will do would be a hard matter to take it by force of
nothing but beg victuals all the town over, arms. I perceive, too, that there are many peo-
to feed his insatiable belly. therefore—
I say, ple banqueting within it, for there is a smell
and it shall surely be— if he goes near Ulysses' of roast meat,and I hear a sound of music,
house he will get his head broken by the which the gods have made to go along with
stools they will fling at him, till they turn feasting."
him out." A2727 Then Eumaeus said, "You have per-
[^33] On this, as he passed, he gave Ulysses ceived aright, as indeed you generally do; but
2»0 THE ODYSSEY
let us think what will be our best course. Will Argos died as soon as he had recognized his
vou go inside first and join the suitors, leaving master.
me here behind you, or will you wait here and [^28] Telemachus saw Eumasus long before
let me go in first? But do not wait long, or some anv one else did, and beckoned him to come
one may see you loitering about outside, and and sit beside him; so he looked about and saw
throw something at you. Consider this matter I a seat lying near where the carver sat serving

pray vou." out their portions to the suitors; he picked it

[280] And Ulysses answered, "I understand up, brought it to Telemachus's table, and sat
and heed. Go in first and leave me here where down opposite him. Then the servant brought
I am. I am quite used to being beaten and hav- him his portion, and gave him bread from the
ing things thrown at me. I have been so much bread-basket.
buflFeted about in war and by sea that I am [^6] Immediately afterwards Ulysses came
case-hardened, and this too may go with the inside, looking like apoor miserable old beggar,
rest. But a man cannot hide away the cravings leaning on his staff and with his clothes all in
of a hungry belly; this is an enemy which gives rags. He sat down upon the threshold of ash-
much trouble to all men; it is because ot this wood just inside the doors leading from the
that ships are fitted out to sail the seas, and to outer to the inner court, and against a bearing-
make war upon other people." post of cypress-wood which the carpenter had
[290] As they were thus talking, a dog that skilfully planed, and had made to join truly
had been lying asleep raised his head and with rule and line. Telemachus took a whole
pricked up his ears. This was Argos, whom loaf from the bread-basket, with as much meat
Ulysses had bred before setting out for Troy, as he could hold in his two hands, and said to
but he had never had any work out of him. In Eumaeus, "Take this to the stranger, and tell
the old days he used to be taken out by the him to go the round of the suitors, and beg
young men when they went hunting wild goats, from them; a beggar must not be shamefaced."
or deer, or hares, but now that his master was 12,48] So Eumaeus went up to him and said,
gone he was lying neglected on the heaps of "Stranger, Telemachus sends you this, and says
mule and cow dung that lay in front of the you are to go the round of the suitors begging,
stable doors till the men should come and draw for beggars must not be shamefaced."
it away to manure the great close; and he was [353] Ulysses answered, "May King Jove
full of fleas. As soon as he saw Ulysses standing grant all happiness to Telemachus, and fulfil
there, he dropped his ears and wagged his tail, the desire of his heart."
but he could not get close up to his master. [35^] Then wath both hands he took what
When Ulysses saw the dog on the other side of Telemachus had sent him, and laid it on the
the yard, he dashed a tear from his eyes with- dirty old wallet at his feet. He went on eating
out Eumasus seeing it, and said: it while the bard was singing, and had just

[^06] "Eumaeus, what a noble hound that is finished his dinner as he left off. The suitors
over yonder on the manure heap: his build is applauded the bard, whereon Minerva went
splendid; is he as fine a fellow as he looks, or up to Ulysses and prompted him to beg pieces
is he only one of those dogs that come begging of bread from each one of the suitors, that he
about a table, and are kept merelv for show?" might see what kind of people they were, and
[^ 1 1] "This hound," answered Eumaeus, "be- tell the good from the bad; but come what

longed to him who has died in a far country. might she was not going to save a single one
If he were what he was when Ulysses left for of them. Ulysses, therefore, went on his round,
Troy, he would soon show you what he could going from left to right, and stretched out his
do. There was not a wild beast in the forest hands to beg as though he were a real beggar.
that could get away from him when he was Some of them pitied him, and were curious
once on its tracks. But now he has fallen on evil about him, asking one another who he was and
times, for his master is dead and gone, and the where he came from; whereon the goatherd
women take no care of him. Servants never do Melanthius said, "Suitors of my noble mistress,
their work when their master's hand is no I can tell you something about him, for I have

longer over them, for Jove takes half the good- seen him before. The swineherd brought him
ness out of a man when he makes a slave of here, but I know nothing about the man him-
him." self, nor where he comes from."

[324] As he spoke he went inside the build- [3,74] On this Antinous began to abuse the
where the suitors were, but
ings to the cloister swineherd. "You precious idiot," he cried, "what
 BOOK XVII 281

have you brought this man to town for? Have things which people have who live well and
we not tramps and beggars enough aheady to are accounted wealthy, but it pleased Jove to
pester us as we sit at meat? Do you think it a take all away from me. He sent me with a band
small thing that such people gather here to of roving robbers to Egypt; it was a long voy-
waste your master's property— and must you age and I was undone by it. I stationed my
needs bring this man as well?" and bade my men
ships in the river /Egyptus,
[^80] And Eumasus answered, "Antinous, stay by them and keep guard over them, while
your birth is good but your words evil. It was I sent out scouts to reconnoitre from every
no doing of mine thathe came here. Who is point of vantage.
likely to invite a stranger from a foreign coun- [431] "But the disobeyed my orders,
men
try, unless it be one of those who can do public took to their own and ravaged the land
devices,
service as a seer, a healer of hurts, a carpenter, of the Egyptians, killing the men, and taking
or a bard who can charm us with his singing? their wives and children captives. The alarm
Such men are welcome all the world over, but was soon carried to the city, and when they
no one is likely to ask a beggar who will only heard the war-cry, the people came out at day-
worry him. You are always harder on Ulysses' break till the plain was filled with soldiers
servants than any of the other suitors are, and horse and foot, and with the gleam of armour.
above all on me, but I do not care so long as Then Jove spread panic among my men, and
Telemachus and Penelope are alive and here." they would no longer face the enemy, for they
[392] But Telemachus said, "Hush, do not found themselves surrounded. The Egyptians
answer him; Antinous has the bitterest tongue killed many of us, and took the rest alive to
of all the suitors, and he makes the others do forced labour for them; as for myself, they
worse." gave me to a friend who met them, to take to
^396] Then turning to Antinous he said, Cyprus, Dmetor by name, son of lasus, who
"Antinous, you take as much care of my inter- was a great man in Cyprus. Thence I am come
ests as though I were your son. Why
should hither in a state of great misery."
you want to see this stranger turned out of the [44s] Then Antinous said, "What god can
house? Heaven forbid; take something and give have sent such a pestilence to plague us during
it him yourself; I do not grudge it; I bid you our dinner? Get out, into the open part of the
take it. Never mind my mother, nor any of the court, or I will give you Egypt and Cyprus over
other servants in the house; but I know you again for your insolence and importunity; you
will not do what I say, for you are more fond of have begged of all the others, and thev have
eating things yourself than of giving them to given you lavishly, for they have abundance
other people." round them, and it is easv to be free with other
[40^] "What do you mean, Telemachus," people's property when there is plenty of it."

replied Antinous, "by this swaggering talk? If [4S3] On this Ulysses began to move off,
all the suitors were to give him as much as I and said, "Your looks, my fine sir, are better
will, he would not come here again for another than your breeding; if you were in your own
three months." house you would not spare a poor man so much
[409] As he spoke he drew the stool on as a pinch of salt, for though you are in an-
which he rested his dainty feet from under the other man's, and surrounded with abundance,
table, and made as though he would throw it you cannot find it in you to give him even a
at Ulysses, but the other suitors all gave him piece of bread."
something, and filled his wallet with bread and [4^8] This made Antinous very angry, and
meat; he was about, therefore, to go back to the he scowled at him saying, "You shall pay for
threshold and eat what the suitors had given this before you get clear of the court." With
him, but he first went up to Antinous and said: these words he threw a footstool at him, and
[41s] "Sir, give me something; you are not, hit him on the right shoulder-blade near the
surely, the poorest man here; you seem to be a top of his back. Ulysses stood firm as a rock and
chief, foremost among them all; therefore you the blow did not even stagger him, but he
should be the better giver, and I will tell far shook his head in silence as he brooded on his
and wide of your bounty. I too was a rich man revenge. Then he went back to the threshold
once, and had a fine house of my own; in those and sat down there, laying his well-filled wallet
days I gave to many a tramp such as I now am, at his feet.
no matter who he might be nor what he wanted. [468] "Listen to me," he cried, "you suitors
I had any number of servants, and all the other of Queen Penelope, that I may speak even as
2»2 THE ODYSSEY
I am minded. A man knows neither ache nor days and three nights with me in my hut,
pain he gets hit while fighting for his money,
if which was the first place he reached after
or tor his sheep or his cattle; and even so running away from his ship, and he has not
Antinous has hit me while in the service of my yet completed the story of his misfortunes. If
miserable belly, which is always getting people he had been the most heaven-taught minstrel
into trouble. Still, if the poor have gods and in the whole world, on whose lips all hearers
avenging deities at all, pray them that An-
I hang entranced, I could not have been more
tinous may come to a bad end before his mar- charmed as I sat in my hut and listened to him.
riage." He says there is an old friendship between his
[477] "Sit where you are, and cat your vict- house and that of Ulysses, and that he comes
uals in silence, or be off elsewhere," shouted from Crete where the descendants of Minos
Antinous. "If you say more I will have you live, after having been driven hither and thither

dragged hand and foot through the courts, and by every kind of misfortune; he also declares
the servants shall flay you alive." that he has heard of Ulysses as being alive and
[481] The other suitors were much displeased near at hand among the Thesprotians, and that
at this, and one of the young men said, "An- he is bringing great wealth home with him."
tinous, you did ill in striking that poor wretch [5287 "Call him here, then," said Penelope,
of a tramp: it will be worse for you if he should "that I too may hear his story. As for the suit-

turn out to be some god— and we know the ors, let them take their pleasure indoors or out
gods go about disguised in all sorts of ways as as they will, for they have nothing to fret
people from foreign countries, and travel about about. Their corn and wine remain unwasted
the world to see who do amiss and who right- in their houses with none but servants to con-
eously." sume them, while they keep hanging about our
[488] Thus said the suitors, but Antinous house day after day, sacrificing our oxen, sheep,
paid them no heed. Meanwhile Telemachus and fat goats for their banquets, and never giv-
was furious about the blow that had been given ing so much as a thought to the quantity of
to his father, and though no tear fell from him, wine they drink. No estate can stand such
he shook his head in silence and brooded on recklessness, for we have now no Ulysses to
his revenge. protect us. If he were to come again, he and
[492] Now when Penelope heard that the his son would soon have their revenge."
beggar had been struck in the banqueting- [541] As she spoke Telemachus sneezed so
cloister, she said before her maids, "Would loudly that the whole house resounded with it.
that Apollo would so strike you, Antinous," Penelope laughed when she heard this, and
and her waiting woman Eurynome answered, said to Eumasus, "Go and call the stranger; did
"If our prayers were answered not one of the you not hear how mv son sneezed just as I was
suitors would ever again see the sun rise." speaking? This can only mean that all the suit-
Then Penelope "Nurse, I hate every single
said, ors are going to be killed, and that not one of
one of them, for they mean nothing but mis- them shall escape. Furthermore I say, and lay
chief, but I hate Antinous like the darkness of my saying to your heart: if I am satisfied that
death itself. A poor unfortunate tramp has the stranger is speaking the truth I shall give
come begging about the house for sheer want. him a shirt and cloak of good wear."
Every one else has given him something to put [55 i] When Eumasus heard this he went
in his wallet, but Antinous has hit him on the straight to Ulysses and said, "Father stranger,
right shoulder-blade with a footstool." my mistress Penelope, mother of Telemachus,
[505] Thus did she talk with her maids as has sent for you; she is in great grief, but she
she sat in her ov\'n room, and in the meantime wishes to hear anything you can tell her about
Ulysses was getting his dinner. Then she called her husband, and if she is satisfied that you are
for the swineherd and said, "Eumaeus, go and speaking the truth, she will give you a shirt
tell the stranger to come here, I want to see and cloak, which are the very things that you
him and ask him some questions. He seems are most in want of. As for bread, you can get
to have travelled much, and he may have seen enough of that to fill your belly, by begging
or heard something of my unhappy husband." about the town, and letting those give that
[^ 1 2] To this you answered, O swineherd will."
Eumasus, "If these Acha^ans, Madam, would [s6o] "I will tell Penelope," answered Ulys-
only keep quiet, you would be charmed with ses, "nothing but what is strictly true. I know
the history of his adventures. I had him three all about her husband, and have been partner
 '

BOOK XVII 283

with him in affliction, but I am afraid of pass- [5^5] "The man is no answered Pene-
fool,"
ing through this crowd of cruel suitors, for lope, "it would very likely be as he says, for
their pride and insolence reach heaven. Just there are no such abominable people in the
now, moreover, as I was going about the house whole world as these men are."
without doing any harm, a man gave me a [589] When she had done speaking Eumaeus
blow that hurt me very much, but neither Te- went back to the suitors, for he had explained
lemachus nor any one else defended me. Tell everything. Then he went up to Telemachus
Penelope, therefore, to be patient and wait till and said in his ear so that none could overhear
sundown. Let her give me a seat close up to him, "My dear sir, I will now go back to the
the for my clothes are worn very thin— you
fire, pigs, to see after your property and my own
know they are, for you have seen them ever business. You will look to what is going on
since I first asked you to help me— she can then here, but above all be careful to keep out of
ask me about the return of her husband." danger, for there are many who bear you ill
[574] The swineherd went back when he will. May Jove bring them to a bad end before
heard this, and Penelope said as she saw him they do us a mischief."
cross the threshold, "Why do you not bring [598] "Very well," replied Telemachus, "go
him here, Is he afraid that some one
Eumasus? home when you have had your dinner, and in
him, or is he shy of coming inside
will ill-treat the morning come here with the victims we
the house at all? Beggars should not be shame- are to sacrifice for the day. Leave the rest to
faced." heaven and me.
1 57 9] To this you answered, O swineherd [602] On this Eumaeus took his seat again,
Eumaeus, "The stranger is quite reasonable. and when he had finished his dinner he left
He is avoiding the suitors, and is only doing the courts and the cloister with the men at
what any one else would do. He asks you to table, and went back to his pigs. As for the
wait till sundown, and it will be much better, suitors, they presently began to amuse them-
madam, that you should have him all to your- selves with singing and dancing, for it was now
self, when you can hear him and talk to him getting on towards evening.
as vou will."
 BOOK XVIII

NOW there came a certain

who used go begging all over the
to
common tramp this house.
relled and
The stranger and Irus
are going to fight, let us set
have quar-
them on
city of Ithaca, and was notorious as an to do so at once."
incorrioible plutton and drunkard. This man
111
had no strength nor stay in him, but he was a
[40] The suitors all came up laughing, and
gathered round the two ragged tramps. "Listen
great hulking fellow to look at; his real name, to me," said Antinous, "there are some goats*

the one his mother gave him, was Arnasus, but paunches down at the fire, which we have filled
the young men of the place called him Irus, with blood and fat, and set aside for supper;
because he used to run errands for any one he who is victorious and proves himself to be
who would send him. As soon as he came he the better man shall have his pick of the lot;
began to insult Ulysses, and to try and drive he shall be free of our table and we will not
him out of his own house. allow any other beggar about the house at all."
[lo] "Be off, old man," he cried, "from the [50] The others all agreed, but Ulysses, to
doorway, or you shall be dragged out neck and throw them off the scent, said, "Sirs, an old
heels. Do you not see that they are all giving man like myself, worn out with suffering, can-
me the wink, and wanting me to turn you out not hold his own against a young one; but my
by force, only I do not like to do so? Get up irrepressible belly urges me on, though I know
then, and go of yourself, or we shall come to itcan only end in my getting a drubbing. You
blows." must swear, however, that none of you will
[14] Ulysses frowned on him and said, "My give me a foul blow to favour Irus and secure
friend,I do you no manner of harm; people him the victory."
give you a great deal, but I am not jealous. [sS] They swore as he told them, and when
There is room enough in this doorway for the they had completed their oath Telemachus put
pair of us, and you need not grudge me things in a word and said, "Stranger, if you have a
that are not yours to give. You seem to be just mind to settle with this fellow, you need not
such another tramp as myself, but perhaps the be afraid of any one here. Whoever strikes
gods will give us better luck by and by. Do not, you will have to fight more than one. I am host,
however, talk too much about fighting, or you and the other chiefs, AntinousandEurymachus,
will incense me, and old though I am, I shall both of them men of understanding, are of the
cover your mouth and chest with blood. I shall same mind as I am."
have more peace to-morrow if I do, for you will [66] Every one assented, and Ulysses girded
not come to the house of Ulysses any more." his old rags about his loins, thus baring his
[2^] Irus was very angry and answered, "You stalwart thighs, his broad chestand shoulders,
filthy glutton, you run on trippingly like an old and mighty arms; but Minerva came up to
his
fish-fag. I have a good mind to lay both hands him and made his limbs even stronger still.
about you, and knock your teeth out of your The suitors were beyond measure astonished,
head like so many boar's tusks. Get ready, and one would turn towards his neighbour
therefore, and let these people here stand by saying, "The stranger has brought such a thigh
and look on. You will never be able to fight one out of his old rags that there will soon be noth-
who is so much younger than yourself." ing left of Irus."
[^2] Thus roundly did they rate one an- [75] Irus began to be very uneasy as he
other on the smooth pavement in front of the heard them, but the servants girded him by
doorway, and when Antinous saw what was force, and brought him [into the open part of
going on he laughed heartily and said to the the court] in such a fright that his limbs were
others, "This is the finest sport that you ever all of a tremble. Antinous scolded him and

saw; heaven never yet sent anything like it into said, "You swaggering bully, you ought never

284
 BOOK XVIII 285
to have been bom at all if you are afraid of standing, as indeed you may well be, seeing
such an old broken-down creature as this tramp whose son you are.have heard your father
I

is. I sav, therefore— and it shall surely be— if he well spoken of; he is Nisus of Dulichium, a
beats you and proves himself the better man, man both brave and wealthy. They tell me you
I shall pack you off on board ship to the main- are his son, and you appear to be a considerable
land and send you to king Echetus, who kills person; listen, therefore, and take heed to what
every one that comes near him. He will cut off I am saying. Man is the vainest of all creatures
your nose and ears, and draw out your entrails that have their being upon earth. As long as
for the dogs to eat." heaven vouchsafes him health and strength, he
[88] This frightened Irus still more, but thinks that he shall come to no harm hereafter,
they brought him into the middle of the court, and even when the blessed gods bring sorrow
and the two men raised their hands to fight. upon him, he bears it as he needs must, and
Then Ulysses considered whether he should makes the best of it; for God Almighty gives
let drive so hard at him as to make an end of men their daily minds day by day. I know all
him then and there, or whether he should give about it, for I was a rich man once, and did
him a lighter blow that should onlv knock him much wrong in the stubbornness of my pride,
down; in the end he deemed it best to give the and in the confidence that my father and my
lighter blow for fear the Achasans should begin brotherswould support me; therefore let a man
to suspect who he was. Then
they began to fear God in all things always, and take the
fight, and on the right shoul-
Irus hit Ulysses good that heaven may see fit to send him with-
der; but Ulysses gave Irus a blow on the neck out vainglory. Consider the infamy of what
under the ear that broke in the bones of his these suitors are doing; see how they are wast-
skull, and the blood came gushing out of his ing the estate, and doing dishonour to the wife,
mouth; he fell groaning in the dust, gnashing of one who is certain to return some day, and
his teeth and kicking on the ground, but the that, too, not long hence. Nay, he will be here
suitors threw up their hands and nearly died soon; may heaven send you home quietly first
of laughter, as Ulysses caught hold of him by that you may not meet with him in the day of
the foot and dragged him into the outer court his coming, for once he is here the suitors and
as far as the gate-house. There he propped him he will not part bloodlessly."
up against the wall and put his staff in his [iSi] With these words he made a drink-
hands. "Sit here," said he, "and keep the dogs offering, and when he had drunk he put the
and pigs off; you are a pitiful creature, and if gold cup again into the hands of Amphinomus,
you try to make yourself king of the beggars who walked away serious and bowing his head,
any more you shall fare still worse." for he foreboded evil. But even so he did not
[108] Then he threw his dirty old wallet, all escape destruction, for Minerva had doomed
tattered and torn, over his shoulder with the him to fall by the hand of Telemachus. So he
cord by which it hung, and went back to sit took his seat again at the place from which he
down upon the threshold; but the suitors went had come.
within the cloisters, laughing and saluting him, [is8] Then Minerva put it into the mind of
"May Jove, and all the other gods," said they, Penelope to show herself to the suitors, that she
"grant you whatever you want for having put might make them still more enamoured of her,
an end to theimportunity of this insatiable and win still further honour from her son and
tramp. We him over to the mainland
will take husband. So she feigned a mocking laugh and
presently, to king Echetus, who kills every one said, "Eurynome, I have changed my mind,
that comes near him." and have a fancy to show myself to the suitors
[117] Ulysses hailed this as of good omen, although I detest them. I should like also to
and Antinous set a great goat's paunch before give my son a hint that he had better not have
him filled with blood and fat. Amphinomus anything more to do with them. They speak
took two loaves out of the bread-basket and fairly enough but they mean mischief."
brought them to him, pledging him as he did [i6g] "My dear child," answered Eurynome,
so in a golden goblet of wine. "Good luck to "all that you have said is true, go and tell your
you," he said, "father stranger, you are very son about it, but first wash yourself and anoint
badly off at present, but I hope you will have your face. Do not go about with your cheeks
by and by."
better times all covered with tears; it is not right that you

[124] To this Ulysses answered, "Amphin- should grieve so incessantly; for Telemachus,
omus, you seem to be a man of good under- whom you always prayed that you might live
286 THE ODYSSEY
to see with a beard, is already grown up." allow a stranger to be so disgracefully ill-

[177] "1 know, Eurynome," replied Penelope, treated? What would have happened if he had
"that you mean well, but do not try and per- suffered serious injury while a suppliant in our
suade me to wash and to anoint myselF, for house? Surely this would have been very dis-
heaven robbed me of all my beauty on the day creditable to you."
my husband sailed; nevertheless, tell Autonoe [226] "I am not surprised, my dear mother,
and Hippodamia that I want them. They must at your displeasure," replied Telemachus, "I
be with me when I am in the cloister; I am not understand all about it and know when things
going among the men alone; it would not be are not as they should be, which I could not
proper for me to do so." do when I was younger; I cannot, however, be-
[i8s] On this the old woman went out of have with perfect propriety at all times. First
the room to bid the maids go to their mistress. one and then another of these wicked people
In the meantime Minerva bethought her of here keeps driving me out of my mind, and I
another matter, and sent Penelope off into a have no one to stand by me. After all, however,
sweet slumber; so she lay down on her couch this fight between Irus and the stranger did not

and her limbs became heavy with sleep. Then turn out as the suitors meant it to do, for the

the goddess shed grace and beauty over her that stranger got the best of it. wish Father Jove,
I

all the Achaeans might admire her. She washed Minerva, and Apollo would break the neck of
her face with the ambrosial loveliness that every one of these wooers of yours, some inside
Venus wears when she goes dancing with the the house and some out; and I wish they might
Graces; she made her taller and of a more com- all be as limp as Irus is over yonder in the gate

manding figure, while as for her complexion it of the outer court. See how he nods his head
was whiter than sawn ivory. When Miner\'a like a drunken man; he has had such a thrash-

had done all this she went away, whereon the ing that he cannot stand on his feet nor get
maids came in from the women's room and back to his home, wherever that may be, for he
woke Penelope with the sound of their talking. has no strength left in him."
[200] "What an exquisitely delicious sleep [24^] Thus did they converse. Eurymachus
I have been having," said she, as she passed her then came up and said, "Queen Penelope,
hands over her face, "in spite of all my misery. daughter of Icarius, if all the Achaeans in lasian
I wish Diana would let me die so sweetly now Argos could see you at this moment, you would
at this very moment, that I might no longer have still more suitors in your house by to-
waste in despair for the loss of my dear hus- morrow morning, for you are the most admi-
band, who possessed every kind of good quality rable woman in the whole world both as regards
and was the most distinguished man among personal beauty and strength of understanding."
the Achaeans." [2^0] To this Penelope replied, "Eurymachus,
[206] With these words she came down heaven robbed me of all my beauty whether of
from her upper room, not alone but attended face or figure when the Argives set sail for Troy
by two of her maidens, and when she reached and my dear husband with them. If he were to
the suitors she stood by one of the bearing- return and look after my affairs, I should both
posts supporting the roof of the cloister, hold- be more respected and show a better presence
ing a veil before her face, and with a staid maid to the world. As it is, I am oppressed with care,

servant on either side of her. As they beheld and with the afflictions which heaven has seen
her the suitors were so overpowered and be- fit to heap upon me. My husband foresaw it

came so desperately enamoured of her, that all, and when he was leaving home he took

each one prayed he might win her for his own my right wrist in his hand— 'Wife,' he said, 'we
bed fellow. shall not all of us come safe home from Troy,

[214] "Telemachus," said she, addressing her for the Trojans fight well both with bow and
son, "I fear you are no longer so discreet and spear. They are excellent also at fighting from
well conducted as you used to be. When you chariots, and nothing decides the issue of a
were younger you had a greater sense of pro- fight sooner than this. I know not, therefore,
priety; now, however, that you are grown up, whether heaven will send me back to you, or
though a stranger to look at you would take you whether I may not fall over there at Troy. In
for the son of a well-to-do father as far as size the meantime do you look after things here.
and good looks go, your conduct is by no means Take care of my father and mother as at pres-
what it should be. What is all this disturbance ent, and even more so during my absence, but
that has been going on, and how came you to when you see our son growing a beard, then
 BOOK XVIII 287
marry whom you will, and leave this your beat me, for I can stand a great deal."

present home.' This is what he said and now it [^20] The maids looked at one another and
is allcoming true. A night will come when I laughed, while pretty Melantho began to gibe
shall have to yield myself to a marriage which at him contemptuously. She was daughter to
I detest, for Jove has taken from me all hope Dolius, but had been brought up by Penelope,
of happiness. This further grief, moreover, cuts who used to give her toys to play with, and
me to the very heart. You suitors are not woo- looked after her when she was a child; but in
ing me after the custom of my country. When spite of all this she showed no consideration
men are courting a woman who they think will for the sorrows of her mistress, and used to mis-
be a good wife to them and who is of noble conduct herself with Eurymachus, with whom
birth, and when they are each trying to win her she was in love.
for himself, they usually bring oxen and sheep [32y] "Poor wretch," said she, "are you gone
to feast the friends of the lady, and they make clean out of your mind? Go and sleep in some
her magnificent presents, instead of eating up smithy, or place of public gossips, instead of
other people's property without paying for it." chattering here. Are you not ashamed of open-
[281] This was what she said, and Ulysses ing your mouth before your betters— so many
was glad when he heard her trying to get pres- of them too? Has the wine been getting into
ents out of the suitors, and flattering them with your head, or do you always babble in this way?
fair words which he knew she did not mean. You seem to have lost your wits because you
[284] Then Antinous said, "Queen Penel- beat the tramp Irus; take care that a better man
ope, daughter of Icarius, take as many presents than he does not come and cudgel you about
as you please from any one who will give them the head till he pack you bleeding out of the
to you; it is not well to refuse a present; but we house."
will not go about our business nor stir from [337] "Vixen," replied Ulysses, scowling at
where we are, till you have married the best her, "I will go and tell Telemachus what you
man among us whoever he may be." have been saying, and he will have you torn
[290] The others applauded what Antinous limb from limb."
had said, and each one sent his servant to bring [2,40] With these words he scared the
his present. Antinous's man returned with a women, and they went off into the body of the
large and lovely dress most exquisitely embroi- house. They trembled all over, for they thought
dered. It had twelve beautifully made brooch he would do as he said. But Ulysses took his
pins of pure gold with which to fasten it. Eury- stand near the burning braziers, holding up
machus immediately brought her a magnificent torches and looking at the people— brooding the
chain of gold and amber beads that gleamed while on things that should surely come to pass.
like sunlight. Eurydamas's two men returned [346] But Minerva would not let the suitors
with some earrings fashioned into three bril- for one moment cease their insolence, for she
liant pendants which glistened most beauti- wanted Ulysses to become even more bitter
fully; while king Pisander son of Polyctor gave against them; she therefore set Eurymachus son
her a necklace of the rarest workmanship, and of Polybus on to gibe at him, which made the
every one else brought her a beautiful present others laugh. "Listen to me," said he, "you
of some kind. suitors of Queen Penelope, that I may speak
[302] Then the queen went back to her even as I am minded. It is not for nothing that
room upstairs, and her maids brought the pres- this man has come to the house of Ulysses; I

ents after her. Meanwhile the suitors took to believe the light has not been coming from the
singing and dancing, and stayed till evening torches, but from his own head— for his hair is
came. They danced and sang till it grew dark; all gone, every bit of it."
they then brought in three braziers to give light, [356] Then to Ulysses he said,
turning
and piled them up with chopped firewood very "Stranger, will you work as a servant, if I send
old and dry, and they lit torches from them, you to the wolds and see that you are well paid?
which the maids held up turn and turn about. Can you build a stone fence, or plant trees? I
Then Ulysses said: will have you fed all the year round, and will
[i^s] "Maids, servants of Ulysses who has find you in shoes and clothing. Will you go,
so long been absent, go to the queen inside the then? Not you; for you have got into bad ways,
house; sit with her and amuse her, or spin, and and do not want to work; you had rather fill
pick wool. I will hold the light for all these peo- your belly by going round the country begging."
ple. They may stay till morning, but shall not [^66] "Eurymachus," answered Ulysses, "if
 THE ODYSSEY
you and I were to work one against the other in an uproar, and one would turn towards his
early summer when the days are at their long- neighbour, saying, "I wish the stranger had
est—give me
good scythe, and take another
a gone somewhere else, bad luck to him, for all
yourself, and us see which will fast the
let the trouble he gives us. Wecannot permit such
longer or mow the stronger, from dawn till disturbance about a beggar; if such ill counsels
dark when the mowing grass is about. Or if you arc to prevail we shall have no more pleasure
w ill plough against me, let us each take a yoke at our banquet."

of tawnv oxen, well-mated and of great strength [40^] On this Telemachus came forward
and endurance: turn me into a four acre field, and said, "Sirs, are you mad? Can you not carry
and see whether you or I can drive the straighter your meat and your liquor decently? Some evil
furrow. If, again, war were to break out this spirit has possessed you. I do not wish to drive

day, give me a shield, a couple of spears and a any of vou away, but you have had your sup-
helmet fitting well upon my temples— you pers, and the sooner you all go home to bed the
would find me foremost in the fray, and would better."
cease your gibes about my belly. You are inso- [410] The suitors bit their lips and marvelled

lent and cruel, and think yourself a great man at the boldness of his speech; but Amphinomus
because you live in a little world, and that a the son of Nisus, who was son to Aretias,
bad one. If Ulysses comes to his own again, the said, "Do not let us take offence; it is reason-

doors of his house are wide, but you will find able, so let us make no answer. Neither let us
them narrow when you try to fly through them." do violence to the stranger nor to any of Ulys-
[^Sj] Eurymachus was furious at all this. ses' servants. Let the cupbearer go round with
He scowled at him and cried, "You wretch, I the drink-offerings, that we may make them
will soon pay you out for daring to say such and go home to our rest. As for the stranger, let
things to me, and in public too. Has the wine us leave Telemachus to deal with him, for it is
been getting into your head or do you always to his house that he has come."

babble in this way? You seem to have lost your [422] Thus did he speak, and his saying
wits because you beat the tramp Irus." With pleased them well, so Mulius of Dulichium,
this he caught hold of a footstool, but Ulysses servant to Amphinomus, mixed them a bowl of
sought protection at the knees of Amphinomus wine and water and handed it round to each of
of Dulichium, for he was afraid. The stool hit them man by man, whereon they made their
the cupbearer on his right hand and knocked drink-offerings to the blessed gods. Then, when
him down: the man fell with a cry flat on his they had made their drink-offerings and had
back, andhis wine-jug fell ringing to theground. drunk each one as he was minded, they took
The suitors in the covered cloister were now in their several ways each of them to his own abode.
 BOOK XIX
aglow as with a flaming fire. Surely there is some
ULYSSES was in the
the means whereby
left cloister,ponder-
with Mi- god here who has come down from heaven."
ing on
nerva's help he might be able to kill the [41] "Hush," answered Ulysses, "hold your
suitors. Presently he said to Telemachus, peace and ask no questions, for this is the man-
"Telemachus, we must get the armour together ner of the gods. Get you to your bed, and leave
and take it down inside. Make some excuse me here to talk with your mother and the maids.
when the suitors ask you why you have removed Your mother in her grief will ask me all sorts of
it. Say that you have taken it to be out of the questions."
way of the smoke, inasmuch as it is no longer [47] On Telemachus went by torch-light
this
what it was when Ulysses went away, but has to the room
other side of the inner court, to the
become soiled and begrimed with soot. Add to in which he always slept. There he lay in his
this more particularly that you are afraid Jove bed till morning, while Ulysses was left in the
may set them on to quarrel over their wine, and cloister pondering on the means whereby with
that they may do each other some harm which Minerva's help he might be able to kill the suit-
may disgrace both banquet and wooing, for the ors.

sight of arms sometimes tempts people to use ^537 Then Penelope came down from her
them." room looking like Venus or Diana, and they set

[14] Telemachus approved of what his fa- her a seat inlaid with scrolls of silver and ivory
ther had said, so he called nurse Euryclea and near the fire in her accustomed place. It had
said, "Nurse, shut the women up in their room, been made by Icmalius and had a footstool all
while I take the armour that my father left be- in one piece with the seat itself; and it was cov-
hind him down into the store room. No one ered with a thick fleece: on this she now sat,
looks after it now my father is gone, and it has and the maids came from the women's room to
got all smirched with soot during my own boy- join her. They set about removing the tables
hood. I want to take it down where the smoke at which the wicked suitors had been dining,
cannot reach it." and took away the bread that was left, with the
[2 1 J "I wish, child," answered Euryclea, cups from which they had drunk. They emp-
"that you would take the management of the tied the embers out of the braziers, and heaped
house into your own hands altogether, and look much wood upon them to give both light and
after all the property yourself. But who is to go heat; but Melantho began to rail at Ulysses a
with you and light you to the store room? The second time and said, "Stranger, do you mean
maids would have done so, but you would not to plague us by hanging about the house all
let them." night and spying upon the women? Be off-, you
[26] "The stranger," said Telemachus, "shall wretch, outside, and eat your supper there, or
show me a light; when people eat my bread you shall be driven out with a firebrand."
they must earn it, no matter where they come [jo] Ulysses scowled at her and answered,
from." "My good woman, why should you be so angry
[iq] Euryclea did as she was told, and bolted with me? Is it because I am not clean, and my
the women inside their room. Then Ulysses clothes are all in rags, and because I am obliged
and his son made all haste to take the helmets, to go begging about after the manner of tramps
shields, and spears inside; and Minerva went and beggars generally? I too was a rich man
before them with a gold lamp in her hand that once, and had a fine house of my own; in those
shed a soft and brilliant radiance, whereon Tele- days I gave to many a tramp such as I now am,
machus said, "Father, my eyes behold a great no matter who he might be nor what he wanted.
marvel: the walls, with the rafters, crossbeams, I had any number of servants, and all the other

and the supports on which they rest are all things which people have who live well and are
189
290 THE ODYSSEY
accounted wealthy, but it pleased Jove to take ter presence to the world. As it is, I am oppressed

all awav from me; therefore, woman, beware with care, and with the afflictions which heaven
lest you too come to lose that pride and place in has seen fit to heap upon me. The chiefs from
which you now wanton above your fellows; all our islands— Dulichium, Same, and Zacyn-

have a care lest you get out of favour with your thus, as also from Ithaca itself, are wooing me
mistress, and lest Ulysses should come home, against my will and are wasting my estate. I
for there is still a chance that he may do so. can therefore show no attention to strangers,
Moreo\'er, though he be dead as you think he nor suppliants, nor to people who say that they
is, yet by Apollo's will he has left a son behind are skilled artisans, but am all the time broken-
him, Telemachus, who will note anything done hearted about Ulysses. They want me to marry
amiss by the maids in the house, for he is now again at once, and I have to invent stratagems
no longer in his boyhood." in order to deceive them. In the first place

[89] Penelope heard what he was saying heaven put it in my mind to set up a great tam-
and scolded the maid, "Impudent baggage," bour-frame in my room, and to begin working
said she, "I see how abominably you are behav- upon an enormous piece of fine needlework.
ing, and you shall smart for it. You knew per- Then I said to them, 'Sweethearts, Ulysses is
fectly well, for I told you myself, that I was go- indeed dead, still, do not press me to marry
ing to see the stranger and ask him about my again immediately; wait— for I would not have
husband, for whose sake I am in such continual my skill in needlework perish unrecorded— till
sorrow." I have finished making a pall for the hero Laer-

[g6] Then she to her head waiting

said tes, to be ready against the time when death

woman Eurynome, "Bring a seat with a fleece shall take him. He is very rich, and the women
upon it, for the stranger to sit upon while he of the place will talk if he is laid out without a
tells and listens to what I have to say.
his story, pall.* This was what I said, and they assented;

1 wish to ask him some questions." whereon I used to keep working at my great
[100] Eurynome brought the seat at once web all day long, but at night I would unpick
and set a fleece upon it, and as soon as Ulysses the stitches again by torch light. I fooled them
had sat down Penelope began by saying, "Stran- in this way for three years without their finding
ger, I shall first ask you who and whence are itout, but as time wore on and I was now in my
vou? Tell me of your town and parents." fourth year, in the waning of moons, and many
[106] "Madam," answered Ulysses, "who days had been accomplished, those good-for-
on the face of the whole earth can dare to chide nothing hussies my maids betrayed me to the
with your Your fame reaches the firmament of who broke in upon me and caught me;
suitors,
heaven itself; you are like some blameless king, they were very angry with me, so I was forced
who upholds righteousness, as the monarch over to finish my work whether I would or no. And
a great and valiant nation: the earth yields its now I do not see how I can find any further
wheat and barley, the trees are loaded with shift for getting out of this marriage. My par-
fruit, the ewes bring forth lambs, and the sea ents are putting great pressure upon me, and
abounds with fish by reason of his virtues, and my son chafes at the ravages the suitors are
his people do good deeds under him. Never- making upon he is now old enough
his estate, for
theless, as I sit here in your house, ask me some to understand all aboutand is perfectly able
it

other question and do not seek to know my race to look after his own aff^airs, for heaven has
and family, or you will recall memories that blessedhim with an excellent disposition. Still,
will yet more increase my sorrow. I am full of notwithstanding all this, tell me who you are
heaviness, but I ought not to sit weeping and and where you come from— for you must have
wailing in another person's house, nor is it well had father and mother of some sort; you cannot
to be thus grieving continually. I shall have one be the son of an oak or of a rock."
of the servants or even yourself complaining of [164] Then Ulysses answered, "Madam,
me, and saying that my eyes swim with tears wife of Ulysses, since you persist in asking me
because I am heavy with wine." about my family, I will answer, no matter what
[12^] Then Penelope answered, "Stranger, it costs me: people must expect to be pained

heaven robbed me of all beauty, whether of when they have been exiles as long as I have,
face or figure, when the Argives set sail for and suff^ered as much among as many peoples.
Troy and my dear husband with them. If he Nevertheless, as regards your question I will

were to return and look after my affairs I should tell you you ask. There is a fair and fruitful
all

be both more respected and should show a bet- island in mid-ocean called Crete; it is thickly
 BOOK XIX 291
peopled and there are ninety cities in it: the [220] "Madam," answered Ulysses, "it is
people speak many different languages which such a long time ago that I can hardly say.
overlap one another, for there are Achaeans, Twenty years ere come and gone since he left
brave Eteocretans, Dorians of three-fold race, my home, and went elsewhither; but I will tell
and noble Pelasgi. There is a great town there, you as well as I can recollect. Ulysses wore a
Cnossus, where Minos reigned who every nine mantle of purple wool, double lined, and it was
years had a conference with Jove himself. Mi- fastened by a gold brooch with two catches for
nos was father to Deucalion, whose son I am, the pin. On the face of this there was a device
for Deucalion had two sons Idomeneus and my- that showed a dog holding a spotted fawn be-
self. Idomeneus sailed for Troy, and I, who am tween his fore paws, and watching it as it lav
the younger, am called /Ethon; my brother, panting upon the ground. Every one marvelled
however, was at once the older and the more at the way in which these things had been done
valiant of the two; hence it was in Crete that in gold, the dog looking at the fawn, and stran-
I saw Ulysses and showed him hospitality, for gling it, while the fawn was struggling convul-
the winds took him there as he was on his way sively to escape. As for the shirt that he wore
to Troy, carrying him out of his course from next his skin, it was so soft that it fitted him
cape Malea and leaving him in Amnisus off like the skin of an onion, and glistened in the
the cave of Ilithuia, where the harbours are sunlight to the admiration of all the women
difficult to enter and he could hardly find shel- who beheld it. Furthermore I say, and lay my
ter from the winds that were then raging. As saying to your heart, that I do not know whether
soon as he got there he went into the town and Ulysses wore these clothes when he left home,
asked for Idomeneus, claiming to be his old or whether one of his companions had given
and valued friend, but Idomeneus had already them to him while he was on his voyage; or
set sail for Troy some ten or twelve days earlier, possibly some one at whose house he was stay-
so I took him to my own house and showed him ing made him a present of them, for he was a
every kind of hospitality, for I had abundance man of many friends and had few equals among
of everything. Moreover, I fed the men who the /Vchaeans. I myself gave him a sword of

were with him with barley meal from the pub- bronze and a beautiful purple mantle, double
lic store, and got subscriptions of wine and lined, with a shirt that went down to his feet,
oxen for them to sacrifice to their heart'scon- and I sent him on board his ship with every
tent. They stayed with me twelve days, for mark of honour. He had a servant with him, a
there was a gale blowing from the North so little older than himself, and I can tell you what

strong that one could hardly keep one's feet on he was like; his shoulders were hunched, he
land. I suppose some unfriendly god had raised was dark, and he had thick curly hair. His name
it them, but on the thirteenth day the wind
for was Eurybates, and Ulysses treated him with
dropped, and they got away." greater familiarity than he did any of the others,
[20^] Many a plausible tale did Ulysses fur- as being the most like-minded with himself."
ther tell her, and Penelope wept as she listened, [249] Penelope was moved still more deeply
for her heart was melted. As the snow wastes as she heard the indisputable proofs that Ulys-
upon the mountain tops when the winds from ses laid before her; and when she had again
South East and West have breathed upon it found relief in tears she said to him, "Stranger,
and thawed it till the rivers run bank full with I was already disposed to pity you, but hence

water, even so did her cheeks overflow with forth you shall be honoured and made welcome
tears for the husband who was all the time sit- in my house. It was I who gave Ulysses the
ting by her side. Ulysses felt for her and was clothes you speak of. I took them out of th?
sorry for her, but he kept his eyes as hard as store room and folded them up myself, and I
horn or iron without letting them so much as gave him also the gold brooch to wear as an
quiver, so cunningly did he restrain his tears. ornament. Alas! I shall never welcome him
Then, when she had relieved herself by weep- home again. It was by an ill fate that he ever
ing, she turned to him again and said: "Now, set out for that detested city whose very name I
stranger, I shall put you to the test and see cannot bring myself even to mention."
whether or no you really did entertain my hus- [261] Then Ulysses answered, "Madam,
band and his men, asyou say you did. Tell me, wife of Ulysses, do not disfigure yourself fur-
then, how he was what kind of a man
dressed, ther by grieving thus bitterly for your loss,
he was to look at, and so also with his com- though I can hardly blame you for doing so. A
panions." woman who has loved her husband and borne
292 THE ODYSSEY
him children, would naturally be grieved at for so surely as that Ulysses ever was, there are
losing him, even though he were a worse man now no longer any such masters in the house
than Ulysses, who they say was like a god. Still, as he was, to receive honourable strangers or to
cease your tears and listen to what I can tell furtherthem on their way home. And now, you
you. I will hide nothing from you, and can say maids, wash his feet for him, and make him a
with perfect truth that I have lately heard of bed on a couch with rugs and blankets, that he
Ulysses as being alive and on his way home; he may be warm and quiet till morning. Then, at
is among the Thesprotians, and is bringing back day break wash him and anoint him again, that
much valuable treasure that he has begged he may sit in the cloister and take his meals
from one and another of them; but his ship and with Telemachus. It shall be the worse for any
all his crew were lost as they were leaving the one of these hateful people who is uncivil to
Thrinacian island, for Jove and the sun-god him; like it or not, he shall have no more to do
were angry with him because his men had in this house. For how, sir, shall you be able to
slaughtered the sun-god's cattle, and they were learn whether or no I am superior to others of
all drowned to a man. But Ulysses stuck to the my sex both in goodness of heart and under-
keel of the ship and was drifted on to the land standing, if I let you dine in my cloisters
of the Phaeacians, who are near of kin to the squalid and ill clad? Men live but for a little
immortals, and who treated him as though he season; they are hard, and deal hardly, peo-
if

had been a god, giving him many presents, and ple wish them ill so long as they are alive, .ind
wishing to escort him home safe and sound. In speak contemptuously of them when they are
fact Ulysses would have been here long ago, dead, but he that is righteous and deals right-
had he not thought better to go from land to eously, the people tell of his praise among all
land gathering wealth; for there is no man liv- lands, and many shall call him blessed."
ing who is so wily as he is; there is no one can [335] Ulysses answered, "Madam, I have
compare with him. Pheidon king of the Thes- foresworn rugs and blankets from the day that
protians told me all this, and he swore to me— I left the snowy ranges of Crete to go on ship-

making drink-offerings in his house as he did board. I will lie as I have lain on many a sleep-

so— that the ship was by the water side and the less night hitherto. Night after night have I
crew found who would take Ulysses to his own passed in any rough sleeping place, and waited
country. He sent me off first, for there hap- for morning. Nor, again, do I like having my
pened to be a Thesprotian ship sailing for the feet washed; I shall not let any of the young
wheat-growing island of Dulichium, but he hussies about your house touch my feet; but, if
showed me all the treasure Ulysses had got to- you have any old and respectable woman who
gether, and he had enough lying in the house has gone through as much trouble as I have, I
of king Pheidon to keep his familv for ten gen- will allow her to wash them."
erations; but the king said Ulysses had gone to [2,49] To this Penelope said, "My dear sir,
Dodona that he might learn Jove's mind from of all the guests who ever yet came to mv house
the high oak tree, and know whether after so there never was one who spoke in all things
long an absence he should return to Ithaca with such admirable propriety as you do. There
openly or in secret. So you may know he is safe happens to be in the house a most respectable
and will be here shortly; he is close at hand and old woman— the same who received my poor
cannot remain away from home much longer; dear husband in her arms the night he was bom,
nevertheless I will confirm my words with an and nursed him in infancy. She is very feeble
oath, and call Jove who is the first and mightiest now, but she shall wash your feet." "Come
of all gods to witness, as also that hearth of here," said she, "Eur)'clea, and wash your mas-
Ulysses to which I have now come, that all I ter's age-mate; I suppose Ulysses' hands and
ha\'e spoken shall surely come to pass. Ulysses feet are very much the same now as his are, for
will return in this self same year; with the end trouble ages all of us dreadfully fast."
of this moon and the beginning of the next he [j,6i] On these words the old woman cov-
will be here." ered her face with her hands; she began to
[^08] "May be even so," answered Penel-
it weep and made lamentation saying, "My dear
ope; "if your words come true you shall have child, I cannot think whatever do with I am to
such gifts and such good will from me that all you. I am certain no one was ever more god-
who see you shall congratulate you; but I know fearing than yourself, and yet Jove hates you.
very well how it will all be. Ulysses will not No one in the whole world ever burned him
return, neither will you get your escort hence, more thigh bones, nor gave him finer heca-
 BOOK XIX 293
tombs when you prayed you might come to a sessions lie, I will make him a present and will
"

green old age yourself and see your son grow send him on his way rejoicing.
up to take your place after you yet see how he
: [413] Ulysses, therefore, went to Parnassus
has prevented you alone from ever getting back to get the presents from Autolycus, who with
to your own home. I have no doubt the women his sons shook hands with him and gave him
in some foreign palace which Ulysses has got welcome. His grandmother Amphithea threw
to are gibing at him as all these sluts here have her arms about him, and kissed his head, and
been gibing at vou. I do not wonder at your not both his beautiful eyes, while Autolycus de-
choosing to let them wash you after the man- sired his sons to get dinner ready, and they did
ner in which they have insulted you; I will as he told them. Thev brought in a five year old
wash your feet myself gladly enough, as Penel- bull, flayed it, made it ready and divided it into
ope has said that I am to do so; I will wash them joints; these they then cut carefully up into
both for Penelope's sake and for your own, for smaller pieces and spitted them; they roasted
you have raised the most lively feelings of com- them sufficiently and served the portions round.
passion in my mind; and let me say this more- Thus through the livelong day to the going
over, which pray attend to; we have had all down of the sun they feasted, and every man
kinds of strangers in distress come here before had his full share so that all were satisfied; but
now, but I make bold to say that no one ever when the sun set and it came on dark, they
yet came who was so like Ulysses in figure, went to bed and enjoyed the boon of sleep.
voice,and feet as you are." [426] When the child of morning, rosy-fin-
[^82] "Those who have seen us both," an- gered Dawn, appeared, the sons of Autolycus
swered Ulysses, "have always said we were went out with their hounds hunting, and Ulys-
wonderfully like each other, and now you have ses went too. They climbed the wooded slopes
noticed it too." of Parnassus and soon reached its breezy up-
[386] Then the old woman took the cauldron land valleys; but as the sun was beginning to
in which she was going to wash his feet, and beat upon the fields, fresh-risen from the slow
poured plenty of cold water into it, adding hot still currents of Oceanus, they came to a moun-

till the bath was warm enough. Ulysses sat by tain dell. The dogs were in front searching for
the fire, but ere long he turned away from the the tracks of the beast they were chasing, and
light, for it occurred to him that when the old after them came the sons of Autolycus, among
woman had hold of his leg she would recognize whom was Ulysses, close behind the dogs, and
a certain scar which it bore, whereon the whole he had a long spear in his hand. Here was the
truth would come out. And indeed as soon as lair of a huge boar among some thick brush-

she began washing her master, she at once wood, so dense that the wind and rain could
knew the scar as one that had been given him not get through it, nor could the sun's rays
by a wild boar when he was hunting on Mount pierce it, and the ground underneath lay thick

Parnassus with his excellent grandfather Au- with fallen leaves. The boar heard the noise of
tolycus— who was the most accomplished thief the men's feet, and the hounds baying on every
and perjurer in the whole world— and with the side as the huntsmen came up to him, so he
sons of Autolycus. Mercury himself had en- rushed from his lair, raised the bristles on his
dowed him with this gift, forhe used to burn neck, and stood at bay with fire flashing from
the thigh bones of goats and kids to him, so he his eyes. Ulysses was the first to raise his spear
took pleasure in his companionship. It hap- and try to drive it into the brute, but the boar
pened once that Autolycus had gone to Ithaca was too quick for him, and charged him side-
and had found the child of his daughter just ways, ripping him above the knee with a gash
born. As soon as he had done supper Euryclea that tore deep though it did not reach the bone.
set the infant upon his knees and said, "Autoly- As for the boar, Ulysses hit him on the right
cus, you must find a name for your grandson; shoulder, and the point of the spear went right
you greatly wished that you might have one." through him, so that he groaning in the
fell

[406] "Son-in-law and daughter," replied dust until the life went out of him. The sons of
Autolycus, "call the child thus: I am highly dis- Autolycus busied themselves with the carcass
pleased with a large number of people in one of the boar, and bound Ulysses' wound; then,
place and another, both men and women; so after saying a spell to stop the bleeding, they
name the child 'Ulysses,' or the child of anger. went home as fast as they could. But when Au-
When he grows up and comes to visit his moth- tolycus and his sons had thoroughly healed
er's family on Mount Parnassus, where my pos- Ulysses, they made him some splendid presents,
294 THE ODYSSEY
and sent him back to Ithaca with much mutual the scar under his rags. Then Penelope began
good will. When he got back, his father and talking to him and said:
mother were rejoiced to see him, and asked him [509] "Stranger, I should like to speak with
all about it, and how he had hurt himself to you briefly about another matter. It is indeed
get the scar; so he told them how the boar had nearly bed time— for those, at least, who can
ripped him when he was out hunting with Au- sleep in spite of sorrow. As for myself, heaven
tolycus and his sons on Mount Parnassus. has given me a life of such unmeasurable woe,
[46-7] As soon as Euryclea had got the scarred that even by day when I am attending to my
limb in her hands and had well hold of it, she duties and looking after the servants, I am still
recognized it and dropped the foot at once. The weeping and lamenting during the whole time;
leg fell into the bath, which rang out and was then, when night comes, and we all of us go to
overturned, so that all the water was spilt on bed, I lie awake thinking, and my heart be-

the ground; Euryclea's eyes between her joy comes a prey to the most incessant and cruel
and her grief filled with tears, and she could tortures. As the dun nightingale, daughter of
not speak, but she caught Ulysses by the beard Pandareus, sings in the early spring from her
and said, "My dear child, I am sure you must seat in shadiest covert hid, and with many a
be Ulysses himself, only I did not know you till plaintive trill pours out the tale how by mishap
I had actually touched and handled you." she killed her own child Itylus, son of king
[476] As she spoke she looked towards Penel- Zethus, even so does my mind toss and turn in
ope, as though wanting to tell her that her dear its uncertainty whether I ought to stay with

husband was in the house, but Penelope was my son here, and safeguard my substance, my
unable to look in that direction and observe bondsmen, and the greatness of my house, out
what was going on, for Minerva had diverted and the memory of
of regard to public opinion
her attention; so Ulysses caught Euryclea by my late husband, or whether it is not now time
the throat with his right hand and with his left for me to go with the best of these suitors who
drew her close to him, and said, "Nurse, do are wooing me and making me such magnificent
you wish to be the ruin of me, you who nursed presents. As long as my son was still young, and
me at your own breast, now that after twenty unable to understand, he would not hear of my
years of wandering I am at last come to my own leaving my husband's house, but now that he
home again? Since it has been borne in upon is full grown he begs and prays me to do so, be-

you by heaven to recognize me, hold your ing incensed at the way in which the suitors are
tongue, and do not say a word about it to any eating up his property. Listen, then, to a dream
one else in the house, for if you do I tell you— that I have had and interpret it for me if you
and it shall surely be— that if heaven grants me can. I have twenty geese about the house that
to take the lives of these suitors, I will not spare eat mash out of a trough, and of which I am ex-
you, though you are my own nurse, when I am ceedingly fond. I dreamed that a great eagle
killing the other women." came swooping down from a mountain, and
[491] "My child," answered Euryclea, "what dug his curved beak into the neck of each of
are you talking about? You know very well that them till he had killed them all. Presently he
nothing can either bend or break me. I will soared off into the sky, and left them lying dead
hold my tongue like a stone or a piece of iron; about the yard; whereon I wept in my dream
furthermore let me say, and lay my saying to till all my maids gathered round me, so pite-

your heart, when heaven has delivered the ously was I grieving because the eagle had
suitors into your hand, I will give you a list of killed my geese. Then he came back again, and
the women in the house who have been ill-be- perching on a projecting rafter spoke to me
haved, and of those who are guiltless." with human voice, and told me to leave off cry-
[499] And Ulysses answered, "Nurse, you ing. 'Be of good courage,' he said, 'daughter of
ought not to speak in that way; I am well able Icarius; this is no dream, but a vision of good
to form my own opinion about one and all of omen that shall surely come to pass. The geese
them; hold your tongue and leave everything are the suitors, and I am no longer an eagle, but
to heaven." your own husband, who am come back to you,
[503] As he said this Euryclea left the clois- and who will bring these suitors to a disgrace-
ter to fetch some more water, for the first had ful end.' On this I woke, and when I looked out
been all spilt; and when she had washed him I saw my geese at the trough eating their mash
and anointed him with oil, Ulysses drew his as usual."
seat nearer to the fire to warm himself, and hid [554] 'This dream, Madam," replied Ulys-
 BOOK XIX 295
ses, "can admit but of one interpretation, for to do the same thing, and whichever of them
had not Ulysses himself told you how it shall be can string the bow most easily, and send his ar-
fulfilled? The death of the suitors is portended, row through all the twelve axes, him will I fol-
and not one single one of them will escape." low, and quit this house of my lawful husband,
[559] And Penelope answered, "Stranger, so goodly and so abounding in wealth. But even
dreams are very curious and unaccountable so, I doubt not that I shall remember it in my

things, and they do not by any means invari- dreams."

ably come true. There are two gates through [582] Then Ulysses answered, "Madam,
which these unsubstantial fancies proceed; the wife of Ulysses, you need not defer your tour-
one is of horn, and the other ivory. Those that nament, for Ulysses will return ere ever they
come through the gate of ivory are fatuous, but can string the bow, handle it how they will, and
those from the gate of horn mean something to send their arrows through the iron."
those that see them. I do not think, however, [588] To this Penelope said, "As long, sir,
that my own dream came through the gate of as you will sit here and talk to me, I can have
horn, though I and my son should be most no desire to go to bed. Still, people cannot do
thankful if it proves to have done so. Further- permanently without sleep, and heaven has ap-
more I say— and lay my saying to your heart— pointed us dwellers on earth a time for all
the coming dawn will usher in the ill-omened things. I will therefore go upstairs and recline
day that is to sever me from the house of Ulys- upon that couch which I have never ceased to
ses, for I am about to hold a tournament of axes. flood with my tears from the day Ulysses set out
My husband used to set up twelve axes in the for the city with a hateful name."
court, one in front of the other, like the stays [600] She then went upstairs to her own
upon which a ship is built; he would then go room, not alone, but attended by her maidens,
back from them and shoot an arrow through and when there, she lamented her dear husband
the whole twelve. I shall make the suitors try till Minerva shed sweet sleep over her eyelids.
 BOOK XX
ULYSSES slept in the cloister upon an posing that with Jove's and your assistance I
succeed in killing them, I must ask you to con-
undressed bullock's hide, on the top of
which he threw several skins of the sider where I am to escape to from their
sheep the suitors had eaten, and Eur\'nome avengers when it is all over."
threw a cloak over him after he had laid him- [44] "For shame," replied Minerva, "why,
self down. There, then, Ulysses lay wakefully any one else would trust a worse ally than my-
brooding upon the way in which he should kill self, even though that ally were only a mortal

the suitors; and by and bv, the women who had and less wise than I am. Am I not a goddess,
been in the habit of misconducting themselves and have I not protected you throughout in all
with them, left the house giggling and laugh- your troubles? I tell you plainly that even though
ing with one another. This made Ulysses very there were fifty bands of men surrounding us
angry, and he doubted whether to get up and and eager to kill us, you should take all their
killevery single one of them then and there, or sheep and cattle, and drive them away with
to let them sleep one more and last time with you. But go to sleep; it is a very bad thing to lie
the suitors. His heart growled within him, and awake all night, and you shall be out of your
as a bitch with puppies growls and shows her troubles before long."
teeth when she sees a stranger, so did his heart [54] As she spoke she shed sleep over his
growl with anger at the evil deeds that were be- eyes, and then went back to Olympus.
ing done: but he beat his breast and said, [^6] While Ulysses was thus yielding him-
"Heart, be still, you had worse than this to bear self to a very deep slumber that eased the bur-
on the day when the terrible Cyclops ate your den of his sorrows, his admirable wife awoke,
brave companions; yet you bore it in silence till and sitting up in her bed began to cr^'. When
your cunning got you safe out of the cave, she had relieved herself by weeping she prayed
though you made sure of being killed." to Diana saying, "Great Goddess Diana, daugh-
^227 Thus he chided with his heart, and ter of Jove, drive an arrow into my heart and
checked it into endurance, but he tossed about slay me; or let some whirlwind snatch me up
as one who turns a paunch full of blood and and bear me through paths of darkness till it
fat in front of a hot fire, doing it first on one drop me into the mouths of overflowing
side and then on the other, that he may get it Oceanus, as it did the daughters of Pandareus.
cooked as soon as possible, even so did he turn The daughters of Pandareus lost their father
himself about from side to side, thinking all the and mother, for the gods killed them, so they
time how, single handed as he was, he should were left orphans. But Venus took care of them,
contrive to kill so large a body of men as the and fed them on cheese, honey, and sweet wine.
wicked suitors. But by and by Minerva came Juno taught them to excel all women in beauty
down from heaven in the likeness of a woman, of form and understanding; Diana gave them
and hovered over his head saying, "My poor an imposing presence, and Minerva endowed
unhappy man, why do you lie awake in this them with every kind of accomplishment; but
way? This is your house: your wife is safe in- one day when Venus had gone up to Olympus
side it, and so is your son who is just such a to see Jove about getting them married (for
young man as any father may be proud of." well does he know both what shall happen and
[36] "Goddess," answered Ulysses, "all that v\'hat not happen to every one) the storm winds
you have said is true, but I am in some doubt came and spirited them away to become hand-
as to how I shall be able to kill these wicked maids to the dread Erinyes. Even so I wish that
suitors single handed, seeing what a number of the gods who li\'e in heaven would hide me
them there always are. And there is this further from mortal sight, or that fair Diana might
difficulty, which is still more considerable. Sup- strike me, for I would fain go even beneath the

296
 BOOK XX 297
sad earth if I might do so still looking towards [i2z] Then the other maids in the house
Ulysses only, and without having to yield my- rose and lit the fire on the hearth; Telemachus
self to a worse man than he was. Besides, no also rose and put on his clothes. He girded his

matter how much people may grieve by day, sword about his shoulder, bound his sandals on
they can put up with it so long as they can his comely feet, and took a doughty spear with
sleep at night, for when the eyes are closed in a point of sharpened bronze; then he went to

slumber people forget good and ill alike; whereas the threshold of the cloister and said to Eury-
my misery haunts me even in my dreams. This clea, "Nurse, did you make the stranger com-

very night methought there was one lying by fortable both as regards bed and board, or did
my side who was like Ulysses as he was when you let him shift for himself?— for my mother,
he went away with his host, and I rejoiced, for good woman though she is, has a way of paying
I believed that it was no dream, but the very great attention to second-rate people, and of
truth itself." neglecting others who are in reality much bet-

[91] On this the day broke, but Ulysses ter men."

heard the sound of her weeping, and it puzzled [1^4] "Do not find fault child," said Eury-
him, for it seemed as though she already knew clea, "when there is no one to find fault with.

him and was by his side. Then he gathered up The stranger sat and drank his wine as long as
the cloak and the fleeces on which he had lain, he liked: your mother did ask him if he would
and set them on but he
a seat in the cloister, take any more bread and he said he would not.
took the bullock's hide out into the open. He When he wanted to go to bed she told the serv-
lifted up his hands to heaven, and prayed, say- ants to make one for him, but he said he was
ing, "Father Jove, since you have seen lit to such a wretched outcast that he would not sleep
bring me over land and sea to my own home on a bed and under blankets; he insisted on
after all the afflictions you have laid upon me, having an undressed bullock's hide and some
give me a sign out of the mouth of some one or sheepskins put for him in the cloister and I
other of those who are now waking within the threw a cloak over him myself."
house, and let me have another sign of some [144] Then Telemachus went out of the
kind from outside." court to the place where the Achaeans were
[1027 Thus did he pray. Jove heard his meeting in assembly; he had his spear in his
prayer and forthwith thundered high up among hand, and he was not alone, for his two dogs
the clouds from the splendour of Olympus, and went with him. But Euryclea called the maids
Ulysses was glad when he heard it. At the same and said, "Come, wake up; set about sweeping
time within the house, a miller-woman from the cloisters and sprinkling them with water to
hard by in the mill room lifted up her voice and lav the dust; put the covers on the seats; wipe
gave him another sign. There were twelve down the tables, some of you, with a wet
miller-women whose business it was to grind sponge; clean out the mixing-jugs and the cups,
wheat and barley which are the staffs of life. and go for water from the fountain at once; the
The others had ground their task and had gone suitors will be here directly; they will be here
to take their rest, but this one had not yet fin- early, for it is a feast day."
ished, for she was not so strong as they were, [is?] Thus did she speak, and they did even
and when she heard the thunder she stopped as she had said: twenty of them went to the
grinding and gave the sign to her master. "Fa- fountain for water, and the others set them-
ther Jove," said she, "you who rule over heaven work about the house. The men
selves busily to
and earth, you have thundered from a clear sky who were on the suitors also came
in attendance
without so much as a cloud in it, and this means up and began chopping firewood. By and by the
something for somebody; grant the prayer, then, women returned from the fountain, and the
of me your poor servant who calls upon you, swineherd came after them with the three best
and let this be the very last day that the suitors pigs he could pick out. These he let feed about
dine in the house of Ulysses. They have worn the premises, and then he said good-humouredly
me out with the labour of grinding meal for to Ulysses, "Stranger, are the suitors treating
them, and I hope they may never have another you any better now, or are they as insolent as
dinner anywhere at all." ever?"
[120] Ulysses was glad when he heard the [i6g] "May heaven," answered Ulysses, "re-
omens conveyed to him by the woman's speech, quite tothem the wickedness with which they
and by the thunder, for he knew they meant deal high-handedly in another man's house
that he should avense himself on the suitors. without any sense of shame."
298 THE ODYSSEY
[1727 Thus did they converse; meanwhile other people's herds. Mv position is intolerable,
Melanthius the goatherd came up, for he too and should long since have run away and put
I

was bringing in his best goats for the suitors' myself under the protection of some other chief,
dinner; and he had two shepherds with him. only that I believe my poor master will yet re-
They tied the goats up under the gatehouse, turn, and send all these suitors flying out of the
"

and then Melanthius began gibing at Ulysses. house.

"Are you still here, stranger," said he, "to pester [2267 "Stockman," answered Ulysses, "you
people by begging about the house? Why can seem to be a very well-disposed person, and I
you not go elsewhere? You and I shall not come can see that you are a man of sense. Therefore
to an understanding before we have given each I will tell vou, and will confirm my words with

other a taste of our fists. You beg without any an oath: by Jove, the chief of all gods, and by
sense of decency: are there not feasts elsewhere that hearth of Ulysses to which I am now-
among the Achaeans, as well as here?" come, Ulysses shall return before you leave
[1837 Ulysses made no answer, but bowed this place, and if you are so minded you shall
his head and brooded. Then a third man, see him killing the suitors who are now masters
Philoetius, joined them, who was bringing in here."
a barren heifer and some goats. These were [zis] "If Jove were to bring this to pass,"
brought over by the boatmen who are there to replied the stockman, "you should see how I

take people over when any one comes to them. would do my very utmost to help him."
So Philoetius made his heifer and his goats [2^8] And in like manner Eumaeus prayed
secure under the gatehouse, and then went up that Ulysses might return home.
to the swineherd."Who, Swineherd," said he, [240] Thus did they converse. Meanwhile
"is this is lately come here? Is he
stranger that the suitors were hatching a plot to murder Te-
one of your men? What is his family? Where lemachus: but a bird flew near them on their
does he come from? Poor fellow, he looks as if lefthand— an eagle with a dove in its talons.
he had been some great man, but the gods give On this Amphinomus said, "My friends, this
sorrow to whom they will— even to kings if it plot of ours to murder Telemachus will not suc-
so pleases them." ceed; us go to dinner instead."
let

[197] As he spoke he went up to Ulysses [247] The others assented, so they went in-
and saluted him with his right hand; "Good side and laid their cloaks on the benches and
day to you, father stranger," said he, "you seem seats. They sacrificed the sheep, goats, pigs,

to be ver\' poorly off now, but I hope you will and the heifer, and when the inward meats
have better times by and by. Father Jove, of all were cooked they served them round. They
gods you are the most malicious. We are your mixed the wine in the mixing-bowls, and the
own children, yet you show us no mercy in all swineherd gave every man his cup, while Phi-
our misery and afflictions. A sweat came over loetius handed round the bread in the bread-
me when I saw this man, and my eyes filled baskets, and Melanthius poured them out their
with he reminds me of Ulysses, who I
tears, for wine. Then they laid their hands upon the
fear isgoing about in just such rags as this good things that were before them.
man's are, if indeed he is still among the living. [2^7] Telemachus purposely made Ulysses
If he is already dead and in the house of Hades, sit in the part of the cloister that was paved

then, alas! for my good master, who made me with stone; he gave him a shabby-looking seat
his stockman when I was quite young among at a little table to himself, and had his portion
theCephallenians,and now his cattle are count- of the inward meats brought to him, with his
less; no one could have done better with them wine in a gold cup. "Sit there," said he, "and
than I have, for they have bred like ears of drink your wine among the great people. I will
corn; nevertheless I have to keep bringing them put a btop to the gibes and blows of the suitors,
in for others to eat, who take no heed of his for this is no public house, but belongs to Ulys-
son though he is in the house, and fear not ses, and has passed from him to me. Therefore,
the wrath of heaven, but are already eager to suitors, keep your hands and your tongues to
divide Ulysses' property among them because yourselves, or there will be mischief."
he has been away so long. I have often thought [268] The suitors bit their lips, and mar-
—only it would not be right while his son is velled at the boldness of his speech; then An-
living— of going off with the cattle to some for- tinous said, "We do not like such language
eign country; bad as this would be, it is still but we will put up with it, for Telemachus is
harder to stay here and be ill-treated about threatening us in good earnest. If Jove had let
 ROOK XX 299
us we should have put a stop to his bruve talk take offence at what has just been said, nor
ere now." gainsay it, for it is quite reasonable. Leave oflF,

[27^] Thus spoke Antinous, but Telema- therefore, ill treating the stranger, or anv one
chus heeded him not. Meanwhile the heralds else of the servants who are about the house; I
were bringing the holv hecatomb through the would say, howe\'er, a friendlv word to Telem-
city, and the Achaeans gathered under the achus and his mother, which I trust mav com-
sh?dv grove of Apollo. mend itself to both. 'As long,' I would sav, 'as
[279J Then
they roasted the outer meat, vou had ground for hoping that Ulvsses would
drew it oft the spits, gave every man his por- one day come home, no one could complain of
tion, and feasted to their hearts' content; those your waiting and suffering the suitors to be in
who waited at table gave Ulysses exactlv the vour house. It would have been better that he
same portion as the others had, for Telemachus should have returned, but it is now sufficiently
had told them to do so. clear that he will never do so; therefore talk
[284] But Minerva would not let the suitors all this quietly over with your mother, and tell

for one moment drop their insolence, for she her to marry the best man, and the one who
wanted Ulvsses to become still more bitter makes her the most advantageous offer. Thus
against them. Now there happened to be among vou will yourself be able to manage vour own
them a ribald fellow, whose name was Ctesip- inheritance, and to eat and drink in peace,
pus, and who came from Same. This man, while your mother will look after some other
"
confident in his great wealth, was paying court man's house, not yours.'
to the wife of Ulysses, and said to the suitors, /^33^-/ To this Telemachus answered, "By
"Hear what I have to say. The stranger has jove, Agelaus, and bv the sorrows of my un-
already had as large a portion as any one else; happy father, who has either perished far from
this is well, for it is not right nor reasonable to Ithaca, or is wandering in some distant land, I
ill-treatany guest of Telemachus who comes throw no obstacles in the way of my mother's
here. I will, however, make him a present on marriage; on the contrary I urge her to choose
my own account, that he may have something whomsoever she will, and I will give her num-
to give to the bath-woman, or to some other of berless gifts into the bargain, but I dare not

Ulysses' servants." insistpoint blank that she shall leave the house
[zgg] As he spoke he picked up a heifer's against her own wishes. Heaven forbid that I
foot from the meat-basket in which it lay, and should do this."
threw it at Ulysses, but Ulysses turned hishead [345] Minerva now made the suitors fall to
a little aside, and avoided it, smiling grimly laughing immoderatelv, and set their wits wan-
Sardinian fashion as he did so, and it hit dering; but they were laughing with a forced
the wall, not him. On this Telemachus spoke laughter. Their meat became smeared with
fiercely to Ctesippus, "It is a good thing for blood; their eyes filled with tears, and their
you," said he, "that the stranger turned his hearts were heavy with forebodings. Theocly-
head so that you missed him. If you had hit him menus saw this and said, "Unhappy men, what
I should have run you through with my spear, is it that ails you? There is a shroud of darkness

and your father would have had to see about drawn over you from head to foot, your cheeks
getting you buried rather than married in this are wet with tears; the air is alive with wailing
house. So let me have no more unseemly be- voices; the walls and roof -beams drip blood; the
haviour from any of you, for I am grown up gate of the cloisters and the court beyond them
now to the knowledge of good and evil and are full of ghosts trooping down into the night
understand what is going on, instead of being of hell; the sun is blotted out of heaven, and a
the child that I have been heretofore. I have blighting gloom is over all the land."
long seen you killing my sheep and making [358] Thus did he speak, and they all of
free with my corn and wine: I have put up them laughed heartily. Eurymachus then said,
with this, for one man is no match for many, "This stranger who has lately come here has
but do me no further violence. Still, if you lost his senses. Servants, turn him out into the
wish to kill me, kill me; I would far rather die streets, since he finds it so dark here."
than see such disgraceful scenes day after day [363] But Theoclymenus said, "Eurymachus,
—guests insulted, and men dragging the women you need not send any one with me. I have
servants about the house in an unseemly way." eyes, ears, and a pair of feet of mv own, to say
[320] They all held their peace till at last nothing of an understanding mind. I will take
Agelaus son of Damastor said, "No one should these out of the house with me, for I see mis-
300 THE ODYSSEY
chief overhanging you, from which not one of Siccls to sell for what they will bring."
you men who are insulting people and plotting [^84] Telemachus gave him no heed, but sate
ill deeds in the house of Ulysses will be able silently watching his father, expecting every
to escape." moment that he would begin his attack upon
[371] He left the house as he spoke, and the suitors.
went back to Piraeus who gave him welcome, [^Sy] Meanwhile the daughter of Icarius,
but the suitors kept looking at one another wise Penelope, had had a rich seat placed for
and provoking Telemachus by laughing at the her facing the court and cloisters, so that she
strangers. One insolent fellow said to him, could hear what every one was saying. The
"Telemachus, you are not happy in your guests; dinner indeed had been prepared amid much
first you have this importunate tramp, who merriment; it had been both good and abun-
comes beoping bread and wine and has no skill dant, for theyhad sacrificed many victims; but
for work or for hard fighting, but is perfectly the supper was yet to come, and nothing can be
useless, and now here is another fellow who is conceived more gruesome than the meal which
setting himself up as a prophet. Let me per- a goddess and a brave man were soon to lay
suade you, for it will be much better, to put before them— for they had brought their doom
them on board ship and send them off to the upon themselves.
 BOOK XXI
MINERVA
mind
now put
make to
it in Penelope's
the suitors try their
it

it
he had been at home, but had left
so long as
behind as having been a keepsake from a
skill with the bow and with the iron valued friend.
axes, in contest among themselves, as ameans [42] Penelope presently reached the oak
of bringing about their destruction. She went threshold of the store room; the carpenter had
upstairs and got the store room key, which was planed and had drawn a line on it so
this duly,

made of bronze and had a handle of ivory; she as to get it quite straight; he had then set

then went with her maidens into the store room the door posts into it and hung the doors. She
at the end of the house, where her husband's loosed the strap from the handle of the door,
treasures of gold, bronze, and wrought iron put in the key, and drove it straight home to
were kept, and where was also his bow, and shoot back the bolts that held the doors; these
the quiver full of deadly arrows that had been flew open with a noise like a bull bellowing in
given him by a friend whom he had met in a meadow, and Penelope stepped upon the
Lacedasmon— Iphitus the son of Eurytus. The raised platform,where the chests stood in which
two fell in with one another in Messene at the fair linen and clothes were laid by along
the house of Ortilochus, where Ulysses was with fragrant herbs: reaching thence, she took
staying in order to recover a debt that was down the bow with its bow case from the peg
owing from the whole people; for the Mes- on which it hung. She sat down with it on her
senians had carried off three hundred sheep knees, weeping bitterly as she took the bow out
from Ithaca, and had sailed away with them of its case, and when her tears had relieved her,
and with their shepherds. In quest of these she went to the cloister where the suitors were,
Ulysses took a long journey while still quite carrying the bow and the quiver, with the
young, for his father and the other chieftains many deadly arrows that were inside it. Along
sent him on a mission to recover them. Iphitus with her came her maidens, bearing a chest
had gone there also to try and get back twelve that contained much iron and bronze which
brood mares that he had lost, and the mule her husband had won as prizes. When she
foals that were running with them. These mares reached the suitors, she stood by one of the
were the death of him in the end, for when he bearing-posts supporting the roof of the clois-
went to the house of Jove's son, mighty Her- ter, holding a veil before her face, and with

cules, who performed such prodigies of valour, a maid on either side of her. Then she said:
Hercules to his shame killed him, though he [68] "Listen to me you suitors, who persist
was his guest, for he feared not heaven's venge- in abusing the hospitality of this house because
ance, nor yet respected his own table which he its owner has been long absent, and without

had set before Iphitus, but killed him in spite other pretext than that you want to marry me;
of everything, and kept the mares himself. It this, then, being the prize that you are contend-
was when claiming these that Iphitus met ing for, I will bring out the mighty bow of
Ulysses, and gave him the bow which mighty Ulysses, and whomsoever of you shall string it
Eurytus had been used to carry, and which on most easily and send his arrow through each
his death had been left by him to his son. Ulys- one of twelve axes, him will I follow and quit
ses gave him in return a sword and a spear, and this house of my lawful husband, so goodly,
this was the beginning of a fast friendship, and so abounding in wealth. But even so I
although they never visited at one another's doubt not that I shall remember it in my
houses, for Jove's son Hercules killed Iphitus dreams."
ere they could do so. This bow, then, given him [80] As she spoke, she told Eumaeus to set
by Iphitus, had not been taken with him by the bow and the pieces of iron before the suit-
Ulysses when he sailed for Troy; he had used ors, and Eumaeus wept as he took them to do
301
302 THE ODYSSEY
as she had bidden him. Hard by, the stockman Ul)'sses made a sign to check him in spite of
wept also when he saw his master's bow, but all his eagerness. So he said:
Antinous scolded them. "You country louts," [I'ii] "Alas! I be always feeble
shall either
said he, "silly simpletons; why should you add and of no prowess, or I am
and have
too young,
to the sorrows of your mistress by crying in this not yet reached my full strength so as to be
wav? She has enough to grieve her in the loss able to hold my own if any one attacks me. You
of her husband; sit still, therefore, and eat others, therefore, who are stronger than I, make
your dinners in silence, or go outside if you trial of the bow and get this contest settled."
want to cry, and leave the bow behind you. We [1^6] On this he put the bow down, letting
suitors shall have to contend for it with might it lean against the door [that led into the house]
and main, for we shall find it no light matter with the arrow standing against the top of the
to string such a bow as this is. There is not a bow. Then he sat down on the seat from which
man of us all who is such another as Ulysses; he had risen, and Antinous said:
for have seen him and remember him, though
I [141] "Come on each of you in his turn,
I was then only a child." going towards the right from the place at which
[g6] This was what he said, but all the the cupbearer begins when he is handing round
time he was expecting to be able to string the the wine."
bow and shoot through the iron, whereas in [14^] The rest agreed, and Leiodes son of
fact he was to be the first that should taste of CEnops was the He was sacrificial
first to rise.

the arrows from the hands of Ulysses, whom priest to the suitors,and sat in the corner near
he was dishonouring in his own house— egging the mixing-bowl. He was the only man who
the others on to do so also. hated their evil deeds and was indignant with
[loi] Then Telemachus spoke. "Great heav- the others. He was now the first to take the bow
ens!" he exclaimed, "Jove must have robbed me and arrow, so he went on to the pavement to
of my senses. Here is my dear and excellent make his trial, but he could not string the bow,
mother saying she will quit this house and for his hands were weak and unused to hard
marry again, yet I am laughing and enjoying work, they therefore soon grew tired, and he
myself as though there were nothing happen- said to the suitors,"My friends, I cannot string
ing. But, suitors, as the contest has been agreed it; another have it; this bow shall take the
let
upon, let it go forward. It is for a woman whose life and soul out of many a chief among us, for
peer is not to be found in Pylos, Argos, or it is better to die than to live after having

Mycene, nor yet in Ithaca nor on the mainland. missed the prize that we have so long striven
You know this as well as I do; what need have for, and which has brought us so long together.
I to speak in praise of my mother? Come on, Some one of us is even now hoping and praying
then, make no excuses for delay, but let us see that he may marry Penelope, but when he has
whether you can string the bow or no. I too seen this bow and let him woo and
tried it,

will make trial of it, for if I can string it and make some other woman,
bridal offerings to
shoot through the iron, I shall not suffer my and let Penelope marry whoever makes her
mother to quit this house with a stranger, not the best offer and whose lot it is to win her."
if I can win the prizes which my father won [16^] On this he put the bow down, letting
before me." itlean against the door, with the arrow stand-
[i 18] As he spoke he sprang from his seat, ing against the tip of the bow. Then he took
threw his crimson cloak from him, and took his his seat againon the seat from which he had
sword from his shoulder. First he set the axes in risen;and Antinous rebuked him saying:
a row, in a long groove which he had dug for [i6y] "Leiodes, what are you talking about?
them, and had made straight by line. Then he Your words are monstrous and intolerable; it
stamped the earth tight round them, and every- makes me angry to listen to you. Shall, then,
one was surprised when they saw him set them this bow take the life of many a chief among
up so orderly, though he had never seen any- us, merely because you cannot bend it your-
thing of the kind before. This done, he went self? True, you were not born to be an archer,
on to the pavement to make trial of the bow; but there are others who will soon string it."
thrice did he tug at it, trying with all his might [17s] Then he said to Melanthius the goat-
to draw the string, and thrice he had to leave herd, "Look sharp, light a fire in the court, and
off, though he had hoped to string the bow and set a seat hard by with a sheep skin on it; bring
shoot through the iron. He was trying for the us also a large ball of lard, from what they have
fourth time, and would have strung it had not in the house. Let us warm the bow and grease
 BOOK XXI 303
it— we will then make trial of it again, and ing Ulysses had not checked them and said:
if

bring the contest to an end." [228] "Cease your weeping, lest some one
[181] Melanthius Ut the fire, and set a seat should come outside and see us, and tell those
covered with sheep skins beside it. He also who are within. When you go do so sepa-
in,

brought a great ball of lard from what they had rately, not both together; I will go and do
first,

in the house, and the suitors warmed the bow you follow afterwards; let this moreover be the
and again made trial of it, but they were none token between us; the suitors will all of them
of them nearly strong enough to string it. Nev- try to prevent me from getting hold of the bow
ertheless there still remained Antinous and Eu- and quiver; do you, therefore, Eumaeus, place
rymachus, who were the ringleaders among the it in my hands when you are carrying it about,

suitors and much the foremost among them all. and tell the women to close the doors of their
[188] Then the swineherd and the stock- apartment. If they hear any groaning or uproar
man left the cloisters together, and Ulysses fol- as of men fighting about the house, they must
lowed them. When they had got outside the not come out; they must keep quiet, and stay
gates and the outer yard, Ulysses said to them where they are at their work. And I charge
quietly: you, Philoetius, to make fast the doors of the
[19^] "Stockman, and you swineherd, I have outer court, and to bind them securelvatonce."
something in my mind which I am in doubt [242] When he had thus spoken, he went
whether to say or no; but I think I will say it. back to the house and took the seat that he had
What manner of men would you be to stand by left. Presently, his two servants followed him

Ulysses, if some god should bring him back inside.

here all of a sudden? Say which you are dis- [24s] At this moment the bow was in the
posed to do— to side with the suitors, or with hands of Eurymachus, who was warming it by
Ulysses?" the fire, but even so he could not string it, and
[199] "Father Jove," answered the stockman, he was greatly grieved. He heaved a deep sigh
"would indeed that you might so ordain it. If and said, "I grieve for myself and for us all; I
some god were but to bring Ulysses back, you grieve that I shall have to forgo the marriage,
should see with what might and main I would but I do not care nearly so much about this, for
fight for him." there are plenty of other women in Ithaca and
[2.0^] In like words Eumaeus prayed to all elsewhere; what I feel most is the fact of our
the gods that Ulysses might return; when, being so inferior to Ulysses in strength that we
therefore, he saw for certain what mind they cannot string his bow. This will disgrace us in
were of, Ulysses said, "It is I, Ulysses, who am the eyes of those who are yet unborn."
here. I have suffered much, but at last, in the [2^6] "It shall not be so, Eurymachus," said
twentieth year, I am come back to my own Antinous, "and you know it yourself. To-day
country. I you two alone of all my
find that is the feast of Apollo throughout all the land;

servants are glad that I should do so, for I have who can string a bow on such a day as this?
not heard any of the others praying for my Put it on one side— as for the axes they can
return. To you two, therefore, will I unfold stay where they are, for no one is likely to come
the truth as it shall be. If heaven shall deliver to the house and take them away: let the cup-
the suitors into my hands, I will find wives for bearer go round with his cups, that we may
both of you, will give you house and holding make our drink-offerings and drop this matter
close to my own, and you shall be to me as of the bow; we will tell Melanthius to bring us
though you were brothers and friends of Te- in some goats to-morrow— the best he has; we
lemachus. I will now give you convincing proofs can then offer thigh bones to Apollo the mighty
that you may know me and be assured. See, archer, and again make trial of the bow, so as
here is the scar from the boar's tooth that to bring the contest to an end."
ripped me when I was out hunting on Mount [269] The rest approved his words, and
Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus." thereon men servants poured water over the
/^22i7 As he spoke he drew his rags aside hands of the guests, while pages filled the
from the great scar, and when they had ex- mixing-bowls with wine and water and handed
amined it thoroughly, they both of them wept it round after giving every man his drink-
about Ulysses, threw their arms round him, offering. Then, when they had made their of-
and kissed his head and shoulders, while Ulys- ferings and had drunk each as much as he de-
ses kissed their hands and faces in return. The sired, Ulysses craftilv said:
sun would have gone down upon their mourn- [275] "Suitors of the illustrious queen, listen
304 THE ODYSSEY
that I may speak even as I am minded. I appeal achus, "we do not suppose that this man will
more especially to Eurymachus, and to An- take you away with him; it is impossible; but
tinous who has just spoken with so much rea- we are afraid lest some of the baser sort, men

son. Cease shooting for the present and leave or women among the Achaeans, should go gos-
the matter to the gods, but in the morning let siping about and say, 'These suitors are a feeble
heaven give victory to whom it will. For the folk; they are paying court to the wife of a
moment, however, give me the bow that I may brave man whose bow not one of them was
prove the power of my hands among you all, able to string, and tramp who
yet a beggarly

and see whether I still have as much strength came house strung it at once and sent an
to the

as I used to have, or whether travel and neglect arrow through the iron.' This is what will be
have made an end of it." said, and it will be a scandal against us."

[28s] This made them all very angry,

for they [330] "Eurymachus," Penelope answered,
feared he might string the bow; Antinous there- "people who persist in eating up the estate of a
fore rebuked him fiercely saying, "Wretched great chieftain and dishonouring hishouse must
creature, you have not so much as a grain of not e.xpect others to speak well of them. Why
sense in your whole body; you ought to think then should you mind if men talk as you think
yourself lucky in being allowed to dine un- they will? This stranger is strong and well-

harmed among your betters, without having built, he says moreover that he is of noble
any smaller portion served you than we others birth. Give him the bow, and let us see whether

have had, and in being allowed to hear our he can string it or no. I say— and it shall surely
conversation. No other beggar or stranger has be— that if Apollo vouchsafes him the glory
been allowed to hear what we say among our- of stringing will give him a cloak and shirt
it, I

selves; the wine must have been doing you a of good wear, with a javelin to keep off dogs
mischief, as it does with all those who drink and robbers, and a sharp sword. I will also give
immoderately. It was wine that inflamed the him sandals, and will see him sent safely where-
Centaur Eurytion when he was staying with ever he wants to go."
Peirithous among the Lapithae. When the wine [343] Then Telemachus said, "Mother, I
had got into his head, he went mad and did ill am the only man either in Ithaca or in the
deeds about the house of Peirithous; this an- islands that are over against Elis who has the
gered the heroes who were there assembled, right to letany one have the bow or to refuse
so they rushed at him and cut off his ears and it. No one shall force me one way or the other,

nostrils; then they dragged him through the not even though I choose to make the stranger
doorway out of the house, so he went away a present of the bow outright, and let him take

crazed, and bore the burden of his crime, be- it away with him. Go, then, within the house

reft of understanding. Henceforth, therefore, and busy yourself with your daily duties, your
there was war between mankind and the cen- loom, your distaff, and the ordering of your
taurs, but he brought it upon himself through servants. This bow is a man's matter, and mine
his own drunkenness. In like manner I can tell above all others, for it is I who am master
you that it will go hardly with you if you string here."
the bow you will find no mercy from any one
:
[3s 4] She went wondering back into the
here, for we shall at once ship you off to king house, and laid her son's saying in her heart.
Echetus, who kills every one that comes near Then going upstairs with her handmaids into
him: you will never get away alive, so drink her room, she mourned her dear husband till
and keep quiet without getting into a quarrel Minerva sent sweet sleep over her eyelids.
with men younger than yourself." [359] The swineherd now took up the bow
[3117 Penelope then spoke to him. "An- and was for taking it to Ulysses, but the suitors
tinous," said she, "it is not right that you clamoured at him from all parts of the clois-
should ill-treat any guest of Telemachus who ters, and one of them said, "You idiot, where

comes to this house. If the stranger should are you taking the bow to? Are you out of your
prove strong enough to string the mighty bow wits? If Apollo and the other gods will grant
of Ulysses, can you suppose that he would take our prayer, your own boarhounds shall get you
me home with him and make me his wife? into some quiet little place, and worry you to
Even the man himself can have no such idea death."
in his mind: none of you need let that disturb [366] Eumaeus was frightened at the out-
his feasting; it would be out of all reason." crv they all raised, so he put the bow down

[3^0] "Queen Penelope," answered Eurym- then and there, but Telemachus shouted out
 BOOK XXI 305
at him from the other side of the cloisters, and more successful in other things than he is likely
threatened him saying, "Father Eumaeus, bring to be in stringing this bow."
the bow on in spite of them, or young as I am [404] But Ulysses, when he had taken it up
I will pelt you v\'ith stones back to the country, and examined it all over, strung it as easily as
for I am the better man of the two. I wish I a skilled bard strings a new peg of his lyre and
was as much stronger than all the other suitors makes the twisted gut fast at both ends. Then
in the house as I am than you, I would soon he took it in his right hand to prove the string,
send some of them off sick and sorry, for they and it sang sweetly under his touch like the
twittering of a swallow. The suitors were dis-
"

mean mischief.
^3767 Thus did he speak, and they all of mayed, and turned colour as they heard it; at
them laughed heartily, which put them in a that moment, moreover, Jove thundered loudly
better humour with Telemachus; so Eumasus as a sign, and the heart of Ulysses rejoiced as
brought the bow on and placed it in the hands he heard the omen that the son of scheming
of Ulysses. When he had done this, he called Saturn had sent him.
Euryclea apart and said to her, "Euryclea, Te- [4 1 6] He took an arrow that was lying upon
lemachus says vou are to close the doors of the the table— for those which the Achasans were
women's apartments. If thev hear any groan- so shortlv about to taste were all inside the
ing or uproar as of men fighting about the quiver— he laid it on the centre-piece of the
house, they are not to come out, but are to bow, and drew the notch of the arrow and
keep quiet and stay where they are at their the string toward him, still seated on his seat.
work." When he had taken aim he let fly, and his ar-
[^86] Eurj'clea did as she was told and row pierced every one of the handle-holes of
closed the doors of the women's apartments. the axes from the first onwards till it had gone
[^88] Meanwhile Philcetius slipped quietly right through them, and into the outer court-
out and made fast the gates of the outer court. yard. Then he said to Telemachus:
There was a ship's cable of byblus fibre lying [42^] "Your guest has not disgraced you,
in the gatehouse, so he made the gates fast Telemachus. I did not miss what I aimed at,
with and then came in again, resuming the
it and I was not long in stringing my bow. I am
seat that he had left, and keeping an eye on still strong, and not as the suitors twit me with

Ulysses, who had now got the bow inhishands, being. Now, however, it is time for the Achae-
and was turning it every way about, and prov- ans to prepare supper while there is still day-
ing it all over to see whether the worms had light, and then otherwise to disport themselves
been eating into its two horns during his ab- with song and dance which are the crowning
sence. Then would one turn towards his neigh- ornaments of a banquet."
bour saying, "This is some tricky old bow- [42,1] As he spoke he made a sign with his
fancier; either he has got one like it at home, or evebrows, and Telemachus girded on his sword,
he wants to make one, in such workmanlike grasped his spear, and stood armed beside his
style does the old vagabond handle it." father's seat.
[401] Another said, "I hope he may be no
 BOOK XXII
THEN Ulysses tore off his rags, and
sprang on to the broad pavement with
whither he might
chus alone spoke.
fly for safety, but Euryma-

his bow and his quiver full of arrows. He [44] "If you are Ulysses," said he, "then
shed the arrows on to the ground at his feet what you have said is just. We have done much
and said, "The mighty contest is at an end. I wrong on your lands and in your house. But
will now see whether Apollo will vouchsafe it Antinous who was the head and front of the
to me to hit another mark which no man has offending lies low already. It was all his doing.
yet hit." It was not that he wanted to marry Penelope;

[8] On this he aimed a deadly arrow at An- he did not so much care about that; what he
tinous, who was about to take up a two-handled wanted was something quite different, and Jove
gold cup to drink his wine and already had it has not vouchsafed it to him; he wanted to kill
in his hands. He had no thought of death— who your son and to be chief man in Ithaca. Now,
amongst all the revellers would think that one therefore, that he has met the death which was
man, however brave, would stand alone among his due, spare the lives of your people. We will
so many and kill him? The arrow struck Antin- make everything good among ourselves, and
ous in the throat, and the point went clean pay you in full for all that we have eaten and
through his neck, so that he fell over and the drunk. Each one of us shall pay you a fine worth
cup dropped from his hand, while a thick twenty oxen, and we will keep on giving you
stream of blood gushed from his nostrils. He gold and bronze till your heart is softened. Un-
kicked the table from him and upset the things til we have done this no one can complain of

on it, so that the bread and roasted meats were your being enraged against us."
all soiled as they fell over on to the ground. [60] Ulysses again glared at him and said,
The suitors were in an uproar when they saw "Though you should give me all that you have
that a man had been hit; they sprang in dismay in the world both now and all that you ever
one and all of them from their seats and looked shall have, I will not stay my hand till I have
everywhere towards the walls, but there was paid all of you in full. You must fight, or fly for
neither shield nor spear, and they rebuked your lives; and fly, not a man of you shall."
Ulysses ver)' angrily. "Stranger," said they, [68] Their hearts sank as they heard him,
"you shall pay for shooting people in this way: but Eurymachus again spoke saying:
you shall see no other contest; you are a doomed [yo] "My friends, this man will give us no
man; he whom you have slain was the foremost quarter. He will stand where he is and shoot
youth in Ithaca, and the vultures shall devour us down till he has killed every man among us.
you for having killed him." Let us then show fight; draw your swords, and
[^i] Thus they spoke, for they thought that hold up the tables to shield you from his ar-
he had killed Antinous by mistake, and did not rows. Let us have at him with a rush, to drive
perceive that death was hanging over the head him from the pavement and doorway: we can
of every one of them. But Ulysses glared at then get through into the town, and raise such
them and said: an alarm as shall soon stav his shooting."
[35] "Dogs, did you think that I should not [yg] As he spoke he drew his keen blade of
come back from Troy? You have wasted my bronze, sharpened on both sides, and with a
substance, have forced my women servants to loud cry sprang towards Ulysses, but Ulysses
lie with vou, and have wooed my wife while I instantly shot an arrow into his breast that
was still living. You have feared neither God caught him by the nipple and fixed itself in his
nor man, and now you shall die." liver. He dropped his sword and fell doubled

[42] They turned pale with fear as he spoke, up over his table. The cup and all the meats
and every man looked round about to see went over on to the ground as he smote the
306
 BOOK XXII 307
earth with his forehead in the agonies of death, is dangerously near the entrance to the outer
and he kicked the stool with his feet until his court. One brave man could prevent anv num-
eyes were closed in darkness. ber from getting in. But I know what I will do,
[8g] Then Amphinomus drew his sword and I will bring you arms from the store room, for

made and get him

straight at Ulysses to try I am sure it is there that Ulvsses and his son

away from the Telemachus was too

door; but have put them."
quick for him, and struck him from behind; [142] On this the goatherd Melanthius went
the spear caught him between the shoulders by back passages to the store room of Ulysses'
and went right through his chest, so that he fell house. There he chose twelve shields, with as
heavily to the ground and struck the earth with many helmets and spears, and brought them
his forehead. Then Telemachus sprang away back as fast as he could to give them to the
from him, leaving his spear still in the body, suitors. Ulysses' heart began to fail him when
for he feared that if he stayed to draw it out, he saw the suitors putting on their armour and
some one of the Achaeans might come up and brandishing their spears. He saw the greatness
hack at him with his sword, or knock him of the danger, and said to Telemachus, "Some
down, so he set off at a run, and immediately one of the women inside is helping the suitors
was at his father's side. Then he said: against us, or it may be Melanthius."
[loi] "Father, let me bring you a shield, [1S3] Telemachus answered, "The fault,
two spears, and a brass helmet for your temples. father, is mine, and mine only; I left the store

I will arm myself as well, and will bring other room door open, and they have kept a sharper
armour for the swineherd and the stockman, look out than I have. Go, Eumasus, put the
for we had better be armed." door to, and see whether it is one of the women
[10^] "Run and fetch them," answered Ulys- who is doing this, or whether, as I suspect, it is

ses,"while my arrows hold out, or when I am Melanthius the son of Dolius."

alone they may get me away from the door." [160] Thus did they converse. Meanwhile
[108] Telemachus did as his father said, and Melanthius was again going to the store room
went off to the store room where the armour to fetch more armour, but the swineherd saw
was kept. He chose four shields, eight spears, him and said to Ulysses who was beside him,
and four brass helmets with horse-hair plumes. "Ulvsses, noble son of Laertes, it is that scoun-
He brought them with all speed to his father, drel Melanthius, just as we suspected, who is

and armed himself first, while the stockman going to the store room. Say, shall I kill him, if
and the swineherd also put on their armour, I can get the better of him, or shall I bring him

and took their places near Ulysses. Meanwhile here that you may take your own revenge for
Ulysses, as long as his arrows lasted, had been all the many wrongs that he has done in your

shooting the suitors one by one, and they fell houser"

thick on one another: when his arrows gave [170] Ulysses answered, "Telemachus and
out, he set the bow to stand against the end I will hold these suitors in check, no matter
wall of the house by the door post, and hung a what they do; go back both of you and bind
shield four hides thick about his shoulders; on Melanthius' hands and feet behind him. Throw
his comely head he sethishelmet, well wrought him into the store room and make the door fast
with a crest of horse-hair that nodded men- behind you; then fasten a noose about his body,
acingly above it, and he grasped two redoubt- and string him close up to the rafters from a
able bronze-shod spears. high bearing-post, that he may linger on in an
[126] Now there was a trap door on the wall, agony."
while at one end of the pavement there was an [178] Thus did he speak, and they did even
exit leading to a narrow passage, and this exit as he had said; they went to the store room,
was closed by a well-made door. Ulysses told which they entered before Melanthius saw
Philoetius to stand by this door and guard it, them, for he was busy searching for arms in
for only one person could attack it at a time. the innermost part of the room, so the two took
But Agelaus shouted out, "Cannot some one their stand on either side of the door and waited.
go up to the trap door and tell the people what By and by Melanthius came out with a helmet
is going on? Help would come at once, and we in one hand, and an old dry-rotted shield in the
should soon make an end of this man and his other, which had been borne by Laertes when
shooting." he was young, but which had been long since
[^35] "This may not be, Agelaus," answered thrown aside, and the straps had become un-
Melanthius, "the mouth of the narrow passage sewn; on this the two seized him, dragged him
 "

3o8 THE ODYSSEY

back by the hair, and threw him struggHng to tory as yet, for she wished still further to prove
the ground. They bent his hands and feet well his own prowess and that of his brave son, so
behind his back, and bound them tight with a she flew up to one of the rafters in the roof of
painful bond as Ulysses had told them; then the cloister and sat upon it in the form of a
they fastened a noose about his body and strung swallow.
him up from a high pillar till he was close up [241] Meanwhile Agelaus son of Damastor,
to the rafters, and over him did you then vaunt, Eurynomus, Amphimedon, Demoptolemus,
O swineherd Eumaeus, saying, "Melanthius, Pisander, and Polybus son of Polyctor bore the
you will pass the night on a soft bed as you de- brunt of the fight upon the suitors' side; of all
serve. You will know very well when morning those who were still fighting for their lives they
comes from the streams of Oceanus, and it is were by far the most valiant, for the others had
time for you to be driving in your goats for the already fallen under the arrows of Ulysses.
suitors to feast on." Agelaus shouted to them and said, "Myfriends,
[200] There, then, they left him in very he will soon have to leave off, for Mentor has
cruel bondage, and having put on their armour gone away after having done nothing for him
thev closed the door behind them and went but brag. They are standing at the doors un-
back to take their places by the side of Ulysses; supported. Do not aim at him all at once, but
Vhereon the four men stood in the cloister, six of you throw your spears first, and see if

fierce and full of fury; nevertheless, those who you cannot cover yourselves with glor)' by kill-
were in the body of the court were still both ing him. When he has fallen we need not be
brave and many. Then Jove's daughter Mi- uneasy about the others.
nerva came up to them, having assumed the [2^^] They threw their spears as he bade
voice and form of Mentor. Ulysses was glad them, but Minerva made them all of no effect.
when he saw her and said, "Mentor, lend me One hit the door post; another went against
your help, and forget not your old comrade, the door; the pointed shaft of another struck
nor the many good turns he has done you. Be- the wall; and as soon as they had avoided all
sides, you are my age-mate." the spears of the suitors Ulysses said to his own
[210] But all the time he felt sure it was Mi- men, "My friends, I should say we too had bet-
nerva, and the suitors from the other side raised ter let drive into the middle of them, or they
an uproar when they saw her. Agelaus was the will crown all the harm they have done us by
first to reproach her. "Mentor," he cried, "do killing us outright."
not let Ulysses beguile you into siding with [26^] They therefore aimed straight in front
him and fighting the suitors. This is what we of them and threw their spears. Ulysses killed
will do: when we have killed these people, fa- Demoptolemus, Telemachus Euryades, Eu-
ther and son, we will kill you too. You shall pay maeus Elatus, while the stockman killed Pisan-
for it with your head, and when we have killed der.These all bit the dust, and as the others
you, we will take all you have, in doors or out, drew back into a corner Ulysses and his men
and bring it into hotch-pot with Ulysses' prop- rushed forward and regained their spears by
erty; we will not let your sons live in your drawing them from the bodies of the dead.
house, nor your daughters, nor shall your /^272) The suitors now aimed a second time,
widow continue to live in the city of Ithaca." but again Minerva made their weapons for the
[224] This made Minerva still more furious, most part without effect. One hit a bearing-post
so she scolded Ulysses very angrily. "Ulysses," of the cloister; another went against the door;
said she, "your strength and prowess are no while the pointed shaft of another struck the
longer what they were when you fought for wall. Still, Amphimedon just took a piece of
nine long years among the Trojans about the the top skin from off Telemachus's wrist, and
noble lady Helen. You killed many a man in Ctesippus managed to graze Eumaeus's shoulder
those days, and it was through your stratagem above his shield; but the spear went on and fell
that Priam's citywas taken. How comes it that to the ground. Then Ulysses and his men let
you are so lamentably less valiant now that you drive into the crowd of suitors. Ulysses hit
are on your own ground, face to face with the Eurydamas, Telemachus Amphimedon, and
suitors in your own house? Come on, my good Eumaeus Polybus. After this the stockman hit
fellow, stand by my side and see how Mentor, Ctesippus in the breast, and taunted him say-
son of Alcimus shall fight your foes and requite ing, "Foul-mouthed son of Polytherses, do not
your kindnesses conferred upon him." be so foolish as to talk wickedly another time,
[2^6] But she would not give him full vic- but let heaven direct your speech, for the gods
 BOOK XXII 309
are far stronger thanmen. I make you a present but in the end he deemed it best to embrace
of this advice to repay you for the foot which Ulvsses' knees. So he laid his lyre on the ground
you gave Ulysses when he was begging about between the mixing-bowl and the silver-studded
in his own house." seat; then going up to Ulysses he caught hold
[igz] Thus spoke the stockman, and Ulys- of his knees and said, "Ulysses, I beseech you
ses struck the son of Damastor with a spear in have mercy on me and spare me. You will be
close fight, while Telemachus hit Leocritus son sorry for it afterwards if you kill a bard who
o
of Evenor in the belly, and the dart went clean can sing both for gods and men as I can. I make
through him, so that he fell forward full on his all my lays mvself and heaven visits me with
,

face upon the ground. Then Minerva from her everv kind of inspiration. I would sing to you
seat on the rafter held up her deadly aegis, and as though you were do not therefore be
a god,
the hearts of the suitors quailed. They fled to in such a hurry to cut my
head off. Your own
the other end of the court like a herd of cattle son Telemachus will tell you that I did not
maddened by the gadfly in early summer when want to frequent your house and sing to the
the days are at their longest. As eagle-beaked, suitors after their meals, but they were too
crook-taloned vultures from the mountains many and too strong for me, so they made me.'"
swoop down on the smaller birds that cower in [354] Telemachus heard him, and at once
flocks upon the ground, and kill them, for they went up to his father. "Hold!" he cried, "the
cannot either fight or fly, and lookers on enjoy man is guiltless, do him no hurt; and we will
the sport— even so did Ulysses and his men fall spare Medon too, who was always good to me
upon the suitors and smite them on every side. when I was a boy, unless Philcetius or Eumaeus
They made a horrible groaning as their brains has already killed him, or he has fallen in your
were being battered in, and the ground seethed way when you were raging about the court."
wi:h their blood. [361] Medon caught these words of Telem-
/3 1 o] Leiodes then caught the knees of achus, for he was crouching under a seat be-
Ulysses and said, "Ulysses I beseech you have neath which he had hidden by covering him-
mercy upon me and spare me. I never wronged self up with a freshly flayed heifer's hide, so he
any of the women in your house either in word threw off the hide, went up to Telemachus,
or deed, and I tried to stop the others. I saw and laid hold of his knees.
them, but they would not listen, and now they [3^7] "Here I am, my dear sir," said he,
are paying for their folly. I was their sacrificing "stay your hand therefore, and tell your father,
priest; if vou kill me, I shall die without having or he will kill me in his rage against the suitors
done anything to deserve it, and shall have got for having wasted his substance and been so
no thanks for all the good that I did." foolishly disrespectful to vourself."
l^zo] Ulysses looked sternly at him and an- [371] Ulysses smiled at him and answered,
swered, "If you were their sacrificing priest, "Fear not; Telemachus has saved your life, that
you must have prayed many a time that it might you may know in future, and tell other people,
be long before I got home again, and that you how greatly better good deeds prosper than evil
might marry my wife and have children bv her. ones. Go, therefore, outside the cloisters into
Therefore you shall die." the outer court, and be out of the way of the
[^26] With these words he picked up the slaughter— you and the bard— while I finish
sword that Agelaus had dropped when he was mv work here inside."
being killed, and which was lying upon the [378] The pair went into the outer court as
ground. Then he struck Leiodes on the back of fast as they could, and sat down by Jove's great
his neck, so that his head fell rolling in the dust altar, looking fearfully round, and still expect-
while he was vet speaking. ing that thev would be killed. Then Ulvsses
[330] The minstrel Phemius son of Terpes searched the whole court carefullv over, to see
—he who had been forced by the suitors to sing if anyone had managed to hide himself and

to them— now tried to save his life. He was was still living, but he found them all lying in
standing near towards the trap door, and held the dust and weltering in their blood. They
his lyre in his hand. He did not know whether were like fishes which fishermen have netted
to fly out of the cloister and sit down by the out of the sea, and thrown upon the beach to
altar of Jove that was in the outer court, and on lie gasping for water till the heat of the sun

which both Laertes and Ulysses had ofl^ered up makes an end of them. Even so were the suitors
the thigh bones of many an ox, or whether to lying all huddled up one against the other.
go straight up to Ulysses and embrace his knees, [390] Then Ulvsses said to Telemachus,
3IO THE ODYSSEY
"Call nurse Euryclea; I have something to say quite dead, and have forgotten all about love
to her." and the way in which they used to lie in secret

[393] Telemachus went and knocked at the with the suitors."

door of the women's room, "Make haste," said [446] On this the women came down in a
he, "vou old woman who have been set over body, weeping and wailing bitterly. First they
all the other women in the house. Come out- carried the dead bodies out, and propped them
side; mv father wishes to speak to you." up against one another in the gatehouse. Ulys-
[39S] When Euryclea heard this she unfas- ses ordered them about and made them do their
tened the door of the women's room and came work quickly, so they had to carr)' the bodies
out, following Telemachus. She found Ulysses out. When they had done
they cleaned all
this,
among the corpses bespattered with blood and the tables and seats with sponges and water,
filth like a lion that has just been devouring an while Telemachus and the two others shovelled
ox, and his breast and both his cheeks are all up the blood and dirt from the ground, and
bloody, so that he is even so was
a fearful sight; the women carried it all away and put it out of
Ulvsses besmirched from head to foot with doors. Then when thev had made the whole
gore. When she saw all the corpses and such a place quite clean and orderly, they took the
quantity of blood, she was beginning to cry out women out and hemmed them in the narrow
for joy, for she saw that a great deed had been space between the wall of the domed room and
done; but Ulysses checked her, "Old woman," that of the yard, so that they could not get
said he, "rejoice in silence; restrain yourself, away: and Telemachus said to the other two,
and do not make any noise about it; it is an un- "I shall not let women die a clean death,
these
holy thing to vaunt over dead men. Heaven's for they were insolent to me and my mother,
doom and their own evil deeds have brought and used to sleep with the suitors."
these men to destruction, for they respected no [46^] So saying he made a ship's cable fast
man in the whole world, neither rich nor poor, to one of the bearing-posts that supported the
who came near them, and they have come to roof of the domed room, and secured it all
a bad end as a punishment for their wickedness around the building, at a good height, lest any
and folly. Now, however, tell me which of the of the women's feet should touch the ground;
women in the house have misconducted them- and as thrushes or doves beat against a net that
selves,and who are innocent." has been set for them in a thicket just as they
[419] "I will tell you the truth, my son," were getting to their nest, and a terrible fate
answered Euryclea. "There are fifty women in awaits them, even so did the women have to put
the house whom we teach to do things, such their heads in nooses one after the other and
as carding wool, and all kinds of household die most miserably. Their feet moved convul-
work. Of these, twelve in all have misbehaved, sively for a while, but not for very long.
and have been wanting in respect to me, and [474] As for Melanthius, they took him
also to Penelope. They showed no disrespect through the cloister into the inner court. There
to Telemachus, for he has only lately grown they cut off his nose and his ears; they drew out
up, and his mother never permitted him to give his vitals and gave them to the dogs raw, and
orders to the female servants; but let me go up- then in their fury they cut off his hands and
stairsand tell your wife all that has happened, his feet.
for some god has been sending her to sleep." [478] When they had done this they washed
[4^0] "Do not wake her yet," answered theirhands and feet and went back into the
Ulysses, "but tell the women who have mis- house, for all was now over; and Ulysses said

conducted themselves to come to me." to the dear old nurse Eur\'clea, "Bring me sul-
[43 3 J Eur)'clea left the cloister to tell the phur, which cleanses all pollution, and fetch
women, and make them come to Ulysses; in fire also that I may burn it, and purify the

the meantime he called Telemachus, the stock- cloisters. Go, moreover, and tell Penelope to
man, and the swineherd. "Begin," said he, "to come here with her attendants, and also all the
remove the dead, and make the women help maid ser\'ants that are in the house."
you. Then, get sponges and clean water to swill [48^] "All that you have said is true," an-
down the tables and seats. When you have swered Euryclea, "but let me bring you some
thoroughly cleansed the whole cloisters, take clean clothes— a shirt and cloak. Do not keep
the women into the space between the domed these rags on your back any longer. It is not
room and the wall of the outer court, and run "gilt."
them through with your swords till they are [490] "First light me a fire," replied Ulysses.
 BOOK XXII 3"
[492] She brought the fire and sulphur, as torches in their hands, and pressed round Ulys-
he had bidden her, and Ulysses thoroughly ses to embrace him, kissing his head and shoul-
purified the cloisters and both the inner and ders and taking hold of his hands. It made him
outer courts. Then she went inside to call the feel as if he should like to weep, for he remem-
women and tell them what had happened; bered every one of them.
whereon they came from their apartment with
^^~^;^£^5£^i^^^^£^£^^^^^^^^^ ^^^

BOOK XXIII
LIRYCLEA now went upstairs laughing "and do not know; I only heard them groaning

E her mistress that her dear hus-

to tell
band had come home. Her aged knees
became young again and her feet were nimble
while thev were being killed. We sat crouch-
ing and huddled up in a corner of the women's
room with the doors closed, till your son came
for joy as she went up to her mistress and bent to fetch me because his father sent him. Then
over her head to speak to her. "Wake up Penel- I found Ulysses standing over the corpses that

ope, my dear child," she exclaimed, "and see were lying on the ground all round him, one
with your own eyes something that you have on top of the other. You would have enjoyed
been wanting this long time past. Ulysses has it if you could have seen him standing there

at last indeed come home again, and has killed all bespattered with blood and filth, and look-

the suitors who were giving so much trouble ing just like a lion. But the corpses are now all
in his house, eating up his estate and ill-treat- piled up in the gatehouse that is in the outer
ing his son." court, and Ulysses has lit a great fire to purify
[lo] "My good nurse," answered Penelope, the house with sulphur. He has sent me to
"you must be mad. The gods sometimes send call you, so come with me that you may both
some very sensible people out of their minds, be happy together after all; for now at last
and make foolish people become sensible. This the desire of your heart has been fulfilled;
is what they must have been doing to you; for your husband is come home to find both wife
you always used to be a reasonable person. Why and son alive and well, and to take his revenge
should you thus mock me when I have trouble in his the suitors who behaved
own house on
enough already— talking such nonsense, and so badlv to him."
waking me up out of a sweet sleep that had [sS] "My dear nurse," said Penelope, "do
taken possession of my eyes and closed them? not exult too confidently over all this. You
I have never slept so soundly from the day my know how delighted every one would be to see
poor husband went to that city with the ill- Ulvsses come home— more particularly mvself,
omened name. Go back again into the women's and the son who has been born to both of us;
room; if it had been any one else, who had but what you tell me cannot be really true. It
woke me up bring me such absurd news 1
to is some god who is angrv? with the suitors for

should have sent her away with a severe scold- their great wickedness, and has made an end of
ing. As it is, your age shall protect you." them; for they respected no man in the whole
/25J "My dear child," answered Euryclea, world, neither rich nor poor, who came near
"I am not mocking you. It is quite true as I tell them, and they have come to a bad end in con-
you that Ulysses is come home again. He was sequence of their iniquity. Ulysses is dead far
the stranger whom kept on treating so
they all away from the Achaean land; he will never re-
badly in the cloister. Telemachus knew all the turn home again."
time that he was come back, but kept his fa- [69] Then nurse Euryclea said, "My child,
ther's secret that he might have his revenge on what are you talking about? but you were al-
allthese wicked people." ways hard of belief, and have made up your
[^2] Then Penelope sprang up from her mind that your husband is never coming, al-
couch, threw her arms round Euryclea, and though he is in the house and by his own fire
wept for joy. "But my dear nurse," said she, side at this very moment. Besides I can give you
"explain this to me; if he has really come home another proof; when I was washing him I per-
as you say, how did he manage to overcome the ceived the scar which the wild boar gave him,
wicked suitors single handed, seeing what a and I wanted to tell you about it, but in his
number of them there always were?" wisdom he would not let me, and clapped his
[39J "I was not there," answered Euryclea, hands over my mouth; so come with me and I
312
 BOOK XXIII 313
will make with you— if I am de-
this bargain would leave many friends to take up his quar-
ceiving you, you may have me killed by the rel, the man who has killed him must still say

most cruel death you can think of." good bye to his friends and fly the country;
[80] "My dear nurse," said Penelope, "how- whereas we have been killing the stay of a
ever wise you may be you can hardly fathom whole town, and all the picked youth of Ithaca.
the counsels of the gods. Nevertheless, we will I would have you consider this matter."

go in search of my son, that Imay see the [i2i] "Look to it yourself, father," answered
corpses of the suitors, and the man who has Telemachus, "for they say you are the wisest
killed them." counsellor in the world, and that there is no
[8^] On this she came down from her up- other mortal man who can compare with you.
per room, and while doing so she considered We will follow you with right good will, nor
whether she should keep at a distance from shall you find us fail you in so far as our
her husband and question him, or whether she strength holds out."
should at once go up to him and embrace him. [129] "1 will say what I think will be best,"
When, however, she had crossed the stone answered Ulysses. "First wash and put your
floor of the cloister, she sat down opposite Ulys- shirts on; tell the maids also to go to their own
ses by the fire, against the wall at right angles room and dress; Phemius shall then strike up a
[to that by which she had entered], while Ulys- dance tune on his lyre, so that if people outside
ses sat near one of the bearing-posts, looking hear, or any of the neighbours, or some one
upon the ground, and waiting to see what his going along the street happens to notice it, they
brave wife would say to him when she saw may think there is a wedding in the house, and
him. For a long time she sat silent and as one no rumours about the death of the suitors will
lost in amazement. At one moment she looked get about in the town, before we can escape to
him full in the face, but then again directly, the woods upon my own land. Once there, we
she was misled by his shabby clothes and failed will settle which of the courses heaven vouch-
to recognize him, till Telemachus began to re- safes us shallseem wisest."
proach her and said: [141] Thus did he speak, and they did even
[gy] "Mother— but you are so hard that 1 as he had said. First they washed and put their
cannot call you by such a name— why do you shirts on, while the women got ready. Then
keep away from my father in this way? Why Phemius took his lyre and set them all longing
do you not sit by his side and begin talking to for sweet song and stately dance. The house re-
him and asking him questions? No other woman echoed with the sound of men and women
could bear to keep away from her husband dancing, and the people outside said, "I sup-
when he had come back to her after twenty pose the queen has been getting married at last.
years of absence, and after having gone through She ought to be ashamed of herself for not con-
so much; but your heart always was as hard as a tinuing to protect her husband's property until
stone." he comes home."
[1047 Penelope answered, "My son, I am so f 1527 This was what they said, but they did
lost in astonishment that I can find no words not know what it was that had been happen-
in which either to ask questions or to answer ing. The upper servant Eurynome washed and
them. I cannot even look him straight in the anointed Ulysses in his own house and gave
face. Still, if he really is Ulysses come back to him a shirt and cloak, while Minerva made
his own home again, we shall get to under- him look taller and stronger than before; she
stand one another better by and by, for there also made the hair grow thick on the top of his
are tokens with which we two are alone ac- head, and flow down in curls like hyacinth
quainted, and which are hidden from all blossoms; she glorified him about the head and
others." shoulders just as a skilful workman who has
/^iiij Ulysses smiled at this, and said to studied art of all kinds under Vulcan or Mi-
Telemachus, "Let your mother put me to any nerva—and his work is beauty— enriches
full of
proof she likes; she will make up her mind a piece of silver plate by gilding it. He came
about it presently. She rejects me for the mo- from the bath looking like one of the immor-
ment and me to be somebody else, be-
believes tals, and sat down opposite his wife on the seat
cause I am
covered with dirt and have such bad he had left. "My dear," said he, "heaven has
clothes on; let us, however, consider what we endowed you with a heart more unyielding
had better do next. When one man has killed than woman ever yet had. No other woman
another, even though he was not one who could bear to keep away from her husband
314 THE ODYSSEY
when he had come back to her after twenty and deceiveme with a lying story; for there are
years ot absence, and after having gone through many very wicked people going about. Jove's
so much. But come, nurse, get a bed ready for daughter Helen would never have yielded her-
me; I will sleep alone, for this woman has a self to a man from if she had
a foreign country,
heart as hard as iron." known would come
that the sons of Achaeans
[ly^J "My dear," answered Penelope, "I after her and bring her back. Heaven put it in
have no wish to set myself up, nor to depreciate her heart to do wrong, and she gave no thought
vou; but I am not struck by your appearance, to that sin, which has been the source of all our
for I verv well remember what kind of a man sorrows. Now, however, that you have con-
vou were when you from Ithaca. Never-
set sail vinced me by showing that vDu know all about
theless, Euryclea, take his bed outside the bed our bed (which no human being has ever seen
chamber that he himself built. Bring the bed but vou and I and a single maid ser\'ant, the
outside this room, and put bedding upon it daughter of Actor, who was given me by my
with fleeces, good coverlets, and blankets." father on my marriage, and who keeps the
[iSi] She said this to try him, but Ulysses doors of our room) hard of belief though I have
was very angry and said, "Wife, I am much dis- been I can mistrust no longer."

pleased at what you have just been saying. /^23iJ Then Ulysses in his turn melted, and
Who has been taking my bed from the place wept ashe clasped his dear and faithful wife to
in which I left it? He must have found it a hard his bosom. As the sight of land is welcome to
task, no matter how skilled a workman he was, men who are swimming towards the shore,
unless some god came and helped him to shift when Neptune has wrecked their ship with the
it. There is no man living, however strong and fury of his winds and waves— a few alone reach
in his prime, who could move it from its place, the land, and these, covered with brine, are
for it is a marvellous curiosity which I made thankful when they find themselves on firm
with my very own hands. There was a young ground and out of danger— even so was her
olive growing within the precincts of the house, husband welcome to her as she looked upon
in full vigour, and about as thick as a bearing- him, and she could not tear her two fair arms
post. I built my room round this with strong from about his neck. Indeed they would have
walls of stone and a roof to cover them, and I gone on indulging their sorrow till rosy-fingered
made the doors strong and well-fitting. Then I morn appeared, had not Minerva determined
cut off the top boughs of the olive tree and left otherwise, and held night back in the far west,
the stump standing. This I dressed roughly while she would not suffer Dawn to leave
from the root upwards and then worked with Oceanus, nor to yoke the two steeds Lampus
carpenter's tools well and skilfully, straighten- and Phaethon that bear her onward to break
ing my work by drawing a line on the wood, the day upon mankind.
and making it into a bed-prop. I then bored a [246] At last, however, Ulysses said, "Wife,
hole down the middle, and made it the centre- we have not yet reached the end of our trou-
post of my bed, at which I worked till I had fin- bles. I have an unknown amount of toil still to

ished it, inlaying it with gold and silver; after undergo. It is long and difficult, but I must go
this I stretched a hide of crimson leather from through with it, for thus the shade of Teiresias
one side of it to the other. So you see I know all prophesied concerning me, on the day when I
about it, and I desire to learn whether it is still went down into Hades to ask about my return
there, or whether any one has been removing it and that of my companions. But now let us go
by cutting down the olive tree at its roots." to bed, that we may lie down and enjoy the

[20^] When she heard the sure proofs Ulys- blessedboon of sleep."
ses now gave her, she fairly broke down. She [2^6] "You shall go to bed as soon as you
flew weeping to his side, flung her arms about please," replied Penelope, "now that the gods
his neck, and kissed him. "Do not be angry have sent you home to your own good house
with me Ulysses," she cried, "you, who are the and to your country. But as heaven has put it
wisest of mankind. We have suffered, both of in your mind to speak of it, tell me about the
us. Heaven has denied us the happiness of task that lies before you. I shall have to hear
spending our youth, and of growing old, to- about it later, so it is better that I should be
gether; do not then be aggrieved or take it amiss told at once."
that I did not embrace you thus as soon as I [263] "My dear," answered Ulysses, "why
saw you. I have been shuddering all the time should you press me to tell your Still, I will not
through fear that someone might come here conceal it from you, though you will not like
 BOOK XXIII 315
it. do not like it myself, for Teiresias bade me
I great grief a hurricane carried him out to sea
travel far and wide, carrying an oar, till I came again; how he went on to the Laestrygonian
to a country where the people have never heard city Telepylos, where the people destroyed all
of the sea, and do not even mix salt with their his ships with their crews, save himself and his
food. They know nothing about ships, nor oars own ship only. Then he told of cunning Circe
that are as the wings of a ship. He gave me this and her craft, and how he sailed to the chill
certain token which I will not hide from vou. house of Hades, to consult the ghost of the
He said that a wayfarer should meet me and Theban prophet Teiresias, and how he saw his
ask me whether it was a winnowing shovel that old comrades in arms, and his mother who bore
I had on my shoulder. On this, I was to fix my him and brought him up when he was a child;
oar in the ground and sacrifice a ram, a bull, how he then heard the wondrous singing of the
and a boar to Neptune; after which I was to go Sirens, and went on to the wandering rocks and
home and offer hecatombs to all the gods in terrible Charybdis and to Scylla, whom no man
heaven, one after the other. As for myself, he had ever yet passed in safety; how his men then
said that death should come to me from the sea, ate the cattle of the sun-god, and how Jove
and that my life should ebb away very gently therefore struck the ship with his thunder-
when I was full of years and peace of mind, bolts, so that all his men perished together,
and my people should bless me. All this, he himself alone being left alive; how at last he
said,should surely come to pass." reached the Ogygian island and the nvmph
^286] And Penelope said, "If the gods are Calypso, who kept him there in a cave, and fed
going to vouchsafe you a happier time in your him, and wanted him to marr\^ her, in which
old age, you mav hope then to have some res- case she intended making him immortal so that
pite from misfortune." he should never grow old, but she could not
[288] Thus did they converse. Meanwhile persuade him to let her do so; and how after
Eurynome and the nurse took torches and made much he had found his way to the
suffering
the bed ready with soft coverlets; as soon as Phaeacians, who hadtreated him as though he
they had laid them, the nurse went back into had been a god, and sent him back in a ship to
the house to go to her rest, leaving the bed his own country after having given him gold,
chamber woman Eurynome to show Ulysses bronze, and raiment in great abundance. This
and Penelope to bed by torch light. When she was the last thing about which he told her, for
had conducted them to their room she went here a deep sleep took hold upon him and eased
back, and they then came joyfully to the rites the burden of his sorrows.
of theirown old bed. Telemachus, Philoetius, [^44] Then Miner\'a bethought her of an-
and the swineherd now left off dancing, and other matter. When she deemed that Ulvsses
made the women leave off also. They then laid had had enough both of his wife and of repose,
themselves down to sleep in the cloisters. she bade gold-enthroned Dawn rise out of
[3,00] When Ulysses and Penelope had had Oceanus might shed light upon man-
that she
their fill of love they fell talking with one an- kind. On this, Ulysses rose from his comforta-
other. She told him how much she had had to ble bed and said to Penelope, "Wife, we have
bear in seeing the house filled with a crowd both of us had our full share of troubles, you,
of wicked suitors who had killed so many sheep here, in lamenting my absence, and I in being
and oxen on her account, and had drunk so prevented from getting home though I was
many casks of wine. Ulysses in his turn told her longing all the time to do so. Now, however,
what he had suffered, and how much trouble that we have at last come together, take care
he had himself given to other people. He told of the property that is in the house. As for the
her everything, and she was so delighted to lis- sheep and goats which the wicked suitors have
ten that she never went to sleep till he had eaten, I will take many myself by force from
ended his whole story. other people, and will compel the Achasans to
l^io] He began with his victory over the make good the rest till they shall have filled all
Cicons, and how he thence reached the fertile my yards. I am now going to the wooded lands
land of the Lotus-eaters. He told her all about out in the country to see my father who has so
the Cyclops and how he had punished him for long been grieved on my account, and to your-
having so ruthlessly eaten his brave comrades; self I will give these instructions, though you
how he then went on to /Eolus, who received have little need of them. At sunrise it will at
him hospitably and furthered him on his way, once get abroad that I have been killing the
but even so he was not to reach home, for to his suitors; go upstairs, therefore, and stay there
3i6 THE ODYSSEY
with your women. See nobody and ask no ques- selves. When they had done so, they opened
tions." the gates and saUied forth, Ulysses leading the
[^66] As he spoke he girded on his armour. way. It was now daylight, but Minerva never-
Then he roused Telemachus, Philanius, and theless concealed them darkness and led
in
Euma?us, and told them all to put on their ar- them quickly out of the town,
mour also. This they did, and armed them-
 BOOK XXIV
THEN Mercury of Cyllene summoned now of your chivalry. We fought the whole of
hand
the ghosts of the suitors, and in his the livelong day, nor should we ever have left
he held the fair golden wand with which Jove had not sent a hurricane to stay us.
off if

he seals men's eyes in sleep or wakes them just Then, when we had borne you to the ships out
as he pleases; with this he roused the ghosts of the fray, we laid you on your bed and
and led them, while they followed whining cleansed your fair skin with warm water and
and gibbering behind him. As bats fly squeal- with ointments. The Danaans tore their hair
ing in the hollow of some great cave, when one and wept bitterly round about you. Your
of them has fallen out of the cluster in which mother, when she heard, came with her immor-
they hang, even so did the ghosts whine and tal nymphs from out of the sea, and the sound
squeal as Mercury the healer of sorrow led them of a great wailing went forth over the waters
down into the dark abode of death. When they so that the Achaeans quaked for fear. Thev
had passed the waters of Oceanus and the rock would have fled panic-stricken to their ships
Leucas, they came to the gates of the sun and had not wise old Nestor whose counsel was
the land of dreams, whereon they reached the ever truest checked them saying, 'Hold, Ar-
meadow of asphodel where dwell the souls and gives, fly not sons of the Achasans, this is his
shadows of them that can labour no more. mother coming from the sea with her immortal
[i^] Here they found the ghost of Achilles nymphs to view the body of her son.'
son of Peleus, with those of Patroclus, Antilo- [57] "Thus he spoke, and the Achaeans
chus, and Ajax, who was the finest and hand- feared no more. The daughters of the old man
somest man of all the Danaans after the son of of the sea stood round you weeping bitterly,
Peleus himself. and clothed you in immortal raiment. The nine
[ig] They gathered round the ghost of the muses also came and lifted up their sweet voices
son of Peleus, and the ghost of Agamemnon in lament— calling and answering one another;
joined them, sorrowing bitterly. Round him there was not an Argive but wept for pity of
were gathered also the ghosts of those who had the dirge they chaunted. Days and nights seven
perished with him in the house of yEgisthus; and ten we mourned vou, mortals and immor-
and the ghost of Achilles spoke first. tals, but on the eighteenth day we gave you to

[24] "Son of Atreus," it said, "we used to say the flames, and many a fat sheep with many an
that Jovehad loved you better from first to last ox did we slay in sacrifice around you. You
than any other hero, for you were captain over were burnt in raiment of the gods, with rich
many and brave men, when we were all fight- resins and with honey, while heroes, horse and
ing together before Troy; yet the hand of foot, clashed their armour round the pile as you
death, which no mortal can escape, was laid were burning, with the tramp as of a great
upon you all too early. Better for you had you multitude. But when the flames of heaven had
fallen at Troy in the hey-day of your renown, done their work, we gathered your white bones
for the Achaeans would have built a mound at daybreak and laid them in ointments and in
over your ashes, and your son would have been pure wine. Your mother brought us a golden
heir to your good name, whereas it has now vase to hold them— gift of Bacchus, and work
been your lot to come
to a most miserable end." of Vulcan himself; in this we mingled your
[357 "Happy son of Peleus," answered the bleached bones with those of Patroclus who
ghost of Agamemnon, "for having died at Troy had gone before you, and separate we enclosed
far from Argos, while the bravest of the Tro- also those of Antilochus, who had been closer
jans and the Achasans fell round you fighting to you than any other of your comrades now
for your body. There you lay in the whirling that Patroclus was no more.
clouds of dust, all huge and hugely, heedless [80] "Over these the host of the Argives
317
3.8 THE ODYSSEY
built a noble tomb, on a point jutting out over piece of fine needlework. 'Sweethearts,' said
the open Hellespont, that it might be seen from she, 'Ulyssesis indeed dead, still, do not press

far out upon the sea by those now living and me marry again immediately; wait— for I
to
by them that shall be born hereafter. Your would not have my skill in needlework perish
mother begged prizes from the gods, and of- unrecorded— till I have completed a pall for the
fered them to be contended for by the noblest hero Laertes, against the time when death shall
of the Achaeans. You must have been present take him. He is very rich, and the women of
at the funeral of many a hero, when the young the place will talk if he is laid out without a
men gird themselves and make ready to con- pall.'This is what she said, and we assented;
tend for prizes on the death of some great chief- whereupon we could sec her working upon her
tain, but vou never saw such prizes as silver- great web all day long, but at night she would
footed Thetis offered in vour honour; for the unpick the stitches again by torchlight. She
gods loved you well. Thus even in death vour fooled us in this way for three years without
fame, Achilles, has not been lost, and your our finding it out, but as time wore on and she
name lives evermore among all mankind. But was now in her fourth year, in the waning of
as for me, what solace had I when the days of moons and many days had been accomplished,
my fighting were done? For Jove willed my de- one of her maids who knew what she was do-
struction on my return, by the hands of .^gis- ing told us, and we caught her in the act of un-
thus and those of my wicked wife." doing her work, so she had to finish it whether
[g8] Thus did they converse, and presently she would or no; and when she showed us the
Mercury came up to them with the ghosts of robe she had made, after she had had it washed,
the suitors who had been killed by Ulysses. its splendour was as that of the sun or moon.

The ghosts of Agamemnon and Achilles were [149] "Then some malicious god conveyed
astonished at seeing them, and went up to them Ulysses to the upland farm where his swine-
The ghost of Agamemnon recognized
at once. herd lives. 1 hither presently came also his son,
Amphimedon son of Melaneus, who lived in returning from a voyage to Pylos, and the two
Ithaca and had been his host, so it began to talk came to the town when they had hatched their
to him. plot for our destruction. Telemachus came first,
[io6] "Amphimedon," it said, "what has and then after him, accompanied by the swine-
happened to all you fine young men— all of an herd, came Ulysses, clad in rags and leaning on
age too— that you are come down here under a staff as though he were some miserable old
the ground? One could pick no finer body of beggar. He came so unexpectedly that none of
men from any city. Did Neptune raise his us knew him, not even the older ones among
winds and waves against you when you were at us, and we reviled him and threw things at
sea, or did your enemies make an end of you him. He endured both being struck and in-
on the mainland when you were cattle-lifting sulted without a word, though he was in his
or sheep-stealing, or while fighting in defence own house; but when the will of ^gis-bearing
of their wives and city? Answer my question, Jove inspired him, he and Telemachus took the
for have been your guest. Do you not remem-
I armour and hid it in an inner chamber, bolting
ber how I came to your house with Menelaus, the doors behind them. Then he cunningly
to persuade Ulysses to join us with his ships made his wife offer his bow and a quantity of
against Troy? It was a whole month ere we iron to be contended for by us ill-fated suitors;
could resume our voyage, for we had hard work and this was the beginning of our end, for not
to persuade Ulysses to come with us." one of us could string the bow— nor nearly do
[120] And the ghost of Amphimedon an- so. When it was about to reach the hands of

swered, "Agamemnon, son of Atreus, king of Ulysses, we all of us shouted out that it should
men, I remember everything that you have not be given him, no matter what he might say,
said, and will tell you fully and accurately but Telemachus insisted on his having it. When
about the way in which our end was brought he had got it in his hands he strung it with
about. Ulysses had been long gone, and we ease and sent his arrow through the iron. Then
were courting his wife, who did not say point he stood on the floor of the cloister and poured
blank that she would not marry, nor yet bring his arrows on the ground, glaring fiercely about
matters to an end, for she meant to compass him. First he killed Antinous, and then, aim-
our destruction: this, then, was the trick she ing straight before him, he let fly his deadly
played us. She set up a great tambour frame in darts and they fell thick on one another. It was
her room and began to work on an enormous plain that some one of the gods was helping
 BOOK XXIV 319
them, for they fell upon us with might and cap on his head, and was looking very woe-be-
main throughout the cloisters, and there was a gone. When Ulysses saw him so worn, so old
hideous sound of groaning as our brains were and full of sorrow, he stood still under a tall
being battered in, and the ground seethed with pear tree and began to weep. Lie doubted
our blood. This, Agamemnon, is how we came whether to embrace him, kiss him, and tell him
by our end, and our bodies are lying still un- all about his having come home, or whether

cared for in the house of Ulysses, for our friends he should first question him and see what he
at home do not yet know what has happened, would say. In the end he deemed it best to be
so that they cannot lay us out and wash the crafty with him, so in this mind he went up to
black blood from our wounds, making moan his father, who was bending down and digging
over us according to the offices due to the de- about a plant.
parted." [244] "1 see, sir," said Ulysses, "that you

[191] "Happy Ulysses, son of Laertes," re- are an excellent gardener— what pains you take
plied the ghost of Agamemnon, "you are in- with it, to be sure. There is not a single plant,
deed blessed in the possession of a wife endowed not a fig tree, vine, olive, pear, nor flower bed,
with such rare excellence of understanding, but bears the trace of your attention. I trust,
and so faithful to her wedded lord as Penelope however, that you will not be offended if I say
the daughter of Icarius. The fame, therefore, that you take better care of your garden than
of her virtue shall never die, and the immortals of yourself. You are old, unsavoury, and very
shall compose a song that shall be welcome to meanly clad. It cannot be because you are idle
all mankind in honour of the constancy of that your master takes such poor care of you,
Penelope. How far otherwise was the wicked- indeed your face and figure have nothing of
ness of the daughter of Tyndareus who killed the slave about them, and proclaim you of no-
her lawful husband; her song shall be hateful ble birth. I should have said that you were one
among men, for she has brought disgrace on all of those who should wash well, eat well, and
womankind even on the good ones." lie soft at night as old men have a right to do;

[2.0^] Thus did they converse in the house but tell me, and tell me true, whose bondman
of Hades deep down within the bowels of the are you, and in whose garden are you working?
earth. Meanwhile Ulysses and the others passed Tell me also about another matter. Is this place
out of the town and soon reached the fair and that I have come to really Ithaca? I met a man
well-tilled farm of Laertes, which he had re- just now who said so, but he was a dull fellow,
claimed with infinite labour. Here was his and had not the patience to hear my story out
house, with a lean-to running all round it, when I was asking him about an old friend of
where the slaves who worked for him slept and mine, whether he was still living, or was al-
sat and ate, while inside the house there was ready dead and in the house of Hades. Believe
an old Sicel woman, who
looked after him in me when I tell you that this man came to my
this his country-farm. When
Ulysses got there, house once when I was in my own country and
he said to his son and to the other two: never yet did any stranger come to me whom 1
[214] "Go to the house, and kill the best pig liked better. He said that his family came from
that you can find for dinner. Meanwhile I want Ithaca and that his father was Laertes, son of
to see whether my father will know me, or fail Arceisius.I received him hospitably, making

to recognize me after so long an absence." him welcome to all the abundanceof myhouse,
[2.19] He then took off his armour and gave and when he went away I gave him all cus-
it to Eumaeus and PhilcEtius, who went straight tomary presents. I gave him seven talents of
on to the house, while he turned off into the fine gold, and a cup
of solid silver with flowers
vineyard to make trial of his father. As he went chased upon gave him twelve light cloaks,
it. I

down into the great orchard, he did not see and as many pieces of tapestry; I also gave him
Dolius, nor any of his sons nor of the other twelve cloaks of single fold, twelve rugs, twelve
bondsmen, for they were all gathering thorns fair mantles, and an equal number of shirts.
to make a fence for the vineyard, at the place To all this I added four good looking women
where the old man had told them; he therefore skilled in all useful arts, and I let him take his
found his father alone, hoeing a vine. He had choice."
on a dirty old shirt, patched and very shabby; [280] His father shed tears and answered,
his legs were bound round with thongs of ox- "Sir,you have indeed come to the country that
hide to save him from the brambles, and he you have named, but it is fallen into the hands
also wore sleeves of leather; he had a goat skin of wicked people. All this wealth of presents
320 THE ODYSSEY
has been given to no purpose. If you could have must give me such manifest proof of your
found your friend here ahve in Ithaca, he identity as shall convince me."
would have entertained you hospitably and [33°] 'First observe this scar," answered
would have requited your presents amply when Ulysses, "which I got from a boar's tusk when
you left him— as would have been only right I was hunting on Mount Parnassus. You and
considering what you had already given him. my mother had sent me to Autolycus, my moth-
But tell me, and tell me true, how many years er's father, to receive the presents which when

is it since you entertained this guest— my un- he was over here he had promised to give me.
happy son, as ever was? Alas! Me has perished Furthermore I will point out to you the trees in
far from his own country; the fishes of the sea the vineyard which you gave me, and I asked
have eaten him, or he has fallen a prey to the you all about them as I followed you round the
birds and wild beasts of some continent. Nei- garden. We went over them all, and you told
ther his mother, nor I his father, who were his me their names and what they all were. You
parents, could throw our arms about him and gave me thirteen pear trees, ten apple trees,
wrap him in his shroud, nor could his excellent and you also said you would give
forty fig trees;
and richly dowered wife Penelope bewail her me rows of vines; there was corn planted
fifty

husband as was natural upon his death bed, between each row, and they yield grapes of
and close his eyes according to the offices due to every kind when the heat of heaven has been
the departed. But now, tell me truly for I want laid heavy upon them."
to know. Who and whence are you— tell me of [^4$] Laertes' strength failed him when he
your town and parents? Where is the ship ly- heard the convincing proofs which his son had
ing that has brought you and your men to Ith- given him. He threw his arms about him, and
aca? Or were you a passenger on some other Ulysses had to support him, or he would have
man's ship, and those who brought you here gone off into a swoon; but as soon as he came
have gone on their way and left you?" to, and was beginning to recover his senses, he

/302J "I will tell you everything," answered said, "O father Jove, then you gods are still in
Ulysses, "quite truly. I come from Alybas, Olympus after all, if the suitors have really
where I have a fine house. I am son of king been punished for their insolence and folly.
y\pheidas, who is the son of Polypemon. My Nevertheless, I am much afraid that I shall
own name is Eperitus; heaven drove me off my have all the townspeople of Ithaca up here di-

course as I was leaving Sicania, and I have rectly, and they will be sending messengers
been carried here against my will. As for my everywhere throughout the cities of the Ce-
ship it is lying over yonder, off the open coun- phallenians."
try outside the town, and this is the fifth year [iS^] Ulysses answered, "Take heart and
since Ulysses left my country. Poor fellow, yet do not trouble yourself about that, but let us go
the omens were good for him when he left me. into the house hard by your garden. I have al-
The birds all flew on our right hands, and both ready told Telemachus, Philcetius, and Eu-
he and I rejoiced to see them as we parted, for maeus to go on there and get dinner ready as
we had every hope that we should have an- soon as possible."
other friendly meeting and exchange presents." [^61] Thus conversing the two made their
[^is] A dark cloud of sorrow fell upon Laer- way towards the house. When they got there
tes as he listened. He filled both hands with they found Telemachus with the stockman
the dust from off the ground and poured it over and the swineherd cutting up meat and mixing
his grev head, groaning heavily as he did so. wine with water. Then the old Sicel woman
The was touched, and his nos-
heart of Ulysses took Laertes inside and washed him and anointed
trilsquivered as he looked upon his father; him with oil. She put him on a good cloak,
then he sprang towards him, flung his arms and Minerva came up to him and gave him a
about him and kissed him, saying, "I am he, more imposing presence, making him taller and
father, about whom you are asking— I have re- stouter than before. When he came back his
turned after having been away for twenty years. son was surprised to see him looking so like an
But cease your sighing and lamentation— we immortal, and said to him, "My dear father,
have no time to lose, for I should tell you that some one of the gods has been making you
I have been killing the suitors in my house, to much taller and better-looking."
punish them for their insolence and crimes." liJS] Laertes answered, "Would, by Father
lizy] "If you really are my son Ulysses," re- Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that I were the man
plied Laertes, "and have come back again, you I was when I ruled among the Cephalienians,
 BOOK XXIV 321
and took Nericum, that strong fortresson the with him in his and he has lost both ships
fleet,
foreland. If were still what I
I then was and and men; now, moreover, on his return he has
had been house yesterday with my ar-
in our been killing 2II the foremost men among the
mour on, I should have been able to stand by Cephallenians. Let us be up and doing before
you and help you against the suitors. I should he can get away to Pylos or to Elis where the
have killed a great many of them, and you Epeans rule, or we shall be ashamed of our-
would have rejoiced to see it." selves for ever afterwards. It will be an everlast-
[3^3] Thus did they converse; but the oth- ing disgrace to us if we do not avenge the mur-
ers, when they had finished their work and the der of our sons and brothers. For my own part
feast was ready, left off working, and took each I should have no more pleasure in life, but had

his proper place on the benches and seats. Then rather die at once. Let us be up, then, and
they began eating; by and by old Dolius and afterthem, before they can cross over to the
his sons left their work and came up, for their mainland."
mother, the Sicel woman who looked after Laer- [438] He wept as he spoke and every one
tes now that he was growing old, had been to pitied him. But Medon and the bard Phemius
fetch them. When they saw Ulysses and were had now woke up, and came to them from the
certain it was he, they stood there lost in aston- house of Ulysses. Every one was astonished at
ishment; but Ulysses scolded them good-na- seeing them, but they stood in the middle of
turedly and said, "Sit down to your dinner, old the assembly, and Medon said, "Hear me, men
man, and never mind about your surprise; we of Ithaca. Ulysses did not do these things
have been wanting to begin for some time and against the will of heaven. I myself saw an im-
have been waiting for you." mortal god take the form of Mentor and stand
[397] Then Dolius put out both his hands beside him. This god appeared, now in front
and went up to Ulysses. "Sir," said he, seizing of him encouraging him, and now going fu-
his master'shand and kissing it at the wrist, riously about the court and attacking the suit-
"we have long been wishing you home: and ors, whereon they fell thick on one another."
now heaven has restored you to us after we had [4S0] On this pale fear laid hold of them,
given up hoping. All hail, therefore, and may and old Halitherses, son of Mastor, rose to
the gods prosper you. But tell me, does Penel- speak, for he was the only man among them
ope already know of your return, or shall we who knew both past and future; so he spoke to
send some one to tell her?" them plainly and in all honesty, saying,
[40-/] "Old man," answered Ulysses, "she [454] "Men of Ithaca, it is all your own
knows already, so you need not trouble about fault that things have turned out as they have;
that." On this he took his seat, and the sons of you would not listen to me, nor yet to Mentor,
Dolius gathered round Ulysses to give him when we bade you check the folly of your sons
greeting and embrace him one after the other; who were doing much wrong in the wanton-
then they took their seats in due order near ness of their hearts— wasting the substance and
Dolius their father. dishonouring the wife of a chieftain who they
[412] While they were thus busy getting thought would not return. Now, however, let
their dinner ready, Rumour went round the it be as I say, and do as I tell you. Do not go

town, and noised abroad the terrible fate that out against Ulysses, or you may find that you
had befallen the suitors; as soon, therefore, as have been drawing down evil on your own
the people heard of it they gathered from every heads."
quarter, groaning and hooting before the house [463] This was what he said, and more than
of Ulysses. They took the dead away, buried half raised a loud shout, and at once left the
every man his own, and put the bodies of those assembly. But the rest stayed where they were,
who came from elsewhere on board the fishing for the speech of Halitherses displeased them,
vessels, for the fishermen to take each of them and they sided with Eupeithes; they therefore
to his own place. They then met angrily in the hurried off for their armour, and when they
place of assembly, and when they were got to- had armed themselves, they met together in
gether Eupeithes rose to speak. He was over- front of the city, and Eupeithes led them on in
whelmed with grief for the death of his son their folly. He thought he was going to avenge
Antinous, who h?d been the first man killed by the murder of his son, whereas in truth he was
Ulysses, so he weeping bitterly, "My
said, never to return, but was himself to perish in
friend, this man has done the Achaeans great his attempt.
wrong. He took many of our best men away [472] Then Minerva said to Jove, "Father,
322 THE ODYSSEY
son of Saturn, king of kings, answer me this swered Telemachus, "and you shall see, if you
question— What do you propose to do? Will will, that I am in no mind to disgrace your
you set them fighting still further, or will you family."
make peace hctvveen them?" [513] Laertes was delighted when he heard
[477] And Jove answered, "My child, why this. "Good heavens," he exclaimed, "what a
should you ask me? Was it not by your own day I am enjoving: I do indeed rejoice at it. My
arrangement that Ulysses came home and took son and grandson are vying with one another
his revenge upon the suitors? Do whatever you in the matter of valour."
like, but I will tell you what I think will be the [5 16] On this Minerva came close up to him
most reasonable arrangement. Now that Ulys- and said, "Son of Arceisius— best friend I have
ses is revenged, let them swear to a solemn cov- in the world— pray to the blue-eyed damsel,
enant, in virtue of which he shall continue to and to Jove her father; then poise your spear
rule, while we cause the others to forgive and and hurl it."
forget the massacre of their sons and brothers. Is^-o] As she spoke she infused fresh vigour
Let them then all become friends as heretofore, into him, and when he had prayed to her he
and let peace and plenty reign." poised his spear and hurled it. He hit Eupei-
[487] This was what Minerva was already thes' helmet, and the spear went right through
eager to bring about, so down she darted from it, for the helmet stayed it not, and his armour

off the topmost summits of Olympus. rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to
[489] Now when Laertes and the others had the ground. Meantime Ulysses and his son fell
done dinner, Ulysses began by saying, "Some upon the front line of the foe and smote them
of you go out and see if they are not getting with their swords and spears; indeed, they
close up to us." So one of Dolius's sons went as would have killed every one of them, and pre-
he was bid. Standing on the threshold he could vented them from ever getting home again,
see them all quite near, and said to Ulysses, only Minerva raised her voice aloud, and made
"Here they are, let us put on our armour at every one pause. "Men of Ithaca," she cried,
once." "cease this dreadful war, and settle the matter
[496] They put on their armour as fast as at once without further bloodshed."
they could— that is to say Ulysses, his three On this pale fear seized every one;
/"533J
men, and the six sons of Dolius. Laertes also and they were so frightened that their arms dropped
Dolius did the same— warriors by necessity in from their hands and fell upon the ground at
spite of their grey hair. When they had all put the sound of the goddess's voice, and they fled
on their armour, they opened the gate and sal- back to the city for their lives. But Ulysses
lied forth.Ulysses leading the way. gave a great cry, and gathering himself together
[502] Then Jove's daughter Minerva came swooped down like a soaring eagle. Then the
up to them, having assumed the form and voice son of Saturn sent a thunderbolt of fire that fell
of Mentor. Ulysses was glad when he saw her, just in front of Miner\'a, so she said to Ulysses,
and said to his son Telemachus, "Telemachus, "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, stop this warful
now that you are about to fight in an engage- Jove will be angry with you."
strife, or

ment, which will show every man's mettle, be lS4S] Thus spoke Minerva, and Ulysses
sure not to disgrace your ancestors, who were obeyed her gladly. Then Minerva assumed the
eminent for their strength and courage all the form and voice of Mentor, and presently made
world over." a covenant of peace between the two contend-

IsioJ "You say truly, my dear father," an- ing parties.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

g THE GREAT IDEAS, Volumes 2 and 3 g

FAMILY
ANGEL FATE
ANIMAL FORM
ARISTOCRACY GOD
ART GOOD AND EVIL
ASTRONOMY GOVERNMENT
BEAUTY HABIT
BEING HAPPINESS
CAUSE HISTORY
CHANCE HONOR
CHANGE HYPOTHESIS
CITIZEN IDEA
CONSTITUTION IMMORTALITY
COURAGE INDUCTION
CUSTOM AND INFINITY
CONVENTION JUDGMENT
DEFINITION JUSTICE
DEMOCRACY KNOWLEDGE
DESIRE LABOR
DIALECTIC LANGUAGE
DUTY LAW
EDUCATION LIBERTY
ELEMENT LIFE AND DEATH
EMOTION LOGIC
ETERNITY LOVE
EVOLUTION MAN
EXPERIENCE MATHEMATICS
THE GREAT IDEAS, Volumes 2 and 3

^fS

MATTER RELATION
MECHANICS RELIGION
MEDICINE REVOLUTION
MEMORY AND RHETORIC
IMAGINATION SAME AND OTHER
METAPHYSICS SCIENCE ^
^v^
MIND SENSE
MONARCHY SIGN AND SYMBOL
NATURE SIN
NECESSITY AND SLAVERY ^7^

CONTINGENCY SOUL
OLIGARCHY SPACE
ONE AND MANY STATE
OPINION TEMPERANCE
OPPOSITION THEOLOGY
PHILOSOPHY TIME
PHYSICS TRUTH
PLEASURE AND PAIN TYRANNY
POETRY UNIVERSAL AND
PRINCIPLE PARTICULAR
PROGRESS VIRTUE AND VICE
PROPHECY WAR AND PEACE
PRUDENCE WEALTH
PUNISHMENT WILL
QUALITY WISDOM
QUANTITY WORLD
REASONING