Hath succor’d many a time. Therefore arise!
Instant bid drive thy numerous charioteers 320
Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet;
I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself,
The way before them, and will turn again
To flight the heroes of the host of Greece.
He said and with new strength the Chief inspired. 325
As some stall’d horse high pamper’d, snapping short
His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil,
Accustom’d in smooth-sliding streams to lave
Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane
Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes 330
His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees
Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze;
So bounded Hector, and his agile joints
Plied lightly, quicken’d by the voice divine,
And gather’d fast his charioteers to battle. 335
But as when hounds and hunters through the woods
Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat,
He, in some cave with tangled boughs o’erhung,
Lies safe conceal’d, no destined prey of theirs,
371 Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim 340
Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly;
Such hot pursuit the Danaï, with swords
And spears of double edge long time maintain’d.
But seeing Hector in his ranks again
Occupied, felt at once their courage fall’n. 345
Then, Thoas them, Andræmon’s son, address’d,
Foremost of the Ætolians, at the spear
Skilful, in stationary combat bold,
And when the sons of Greece held in dispute
The prize of eloquence, excell’d by few. 350
Prudent advising them, he thus began.
Ye Gods! what prodigy do I behold?
Hath Hector, ‘scaping death, risen again?
For him, with confident persuasion all
Believed by Telamonian Ajax slain. 355
But some Divinity hath interposed
To rescue and save Hector, who the joints
Hath stiffen’d of full many a valiant Greek,
As surely now he shall; for, not without
The Thunderer’s aid, he flames in front again. 360
But take ye all my counsel. Send we back
The multitude into the fleet, and first
Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight,
Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears,
We may attempt to give his rage a check. 365
To thrust himself into a band like ours
Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear.
He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied.
Then Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,
Teucer, Meriones, and Meges fierce 370
As Mars in battle, summoning aloud
The noblest Greeks, in opposition firm
To Hector and his host their bands prepared,
While others all into the fleet retired.
Troy’s crowded host struck first. With awful strides 375
372 Came Hector foremost; him Apollo led,
His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm,
The Ægis shagg’d terrific all around,
Tempestuous, dazzling-bright; it was a gift
To Jove from Vulcan, and design’d to appall, 380
And drive to flight the armies of the earth.
Arm’d with that shield Apollo led them on.
Firm stood the embodied Greeks; from either host
Shrill cries arose; the arrows from the nerve
Leap’d, and, by vigorous arms dismiss’d, the spears 385
Flew frequent; in the flesh some stood infixt
Of warlike youths, but many, ere they reach’d
The mark they coveted, unsated fell
Between the hosts, and rested in the soil.
Long as the God unagitated held 390
The dreadful disk, so long the vollied darts
Made mutual slaughter, and the people fell;
But when he look’d the Grecian charioteers
Full in the face and shook it, raising high
Himself the shout of battle, then he quell’d 395
Their spirits, then he struck from every mind
At once all memory of their might in arms.
As when two lions in the still, dark night
A herd of beeves scatter or numerous flock
Suddenly, in the absence of the guard, 400
So fled the heartless Greeks, for Phœbus sent
Terrors among them, but renown conferr’d
And triumph proud on Hector and his host.
Then, in that foul disorder of the field,
Man singled man. Arcesilaüs died 405
By Hector’s arm, and Stichius; one, a Chief
Of the Bœotians brazen-mail’d, and one,
Menestheus’ faithful follower to the fight.
Æneas Medon and Iäsus slew.
Medon was spurious offspring of divine 410
Oïleus Ajax’ father, and abode
In Phylace; for he had slain a Chief
373 Brother of Eriopis the espoused
Of brave Oïleus; but Iäsus led
A phalanx of Athenians, and the son 415
Of Sphelus, son of Bucolus was deem’d.
Pierced by Polydamas Mecisteus fell,
Polites, in the van of battle, slew
Echion, and Agenor Clonius;
But Paris, while Deïochus to flight 420
Turn’d with the routed van, pierced him beneath
His shoulder-blade, and urged the weapon through.
While them the Trojans spoil’d, meantime the Greeks,
Entangled in the piles of the deep foss,
Fled every way, and through necessity 425
Repass’d the wall. Then Hector with a voice
Of loud command bade every Trojan cease
From spoil, and rush impetuous on the fleet.
And whom I find far lingering from the ships
Wherever, there he dies; no funeral fires 430
Brother on him, or sister, shall bestow,
But dogs shall rend him in the sight of Troy.
So saying, he lash’d the shoulders of his steeds,
And through the ranks vociferating, call’d
His Trojans on; they, clamorous as he, 435
All lash’d their steeds, and menacing, advanced.
Before them with his feet Apollo push’d
The banks into the foss, bridging the gulf
With pass commodious, both in length and breadth
A lance’s flight, for proof of vigor hurl’d. 440
There, phalanx after phalanx, they their host
Pour’d dense along, while Phœbus in the van
Display’d the awful ægis, and the wall
Levell’d with ease divine. As, on the shore
Some wanton boy with sand builds plaything walls, 445
Then, sportive spreads them with his feet abroad,
So thou, shaft-arm’d Apollo! that huge work
Laborious of the Greeks didst turn with ease
374 To ruin, and themselves drovest all to flight.
They, thus enforced into the fleet, again 450
Stood fast, with mutual exhortation each
His friend encouraging, and all the Gods
With lifted hands soliciting aloud.
But, more than all, Gerenian Nestor pray’d
Fervent, Achaia’s guardian, and with arms 455
Outstretch’d toward the starry skies, exclaim’d.
Jove, Father! if in corn-clad Argos, one,
One Greek hath ever, burning at thy shrine
Fat thighs of sheep or oxen, ask’d from thee
A safe return, whom thou hast gracious heard, 4
60
Olympian King! and promised what he sought,
Now, in remembrance of it, give us help
In this disastrous day, nor thus permit
Their Trojan foes to tread the Grecians down!
So Nestor pray’d, and Jove thunder’d aloud 465
Responsive to the old Neleïan’s prayer.
But when that voice of Ægis-bearing Jove
The Trojans heard, more furious on the Greeks
They sprang, all mindful of the fight. As when
A turgid billow of some spacious sea, 470
While the wind blow that heaves its highest, borne
Sheer o’er the vessel’s side, rolls into her,
With such loud roar the Trojans pass’d the wall;
In rush’d the steeds, and at the ships they waged
Fierce battle hand to hand, from chariots, these, 475
With spears of double edge, those, from the decks
Of many a sable bark, with naval poles
Long, ponderous, shod with steel; for every ship
Had such, for conflict maritime prepared.
While yet the battle raged only without 480
The wall, and from the ships apart, so long
Patroclus quiet in the tent and calm
Sat of Eurypylus, his generous friend
Consoling with sweet converse, and his wound
Sprinkling with drugs assuasive of his pains. 485
But soon as through the broken rampart borne
375 He saw the Trojans, and the clamor heard
And tumult of the flying Greeks, a voice
Of loud lament uttering, with open palms
His thighs he smote, and, sorrowful, exclaim’d. 490
Eurypylus! although thy need be great,
No longer may I now sit at thy side,
Such contest hath arisen; thy servant’s voice
Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent
Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth; 495
Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods,
I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain.
So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured
The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships
Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves, 500
Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks
Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet;
But as the line divides the plank aright,
Stretch’d by some naval architect, whose hand
Minerva hath accomplish’d in his art, 505
So stretch’d on them the cord of battle lay.
Others at other ships the conflict waged,
But Hector to the ship advanced direct
Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove;
Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire 510
The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse
Hector, conducted thither by the Gods.
Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast
Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm’d
With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell, 515
And from his loosen’d grasp down dropp’d the brand.
But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen
Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice
Call’d on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy.
Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons 520
Of Dardanus, within this narrow pass
Stand firm, retreat not, but redeem the son
Of Clytius, lest the Grecians of his arms
Despoil him slain in battle at the ships.
376 So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast 525
Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son
Of Mastor, a Cytherian, who had left
Cytheras, fugitive for blood, and dwelt
With Ajax. Him standing at Ajax’ side,
He pierced above his ear; down from the stern 530
Supine he fell, and in the dust expired.
Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake.
Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend;
Mastorides is slain, whom we received
An inmate from Cytheræ, and with love 535
And reverence even filia,, entertain’d;
B9 Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts
Death-wing’d, and bow, by gift from Phœbus thine?
He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran
With bow and well-stored quiver to his side, 540
Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host.
He struck Pisenor’s son Clytus, the friend
And charioteer of brave Polydamas,
Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands
To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please 545
The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most
He saw the battle, thither he had driven.
But sudden mischief, valiant as he was,
Found him, and such as none could waft aside,
For right into his neck the arrow plunged, 550
And down he fell; his startled coursers shook
Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang.
That sound alarm’d Polydamas; he turn’d,
And flying to their heads, consign’d them o’er
To Protiaön’s son, Astynoüs, 555
Whom he enjoin’d to keep them in his view;
Then, turning, mingled with the van again.
But Teucer still another shaft produced
Design’d for valiant Hector, whose exploits
(Had that shaft reach’d him) at the ships of Greece 560
Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove,
Guardian of Hector’s life, slept not; he took
377 From Telamonian Te5cer that renown,
And while he stood straining the twisted nerve
Against the Trojan, snapp’d it. Devious flew 565
The steel-charged arrow, and he dropp’d his bow.
Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake.
Ah! it is evident. Some Power divine
Makes fruitless all our efforts, who hath struck
My bow out of my hand, and snapt the cord 570
With which I strung it new at dawn of day,
That it might bear the bound of many a shaft.
To whom the towering son of Telamon.
Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest,
Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds, 575
That thou may’st fight with spear and buckler arm’d,
And animate the rest. Such be our deeds
That, should they conquer us, our foes may find
Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won.
So Ajax spake; then Teucer, in his tent 580
The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield,
Settled on his illustrious brows his casque
With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved,
Terrible from above, took forth a spear
Tough-grain’d, acuminated sharp with brass, 585
And stood, incontinent, at Ajax’ side.
Hector perceived the change, and of the cause
Conscious, with echoing voice call’d to his host.
Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons
Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men; 590
Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed,
Call into mind the fury of your might!
For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain
The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know
With ease the hand of interposing Jove, 595
Both whom to glory he ordains, and whom
He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves
378 The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us.
Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall’d
By arrow or by spear, dies — let him die; 600
It shall not shame him tha
t he died to serve
His country, but his children, wife and home,
With all his heritage, shall be secure,
Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy.
So saying, he animated each. Meantime, 605
Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address’d.
Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die,
Or save at once your galley and yourselves.
Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize
Of warlike Hector, ye shall yet return 610
On foot? Or hear ye not the Chief aloud
Summoning all his host, and publishing
His own heart’s wish to burn your fleet with fire?
Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight
He calls them; therefore wiser course for us 615
Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands
In contest obstinate, and force with force.
Better at once to perish, or at once
To rescue life, than to consume the time
Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain 620
Here at the ships, with an inferior foe.
He said, and by his words into all hearts
Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote
Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers
And son of Perimedes; Ajax slew, 625
Meantime, a Chief of Trojan infantry,
379 Laodamas, Antenor’s noble son
While by Polydamas, a leader bold
Of the Epeans, and Phylides’ friend,
Cyllenian Otus died. Meges that sight 630
Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang,
But, starting wide, Polydamas escaped,
Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced
The breast of Cræsmus; on his sounding shield
Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp’d his arms. 635
Him so employ’d Dolops assail’d, brave son
Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight,
Offspring of King Laomedon; he stood
Full near, and through his middle buckler struck
The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick 640
With plates of scaly brass his life secured.
That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home
From Ephyre, where the Selleïs winds,
And it was given him for his life’s defence
In furious battle by the King of men, 645
Euphetes. Many a time had it preserved
Unharm’d the sire, and now it saved the son.
Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance
The bushy crest of Dolops’ helmet drove
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