The Iliad of Homer · Homer
BOOK XXIII.
He said, and to his coursers call’d aloud.555 Ah be not tardy; stand not sorrow-check’d; Their feet will fail them sooner far than yours, For years have pass’d since they had youth to boast. So he; and springing at his voice, his steeds Regain’d apace the vantage lost. Meantime560 The Grecians, in full circus seated, mark’d The steeds; they flying, fill’d with dust the air. Then, ere the rest, Idomeneus discern’d The foremost pair; for, on a rising ground Exalted, he without the circus sat,565 And hearing, though remote, the driver’s voice Chiding his steeds, knew it, and knew beside The leader horse distinguish’d by his hue, Chestnut throughout, save that his forehead bore A splendid blazon white, round as the moon.570 He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried. Friends! Chiefs and senators of Argos’ host! Discern I sole the steeds, or also ye? The horses, foremost now, to me appear Other than erst, and I descry at hand575 A different charioteer; the mares of late Victorious, somewhere distant in the race Are hurt; I plainly saw them at the first Turning the goal, but see them now no more; And yet with eyes inquisitive I range580 From side to side the whole broad plain of Troy.
Either the charioteer hath slipp’d the reins, Or rounded not successfully the goal Through want of guidance. Thrown, as it should seem, Forth from his seat, he hath his chariot maim’d,585 And his ungovern’d steeds have roam’d away. Arise and look ye forth yourselves, for I With doubtful ken behold him; yet the man Seems, in my view, Ætolian by descent, A Chief of prime renown in Argos’ host,590 The hero Tydeus’ son, brave Diomede, But Ajax Oïliades the swift Him sharp reproved. Why art thou always given To prate, Idomeneus? thou seest the mares, Remote indeed, but posting to the goal.595 Thou art not youngest of the Argives here So much, nor from beneath thy brows look forth Quick-sighted more than ours, thine eyes abroad. Yet still thou pratest, although silence more Should suit thee, among wiser far than thou.600 The mares which led, lead still, and he who drives Eumelus is, the same who drove before. To whom the Cretan Chief, angry, replied. Ajax! whom none in wrangling can excel Or rudeness, though in all beside thou fall605 Below the Argives, being boorish-rough, Come now—a tripod let us wager each, Or caldron, and let Agamemnon judge Whose horses lead, that, losing, thou may’st learn.
He said; then sudden from his seat upsprang610 Swift Ajax Oïliades, prepared For harsh retort, nor had the contest ceased Between them, but had grown from ill to worse, Had not himself, Achilles, interposed. Ajax—Idomeneus—abstain ye both615 From bitter speech offensive, and such terms As ill become you. Ye would feel, yourselves, Resentment, should another act as ye. Survey the course, peaceable, from your seats; The charioteers, by competition wing’d,620 Will soon themselves arrive, then shall ye know Distinctly, both who follows and who leads. He scarce had said, when nigh at hand appear’d Tydides, lashing, as he came, his steeds Continual; they with hoofs uplifted high625 Their yet remaining ground shorten’d apace, Sprinkling with dusty drops at every stroke Their charioteer, while close upon their heels Radiant with tin and gold the chariot ran, Scarce tracking light the dust, so swift they flew.630 He stood in the mid-circus; there the sweat Rain’d under them from neck and chest profuse, And Diomede from his resplendent seat Leaping, reclined his scourge against the yoke. Nor was his friend brave Sthenelus remiss,635 But, seizing with alacrity the prize, Consign’d the tripod and the virgin, first, To his own band in charge; then, loosed the steeds.
Next came, by stratagem, not speed advanced To that distinction, Nestor’s son, whom yet640 The hero Menelaus close pursued Near as the wheel runs to a courser’s heels, Drawing his master at full speed; his tail With its extremest hairs the felly sweeps That close attends him o’er the spacious plain,645 So near had Menelaus now approach’d Antilochus; for though at first he fell A full quoit’s cast behind, he soon retrieved That loss, with such increasing speed the mare Bright-maned of Agamemnon, Æthe, ran;650 She, had the course few paces more to both Afforded, should have clearly shot beyond Antilochus, nor dubious left the prize. But noble Menelaus threw behind Meriones, companion in the field,655 Of King Idomeneus, a lance’s flight, For slowest were his steeds, and he, to rule The chariot in the race, least skill’d of all. Last came Eumelus drawing to the goal, Himself, his splendid chariot, and his mares660 Driving before him. Peleus’ rapid son Beheld him with compassion, and, amid The Argives, in wing’d accents thus he spake. Here comes the most expert, driving his steeds Before him. Just it were that he received665 The second prize; Tydides claims the first. He said, and all applauded the award.
Then had Achilles to Eumelus given The mare (for such the pleasure seem’d of all) Had not the son of mighty Nestor risen,670 Antilochus, who pleaded thus his right. Achilles! acting as thou hast proposed, Thou shalt offend me much, for thou shalt take The prize from me, because the Gods, his steeds And chariot-yoke disabling, render’d vain675 His efforts, and no failure of his own. It was his duty to have sought the Gods In prayer, then had he not, following on foot His coursers, hindmost of us all arrived. But if thou pity him, and deem it good,680 Thou hast much gold, much brass, and many sheep In thy pavilion; thou hast maidens fair, And coursers also. Of thy proper stores Hereafter give to him a richer prize Than this, or give it now, so shall the Greeks685 Applaud thee; but this mare yield I to none; Stand forth the Grecian who desires to win That recompense, and let him fight with me. He ended, and Achilles, godlike Chief, Smiled on him, gratulating his success,690 Whom much he loved; then, ardent, thus replied. Antilochus! if thou wouldst wish me give Eumelus of my own, even so I will.
I will present to him my corslet bright Won from Asteropæus, edged around695 With glittering tin; a precious gift, and rare. So saying, he bade Automedon his friend Produce it from the tent; he at his word Departing, to Achilles brought the spoil, Which at his hands Eumelus glad received.700 Then, stung with grief, and with resentment fired Immeasurable, Menelaus rose To charge Antilochus. His herald gave The sceptre to his hand, and (silence bidden To all) the godlike hero thus began.705 Antilochus! oh heretofore discreet! What hast thou done? Thou hast dishonor’d foul My skill, and wrong’d my coursers, throwing thine, Although inferior far, by fraud before them. Ye Chiefs and Senators of Argos’ host!710 Impartial judge between us, lest, of these, Some say hereafter, Menelaus bore Antilochus by falsehood down, and led The mare away, because, although his steeds Were worse, his arm was mightier, and prevail’d.715 Yet hold—myself will judge, and will to all Contentment give, for I will judge aright. Hither, Antilochus, illustrious youth! And, as the law prescribes, standing before Thy steeds and chariot, holding too the scourge720 With which thou drovest, lay hand on both thy steeds, And swear by Neptune, circler of the earth, That neither wilfully, nor yet by fraud Thou didst impede my chariot in its course.
Then prudent, thus Antilochus replied.725 Oh royal Menelaus! patient bear The fault of one thy junior far, in years Alike unequal and in worth to thee. Thou know’st how rash is youth, and how propense To pass the bounds by decency prescribed,730 Quick, but not wise. Lay, then, thy wrath aside; The mare now given me I will myself Deliver to thee, and if thou require A larger recompense, will rather yield A larger much than from thy favor fall735 Deservedly for ever, mighty Prince! And sin so heinously against the Gods. So saying, the son of valiant Nestor led The mare, himself, to Menelaus’ hand, Who with heart-freshening joy the prize received.740 As on the ears of growing corn the dews Fall grateful, while the spiry grain erect Bristles the fields, so, Menelaus, felt Thy inmost soul a soothing pleasure sweet!
Then answer thus the hero quick return’d.745 Antilochus! exasperate though I were, Now, such no longer, I relinquish glad All strife with thee, for that at other times Thou never inconsiderate wast or light, Although by youthful heat misled to-day.750 Yet safer is it not to over-reach Superiors, for no other Grecian here Had my extreme displeasure calm’d so soon; But thou hast suffer’d much, and much hast toil’d, As thy good father and thy brother have,755 On my behalf; I, therefore, yield, subdued By thy entreaties, and the mare, though mine, Will also give thee, that these Grecians all May know me neither proud nor hard to appease. So saying, the mare he to Noëmon gave,760 Friend of Antilochus, and, well-content, The polish’d caldron for _his_ prize received. The fourth awarded lot (for he had fourth Arrived) Meriones asserted next, The golden talents; but the phial still765 Left unappropriated Achilles bore Across the circus in his hand, a gift To ancient Nestor, whom he thus bespake. Thou also, oh my father! this accept, Which in remembrance of the funeral rites770 Of my Patroclus, keep, for him thou seest Among the Greeks no more.
Receive a prize, Thine by gratuity; for thou shalt wield The cestus, wrestle, at the spear contend, Or in the foot-race (fallen as thou art775 Into the wane of life) never again. He said, and placed it in his hands. He, glad, Receiving it, in accents wing’d replied. True, oh my son! is all which thou hast spoken. These limbs, these hands, young friend! (their vigor lost)780 No longer, darted from the shoulder, spring At once to battle. Ah that I could grow Young yet again, could feel again such force Athletic, as when in Buprasium erst The Epeans with sepulchral pomp entomb’d785 King Amarynceus, where his sons ordain’d Funereal games in honor of their sire! Epean none or even Pylian there Could cope with me, or yet Ætolian bold. Boxing, I vanquish’d Clytomedes, son790 Of Enops; wrestling, the Pleuronian Chief Ancæus; in the foot-race Iphiclus, Though a fleet runner; and I over-pitch’d Phyleus and Polydorus at the spear. The sons of Actor[16] in the chariot-race795 Alone surpass’d me, being two for one, And jealous both lest I should also win That prize, for to the victor charioteer They had assign’d the noblest prize of all. They were twin-brothers, and one ruled the steeds,800 The steeds one ruled,[17] the other lash’d them on.
Such once was I; but now, these sports I leave To younger; me submission most befits To withering age, who then outshone the best. But go. The funeral of thy friend with games805 Proceed to celebrate; I accept thy gift With pleasure; and my heart is also glad That thou art mindful evermore of one Who loves thee, and such honor in the sight Yield’st me of all the Greeks, as is my due.810 May the Gods bless thee for it more and more! He spake, and Peleus’ son, when he had heard At large his commendation from the lips Of Nestor, through the assembled Greeks return’d. He next proposed, not lightly to be won,815 The boxer’s prize. He tether’d down a mule, Untamed and hard to tame, but strong to toil, And in her prime of vigor, in the midst; A goblet to the vanquish’d he assign’d, Then stood erect and to the Greeks exclaim’d.820 Atridæ! and ye Argives brazen-greaved! I call for two bold combatants expert To wage fierce strife for these, with lifted fists Smiting each other. He, who by the aid Of Phœbus shall o’ertome, and whom the Greeks825 Shall all pronounce victorious, leads the mule Hence to his tent; the vanquish’d takes the cup.
He spake, and at his word a Greek arose Big, bold, and skillful in the boxer’s art, Epeüs, son of Panopeus; his hand830 He on the mule imposed, and thus he said. Approach the man ambitious of the cup! For no Achaian here shall with his fist Me foiling, win the mule. I boast myself To all superior. May it not suffice835 That I to no pre-eminence pretend In battle? To attain to foremost praise Alike in every art is not for one. But this I promise, and will well perform— My blows shall lay him open, split him, crush840 His bones to splinters, and let all his friends, Attendant on him, wait to bear him hence, Vanquish’d by my superior force in fight. He ended, and his speech found no reply. One godlike Chief alone, Euryalus,845 Son of the King Mecisteus, who, himself, Sprang from Talaion, opposite arose. He, on the death of Oedipus, at Thebes Contending in the games held at his tomb, Had overcome the whole Cadmean race.850 Him Diomede spear-famed for fight prepared, Giving him all encouragement, for much He wish’d him victory. First then he threw[18] His cincture to him; next, he gave him thongs[19] Cut from the hide of a wild buffalo.855 Both girt around, into the midst they moved.
Then, lifting high their brawny arms, and fists Mingling with fists, to furious fight they fell; Dire was the crash of jaws, and the sweat stream’d From every limb. Epeüs fierce advanced,860 And while Euryalus with cautious eye Watch’d his advantage, pash’d him on the cheek He stood no longer, but, his shapely limbs, Unequal to his weight, sinking, he fell. As by the rising north-wind driven ashore865 A huge fish flounces on the weedy beach, Which soon the sable flood covers again, So, beaten down, he bounded. But Epeüs, Heroic chief, upraised him by his hand, And his own comrades from the circus forth870 Led him, step dragging after step, the blood Ejecting grumous, and at every pace Rolling his head languid from side to side. They placed him all unconscious on his seat In his own band, then fetch’d his prize, the cup.875 Still other prizes, then, Achilles placed In view of all, the sturdy wrestler’s meed. A large hearth-tripod, valued by the Greeks At twice six beeves, should pay the victor’s toil; But for the vanquish’d, in the midst he set880 A damsel in variety expert Of arts domestic, valued at four beeves. He rose erect, and to the Greeks he cried. Arise ye, now, who shall this prize dispute.
So spake the son of Peleus; then arose885 Huge Telamonian Ajax, and upstood Ulysses also, in all wiles adept. Both girt around, into the midst they moved. With vigorous gripe each lock’d the other fast, Like rafters, standing, of some mansion built890 By a prime artist proof against all winds. Their backs, tugg’d vehemently, creak’d,[20] the sweat Trickled, and on their flanks and shoulders, red The whelks arose; they bearing still in mind The tripod, ceased not struggling for the prize.895 Nor could Ulysses from his station move And cast down Ajax, nor could Ajax him Unsettle, fixt so firm Ulysses stood. But when, long time expectant, all the Greeks Grew weary, then, huge Ajax him bespake.900 Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! Lift, or be lifted, and let Jove decide. He said, and heaved Ulysses. Then, his wiles Forgat not he, but on the ham behind Chopp’d him; the limbs of Ajax at the stroke905 Disabled sank; he fell supine, and bore Ulysses close adhering to his chest Down with him. Wonder riveted all eyes. Then brave Ulysses from the ground awhile Him lifted in his turn, but ere he stood,910 Inserting his own knee the knees between[21] Of Ajax, threw him. To the earth they fell Both, and with dust defiled lay side by side.
And now, arising to a third essay, They should have wrestled yet again, had not915 Achilles, interfering, them restrain’d. Strive not together more; cease to exhaust Each other’s force; ye both have earn’d the prize Depart alike requited, and give place To other Grecians who shall next contend.920 He spake; they glad complied, and wiping off The dust, put on their tunics. Then again Achilles other prizes yet proposed, The rapid runner’s meed. First, he produced A silver goblet of six measures; earth925 Own’d not its like for elegance of form. Skilful Sidonian artists had around Embellish’d it,[22] and o’er the sable deep Phœnician merchants into Lemnos’ port Had borne it, and the boon to Thoas[23] given;930 But Jason’s son, Euneüs, in exchange For Priam’s son Lycaon, to the hand Had pass’d it of Patroclus famed in arms. Achilles this, in honor of his friend, Set forth, the swiftest runner’s recompense.935 The second should a fatted ox receive Of largest size, and he assign’d of gold A just half-talent to the worst and last. He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.
Now stand ye forth who shall this prize dispute.940 He said, and at his word instant arose Swift Ajax Oïliades; upsprang The shrewd Ulysses next, and after him Brave Nestor’s son Antilochus, with whom None vied in speed of all the youths of Greece.945 They stood prepared. Achilles show’d the goal. At once all started. Oïliades Led swift the course, and closely at his heels Ulysses ran. Near as some cinctured maid Industrious holds the distaff to her breast,950 While to and fro with practised finger neat She tends the flax drawing it to a thread, So near Ulysses follow’d him, and press’d His footsteps, ere the dust fill’d them again, Pouring his breath into his neck behind,955 And never slackening pace. His ardent thirst Of victory with universal shouts All seconded, and, eager, bade him on. And now the contest shortening to a close, Ulysses his request silent and brief960 To azure-eyed Minerva thus preferr’d. Oh Goddess hear, prosper me in the race! Such was his prayer, with which Minerva pleased, Freshen’d his limbs, and made him light to run.
And now, when in one moment they should both965 Have darted on the prize, then Ajax’ foot Sliding, he fell; for where the dung of beeves Slain by Achilles for his friend, had spread The soil, there[24] Pallas tripp’d him. Ordure foul His mouth, and ordure foul his nostrils fill’d.970 Then brave Ulysses, first arriving, seized The cup, and Ajax took his prize, the ox. He grasp’d his horn, and sputtering as he stood The ordure forth, the Argives thus bespake. Ah—Pallas tripp’d my footsteps; she attends975 Ulysses ever with a mother’s care. Loud laugh’d the Grecians. Then, the remnant prize Antilochus receiving, smiled and said. Ye need not, fellow-warriors, to be taught That now, as ever, the immortal Gods980 Honor on seniority bestow. Ajax is elder, yet not much, than I. But Laertiades was born in times Long past, a chief coëval with our sires, Not young, but vigorous; and of the Greeks,985 Achilles may alone with him contend. So saying, the merit of superior speed To Peleus’ son he gave, who thus replied. Antilochus! thy praise of me shall prove Nor vain nor unproductive to thyself,990 For the half-talent doubled shall be thine. He spake, and, doubling it, the talent placed Whole in his hand. He glad the gift received.
Achilles, then Sarpedon’s arms produced, Stripp’d from him by Patroclus, his long spear,995 Helmet and shield, which in the midst he placed. He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried. I call for two brave warriors arm’d to prove Each other’s skill with weapons keen, this prize Disputing, next, in presence of us all.1000 Who first shall through his armor reach the skin Of his antagonist, and shall draw his blood, To him this silver-studded falchion bright I give; the blade is Thracian, and of late Asteropæus wore it, whom I slew.1005 These other arms shall be their common meed, And I will banquet both within my tent. He said, then Telamonian Ajax huge Arose, and opposite the son arose Of warlike Tydeus, Diomede the brave.1010 Apart from all the people each put on His arms, then moved into the middle space, Lowering terrific, and on fire to fight. The host look’d on amazed. Approaching each The other, thrice they sprang to the assault,1015 And thrice struck hand to hand. Ajax the shield Pierced of his adversary, but the flesh Attain’d not, baffled by his mail within. Then Tydeus’ son, sheer o’er the ample disk Of Ajax, thrust a lance home to his neck,1020 And the Achaians for the life appall’d Of Ajax, bade them, ceasing, share the prize.
But the huge falchion with its sheath and belt— Achilles them on Diomede bestow’d. The hero, next, an iron clod produced1025 Rough from the forge, and wont to task the might Of King Eëtion; but, when him he slew, Pelides, glorious chief, with other spoils From Thebes convey’d it in his fleet to Troy. He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.1030 Come forth who also shall this prize dispute! How far soe’er remote the winner’s fields, This lump shall serve his wants five circling years; His shepherd shall not, or his plower, need In quest of iron seek the distant town,1035 But hence he shall himself their wants supply.[25] Then Polypœtes brave in fight arose, Arose Leonteus also, godlike chief, With Ajax son of Telamon. Each took His station, and Epeüs seized the clod.1040 He swung, he cast it, and the Grecians laugh’d. Leonteus, branch of Mars, quoited it next. Huge Telamonian Ajax with strong arm Dismiss’d it third, and overpitch’d them both. But when brave Polypœtes seized the mass1045 Far as the vigorous herdsman flings his staff That twirling flies his numerous beeves between,[26] So far his cast outmeasured all beside, And the host shouted. Then the friends arose Of Polypœtes valiant chief, and bore1050 His ponderous acquisition to the ships.
The archers’ prize Achilles next proposed, Ten double and ten single axes, form’d Of steel convertible to arrow-points. He fix’d, far distant on the sands, the mast1055 Of a brave bark cerulean-prow’d, to which With small cord fasten’d by the foot he tied A timorous dove, their mark at which to aim. [27]Who strikes the dove, he conquers, and shall bear These double axes all into his tent.1060 But who the cord alone, missing the bird, Successful less, he wins the single blades. The might of royal Teucer then arose, And, fellow-warrior of the King of Crete, Valiant Meriones. A brazen casque1065 Received the lots; they shook them, and the lot Fell first to Teucer. He, at once, a shaft Sent smartly forth, but vow’d not to the King[28] A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock. He therefore (for Apollo greater praise1070 Denied him) miss’d the dove, but struck the cord That tied her, at small distance from the knot, And with his arrow sever’d it. Upsprang The bird into the air, and to the ground Depending fell the cord. Shouts rent the skies.1075 Then, all in haste, Meriones the bow Caught from his hand holding a shaft the while Already aim’d, and to Apollo vow’d A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock.
He eyed the dove aloft, under a cloud,1080 And, while she wheel’d around, struck her beneath The pinion; through her and beyond her pass’d The arrow, and, returning, pierced the soil Fast by the foot of brave Meriones. She, perching on the mast again, her head1085 Reclined, and hung her wide-unfolded wing, But, soon expiring, dropp’d and fell remote. Amazement seized the people. To his tent Meriones the ten best axes bore, And Teucer the inferior ten to his.[29]1090 Then, last, Achilles in the circus placed A ponderous spear and caldron yet unfired, Emboss’d with flowers around, its worth an ox. Upstood the spear-expert; Atrides first, Wide-ruling Agamemnon, King of men,1095 And next, brave fellow-warrior of the King Of Crete, Meriones; when thus his speech Achilles to the royal chief address’d. Atrides! (for we know thy skill and force Matchless! that none can hurl the spear as thou)1100 This prize is thine, order it to thy ship; And if it please thee, as I would it might, Let brave Meriones the spear receive. He said; nor Agamemnon not complied, But to Meriones the brazen spear Presenting, to Talthybius gave in charge The caldron, next, his own illustrious prize. Priam, by command of Jupiter, and under conduct of Mercury, seeks Achilles in his tent, who admonished previously by Thetis, consents to accept ransom for the body of Hector. Hector is mourned, and the manner of his funeral, circumstantially described, concludes the poem.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.