The Iliad of Homer · Homer
BOOK XVI.
Then hurl’d Sarpedon in his turn a lance, But miss’d Patroclus and the shoulder pierced Of Pedasus the horse; he groaning heaved His spirit forth, and fallen on the field565 In long loud moanings sorrowful expired. Wide started the immortal pair; the yoke Creak’d, and entanglement of reins ensued To both, their fellow slaughter’d at their side. That mischief soon Automedon redress’d.570 He rose, and from beside his sturdy thigh Drawing his falchion, with effectual stroke Cut loose the side-horse; then the pair reduced To order, in their traces stood composed, And the two heroes fierce engaged again.575 Again his radiant spear Sarpedon hurl’d, But miss’d Patroclus; the innocuous point, O’erflying his left shoulder, pass’d beyond. Then with bright lance Patroclus in his turn Assail’d Sarpedon, nor with erring course580 The weapon sped or vain, but pierced profound His chest, enclosure of the guarded heart.
As falls an oak, poplar, or lofty pine With new-edged axes on the mountains hewn Right through, for structure of some gallant bark,585 So fell Sarpedon stretch’d his steeds before And gnash’d his teeth and clutch’d the bloody dust, And as a lion slays a tawny bull Leader magnanimous of all the herd; Beneath the lion’s jaws groaning he dies;590 So, leader of the shielded Lycians groan’d Indignant, by Patroclus slain, the bold Sarpedon, and his friend thus, sad, bespake. Glaucus, my friend, among these warring Chiefs Thyself a Chief illustrious! thou hast need595 Of all thy valor now; now strenuous fight, And, if thou bear within thee a brave mind, Now make the war’s calamities thy joy. First, marching through the host of Lycia, rouse Our Chiefs to combat for Sarpedon slain,600 Then haste, thyself, to battle for thy friend. For shame and foul dishonor which no time Shall e’er obliterate, I must prove to thee, Should the Achaians of my glorious arms Despoil me in full prospect[15] of the fleet.605 Fight, therefore, thou, and others urge to fight. He said, and cover’d by the night of death, Nor look’d nor breath’d again; for on his chest Implanting firm his heel, Patroclus drew The spear enfolded with his vitals forth,610 Weapon and life at once.
Meantime his steeds Snorted, by Myrmidons detain’d, and, loosed From their own master’s chariot, foam’d to fly. Terrible was the grief by Glaucus felt, Hearing that charge, and troubled was his heart615 That all power fail’d him to protect the dead. Compressing his own arm he stood, with pain Extreme tormented which the shaft had caused Of Teucer, who while Glaucus climb’d the wall, Had pierced him from it, in the fleet’s defence.620 Then, thus, to Phœbus, King shaft-arm’d, he pray’d. Hear now, O King! For whether in the land Of wealthy Lycia dwelling, or in Troy, Thou hear’st in every place alike the prayer Of the afflicted heart, and such is mine;625 Behold my wound; it fills my useless hand With anguish, neither can my blood be stay’d, And all my shoulder suffers. I can grasp A spear, or rush to conflict with the Greeks No longer now; and we have also lost630 Our noblest Chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove, Who guards not his own son. But thou, O King! Heal me, assuage my anguish, give me strength, That I may animate the Lycian host To fight, and may, myself, defend the dead!635 Such prayer he offer’d, whom Apollo heard; He eased at once his pain, the sable blood Staunch’d, and his soul with vigor new inspired.
Then Glaucus in his heart that prayer perceived Granted, and joyful for the sudden aid640 Vouchsafed to him by Phœbus, first the lines Of Lycia ranged, summoning every Chief To fight for slain Sarpedon; striding next With eager haste into the ranks of Troy, Renown’d Agenor and the son he call’d645 Of Panthus, brave Polydamas, with whom Æneas also, and approaching last To Hector brazen-mail’d him thus bespake. Now, Hector! now, thou hast indeed resign’d All care of thy allies, who, for thy sake,650 Lost both to friends and country, on these plains Perish, unaided and unmiss’d by thee. Sarpedon breathless lies, who led to fight Our shielded bands, and from whose just control And courage Lycia drew her chief defence.655 Him brazen Mars hath by the spear subdued Of Menœtiades. But stand ye firm! Let indignation fire you, O my friends! Lest, stripping him of his resplendent arms, The Myrmidons with foul dishonor shame660 His body, through resentment of the deaths Of numerous Grecians slain by spears of ours.
He ceased; then sorrow every Trojan heart Seized insupportable and that disdain’d All bounds, for that, although a stranger born,665 Sarpedon ever had a bulwark proved To Troy, the leader of a numerous host, And of that host by none in fight excell’d. Right on toward the Danaï they moved Ardent for battle all, and at their head670 Enraged for slain Sarpedon, Hector came. Meantime, stout-hearted[16] Chief, Patroclus roused The Grecians, and exhorting first (themselves Already prompt) the Ajaces, thus began. Heroic pair! now make it all your joy675 To chase the Trojan host, and such to prove As erst, or even bolder, if ye may. The Chief lies breathless who ascended first Our wall, Sarpedon. Let us bear him hence, Strip and dishonor him, and in the blood680 Of his protectors drench the ruthless spear. So Menœtiades his warriors urged, Themselves courageous. Then the Lycian host And Trojan here, and there the Myrmidons With all the host of Greece, closing the ranks685 Rush’d into furious contest for the dead, Shouting tremendous; clang’d their brazen arms, And Jove with Night’s pernicious shades[17] o’erhung The bloody field, so to enhance the more Their toilsome strife for his own son.
First then690 The Trojans from their place and order shock’d The bright-eyed Grecians, slaying not the least Nor worst among the Myrmidons, the brave Epigeus from renown’d Agacles sprung. He, erst, in populous Budeum ruled,695 But for a valiant kinsman of his own Whom there he slew, had thence to Peleus fled And to his silver-footed spouse divine, Who with Achilles, phalanx-breaker Chief, Sent him to fight beneath the walls of Troy.700 Him seizing fast the body, with a stone Illustrious Hector smote full on the front, And his whole skull within the ponderous casque Split sheer; he prostrate on the body fell In shades of soul-divorcing death involved.705 Patroclus, grieving for his slaughter’d friend, Rush’d through the foremost warriors. As the hawk Swift-wing’d before him starlings drives or daws, So thou, Patroclus, of equestrian fame! Full on the Lycian ranks and Trojan drov’st,710 Resentful of thy fellow-warrior’s fall. At Sthenelaüs a huge stone he cast, Son of Ithæmenes, whom on the neck He smote and burst the tendons; then the van Of Ilium’s host, with Hector, all retired.715 Far as the slender javelin cuts the air Hurl’d with collected force, or in the games, Or even in battle at a desperate foe, So far the Greeks repulsed the host of Troy.
Then Glaucus first, Chief of the shielded bands720 Of Lycia, slew Bathycles, valiant son Of Calchon; Hellas was his home, and far He pass’d in riches all the Myrmidons. Him chasing Glaucus whom he now attain’d, The Lycian, turning sudden, with his lance725 Pierced through the breast, and, sounding, down he fell Grief fill’d Achaia’s sons for such a Chief So slain, but joy the Trojans; thick they throng’d The conqueror around, nor yet the Greeks Forgat their force, but resolute advanced.730 Then, by Meriones a Trojan died Of noble rank, Laogonus, the son Undaunted of Onetor great in Troy, Priest of Idæan Jove. The ear and jaw Between, he pierced him with a mortal force;735 Swift flew the life, and darkness veil’d his eyes. Æneas, in return, his brazen spear Hurl’d at Meriones with ardent hope To pierce him, while, with nimble[18] steps and short Behind his buckler made, he paced the field;740 But, warn’d of its approach, Meriones Bow’d low his head, shunning it, and the spear Behind him pierced the soil; there quivering stood The weapon, vain, though from a vigorous arm, Till spent by slow degrees its fury slept.745 * * * * * * * * * *[19] Indignant then Æneas thus exclaim’d.
Meriones! I sent thee such a spear As reaching thee, should have for ever marr’d750 Thy step, accomplish’d dancer as thou art. To whom Meriones spear-famed replied. Æneas! thou wilt find the labor hard How great soe’er thy might, to quell the force Of all opposers. Thou art also doom’d755 Thyself to die; and may but spear of mine Well-aim’d once strike thee full, what strength soe’er Or magnanimity be thine to boast, Thy glory in that moment thou resign’st To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.760 He said, but him Patroclus sharp reproved. Why speaks Meriones, although in fight Approved, thus proudly? Nay, my gallant friend! The Trojans will not for reproach of ours Renounce the body. Blood must first be spilt.765 Tongues in debate, but hands in war decide; Deeds therefore now, not wordy vaunts, we need. So saying he led the way, whom follow’d close Godlike Meriones.
As from the depth Of some lone wood that clothes the mountain’s side770 The fellers at their toil are heard remote, So, from the face of Ilium’s ample plain Reverberated, was the din of brass And of tough targets heard by falchions huge Hard-smitten, and by spears of double-edge.775 None then, no, not the quickest to discern, Had known divine Sarpedon, from his head To his foot-sole with mingled blood and dust Polluted, and o’erwhelm’d with weapons. They Around the body swarm’d. As hovel-flies780 In spring-time buzz around the brimming pails With milk bedew’d, so they around the dead. Nor Jove averted once his glorious eyes From that dread contest, but with watchful note Marked all, the future death in battle deep785 Pondering of Patroclus, whether him Hector should even now slay on divine Sarpedon, and despoil him of his arms, Or he should still that arduous strife prolong. This counsel gain’d as eligible most790 At length his preference: that the valiant friend Of Peleus’ son should yet again compel The Trojan host with Hector brazen-mail’d To Ilium, slaughtering numerous by the way. First then, with fears unmanly he possess’d795 The heart of Hector; mounting to his seat He turn’d to flight himself, and bade his host Fly also; for he knew Jove’s purpose[20] changed.
Thenceforth, no longer even Lycia’s host Endured, but all fled scatter’d, seeing pierced800 Their sovereign through his heart, and heap’d with dead; For numerous, while Saturnian Jove the fight Held in suspense, had on his body fallen. At once the Grecians of his dazzling arms Despoil’d Sarpedon, which the Myrmidons805 By order of Menœtius’ valiant son Bore thence into the fleet. Meantime his will The Thunderer to Apollo thus express’d. Phœbus, my son, delay not; from beneath Yon hill of weapons drawn cleanse from his blood810 Sarpedon’s corse; then, bearing him remote, Lave him in waters of the running stream, With oils divine anoint, and in attire Immortal clothe him. Last, to Death and Sleep, Swift bearers both, twin-born, deliver him;815 For hence to Lycia’s opulent abodes They shall transport him quickly, where, with rites Funereal, his next kindred and his friends Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb (The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.820 He ceased; nor was Apollo slow to hear His father’s will, but, from the Idæan heights Descending swift into the dreadful field, Godlike Sarpedon’s body from beneath The hill of weapons drew, which, borne remote,825 He laved in waters of the running stream, With oils ambrosial bathed, and clothed in robes Immortal.
Then to Death and gentle Sleep, Swift-bearers both, twin-born, he gave the charge, Who placed it soon in Lycia’s wealthy realm.830 Meantime Patroclus, calling to his steeds, And to Automedon, the Trojans chased And Lycians, on his own destruction bent Infatuate; heedless of his charge received From Peleus’ son, which, well perform’d, had saved835 The hero from his miserable doom. But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight The bravest, and the victory takes with ease E’en from the Chief whom he impels himself840 To battle, as he now this Chief impell’d. Who, then, Patroclus! first, who last by thee Fell slain, what time thyself was call’d to die? Adrastus first, then Perimus he slew, Offspring of Megas, then Autonoüs,845 Echechlus, Melanippus, and Epistor, Pylartes, Mulius, Elasus. All these He slew, and from the field chased all beside. Then, doubtless, had Achaia’s sons prevail’d To take proud-gated Troy, such havoc made850 He with his spear, but that the son of Jove Apollo, on a tower’s conspicuous height Station’d, devoted him for Ilium’s sake.
Thrice on a buttress of the lofty wall Patroclus mounted, and him thrice the God855 With hands immortal his resplendent shield Smiting, struck down again; but when he rush’d A fourth time, demon-like, to the assault, The King of radiant shafts him, stern, rebuked. Patroclus, warrior of renown, retire!860 The fates ordain not that imperial Troy Stoop to thy spear, nor to the spear itself Of Peleus’ son, though mightier far than thou. He said, and Menœtiades the wrath Of shaft-arm’d Phœbus shunning, far retired.865 But in the Scæan gate Hector his steeds Detain’d, uncertain whether thence to drive Amid the warring multitude again, Or, loud commandment issuing, to collect His host within the walls. Him musing long870 Apollo, clad in semblance of a Chief Youthful and valiant, join’d. Asius he seem’d Equestrian Hector’s uncle, brother born Of Hecuba the queen, and Dymas’ son, Who on the Sangar’s banks in Phrygia dwelt.875 Apollo, so disguised, him thus bespake. Why, Hector, hast thou left the fight? this sloth Not well befits thee. Oh that I as far Thee pass’d in force as thou transcendest me, Then, not unpunish’d long, should’st thou retire;880 But haste, and with thy coursers solid-hoof’d Seek out Patroclus, him perchance to slay, Should Phœbus have decreed that glory thine. So saying, Apollo join’d the host again.
Then noble Hector bade his charioteer885 Valiant Cebriones his coursers lash Back into battle, while the God himself Entering the multitude confounded sore The Argives, victory conferring proud And glory on Hector and the host of Troy.890 But Hector, leaving all beside unslain, Furious impell’d his coursers solid-hoof’d Against Patroclus; on the other side Patroclus from his chariot to the ground Leap’d ardent; in his left a spear he bore,895 And in his right a marble fragment rough, Large as his grasp. With full collected might He hurl’d it; neither was the weapon slow To whom he had mark’d, or sent in vain. He smote the charioteer of Hector, bold900 Cebriones, King Priam’s spurious son, Full on the forehead, while he sway’d the reins. The bone that force withstood not, but the rock With ragged points beset dash’d both his brows In pieces, and his eyes fell at his feet.905 He diver-like, from his exalted stand Behind the steeds pitch’d headlong, and expired; O’er whom, Patroclus of equestrian fame! Thou didst exult with taunting speech severe.
Ye Gods, with what agility he dives!910 Ah! it were well if in the fishy deep This man were occupied; he might no few With oysters satisfy, although the waves Were churlish, plunging headlong from his bark As easily as from his chariot here.915 So then—in Troy, it seems, are divers too! So saying, on bold Cebriones he sprang With all a lion’s force, who, while the folds He ravages, is wounded in the breast, And, victim of his own fierce courage, dies.920 So didst thou spring, Patroclus! to despoil Cebriones, and Hector opposite Leap’d also to the ground. Then contest such For dead Cebriones those two between Arose, as in the lofty mountain-tops925 Two lions wage, contending for a deer New-slain, both hunger-pinch’d and haughty both. So for Cebriones, alike in arms Expert, brave Hector and Patroclus strove To pierce each other with the ruthless spear.930 First, Hector seized his head, nor loosed his hold, Patroclus, next, his feet, while all beside Of either host in furious battle join’d. As when the East wind and the South contend To shake some deep wood on the mountain’s side,935 Or beech, or ash, or rugged cornel old.
With stormy violence the mingled boughs Smite and snap short each other, crashing loud; So, Trojans and Achaians, mingling, slew Mutual, while neither felt a wish to fly.940 Around Cebriones stood many a spear, And many a shaft sent smartly from the nerve Implanted deep, and many a stone of grasp Enormous sounded on their batter’d shields Who fought to gain him. He, in eddies lost945 Of sable dust, with his huge trunk huge space O’erspread, nor steeds nor chariots heeded more. While yet the sun ascending climb’d the heavens, Their darts flew equal, and the people fell; But when he westward journey’d, by a change950 Surpassing hope the Grecians then prevail’d. They drew Cebriones the hero forth From all those weapons, and his armor stripp’d At leisure, distant from the battle’s roar. Then sprang Patroclus on the Trojan host;955 Thrice, like another Mars, he sprang with shouts Tremendous, and nine warriors thrice he slew. But when the fourth time, demon-like, he rush’d Against them, then, oh then, too manifest The consummation of thy days approach’d960 Patroclus! whom Apollo, terror-clad Met then in battle. He the coming God Through all that multitude knew not, such gloom Impenetrable him involved around.
Behind him close he stood, and with his palms965 Expanded on the spine and shoulders broad Smote him; his eyes swam dizzy at the stroke. Then Phœbus from his head his helmet dash’d To earth; sonorous at the feet it roll’d Of many a prancing steed, and all the crest970 Defilement gather’d gross of dust and blood, Then first; till then, impossible; for how Should dust the tresses of that helmet shame With which Achilles fighting fenced his head Illustrious, and his graceful brows divine?975 But Jove now made it Hector’s; he awhile Bore it, himself to swift perdition doom’d His spear brass-mounted, ponderous, huge and long, Fell shiver’d from his grasp. His shield that swept His ancle, with its belt dropp’d from his arm,980 And Phœbus loosed the corselet from his breast. Confusion seized his brain; his noble limbs Quaked under him, and panic-stunn’d he stood. Then came a Dardan Chief, who from behind Enforced a pointed lance into his back985 Between the shoulders; Panthus’ son was he, Euphorbus, famous for equestrian skill, For spearmanship, and in the rapid race Past all of equal age. He twenty men (Although a learner yet of martial feats,990 And by his steeds then first to battle borne) Dismounted. He, Patroclus, mighty Chief!
First threw a lance at thee, which yet life Quell’d not; then snatching hasty from the wound His ashen beam, he ran into the crowd,995 Nor dared confront in fight even the unarm’d Patroclus. But Patroclus, by the lance, And by the stroke of an immortal hand Subdued, fell back toward his ranks again. Then, soon as Hector the retreat perceived1000 Of brave Patroclus wounded, issuing forth From his own phalanx, he approach’d and drove A spear right through his body at the waist. Sounding he fell. Loud groan’d Achaia’s host. As when the lion and the sturdy boar1005 Contend in battle on the mountain-tops For some scant rivulet, thirst-parch’d alike, Ere long the lion quells the panting boar; So Priameian Hector, spear in hand, Slew Menœtiades the valiant slayer1010 Of multitudes, and thus in accents wing’d, With fierce delight exulted in his fall.
It was thy thought, Patroclus, to have laid Our city waste, and to have wafted hence Our wives and daughters to thy native land,1015 Their day of liberty for ever set. Fool! for their sakes the feet of Hector’s steeds Fly into battle, and myself excel, For their sakes, all our bravest of the spear, That I may turn from them that evil hour1020 Necessitous. But thou art vulture’s food, Unhappy youth! all valiant as he is, Achilles hath no succor given to thee, Who when he sent the forth whither himself Would not, thus doubtless gave thee oft in charge:1025 Ah, well beware, Patroclus, glorious Chief! That thou revisit not these ships again, Till first on hero-slaughterer Hector’s breast Thou cleave his bloody corselet. So he spake, And with vain words thee credulous beguiled.1030 To whom Patroclus, mighty Chief, with breath Drawn faintly, and dying, thou didst thus reply. Now, Hector, boast! now glory! for the son Of Saturn and Apollo, me with ease Vanquishing, whom they had themselves disarm’d,1035 Have made the victory thine; else, twenty such As thou, had fallen by my victorious spear.
Me Phœbus and my ruthless fate combined To slay; these foremost; but of mortal men Euphorbus, and thy praise is only third.1040 I tell thee also, and within thy heart Repose it deep—thou shalt not long survive; But, even now, fate, and a violent death Attend thee by Achilles’ hands ordain’d To perish, by Æacides the brave.[21]1045 So saying, the shades of death him wrapp’d around. Down into Ades from his limbs dismiss’d, His spirit fled sorrowful, of youth’s prime And vigorous manhood suddenly bereft Then, him though dead, Hector again bespake.1050 Patroclus! these prophetic strains of death At hand, and fate, why hast thou sung to me? May not the son of Thetis azure-hair’d, Achilles, perish first by spear of mine? He said; then pressing with his heel the trunk1055 Supine, and backward thursting it, he drew His glittering weapon from the wound, nor stay’d, But lance in hand, the godlike charioteer Pursued of swift Æacides, on fire To smite Automedon; but him the steeds1060 Immortal, rapid, by the Gods conferr’d (A glorious gift) on Peleus, snatch’d away. Sharp contest ensues around the body of Patroclus. Hector puts on the armor of Achilles. Menelaus, having dispatched Antilochus to Achilles with news of the death of Patroclus, returns to the battle, and, together with Meriones, bears Patroclus off the field, while the Ajaces cover their retreat.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.