Iliad of Homer — 05 - Book the Fifth

ARGUMENT.

The exploits of Diomedes, who, irritated by a wound from Pandarus, fights with unremitted fury, and even wounds Venus and Mars, who were aiding the Trojans.

Then, moreover, Pallas Minerva gave strength and daring to Diomede, the son of Tydeus, that he might become conspicuous amongst all the Argives, and might bear off for himself excellent renown.

And she kindled from his helmet and his shield an unwearied fire, like unto the summer 194 star, which shines 195 very brightly, having been bathed in the ocean.

Such a fire she kindled from his head and shoulders, and she urged him into the midst, where the greatest numbers were in commotion.

Footnote 194: (return) _I.

e. _ the dog star, Sirius, whose rising marked the beginning of the ὀπώρα, or season extending from the middle of July to the middle of September.

It is said to be most brilliant at its time of rising.

Cf.

Apoll.

iii.

956: Ὅς δή τοι καλὸς μὲν ἀρίζηλός τ’ ἐσιδέσθαί Ἀντέλλει.

Footnote 195: (return) This use of the subjunctive mood is called the σχῆμα Ἰϑύκειον by Lesbonax, p. 179, ed.

Valck.

Now there was amongst the Trojans one Dares, rich, blameless, the priest of Vulcan; and he had two sons, Phegeus and Idæus, well skilled in all kinds of battle: these twain, apart [from their companions], rushed to meet [Diomede]; they on their part, from their two-horse chariot, but he, from the ground, made the attack on foot.

When these, therefore, advancing against each other, were now near, Phegeus first hurled forth his long-shadowed spear, and the point of the spear went over the left shoulder of the son of Tydeus, nor did it strike him.

But the son of Tydeus next rushed on with his brazen javelin; nor did the weapon fly in vain from his hand, but struck his [Phegeus’s] breast between the paps, and forced him from his chariot.

Then Idæus leaped down, having left the very beautiful chariot, nor ventured to protect his slain brother.

[In vain,] for not even he would have escaped gloomy fate, but Vulcan snatched him away, and saved him, having enveloped him in darkness, that the old man might not be altogether sad.

But the son of magnanimous Tydeus having taken the horses, gave them to his companions to lead to the hollow ships.

When the magnanimous Trojans beheld the sons of Dares, the one 196 flying, the other slain at the chariot, the hearts of all were discomfited.

But azure-eyed Minerva, seizing him by the hand, thus addressed impetuous Mars: “Mars, Mars, man-slayer, gore-stained, stormer of walls, should we not suffer the Trojans and the Greeks to fight, to which side soever father Jove may give glory; but let us retire, and avoid the wrath of Jove?

” Thus having said, she led impetuous Mars from the battle, and afterwards seated him on grassy 197 Scamander.

Then the Greeks turned the Trojans to flight, and each of the leaders slew his man.

First Agamemnon, king of men, hurled from his chariot huge Hodius, chief of the Halizonians.

For in the back of him first turned [in flight], between his shoulders he fixed the spear, and drove it through his breast; and falling, he made a crash, and his arms resounded upon him.

But next Idomeneus killed Phæstus, the son of Mæonian Borus, who had come from fertile Tarne.

Him, just as he was mounting his chariot, 198 spear-famed Idomeneus, with his long lance, wounded in the right shoulder: he fell from his chariot, and hateful darkness seized him.

Then the attendants of Idomeneus despoiled him of his arms.

Footnote 196: (return) observe the construction by apposition, soph.

ant.

21: τὼ κασιγνήτω, τὸν μὲν προτίσας, τὸν δ’ ἀτιμάσας ἔχει.

—561: τὼ παῖδε φημὶ τώδε τὴν μὲν ἀρτίως ἄνουν πεϕάνθαι, τὴν δ’ ἀϕ’ οὗ τὰ πρῶτ’ ἔϕυ.

Footnote 197: (return) see buttm.

lexil.

p. 324, sqq.

Footnote 198: (return) I shall generally adopt this translation of ϊπποι, with anthon.

Menelaus, the son of Atreus, slew with his sharp 199 spear Scamandrius, son of Strophius, clever in the chase, an excellent huntsman; for Diana herself taught him to shoot all kinds of beasts, which the wood in the mountains nurtures.

But then at least arrow-rejoicing Diana availed him not, nor his skill in distant shooting, in which he had been formerly instructed.

But spear-renowned Menelaus, son of Atreus, wounded him, flying before him, with a spear in the back, between the shoulders, and drove [the spear] through his breast.

Prone he fell, and his arms resounded upon him.

Meriones slew Phereclus, son of the artist Harmon, who knew how to form with his hands all ingenious things (for Pallas Minerva loved him exceedingly): who also for Alexander had built the equal ships, source of woes, which were a bane to all the Trojans and to himself, since he did not understand the oracles of the gods.

200 Meriones, indeed, when following he overtook him, struck him in the right hip; but the point went right through beneath the bone, near the bladder; and on his knees he fell lamenting, and death overshadowed him.

Footnote 199: (return) Apoll.

Lex.

Hom.

p. 604, ed.

Villois: ὀξυόεντι.

Ὸ μὲν Ἀπίων, όξεῖ ἔγχει, ὀξυόεντι δὲ, ὀξυΐνῳ.

With Anthon, I prefer Apion’s interpretation.

Others explain it “beechen,” or “thorn-wood.

” Cf.

Alberti on Hesych.

p. 766. Footnote 200: (return) A doubtful line, but probably referring to an oracle by which the Trojans were recommended to avoid maritime affairs.

Cf.

Procl.

Chrestom.

p. 472, ed.

Gaisf.

But Meges next slew Pedæus, son of Antenor, who, indeed, was a spurious son, yet noble Theano brought him up with care, equally with her own dear children, gratifying her husband.

Him the spear-famed son of Phyleus, on his part, coming near, smote on the back of the head with his sharp spear; the steel cut through his teeth under his tongue.

In the dust he fell, and caught the cold steel in his teeth.

But Eurypylus, son of Evæmon, slew noble Hypsenor, son of magnanimous Dolopion, who was priest of Scamander, and was honoured as a god by the people; him, as he was flying before him, Eurypylus, then, the illustrious son of Evæmon, struck in the shoulder in his flight, rushing on with his sword, and cut off his heavy hand: then the gory hand fell in the field; but blood-red death and stern fate seized his eyes.

Thus they on their part laboured in the violent fight.

But you would not have known the son of Tydeus, to which side he belonged, whether he was mixed with the Trojans or with the Greeks.

For he rushed through the plain, like unto a river swollen by mountain-streams, which flowing rapidly throws down bridges: and this, neither the fortified dams can restrain, nor the fences of the richly-blooming fields check, as it comes suddenly, when the rain-storm of Jove bears down heavily: many hopeful works of vigorous youths are wont to fall by it.

Thus by the son of Tydeus were the close phalanxes of the Trojans thrown into confusion; nor did they withstand him, although being numerous.

When, therefore, Pandarus, the illustrious son of Lycaon, saw him rushing through the field, discomfiting the phalanxes before him, he drew his crooked bow, and smote him rushing on, striking him upon the right shoulder [on] the cavity of the corslet: the bitter shaft flew on and broke through to the other side; and the corslet was stained with blood.

Whereupon the illustrious son of Lycaon exclaimed aloud: “Rush on, ye magnanimous Trojans, spurrers of steeds, for the bravest of the Greeks is wounded; nor do I think that he will long endure the violent arrow, if king Apollo, the son of Jove, really urged me proceeding from Lycia.

” Thus he spoke, vaunting; but him [Diomede] the swift arrow did not subdue: but having retreated, he stood before his horses and chariot, and thus accosted Sthenelus, son of Capaneus: “Haste, dear son of Capaneus, descend from thy chariot, that thou mayest draw from my shoulder the bitter shaft.

” Thus he spoke, and Sthenelus leaped from his chariot to the ground, and, standing by him, drew the swift, deeply-piercing arrow forth from his shoulder, and the blood spurted out through the twisted mail.

Then Diomede, brave in battle, prayed: “Hear me, O daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, unwearied, if ever favouring thou stoodest by me and my sire in the hostile fight, now in turn befriend me, O Minerva.

And grant me to slay this man, and that he may approach within the aim of my spear, who being beforehand has struck me, and boasts, and says that I shall not long behold the brilliant light of the sun.

” Thus he spoke, praying, and Pallas Minerva heard him, and made light his limbs, his feet, and his hands above, and standing near him, spoke winged words: “With confidence, now, O Diomede, fight against the Trojans; for into thy soul have I sent that intrepid ancestral might, such as the shield-brandishing knight Tydeus was wont to possess: and moreover I have taken away the darkness from thine eyes, which before was upon them, that thou mayest discern a god and also a man.

Wherefore now, if any divinity come hither, making trial of thee, do thou by no means fight against any other immortal gods; but if Venus, daughter of Jove, should come into battle, wound her at all events with the sharp brass.

” Thus on her part having spoken, azure-eyed Minerva departed: but the son of Tydeus, returning again, was mixed with the van; and ardent as he before was in spirit to fight against the Trojans, then, indeed, thrice as much courage possessed him.

Like as a lion, whom the shepherd in the country, by his fleecy sheep, has grazed indeed, while overleaping the court-yard, but has not killed; he [the shepherd] has merely roused his ardour; but afterwards he ventures no farther aid, but on the contrary retires within the fold, while the sheep, deserted, fly in consternation.

These, indeed, are huddled in masses one upon another, but he [the lion] leaps joyfully from the lofty fold.

201 So was brave Diomede joyfully mixed with the Trojans.

Then he slew Astynoüs, and Hypenor the shepherd of the people: having smote the one above the pap with the brazen lance, but the other he smote with his huge sword on the collar-bone at the shoulder, and separated the shoulder from the neck and back.

These, indeed, he left, but rushed on Abas and Polyïdus, the sons of Eurydamas, the aged interpreter of dreams; to whom going to the war, the old man did not interpret their dreams; but brave Diomede spoiled them when slain.

Then he went against Xanthus and Thoon, the sons of Phænops, both dearly cherished; 202 but he was worn by sad old age, and did not beget another son to leave over his possessions.

These, then, Diomede slew, and took their life from both, but to their father left grief and mournful cares, since he did not receive them returning alive from battle; but his next of kin 203 divided the inheritance amongst them.

Footnote 201: (return) A very doubtful line.

Footnote 202: (return) Cf.

Buttm.

Lexil.

p. 511. Footnote 203: (return) Schol.

: Χηρωσταὶ, οὶ τὸν χῆρον οῖκον διανεμόμενοι κληρονόμοι.

Apoll.

Lex.

p. 854: Οὶ μακρόθεν προσήκοντες κατὰ γένος, καὶ χῆρα ὄντα τῶν σύνεγγυς τὰ χρήματα κληρονομοῦντες.

Then he seized Echemon and Chromius, two sons of Dardanian Priam, being in one chariot.

As when a lion, leaping amidst the herd, has broken the neck of a heifer or of an ox pasturing in a thicket; so did the son of Tydeus forcibly dislodge them both from the chariot against their wills, and then spoiled them of their arms.

But the steeds he gave to his companions, to drive to the ships.

But him Æneas beheld devastating the ranks of men, and he hastened to go both through the battle and the din of spears, seeking godlike Pandarus, if anywhere he might find him.

He found the blameless and valiant son of Lycaon, and stood before him, and spoke [this] word to him: “O Pandarus, where are thy bow and thy winged shafts, and thy renown, with which no man here at least contends with thee, nor does any person in Lycia boast to be braver than thou?

But come, having raised thy hands to Jove, aim an arrow against this man, (whoever he be, who is thus prevailing, and who has already wrought many ills against the Trojans, since he has relaxed the knees of many and of brave), unless he be some god, wrathful against the Trojans, angry on account of sacrifices [not offered]: and unless the severe wrath of a deity be upon us.

” Him the illustrious son of Lycaon answered in turn: “Æneas, counsellor of the brazen-mailed Trojans, I assimilate him in all respects to the warlike son of Tydeus, recognizing him by his shield and oblong helmet, and looking on his steeds: but I do not know certainly whether he be a god.

But if this man, whom I speak of, be the warlike son of Tydeus, he does not perform these frantic deeds without divine aid, but some one of the immortals stands near, wrapped round as to his shoulders 204 in a cloud, who has turned into another course the swift shaft just about to hit him.

For but just now I aimed an arrow at him, and struck him on the right shoulder, entirely through the cavity of his corslet; and I thought I should hurl him down to Pluto; yet did I not altogether subdue him; some god, of a truth, is wrathful.

And steeds and chariots are not present, which I might ascend: but somewhere in the palaces of Lycaon [are] eleven chariots, beautiful, newly-built, lately made: coverings are spread around them: and beside each of them stand steeds yoked in pairs, eating white barley and wheat.

Of a truth the aged warrior Lycaon gave me, on setting out, very many commands in his well-built palaces: he ordered me, having ascended my steeds and my chariot, to command the Trojans in the fierce conflicts; but I heeded him not (and truly it would have been much better), sparing my steeds, lest they, accustomed to feed largely, should want food, to my cost, 205 the men being shut up [in the city].

Thus I left them; but I have come on foot to Troy, relying on my bow and arrows, but these were not destined to profit me.

For lately I aimed [a shaft] at two chiefs, at the son of Tydeus and the son of Atreus; and having struck, I drew blood manifestly from both; but I roused them the more.

Therefore, with evil fate I took down my curved bow from the peg, on that day when I led the Trojans to pleasant Ilium, doing a favour to divine Hector.

But if I shall return, and shall with these eyes behold my country, and my wife, and my lofty-roofed great palace, immediately may some hostile man cut off my head, if I do not put this bow into the shining fire, having broken it with my hands; for it attends on me to no purpose.

” Footnote 204: (return) Cf.

Hor.

Od.

i.

2, 31: “Nube candentes humeros amictus.

” Footnote 205: (return) Observe the force of μοι.

Him then Æneas, the leader of the Trojans, addressed in turn: “Speak not so: but it will not be otherwise, before that we twain, with horses and chariot, going against this man, make trial of him with arms.

But come, ascend my chariot; that thou mayest see of what kind are the steeds of Tros, skilful in the plain to pursue rapidly here and there, and to retreat; they also shall bring us safe again to the city, if Jove will a second time afford glory to Diomede, the son of Tydeus.

But come, take the whip now, and the shining reins, and I will descend from the chariot, that I may fight; or do thou await this man, and the steeds shall be my care.

” Him then the illustrious son of Lycaon answered in turn: “Æneas, do thou thyself hold the reins and thy own steeds: the better will they bear along the curved chariot under their accustomed charioteer, if we shall fly back from the son of Tydeus; lest they, taking fright, should become restive, and be unwilling to bear us away from the war, missing thy voice, and the son of magnanimous Tydeus, rushing on us, should slay ourselves, and drive away thy solid-hoofed steeds.

But do thou thyself drive the chariot and thy own steeds, but with my sharp spear will I receive him advancing.

” Thus having said, ascending the variegated chariot, they directed the swift steeds impetuously against the son of Tydeus.

But Sthenelus, the illustrious son of Capaneus, perceived them, and immediately to the son of Tydeus he spoke winged words: “Diomede, son of Tydeus, most dear to my soul, I perceive two valiant men eager to fight against thee, possessing immense might; one, indeed, well-skilled in the bow, 206 Pandarus, and moreover he boasts to be the son of Lycaon, and Æneas, [who] boasts to be born the son of magnanimous Anchises; but Venus is his mother.

But come, let us now retire, having ascended our horses, nor thus, I pray thee, run furiously through the van, lest thou shouldst lose thy dear life.

” But him sternly regarding, brave Diomede thus addressed: “Talk not to me of retreat, 207 since I think thou wilt not persuade me.

It becomes not my nature to fight in a skulking manner, nor to tremble; as yet my strength is unimpaired.

I am averse to mount the chariot, but even as I am will I advance to meet them: spear-brandishing Minerva does not suffer me to tremble.

Never shall the swift horses bear these twain both back again from us, supposing even one of them shall escape.

But another thing I tell thee, and do thou lay it up in thy soul, if most prudent Minerva should grant me the glory to kill both, then do thou detain here these swift steeds, stretching forth the reins from the rim, and, mindful, rush upon the horses of Æneas, and drive them from the Trojans to the well-greaved Greeks.

For they are of that breed which far-seeing Jove gave as a price to Tros for his son Ganymede;

wherefore they are the best of steeds, as many as are under the east and the sun.

From this breed Anchises, king of men, stole them, having supplied mares without the knowledge of Laomedon: of the breed of these six were foaled in his courts.

Reserving four himself, he nourished them at the manger, and two, skilled in rousing terror, he gave to Æneas.

If we can take these, we shall have borne away excellent glory.

” Footnote 206: (return) This bold change of construction, where one would have expected τὸν μὲν, τὸν, δὲ, has been noticed by Lesbonax, p. 186. Footnote 207: (return) But Anthon, I think, with more spirit, renders this, “Speak not at all fearward.

” Thus they were speaking such things to each other; but the others soon drew near, urging onward their swift steeds.

The illustrious son of Lycaon first accosted Diomede: “Stout-hearted, warlike-minded, son of illustrious Tydeus, certainly my swift shaft, my bitter arrow has not slain thee.

Now again will I try with my spear, whether I can hit my mark.

” 208 He said, and brandishing [it], he sent forth his long-shadowed spear, and struck the shield of Tydides: but the brazen spear flying straight through, approached the corslet.

Then the son of Lycaon shouted loudly over him: “Thou art wounded in the flank, through and through, nor do I think thou wilt endure it much longer: but to me hast thou given great glory.

” But him the valiant son of Tydeus, undisturbed, addressed: “Thou hast erred, nor hast thou reached thine aim; 209 but I certainly think thou wilt not cease, till one of you at least, having fallen, shall satiate Mars, the warrior of the bull’s-hide shield, with his blood.

” Footnote 208: (return) This is the best manner of expressing the full meaning of τύχωμι.

Footnote 209: (return) _I.

e. _ given a mortal wound.

Thus having spoken, he hurled forth [his lance], and Minerva directed the weapon to his nose, near the eye; and it passed quite through his white teeth: and then unwearied, the brass cut the root of his tongue, and the point came out at the bottom of his chin.

From his chariot he fell, and his variegated, shining 210 arms resounded upon him; but his swift-footed steeds started aside through fright, and there were his soul and strength dissolved.

Æneas then bounded down with his shield and long spear, fearing lest the Greeks by any means should take the body away from him.

He walked round it, therefore, like a lion, confiding in his strength: and before him he stretched out his lance, and his shield equal on all sides, shouting dreadfully, eager to slay him, whoever might come against him.

But the son of Tydeus seized in his grasp a hand-stone, a huge affair, such as no two men could carry, such at least as mortals are now; but he even alone easily wielded it.

With it he struck Æneas on the hip, where the thigh is turned in the hip;—they call it the socket;—the socket he smote violently, and broke besides both tendons, and the rugged stone tore off the skin.

But the hero having fallen on his knees, remained so, and supported himself with his strong hand upon the ground, and dark night veiled his eyes.

Footnote 210: (return) But Buttm.

Lexil.

p. 65 prefers “agile,” _i.

e. _ easily-wielded.

And there, of a truth, Æneas, the king of men, had perished, unless Venus, the daughter of Jove, had quickly perceived him, his mother, who brought him forth to Anchises as he fed his oxen; 211 but around her own dear son she spread her white arms, and before him she extended the folds of her shining robe, as a fence against arrows, lest any of the swift-horsed Greeks having cast the steel into his breast, should take away his life.

She, indeed, stealthily bore off her beloved son from the battle.

Nor was the son of Capaneus forgetful of those commands which warlike Diomede gave him: but he detained his own solid-hoofed steeds apart from the tumult, having stretched forth the reins from the rim; and rushing forward, drove from the Trojans to the well-greaved Greeks the beautiful-maned steeds of Æneas, and gave them to Deipylus, his beloved companion (whom he honoured above all his coevals, because he possessed in his mind sentiments congenial with himself), to drive them to the hollow ships: but the hero himself, having ascended his chariot, took the splendid reins; and instantly drove his solid-hoofed steeds after the son of Tydeus with ardour; but Diomede pursued Venus with the cruel steel, 212 knowing that she was an unwarlike goddess, nor [one] of those goddesses who administer the war of men, neither Minerva, nor city-destroying Bellona.

But when he had now overtaken her, having pursued her through a great crowd, then the son of magnanimous Tydeus, having stretched forward, wounded the feeble [goddess] in the extremity of the hand, bounding on with the sharp brass.

Instantly the spear pierced through the skin, through her ambrosial robe (which the Graces themselves had wrought), at the extremity [of the hand] above the palm.

Immortal blood flowed from the goddess, ichor, such, to wit, as flows from the blessed gods.

For they eat not bread, nor drink dark wine; therefore are they bloodless, and are called immortal.

But she screaming aloud, cast her son from her: and him Phoebus Apollo rescued in his hands in a sable cloud, lest any of the swift-horsed Greeks, casting the steel into his breast, should take away his life.

But warlike Diomede shouted loudly after her: Footnote 211: (return) Cf.

Theocrit.

i.

105: Ού λέγεται τὰν Κύπριν ὸ βουκόλος, ἕρπε ποτ’ Ἰδὰν, Ἔρπε ποτ’ Ἀγχίσαν.

See Hymn, in Vener.

54, sqq.

; and Grote, Hist.

of Greece, vol. i.

p. 73. Footnote 212: (return) It is well known that these battles and woundings of the gods gave so much scandal to Plato, that he wished to cast Homer out of his republic, much to the indignation of Heraclides Ponticus, Alleg.

Hom.

p. 511. The fathers of the early church made no small use of Plato’s opinion on this head.

Cf.

Euseb.

P.

E.

ii.

10;

Tertull.

Apol.

§ xiv.

; Augustin, C. D.

ii.

14; Minucius Felix, 22; who all make use of his testimony as an argument against Paganism.

See Coleridge, Classic Poets, p. 64. “Withdraw, O daughter of Jove, from war and battle.

Is it not sufficient that thou dost practise deception upon feeble women?

But if thou wilt go to the war, I certainly think thou wilt hereafter dread battle, even though thou but hearest of it elsewhere.

” Thus he spoke: but she departed, distracted [with pain], for she was grievously exhausted.

But swift-footed Iris having taken her, led her outside the crowd, oppressed with griefs; but she began to turn livid as to her beauteous skin.

Then she found impetuous Mars sitting at the left of the battle; and his spear and swift horses had been enveloped in darkness.

But she, falling on her knees, with many entreaties besought from her dear brother his golden-frontleted steeds: “Dear brother, render me a service, and give me thy steeds, that I may go to Olympus, where is the seat of the immortals.

I am grievously oppressed with a wound which a mortal man, the son of Tydeus, inflicted on me, who now would fight even with father Jove.

” Thus she spoke: but Mars gave her the golden-frontleted steeds.

But she mounted the chariot, grieving in her heart; and Iris mounted beside her, and took the reins in her hands, and scourged them to go on, and they flew not unwillingly.

And immediately then they reached the seat of the gods, the lofty Olympus.

There nimble, swift-footed Iris stayed the steeds, having loosed them from the chariot, and set before them ambrosial fodder.

But the goddess Venus fell at the knees of her mother Dione; and she embraced her daughter in her arms, and soothed her with her hand, and addressed her, and said: “Which of the heavenly gods, beloved daughter, has wantonly done such things to thee, as if thou hadst openly wrought some evil?

” But her laughter-loving Venus answered: “The son of Tydeus, haughty Diomede, has wounded me, because I was withdrawing from battle my beloved son Æneas, who is by far most dear to me of all.

For it is no longer the destructive contest of Trojans and of Greeks; but now the Greeks fight even with the immortals.

” But her Dione, divine one of goddesses, answered: “Endure, my daughter, and bear up, although grieved; for many of us, possessing Olympian habitations, have in times past endured pains at the hand of men, 213 imposing heavy griefs on one another.

Mars, in the first place, endured it, when Otus and valiant Ephialtes, the sons of Aloëus, bound him in a strong chain.

He was chained in a brazen prison for thirteen months: and perhaps Mars, insatiate of war, had perished there, had not his stepmother, all-fair Eëribæa, told it to Mercury; but he stole Mars away, already exhausted, for the cruel chain subdued him.

Juno also suffered, when the brave son of Amphitryon smote her in the right breast with a three-pronged shaft.

Then most irremediable pain seized her.

Amongst these Pluto also endured a swift shaft, when the same hero, the son of ægis-bearing Jove, afflicted him with pains at Pylos amongst the dead, having wounded him.

But he went to the palace of Jove, and the lofty Olympus, grieving in his heart, and transfixed with pains; for the shaft had pierced into his huge shoulder, and tortured his soul.

But Pæon healed him, sprinkling pain-assuaging remedies, for he was not at all mortal.

Audacious, regardless one!

who felt no compunction in doing lawless deeds,—who with his bow violated the gods that dwell in Olympus.

But against thee azure-eyed goddess Minerva has excited this man.

Infatuate!

nor does the son of Tydeus know this in his mind, that he is by no means long-lived who fights with the immortals, nor ever at his knees will sons lisp a father’s name, as he returns from war and dreadful battle.

Therefore, let the son of Tydeus now, though he be very brave, have a care, lest a better than thou fight with him: lest at a future time Ægialëa, the very prudent daughter of Adrastus, the noble spouse of horse-taming Diomede, grieving, should rouse her servants from sleep, longing for the husband of her youth, the bravest of the Greeks.

” Footnote 213: (return) Speaking of these humiliations of the gods, Grote, Hist.

t. i.

p. 78, well observes: “The god who serves is for a time degraded; but the supreme god who commands the servitude is in the like proportion exalted, whilst the idea of some sort of order and government among these super-human beings was never lost sight of.

” She spoke, and with her palms wiped off the ichor from her hand: the hand was healed, and the severe pains mitigated.

But then Minerva and Juno looking on, provoked Saturnian Jove with heart-cutting words; but amidst them azure-eyed goddess Minerva thus began speaking: “Father Jove, wilt thou indeed be angry with me on account of what I shall say?

Surely it must be that Venus, inspiring some one of the Grecian women with a desire of accompanying the Trojans, whom now she exceedingly loves, while caressing one of those fair-robed Grecian women, has torn her delicate hand against a golden buckle.

” Thus she spoke: but the father of men and gods smiled, and having called, he thus accosted golden Venus: “Not to thee, daughter mine, are intrusted warlike works; but do thou confine thyself to the desirable offices of marriage, and all these things shall be a care to swift Mars and to Minerva.

” Thus they, indeed, were speaking such things to each other.

But Diomede, doughty in the din of battle, rushed upon Æneas, conscious that Apollo himself held over him his hands.

But he revered not the mighty god, for he always longed to slay Æneas, and despoil him of his glorious armour.

Thrice then, immediately, he rushed on, eager to slay him, and thrice Apollo repelled his shield with violence; but when at length the fourth time he rushed on, like a god, the far-darting Apollo menacing terribly, addressed him: “Consider, O son of Tydeus, and retire, nor wish to think things equal with the gods; for the race of the immortal gods and of men walking on the earth is in nowise similar.

” Thus he spoke: but the son of Tydeus retired a little, biding the wrath of far-darting Apollo.

But Apollo placed Æneas apart from the crowd, in sacred Pergamus, where his temple was.

214 Latona and shaft-rejoicing Diana healed him in the mighty shrine, and adorned him with glory.

But silver-bowed Apollo formed a phantom like unto Æneas himself and such in arms.

Around the phantom the Trojans and the noble Greeks smote on each others’ breasts the well-battered ox-hide shields, and the light bucklers.

Then at length Phœbus Apollo addressed impetuous Mars: Footnote 214: (return) “On the Trojan citadel of Pergamus itself was a temple of Apollo, Diana and Latona; and hence Homer represents these three deities protecting the falling city.

”—Μüller, Dorians, vol. i.

p. 248. “Mars!

Mars!

man-slaughterer, gore-tainted, wall-batterer!

wouldst not thou now, meeting this man, the son of Venus, withdraw him from the battle, who would even now cope with father Jove?

First, indeed, in close combat, he wounded Venus in the hand, at the wrist; but then he assailed me, like unto a god.

” Thus having spoken, he sat down on lofty Pergamus; but destructive Mars aroused the ranks of the Trojans, going through them, assimilating himself to Acamus, the swift leader of the Thracians, and thus he harangued the Jove-nourished sons of Priam: “Ye sons of Priam, Jove-nourished king, how long will ye suffer the people to be slain by the Greeks?

Is it until they fight around the well-made gates?

A hero lies prostate, whom we honoured equally with noble Hector, the son of magnanimous Anchises.

But come, let us rescue from the assault our excellent companion.

” Thus having spoken, he excited the might and courage of heart.

Then Sarpedon much rebuked noble Hector: Hector, where now has that strength gone, which thou didst formerly possess?

Thou saidst, I ween, that thou, with thy kindred and thy brothers, couldst defend the city without the forces and allies.

Now I can neither see nor perceive any of these; but they crouch down, like dogs but a lion: we, on the contrary, who are here mere allies, bear the brunt of the fight.

Even I, being thine ally, have come from a very great distance; for far off is Lycia, at lying Xanthus, where I left my beloved wife and my infant son, and many possessions, which he who is poor covets: but I, nevertheless, exhort the Lycians, and ready myself to fight with that hero; and yet there is here to me such store as the Greeks can carry or let.

But thou standest still, and dost not exhort even the forces to stand and to defend their wives.

Beware perchance, as though ensnared in the meshes of an alluring net, thou become a prey and a spoil to hostile for quickly will they destroy thy well-inhabited city.

As it behoves thee, both night and day, to interest thyself in these matters, beseeching the chiefs of thy far-summoned force to persevere with ardour, and forego their violent strife.

Thus spoke Sarpedon, but his speech gnawed the heart of Hector, and immediately he leaped from his chariot with his armour to the ground, and brandishing his sharp spear, went in all directions through the army, exhorting the battle; and he stirred up a grievous conflict.

The Trojans rallied and stood against the Greeks; but the Greeks stood in close array, withstood them, nor fled.

And as the wind scatters the chaff about the threshing-floors, when men are winnowing [it], and yellow Ceres is separating both the grain and the chaff, the winds rush along; and the chaff-heaps 215 grow white beneath; thus then the Greeks became white with the chaff from above, which indeed through them, as they again mingled in the combat, the feet of the steeds struck up [the ground] to the brazen heaven; for the charioteers turning back.

But they directed the strength of theirs straight forward; and fierce Mars spread a vapour over the battle, aiding the Trojans, going about everywhere, echoing the commands of golden-sworded Phœbus Apollo and ordered him to excite the courage of the Trojans, whenever he should see Pallas Minerva departing; for she was an ally of the Greeks.

But he sent forth Æneas from his very rich shrine and infused strength into the breast of the shepherd of the people.

Footnote 215: (return) But cf.

Schol.

οἱ τόποι εἰς οὓς τὰ ἄχυρα ἐκπίπτει.

Then Æneas placed himself amidst his companions and they rejoiced when they saw him approaching alive, unhurt and having excellent strength.

They did not ever, ask any questions; for a different labour did not pale which the silver-bowed god and man-slaughtering war and Strife insatiably raging, had excited.

But then Greeks, the two Ajaces, and Ulysses and Diomede, urged on to fight.

But they, even by themselves, feared neither the violent attacks 216 of the Trojans, nor their shouts: but remained firm, like unto clouds, which the son of Saturn, during a calm, has placed upon the lofty mountains, at rest, when the might of Boreas sleeps, 217 and of the other impetuous winds, which, blowing with shrill blasts, disperse the shadowy clouds.

Thus the Greeks awaited the Trojans, standing firm, nor fled.

But the son of Atreus kept hurrying through the host, exhorting them much: “O friends, be men, and assume a valiant heart, and feel shame 218 towards each other through the fierce engagements: for more of those men who dread shame are safe, than are slain; but from fugitives neither does any glory arise, nor any assistance.

” He spoke, and darted with his spear quickly, and struck Dëicoon, son of Pergasis, a warrior chief, the companion of magnanimous Æneas, whom the Trojans honoured equally with the sons of Priam; since he was prompt to fight amidst the van.

Him then king Agamemnon struck in the shield with his spear, but it [the shield] did not repel the spear, for even through this it passed onwards, and pierced him through the belt, at the lower part of the stomach.

And he made a crash as he fell, and his arms rattled over him.

Here then Æneas slew some brave heroes of the Greeks,—Crethon and Orsilochus, the sons of Diocles: their father, indeed, rich in sustinence, 219 dwelt in well-built Pheræ; but his origin was from the river Alpheus, which flows widely through the land of the Pylians.

Alpheus begat Orsilochus, a prince over many men; but Orsilochus begat magnanimous Diocles; and of Diocles were born two sons, Crethon and Orsilochus, well skilled in all kinds of battle.

These, indeed, in the bloom of youth, in their sable ships followed with the Argives to Ilium famed for noble steeds, seeking honour for the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus: but there the end of death overshadowed them.

Footnote 216: (return) Such seems to be the force of the plural βίας.

Footnote 217: (return) “Ascending, while the north wind sleeps.

”—Milton, P. L.

ii.

489. Footnote 218: (return) I. e. be ashamed to fly or give way.

Compare Plato, Sympos.

p. 317, F.

G.

ed.

Læm. , where he dwells upon the advantages of friends fighting together, as rendering men ashamed of any cowardly action.

Footnote 219: (return) This construction with the genitive is very common in Latin.

Virg.

Georg.

ii.

468: “dives opum.

” Æn. i.

18; Hor.

Ep.

ii.

2, 31; Od.

iv.

8, 5; Silius, i. 393. They two, 220 just as two lions have been reared under their dam, amid the thickets of a deep wood, on a mountain’s heights; they in process of time seizing oxen and fat sheep, lay waste the stalls of men, till at length they are themselves killed by the hands of men with the sharp brass; such these two, subdued by the hands of Æneas, fell like lofty firs.

Then Menelaus, brave in the din of war, pitied them fallen, and went through the van, equipped in shining brass, brandishing his spear;

for Mars kindled his strength, with the design that he should be subdued by the hands of Æneas.

But him Antilochus, son of magnanimous Nestor, beheld, and proceeded through the van, for he feared much for the shepherd of the people, lest he should suffer anything, and greatly disappoint them of [the fruits of] their labour.

And now they were stretching forth their hands and sharp spears against each other, eager to fight; but Antilochus stood very near the shepherd 221 of the people.

But Æneas, though a brisk warrior, remained not, when he beheld the two heroes standing near each other.

When, therefore, they had drawn the dead bodies 222 to the people of the Greeks, they gave the miserable pair into the hands of their companions; and they themselves, returning back, fought in the van.

Footnote 220: (return) The order is, τώγε, οἴω λέοντε δύω.

Anthon refers to Kühner 1. 443, 4, p. 97, Jelf’s Translation.

Footnote 221: (return) See note on ver.

50. Footnote 222: (return) Of the sons of Diocles.

Then they slew Pylæmenes, equal to Mars, general of the magnanimous shielded Paphlagonians.