The Iliad of Homer · Homer
BOOK XVII.
What power, Automedon! hath ta’en away Thy better judgment, and thy breast inspired With this vain purpose to assail alone565 The Trojan van? Thy partner in the fight Is slain, and Hector on his shoulders bears, Elate, the armor of Æacides. Then, answer thus Automedon return’d, Son of Diores. Who of all our host570 Was ever skill’d, Alcimedon! as thou To rule the fire of these immortal steeds, Save only while he lived, peer of the Gods In that great art, Patroclus, now no more? Thou, therefore, the resplendent reins receive575 And scourge, while I, dismounting, wage the fight. He ceased; Alcimedon without delay The battle-chariot mounting, seized at once The lash and reins, and from his seat down leap’d Automedon. Them noble Hector mark’d,580 And to Æneas at his side began. Illustrious Chief of Trojans brazen-mail’d Æneas! I have noticed yonder steeds Of swift Achilles rushing into fight Conspicuous, but under sway of hands585 Unskilful; whence arises a fair hope That we might seize them, wert thou so inclined; For never would those two dare to oppose In battle an assault dreadful as ours. He ended, nor the valiant son refused590 Of old Anchises, but with targets firm Of season’d hide brass-plated thrown athwart Their shoulders, both advanced direct, with whom Of godlike form Aretus also went And Chromius.
Ardent hope they all conceived595 To slay those Chiefs, and from the field to drive Achilles’ lofty steeds. Vain hope! for them No bloodless strife awaited with the force Of brave Automedon; he, prayer to Jove First offering, felt his angry soul with might600 Heroic fill’d, and thus his faithful friend Alcimedon, incontinent, address’d. Alcimedon! hold not the steeds remote But breathing on my back; for I expect That never Priameïan Hector’s rage605 Shall limit know, or pause, till, slaying us, He shall himself the coursers ample-maned Mount of Achilles, and to flight compel The Argive host, or perish in the van. So saying, he call’d aloud on Menelaus610 With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs Of Argos, Menelaus, and ye bold Ajaces![9] leaving all your best to cope With Ilium’s powers and to protect the dead, From friends still living ward the bitter day.615 For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all The Trojans, Hector and Æneas rush Right through the battle.
The events of war Heaven orders; therefore even I will give My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!620 He said, and brandishing his massy spear Dismiss’d it at Aretus; full he smote His ample shield, nor stay’d the pointed brass, But penetrating sheer the disk, his belt Pierced also, and stood planted in his waist.625 As when some vigorous youth with sharpen’d axe A pastured bullock smites behind the horns And hews the muscle through; he, at the stroke Springs forth and falls, so sprang Aretus forth, Then fell supine, and in his bowels stood630 The keen-edged lance still quivering till he died. Then Hector, in return, his radiant spear Hurl’d at Automedon, who of its flight Forewarn’d his body bowing prone, the stroke Eluded, and the spear piercing the soil635 Behind him, shook to its superior end, Till, spent by slow degrees, its fury slept. And now, with hand to hilt, for closer war Both stood prepared, when through the multitude Advancing at their fellow-warrior’s call,640 The Ajaces suddenly their combat fierce Prevented. Awed at once by their approach Hector retired, with whom Æneas went Also and godlike Chromius, leaving there Aretus with his vitals torn, whose arms,645 Fierce as the God of war Automedon Stripp’d off, and thus exulted o’er the slain.
My soul some portion of her grief resigns Consoled, although by slaughter of a worse, For loss of valiant Menœtiades.650 So saying, within his chariot he disposed The gory spoils, then mounted it himself With hands and feet purpled, as from a bull His bloody prey, some lion newly-gorged. And now around Patroclus raged again655 Dread strife deplorable! for from the skies Descending at the Thunderer’s command Whose purpose now was to assist the Greeks, Pallas enhanced the fury of the fight. As when from heaven, in view of mortals, Jove660 Exhibits bright his bow, a sign ordain’d Of war, or numbing frost which all the works Suspends of man and saddens all the flocks; So she, all mantled with a radiant cloud Entering Achaia’s host, fired every breast.665 But meeting Menelaus first, brave son Of Atreus, in the form and with the voice Robust of Phœnix, him she thus bespake. Shame, Menelaus, shall to thee redound For ever, and reproach, should dogs devour670 The faithful friend of Peleus’ noble son Under Troy’s battlements; but stand, thyself, Undaunted, and encourage all the host. To whom the son of Atreus bold in arms.
Ah, Phœnix, friend revered, ancient and sage!675 Would Pallas give me might and from the dint Shield me of dart and spear, with willing mind I would defend Patroclus, for his death Hath touch’d me deep. But Hector with the rage Burns of consuming fire, nor to his spear680 Gives pause, for him Jove leads to victory. He ceased, whom Pallas, Goddess azure-eyed Hearing, rejoiced that of the heavenly powers He had invoked _her_ foremost to his aid. His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill’d,685 And persevering boldness to his breast Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood. His stormy bosom with such courage fill’d690 By Pallas, to Patroclus he approach’d And hurl’d, incontinent, his glittering spear. There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name, Son of Eëtion, valorous and rich; Of all Troy’s citizens him Hector most695 Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight, The hero of the golden locks his belt Struck with full force and sent the weapon through. Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks700 Atrides dragg’d the body to his own.
Then drew Apollo near to Hector’s side, And in the form of Phœnops, Asius’ son, Of all the foreign guests at Hector’s board His favorite most, the hero thus address’d.705 What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks Once deem’d effeminate, but dragging now The body of thy valiant friend approved Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion’s son?710 He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud Involved the mind of Hector dark around; Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high His tassel’d Ægis radiant, Jove with storms715 Enveloped Ida; flash’d his lightnings, roar’d His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout. Troy’s host he prosper’d, and the Greeks dispersed. First fled Peneleus, the Bœotian Chief, Whom facing firm the foe Polydamas720 Struck on his shoulder’s summit with a lance Hurl’d nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone. [10]Leïtus also, son of the renown’d Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist, Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled725 And peering narrowly around, nor hoped To lift a spear against the Trojans more. Hector, pursuing Leïtus, the point Encounter’d of the brave Idomeneus Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance730 Snapp’d, and the Trojans shouted to the skies.
He, in his turn, cast at Deucalion’s son Idomeneus, who in that moment gain’d[11] A chariot-seat; but him the erring spear Attain’d not, piercing Cœranus instead735 The friend and follower of Meriones From wealthy Lyctus, and his charioteer. For when he left, that day, the gallant barks Idomeneus had sought the field on foot, And triumph proud, full sure, to Ilium’s host740 Had yielded now, but that with rapid haste Cœranus drove to his relief, from him The fate averting which himself incurr’d Victim of Hector’s homicidal arm. Him Hector smiting between ear and jaw745 Push’d from their sockets with the lance’s point His firm-set teeth, and sever’d sheer his tongue. Dismounted down he fell, and from his hand Let slide the flowing reins, which, to the earth Stooping, Meriones in haste resumed,750 And briefly thus Idomeneus address’d. Now drive, and cease not, to the fleet of Greece! Thyself see’st victory no longer ours. He said; Idomeneus whom, now, dismay Seized also, with his lash plying severe755 The coursers ample-maned, flew to the fleet.
Nor Ajax, dauntless hero, not perceived, Nor Menelaus, by the sway of Jove The victory inclining fast to Troy, And thus the Telamonian Chief began.760 Ah! who can be so blind as not to see The eternal Father, now, with his own hand Awarding glory to the Trojan host, Whose every spear flies, instant, to the mark Sent forth by brave or base? Jove guides them all,765 While, ineffectual, ours fall to the ground. But haste, devise we of ourselves the means How likeliest we may bear Patroclus hence, And gladden, safe returning, all our friends, Who, hither looking anxious, hope have none770 That we shall longer check the unconquer’d force Of hero-slaughtering Hector, but expect [12]To see him soon amid the fleet of Greece. Oh for some Grecian now to carry swift The tidings to Achilles’ ear, untaught,775 As I conjecture, yet the doleful news Of his Patroclus slain! but no such Greek May I discern, such universal gloom Both men and steeds envelops all around.
Father of heaven and earth! deliver thou780 Achaia’s host from darkness; clear the skies; Give day; and (since thy sovereign will is such) Destruction with it—but oh give us day![13] He spake, whose tears Jove saw with pity moved, And chased the untimely shades; bright beam’d the sun785 And the whole battle was display’d. Then spake The hero thus to Atreus’ mighty son. Now noble Menelaus! looking forth, See if Antilochus be yet alive, Brave son of Nestor, whom exhort to fly790 With tidings to Achilles, of the friend Whom most he loved, of his Patroclus slain. He ceased, nor Menelaus, dauntless Chief, That task refused, but went; yet neither swift Nor willing. As a lion leaves the stalls795 Wearied himself with harassing the guard, Who, interdicting him his purposed prey, Watch all the night; he famish’d, yet again Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof By spears from daring hands dismissed, but more800 By flash of torches which, though fierce, he dreads, Till at the dawn, sullen he stalks away; So from Patroclus Menelaus went Heroic Chief! reluctant; for he fear’d Lest the Achaians should resign the dead,805 Through consternation, to the host of Troy. Departing, therefore, he admonish’d oft Meriones and the Ajaces, thus.
Ye two brave leaders of the Argive host, And thou, Meriones! now recollect810 The gentle manners of Patroclus fallen Hapless in battle, who by carriage mild Well understood, while yet he lived, to engage All hearts, through prisoner now of death and fate. So saying, the hero amber-hair’d his steps815 Turn’d thence, the field exploring with an eye Sharp as the eagle’s, of all fowls beneath The azure heavens for keenest sight renown’d, Whom, though he soar sublime, the leveret By broadest leaves conceal’d ’scapes not, but swift820 Descending, even her he makes his prey; So, noble Menelaus! were thine eyes Turn’d into every quarter of the host In search of Nestor’s son, if still he lived. Him, soon, encouraging his band to fight,825 He noticed on the left of all the field, And sudden standing at his side, began. Antilochus! oh hear me, noble friend! And thou shalt learn tidings of such a deed As best had never been. Thou know’st, I judge,830 And hast already seen, how Jove exalts To victory the Trojan host, and rolls Distress on ours; but ah! Patroclus lies, Our chief Achaian, slain, whose loss the Greeks Fills with regret.
Haste, therefore, to the fleet,835 Inform Achilles; bid him haste to save, If save he can, the body of his friend; He can no more, for Hector hath his arms. He ceased. Antilochus with horror heard Those tidings; mute long time he stood, his eyes840 Swam tearful, and his voice, sonorous erst, Found utterance none. Yet even so distress’d, He not the more neglected the command Of Menelaus. Setting forth to run, He gave his armor to his noble friend845 Laodocus, who thither turn’d his steeds, And weeping as he went, on rapid feet Sped to Achilles with that tale of wo. Nor could the noble Menelaus stay To give the weary Pylian band, bereft850 Of their beloved Antilochus, his aid, But leaving them to Thrasymedes’ care, He flew to Menœtiades again, And the Ajaces, thus, instant bespake. He goes. I have dispatch’d him to the fleet855 To seek Achilles; but his coming naught Expect I now, although with rage he burn Against illustrious Hector; for what fight Can he, unarm’d, against the Trojans wage? Deliberating, therefore, frame we means860 How best to save Patroclus, and to ’scape Ourselves unslain from this disastrous field. Whom answer’d the vast son of Telamon. Most noble Menelaus! good is all Which thou hast spoken.
Lift ye from the earth865 Thou and Meriones, at once, and bear The dead Patroclus from the bloody field. To cope meantime with Hector and his host Shall be our task, who, one in name, nor less In spirit one, already have the brunt870 Of much sharp conflict, side by side, sustain’d. He ended; they enfolding in their arms The dead, upbore him high above the ground With force united; after whom the host Of Troy, seeing the body borne away,875 Shouted, and with impetuous onset all Follow’d them. As the hounds, urged from behind By youthful hunters, on the wounded boar Make fierce assault; awhile at utmost speed They stretch toward him hungering, for the prey,880 But oft as, turning sudden, the stout brawn Faces them, scatter’d on all sides escape; The Trojans so, thick thronging in the rear, Ceaseless with falchions and spears double-edged Annoy’d them sore, but oft as in retreat885 The dauntless heroes, the Ajaces turn’d To face them, deadly wan grew every cheek, And not a Trojan dared with onset rude Molest them more in conflict for the dead.
Thus they, laborious, forth from battle bore890 Patroclus to the fleet, tempestuous war Their steps attending, rapid as the flames Which, kindled suddenly, some city waste; Consumed amid the blaze house after house Sinks, and the wind, meantime, roars through the fire;895 So them a deafening tumult as they went Pursued, of horses and of men spear-arm’d. And as two mules with strength for toil endued, Draw through rough ways down from the distant hills Huge timber, beam or mast; sweating they go,900 And overlabor’d to faint weariness; So they the body bore, while, turning oft, The Ajaces check’d the Trojans. As a mound Planted with trees and stretch’d athwart the mead Repels an overflow; the torrents loud905 Baffling, it sends them far away to float The level land, nor can they with the force Of all their waters burst a passage through; So the Ajaces, constant, in the rear Repress’d the Trojans; but the Trojans them910 Attended still, of whom Æneas most Troubled them, and the glorious Chief of Troy. They as a cloud of starlings or of daws Fly screaming shrill, warn’d timely of the kite Or hawk, devourers of the smaller kinds,915 So they shrill-clamoring toward the fleet, Hasted before Æneas and the might Of Hector, nor the battle heeded more. Much radiant armor round about the foss Fell of the flying Grecians, or within920 Lay scatter’d, and no pause of war they found. Achilles, by command of Juno, shows himself to the Trojans, who fly at his appearance; Vulcan, at the insistence of Thetis, forges for him a suit of armor.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.