The Iliad of Homer · Homer
BOOK V.
We bear the stress, who are but Troy’s allies; Myself am such, and from afar I came;565 For Lycia lies far distant on the banks Of the deep-eddied Xanthus. There a wife I left and infant son, both dear to me, With plenteous wealth, the wish of all who want. Yet urge I still my Lycians, and am prompt570 Myself to fight, although possessing here Nought that the Greeks can carry or drive hence. But there stand’st thou, neither employed thyself, Nor moving others to an active part For all their dearest pledges. Oh beware!575 Lest, as with meshes of an ample net, At one huge draught the Grecians sweep you all, And desolate at once your populous Troy! By day, by night, thoughts such as these should still Thy conduct influence, and from Chief to Chief580 Of the allies should send thee, praying each To make firm stand, all bickerings put away. So spake Sarpedon, and his reprimand Stung Hector; instant to the ground he leap’d All arm’d, and shaking his bright spears his host585 Ranged in all quarters animating loud His legions, and rekindling horrid war.
Then, rolling back, the powers of Troy opposed Once more the Grecians, whom the Grecians dense Expected, unretreating, void of fear.590 As flies the chaff wide scatter’d by the wind O’er all the consecrated floor, what time Ripe Ceres[13] with brisk airs her golden grain Ventilates, whitening with its husk the ground; So grew the Achaians white, a dusty cloud595 Descending on their arms, which steeds with steeds Again to battle mingling, with their hoofs Up-stamp’d into the brazen vault of heaven; For now the charioteers turn’d all to fight. Host toward host with full collected force600 They moved direct. Then Mars through all the field Took wide his range, and overhung the war With night, in aid of Troy, at the command Of Phœbus of the golden sword; for he Perceiving Pallas from the field withdrawn,605 Patroness of the Greeks, had Mars enjoin’d To rouse the spirit of the Trojan host. Meantime Apollo from his unctuous shrine Sent forth restored and with new force inspired Æneas. He amidst his warriors stood,610 Who him with joy beheld still living, heal’d, And all his strength possessing unimpair’d. Yet no man ask’d him aught.
No leisure now For question was; far other thoughts had they; Such toils the archer of the silver bow,615 Wide-slaughtering Mars, and Discord as at first Raging implacable, for them prepared. Ulysses, either Ajax, Diomede— These roused the Greeks to battle, who themselves The force fear’d nothing, or the shouts of Troy,620 But steadfast stood, like clouds by Jove amass’d On lofty mountains, while the fury sleeps Of Boreas, and of all the stormy winds Shrill-voiced, that chase the vapors when they blow, So stood the Greeks, expecting firm the approach625 Of Ilium’s powers, and neither fled nor fear’d. Then Agamemnon the embattled host On all sides ranging, cheer’d them. Now, he cried, Be steadfast, fellow warriors, now be men! Hold fast a sense of honor. More escape630 Of men who fear disgrace, than fall in fight, While dastards forfeit life and glory both. He said, and hurl’d his spear. He pierced a friend Of brave Æneas, warring in the van, Deicöon son of Pergasus, in Troy635 Not less esteem’d than Priam’s sons themselves, Such was his fame in foremost fight acquired.
Him Agamemnon on his buckler smote, Nor stayed the weapon there, but through his belt His bowels enter’d, and with hideous clang640 And outcry[14] of his batter’d arms he fell. Æneas next two mightiest warriors slew, Sons of Diocles, of a wealthy sire, Whose house magnificent in Phæræ stood, Orsilochus and Crethon. Their descent645 From broad-stream’d Alpheus, Pylian flood, they drew. Alpheus begat Orsilochus, a prince Of numerous powers. Orsilochus begat Warlike Diodes. From Diodes sprang Twins, Crethon and Orsilochus, alike650 Valiant, and skilful in all forms of war. Their boyish prime scarce past, they, with the Greeks Embarking, in their sable ships had sail’d To steed-fam’d Ilium; just revenge they sought For Atreus’ sons, but perished first themselves.655 As two young lions, in the deep recess Of some dark forest on the mountain’s brow Late nourished by their dam, forth-issuing, seize The fatted flocks and kine, both folds and stalls Wasting rapacious, till, at length, themselves660 Deep-wounded perish by the hand of man, So they, both vanquish’d by Æneas, fell, And like two lofty pines uprooted, lay. Them fallen in battle Menelaus saw With pity moved; radiant in arms he shook665 His brazen spear, and strode into the van. Mars urged him furious on, conceiving hope Of his death also by Æneas’ hand.
But him the son of generous Nestor mark’d Antilochus, and to the foremost fight670 Flew also, fearing lest some dire mischance The Prince befalling, at one fatal stroke Should frustrate all the labors of the Greeks. They, hand to hand, and spear to spear opposed, Stood threatening dreadful onset, when beside675 The Spartan chief Antilochus appear’d. Æneas, at the sight of two combined, Stood not, although intrepid. They the dead Thence drawing far into the Grecian host To their associates gave the hapless pair,680 Then, both returning, fought in front again. Next, fierce as Mars, Pylæmenes they slew, Prince of the shielded band magnanimous Of Paphlagonia. Him Atrides kill’d Spear-practised Menelaus, with a lance685 His throat transpiercing while erect he rode. Then, while his charioteer, Mydon the brave, Son of Atymnias, turn’d his steeds to flight, Full on his elbow-point Antilochus, The son of Nestor, dash’d him with a stone.690 The slack reins, white as ivory,[15] forsook His torpid hand and trail’d the dust. At once Forth sprang Antilochus, and with his sword Hew’d deep his temples.
On his head he pitch’d Panting, and on his shoulders in the sand695 (For in deep sand he fell) stood long erect, Till his own coursers spread him in the dust; The son of Nestor seized, and with his scourge Drove them afar into the host of Greece. Them Hector through the ranks espying, flew700 With clamor loud to meet them; after whom Advanced in phalanx firm the powers of Troy, Mars led them, with Enyo terror-clad; She by the maddening tumult of the fight Attended, he, with his enormous spear705 in both hands brandish’d, stalking now in front Of Hector, and now following his steps. Him Diomede the bold discerning, felt Himself no small dismay; and as a man Wandering he knows not whither, far from home,710 If chance a rapid torrent to the sea Borne headlong thwart his course, the foaming flood Obstreperous views awhile, then quick retires, So he, and his attendants thus bespake. How oft, my countrymen! have we admired715 The noble Hector, skillful at the spear And unappall’d in fight? but still hath he Some God his guard, and even now I view In human form Mars moving at his side. Ye, then, with faces to the Trojans turn’d,720 Ceaseless retire, and war not with the Gods.
He ended; and the Trojans now approach’d. Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne, By valiant Hector died, Menesthes one, And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight725 Ajax the vast, touch’d with compassion saw; Within small space he stood, his glittering spear Dismiss’d, and pierced Amphius. Son was he Of Selagus, and Pæsus was his home, Where opulent he dwelt, but by his fate730 Was led to fight for Priam and his sons. Him Telamonian Ajax through his belt Wounded, and in his nether bowels deep Fix’d his long-shadow’d spear. Sounding he fell. Illustrious Ajax running to the slain735 Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands Assail’d, and numerous his broad shield received. He, on the body planting firm his heel, Forth drew the polish’d spear, but his bright arms740 Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy’d, Nor fear’d he little lest his haughty foes, Spear-arm’d and bold, should compass him around; Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge, They push’d before them. Staggering he retired.745 Thus toil’d both hosts in that laborious field. And now his ruthless destiny impell’d Tlepolemus, Alcides’ son, a Chief Dauntless and huge, against a godlike foe Sarpedon. They approaching face to face750 Stood, son and grandson of high-thundering Jove, And, haughty, thus Tlepolemus began.
Sarpedon, leader of the Lycian host, Thou trembler! thee what cause could hither urge A man unskill’d in arms? They falsely speak755 Who call thee son of Ægis-bearing Jove, So far below their might thou fall’st who sprang From Jove in days of old. What says report Of Hercules (for him I boast my sire) All-daring hero with a lion’s heart?760 With six ships only, and with followers few, He for the horses of Laomedon Lay’d Troy in dust, and widow’d all her streets. But thou art base, and thy diminish’d powers Perish around thee; think not that thou earnest765 For Ilium’s good, but rather, whatsoe’er Thy force in fight, to find, subdued by me, A sure dismission to the gates of hell. To whom the leader of the Lycian band. Tlepolemus! he ransack’d sacred Troy,770 As thou hast said, but for her monarch’s fault Laomedon, who him with language harsh Requited ill for benefits received, Nor would the steeds surrender, seeking which He voyaged from afar. But thou shalt take775 Thy bloody doom from this victorious arm, And, vanquish’d by my spear, shalt yield thy fame To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d. So spake Sarpedon, and his ashen beam Tlepolemus upraised. Both hurl’d at once780 Their quivering spears.
Sarpedon’s through the neck Pass’d of Tlepolemus, and show’d beyond Its ruthless point; thick darkness veil’d his eyes. Tlepolemus with his long lance the thigh Pierced of Sarpedon; sheer into his bone785 He pierced him, but Sarpedon’s father, Jove, Him rescued even on the verge of fate. His noble friends conducted from the field The godlike Lycian, trailing as he went The pendent spear, none thinking to extract790 For his relief the weapon from his thigh, Through eagerness of haste to bear him thence. On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d Bore off Tlepolemus. Ulysses fill’d With earnest thoughts tumultuous them observed,795 Danger-defying Chief! Doubtful he stood Or to pursue at once the Thunderer’s son Sarpedon, or to take more Lycian lives. But not for brave Ulysses had his fate That praise reserved, that he should slay the son800 Renown’d of Jove; therefore his wavering mind Minerva bent against the Lycian band. Then Cœranus, Alastor, Chromius fell, Alcander, Halius, Prytanis, and brave Noëmon; nor had these sufficed the Chief805 Of Ithaca, but Lycians more had fallen, Had not crest-tossing Hector huge perceived The havoc; radiant to the van he flew, Filling with dread the Grecians; his approach Sarpedon, son of Jove, joyful beheld,810 And piteous thus address’d him as he came.
Ah, leave not me, Priamides! a prey To Grecian hands, but in your city, at least, Grant me to die: since hither, doom’d, I came Never to gratify with my return815 To Lycia, my loved spouse, or infant child. He spake; but Hector unreplying pass’d Impetuous, ardent to repulse the Greeks That moment, and to drench his sword in blood. Then, under shelter of a spreading beech820 Sacred to Jove, his noble followers placed The godlike Chief Sarpedon, where his friend Illustrious Pelagon, the ashen spear Extracted. Sightless, of all thought bereft, He sank, but soon revived, by breathing airs825 Refresh’d, that fann’d him gently from the North. Meantime the Argives, although press’d alike By Mars himself and Hector brazen-arm’d, Neither to flight inclined, nor yet advanced To battle, but inform’d that Mars the fight830 Waged on the side of Ilium, slow retired.[16] Whom first, whom last slew then the mighty son Of Priam, Hector, and the brazen Mars!
First godlike Teuthras, an equestrian Chief, Orestes, Trechus of Ætolian race,835 Œnomaüs, Helenus from Œnops’ sprung, And brisk[17] in fight Oresbius; rich was he, And covetous of more; in Hyla dwelt Fast by the lake Cephissus, where abode Bœotian Princes numerous, rich themselves840 And rulers of a people wealth-renown’d. But Juno, such dread slaughter of the Greeks Noting, thus, ardent, to Minerva spake. Daughter of Jove invincible! Our word That Troy shall perish, hath been given in vain845 To Menelaus, if we suffer Mars To ravage longer uncontrol’d. The time Urges, and need appears that we ourselves Now call to mind the fury of our might. She spake; nor blue-eyed Pallas not complied.850 Then Juno, Goddess dread, from Saturn sprung, Her coursers gold-caparison’d prepared Impatient. Hebe to the chariot roll’d The brazen wheels,[18] and joined them to the smooth Steel axle; twice four spokes divided each855 Shot from the centre to the verge. The verge Was gold by fellies of eternal brass Guarded, a dazzling show!
The shining naves Were silver; silver cords and cords of gold The seat upbore; two crescents[19] blazed in front.860 The pole was argent all, to which she bound The golden yoke, and in their place disposed The breast-bands incorruptible of gold; But Juno to the yoke, herself, the steeds Led forth, on fire to reach the dreadful field.865 Meantime, Minerva, progeny of Jove, On the adamantine floor of his abode Let fall profuse her variegated robe, Labor of her own hands. She first put on The corselet of the cloud-assembler God,870 Then arm’d her for the field of wo complete. She charged her shoulder with the dreadful shield The shaggy Ægis,[20] border’d thick around With terror; there was Discord, Prowess there, There hot Pursuit, and there the feature grim875 Of Gorgon, dire Deformity, a sign Oft borne portentous on the arm of Jove. Her golden helm, whose concave had sufficed The legions of an hundred cities, rough With warlike ornament superb, she fix’d880 On her immortal head.
Thus arm’d, she rose Into the flaming chariot, and her spear Seized ponderous, huge, with which the Goddess sprung From an Almighty father, levels ranks Of heroes, against whom her anger burns.885 Juno with lifted lash urged quick the steeds; At her approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide- Unfolding gates of heaven;[21] the heavenly gates Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge Of the Olympian summit appertains,890 And of the boundless ether, back to roll, And to replace the cloudy barrier dense. Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds; Apart from all, and seated on the point Superior of the cloven mount, they found895 The Thunderer. Juno the white-arm’d her steeds There stay’d, and thus the Goddess, ere she pass’d, Question’d the son of Saturn, Jove supreme. Jove, Father, seest thou, and art not incensed, These ravages of Mars? Oh what a field,900 Drench’d with what Grecian blood! All rashly spilt, And in despite of me. Venus, the while, Sits, and the Archer of the silver bow Delighted, and have urged, themselves, to this The frantic Mars within no bounds confined905 Of law or order. But, eternal sire! Shall I offend thee chasing far away Mars deeply smitten from the field of war? To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.
Go! but exhort thou rather to the task910 Spoil-huntress Athenæan Pallas, him Accustom’d to chastise with pain severe. He spake, nor white-arm’d Juno not obey’d. She lash’d her steeds; they readily their flight Began, the earth and starry vault between.915 Far as from his high tower the watchman kens O’er gloomy ocean, so far at one bound Advance the shrill-voiced coursers of the Gods. But when at Troy and at the confluent streams Of Simoïs and Scamander they arrived,920 There Juno, white-arm’d Goddess, from the yoke Her steeds releasing, them in gather’d shades Conceal’d opaque, while Simoïs caused to spring Ambrosia from his bank, whereon they browsed. Swift as her pinions waft the dove away925 They sought the Grecians, ardent to begin: Arriving where the mightiest and the most Compass’d equestrian Diomede around, In aspect lion-like, or like wild boars Of matchless force, there white-arm’d Juno stood,930 And in the form of Stentor for his voice Of brass renown’d, audible as the roar Of fifty throats, the Grecians thus harangued. Oh shame, shame, shame!
Argives in form alone, Beautiful but dishonorable race!935 While yet divine Achilles ranged the field, No Trojan stepp’d from yon Dardanian gates Abroad; all trembled at his stormy spear; But now they venture forth, now at your ships Defy you, from their city far remote.940 She ceased, and all caught courage from the sound. But Athenæan Pallas eager sought The son of Tydeus; at his chariot side She found the Chief cooling his fiery wound Received from Pandarus; for him the sweat945 Beneath the broad band of his oval shield Exhausted, and his arm fail’d him fatigued; He therefore raised the band and wiped the blood Coagulate; when o’er his chariot yoke Her arm the Goddess threw, and thus began.950 Tydeus, in truth, begat a son himself Not much resembling. Tydeus was of size Diminutive, but had a warrior’s heart. When him I once commanded to abstain From furious fight (what time he enter’d Thebes955 Ambassador, and the Cadmeans found Feasting, himself the sole Achaian there) And bade him quietly partake the feast. He, fired with wonted ardor, challenged forth To proof of manhood the Cadmean youth,960 Whom easily, through my effectual aid, In contests of each kind he overcame.
But thou, whom I encircle with my power, Guard vigilant, and even bid thee forth To combat with the Trojans, thou, thy limbs965 Feel’st wearied with the toils of war, or worse, Indulgest womanish and heartless fear. Henceforth thou art not worthy to be deem’d Son of Oenides, Tydeus famed in arms. To whom thus valiant Diomede replied.970 I know thee well, oh Goddess sprung from Jove! And therefore willing shall, and plain, reply. Me neither weariness nor heartless fear Restrains, but thine injunctions which impress My memory, still, that I should fear to oppose975 The blessed Gods in fight, Venus except, Whom in the battle found thou badest me pierce With unrelenting spear; therefore myself Retiring hither, I have hither call’d The other Argives also, for I know980 That Mars, himself in arms, controls the war. Him answer’d then the Goddess azure-eyed. Tydides! Diomede, my heart’s delight! Fear not this Mars,[22] nor fear thou other power Immortal, but be confident in me.985 Arise. Drive forth. Seek Mars; him only seek; Him hand to hand engage; this fiery Mars Respect not aught, base implement of wrong And mischief, shifting still from side to side. He promised Juno lately and myself990 That he would fight for Greece, yet now forgets His promise, and gives all his aid to Troy.
So saying, she backward by his hand withdrew The son of Capaneus, who to the ground Leap’d instant; she, impatient to his place995 Ascending, sat beside brave Diomede. Loud groan’d the beechen axle, under weight Unwonted, for it bore into the fight An awful Goddess, and the chief of men. Quick-seizing lash and reins Minerva drove1000 Direct at Mars. That moment he had slain Periphas, bravest of Ætolia’s sons, And huge of bulk; Ochesius was his sire. Him Mars the slaughterer had of life bereft Newly, and Pallas to elude his sight1005 The helmet fixed of Ades on her head.[23] Soon as gore-tainted Mars the approach perceived Of Diomede, he left the giant length Of Periphas extended where he died, And flew to cope with Tydeus’ valiant son.1010 Full nigh they came, when Mars on fire to slay The hero, foremost with his brazen lance Assail’d him, hurling o’er his horses’ heads. But Athenæan Pallas in her hand The flying weapon caught and turn’d it wide,1015 Baffling his aim. Then Diomede on him Rush’d furious in his turn, and Pallas plunged The bright spear deep into his cinctured waist Dire was the wound, and plucking back the spear She tore him. Bellow’d brazen-throated Mars1020 Loud as nine thousand warriors, or as ten Join’d in close combat.
Grecians, Trojans shook Appall’d alike at the tremendous voice Of Mars insatiable with deeds of blood. Such as the dimness is when summer winds1025 Breathe hot, and sultry mist obscures the sky, Such brazen Mars to Diomede appear’d By clouds accompanied in his ascent Into the boundless ether. Reaching soon The Olympian heights, seat of the Gods, he sat1030 Beside Saturnian Jove; wo fill’d his heart; He show’d fast-streaming from the wound his blood Immortal, and impatient thus complain’d. Jove, Father! Seest thou these outrageous acts Unmoved with anger? Such are day by day1035 The dreadful mischiefs by the Gods contrived Against each other, for the sake of man. Thou art thyself the cause. Thou hast produced A foolish daughter petulant, addict To evil only and injurious deeds;1040 There is not in Olympus, save herself, Who feels not thy control; but she her will Gratifies ever, and reproof from thee Finds none, because, pernicious as she is, She is thy daughter. She hath now the mind1045 Of haughty Diomede with madness fill’d Against the immortal Gods; first Venus bled; Her hand he pierced impetuous, then assail’d, As if himself immortal, even me, But me my feet stole thence, or overwhelm’d1050 Beneath yon heaps of carcases impure, What had I not sustain’d?
And if at last I lived, had halted crippled by the sword. To whom with dark displeasure Jove replied. Base and side-shifting traitor! vex not me1055 Here sitting querulous; of all who dwell On the Olympian heights, thee most I hate Contentious, whose delight is war alone. Thou hast thy mother’s moods, the very spleen Of Juno, uncontrolable as she.1060 Whom even I, reprove her as I may, Scarce rule by mere commands; I therefore judge Thy sufferings a contrivance all her own. But soft. Thou art my son whom I begat. And Juno bare thee. I can not endure1065 That thou shouldst suffer long. Hadst thou been born Of other parents thus detestable, What Deity soe’er had brought thee forth, Thou shouldst have found long since a humbler sphere. He ceased, and to the care his son consign’d1070 Of Pæon; he with drugs of lenient powers, Soon heal’d whom immortality secured From dissolution. As the juice from figs Express’d what fluid was in milk before Coagulates, stirr’d rapidly around,1075 So soon was Mars by Pæon skill restored. Him Hebe bathed, and with divine attire Graceful adorn’d; when at the side of Jove Again his glorious seat sublime he took. Meantime to the abode of Jove supreme1080 Ascended Juno throughout Argos known And mighty Pallas; Mars the plague of man, By their successful force from slaughter driven.
The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by the advice of Helenus enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba to go in solemn procession to the temple of Minerva; she with the matrons goes accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and exhorts him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds between Hector and Andromache, and Paris, having armed himself in the mean time, comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally from the gate together.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.