Thus then they were warring around the well-benched ship, but Patroclus drew nigh to Achilles, shepherd of the host, shedding hot tears, even as a fountain of dark water that down over the face of a beetling cliff poureth its dusky stream;
ὣς οἳ μὲν περὶ νηὸς ἐϋσσέλμοιο μάχοντο·Πάτροκλος δʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ παρίστατο ποιμένι λαῶνδάκρυα θερμὰ χέων ὥς τε κρήνη μελάνυδρος,ἥ τε κατʼ αἰγίλιπος πέτρης δνοφερὸν χέει ὕδωρ.
and swift-footed goodly Achilles had pity when he saw him, and spake and addressed him with winged words:Why, Patroclus, art thou bathed in tears, like a girl, a mere babe, that runneth by her mother's side and biddeth her take her up, and clutcheth at her gown, and hindereth her in her going, and tearfully looketh up at her, till the mother take her up? Even like her, Patroclus, dost thou let fall round tears. Hast thou haply somewhat to declare to the Myrmidons or to mine own self, or is it some tidings out of Phthia that thyself alone hast heard? Still lives Menoetius, men tell us, Actor's son, and still lives Peleus. son of Aeacus, amid the Myrmidons, for which twain would we grieve right sore, were they dead. Or art thou sorrowing for the Argives, how they are being slain beside the hollow ships by reason of their own presumptuous act? Speak out; hide it not in thy mind; that we both may know.
τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ᾤκτιρε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·τίπτε δεδάκρυσαι Πατρόκλεες, ἠΰτε κούρηνηπίη, ἥ θʼ ἅμα μητρὶ θέουσʼ ἀνελέσθαι ἀνώγειεἱανοῦ ἁπτομένη, καί τʼ ἐσσυμένην κατερύκει,δακρυόεσσα δέ μιν ποτιδέρκεται, ὄφρʼ ἀνέληται·τῇ ἴκελος Πάτροκλε τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβεις.ἠέ τι Μυρμιδόνεσσι πιφαύσκεαι, ἢ ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ,ἦέ τινʼ ἀγγελίην Φθίης ἐξέκλυες οἶος;ζώειν μὰν ἔτι φασὶ Μενοίτιον Ἄκτορος υἱόν,ζώει δʼ Αἰακίδης Πηλεὺς μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσι;τῶν κε μάλʼ ἀμφοτέρων ἀκαχοίμεθα τεθνηώτων.ἦε σύ γʼ Ἀργείων ὀλοφύρεαι, ὡς ὀλέκονταινηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ὑπερβασίης ἕνεκα σφῆς;ἐξαύδα, μὴ κεῦθε νόῳ, ἵνα εἴδομεν ἄμφω.
Then with a heavy groan, didst thou make answer, O knight Patroclus:O Achilles, son of Peleus, far the mightiest of the Achaeans, be not wroth; so great a sorrow hath overmastered the Achaeans. For verily all they that aforetime were bravest, lie among the ships smitten by darts or wounded with spear-thrusts.
τὸν δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων προσέφης Πατρόκλεες ἱππεῦ·ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ Πηλῆος υἱὲ μέγα φέρτατʼ Ἀχαιῶνμὴ νεμέσα· τοῖον γὰρ ἄχος βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.οἳ μὲν γὰρ δὴ πάντες, ὅσοι πάρος ἦσαν ἄριστοι,ἐν νηυσὶν κέαται βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.
Smitten is the son of Tydeus, mighty Diomedes, wounded with spear-thrust is Odysseus, famed for his spear, and Agamemnon, and smitten, too, is Eurypylus with an arrow in the thigh. About these the leeches, skilled in many simples, are busied, seeking to heal their wounds; but with thee may no man deal, Achilles.
βέβληται μὲν ὃ Τυδεΐδης κρατερὸς Διομήδης,οὔτασται δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἠδʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,βέβληται δὲ καὶ Εὐρύπυλος κατὰ μηρὸν ὀϊστῷ.τοὺς μέν τʼ ἰητροὶ πολυφάρμακοι ἀμφιπένονταιἕλκεʼ ἀκειόμενοι· σὺ δʼ ἀμήχανος ἔπλευ Ἀχιλλεῦ.
Never upon me let such wrath lay hold, as that thou dost cherish, O thou whose valour is but a bane! Wherein shall any other even yet to be born have profit of thee, if thou ward not off shameful ruin from the Argives? Pitiless one, thy father, meseems, was not the knight Peleus, nor was Thetis thy mother, but the grey sea bare thee, and the beetling cliffs, for that thy heart is unbending. But if in thy mind thou art shunning some oracle, and thy queenly mother hath declared to thee aught from Zeus, yet me at least send thou forth speedily, and with me let the rest of the host of the Myrmidons follow, if so be I may prove a light of deliverance to the Danaans.
μὴ ἐμέ γʼ οὖν οὗτός γε λάβοι χόλος, ὃν σὺ φυλάσσειςαἰναρέτη· τί σευ ἄλλος ὀνήσεται ὀψίγονός περαἴ κε μὴ Ἀργείοισιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμύνῃς;νηλεές, οὐκ ἄρα σοί γε πατὴρ ἦν ἱππότα Πηλεύς,οὐδὲ Θέτις μήτηρ· γλαυκὴ δέ σε τίκτε θάλασσαπέτραι τʼ ἠλίβατοι, ὅτι τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής.εἰ δέ τινα φρεσὶ σῇσι θεοπροπίην ἀλεείνειςκαί τινά τοι πὰρ Ζηνὸς ἐπέφραδε πότνια μήτηρ,ἀλλʼ ἐμέ περ πρόες ὦχʼ, ἃμα δʼ ἄλλον λαὸν ὄπασσονΜυρμιδόνων, ἤν πού τι φόως Δαναοῖσι γένωμαι.
And grant me to buckle upon my shoulders that armour of thine, in hope that the Trojans may take me for thee, and so desist from war, and the warlike sons of the Achaeans may take breath, wearied as they are; for scant is the breathing-space in battle. And lightly might we that are unwearied drive men that are wearied with the battle back to the city from the ships and the huts.So spake he in prayer, fool that he was, for in sooth it was to be his own evil death and fate for which he prayed. Then, his heart deeply stirred, spake to him swift-footed Achilles:Ah me, Zeus-born Patroclus, what a thing hast thou said!
δὸς δέ μοι ὤμοιιν τὰ σὰ τεύχεα θωρηχθῆναι,αἴ κʼ ἐμὲ σοὶ ἴσκοντες ἀπόσχωνται πολέμοιοΤρῶες, ἀναπνεύσωσι δʼ Ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶντειρόμενοι· ὀλίγη δέ τʼ ἀνάπνευσις πολέμοιο.ῥεῖα δέ κʼ ἀκμῆτες κεκμηότας ἄνδρας ἀϋτῇὤσαιμεν προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.ὣς φάτο λισσόμενος μέγα νήπιος· ἦ γὰρ ἔμελλενοἷ αὐτῷ θάνατόν τε κακὸν καὶ κῆρα λιτέσθαι.τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·ὤ μοι διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες οἷον ἔειπες·
Neither reck I of any oracle, that I wot of, nor has my queenly mother declared to me aught from Zeus; but herein dread grief cometh upon heart and soul, whenso a man is minded to rob one that is his equal, and take from him his prize, for that he surpasseth him in power.
οὔτε θεοπροπίης ἐμπάζομαι ἥν τινα οἶδα,οὔτέ τί μοι πὰρ Ζηνὸς ἐπέφραδε πότνια μήτηρ·ἀλλὰ τόδʼ αἰνὸν ἄχος κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἱκάνει,ὁππότε δὴ τὸν ὁμοῖον ἀνὴρ ἐθέλῃσιν ἀμέρσαικαὶ γέρας ἂψ ἀφελέσθαι, ὅ τε κράτεϊ προβεβήκῃ·
Dread grief is this to me, seeing I have suffered woes at heart. The girl that the sons of the Achaeans chose out for me as a prize, and that I won with my spear, when I had laid waste a well-walled city, her hath lord Agamemnon taken back from my arms, this son of Atreus, as though I were some alien that had no rights.
αἰνὸν ἄχος τό μοί ἐστιν, ἐπεὶ πάθον ἄλγεα θυμῷ.κούρην ἣν ἄρα μοι γέρας ἔξελον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,δουρὶ δʼ ἐμῷ κτεάτισσα πόλιν εὐτείχεα πέρσας,τὴν ἂψ ἐκ χειρῶν ἕλετο κρείων ἈγαμέμνωνἈτρεΐδης ὡς εἴ τινʼ ἀτίμητον μετανάστην.
Howbeit these things will we let be, as past and done. In no wise, meseems, was I to be filled with ceaseless wrath at heart; yet verily I deemed that I should not make an end of mine anger, until the hour when unto mine own ships should come the war-cry and the battle. But come, do thou put upon thy shoulders my glorious armour, and lead forth the war-loving Myrmidons to the fight, if in good sooth the dark cloud of the Trojans lieth encompassed the ships mightily, and those others abide with naught to support them but the shore of the sea, having but scant space of land still left them, even the Argives; while the whole city of the Trojans hath come forth against them fearlessly, for they see not the front of my helm shining hard at hand; full soon in their flight would they fill the water-courses with their dead, were but lord Agamemnon of kindly mind toward me, whereas now they are warring around the camp.For not in the hands of Diomedes, son of Tydeus, doth the spear rage, to ward off ruin from the Danaans, neither as yet have I heard the voice of the son of Atreus, shouting from his hated head; nay, it is the voice of man-slaying Hector that breaketh about me, as he calleth to the Trojans, and they with their din possess all the plain, and vanquish the Achaeans in battle.
ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν· οὐδʼ ἄρα πως ἦνἀσπερχὲς κεχολῶσθαι ἐνὶ φρεσίν· ἤτοι ἔφην γεοὐ πρὶν μηνιθμὸν καταπαυσέμεν, ἀλλʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν δὴνῆας ἐμὰς ἀφίκηται ἀϋτή τε πτόλεμός τε.τύνη δʼ ὤμοιιν μὲν ἐμὰ κλυτὰ τεύχεα δῦθι,ἄρχε δὲ Μυρμιδόνεσσι φιλοπτολέμοισι μάχεσθαι,εἰ δὴ κυάνεον Τρώων νέφος ἀμφιβέβηκενηυσὶν ἐπικρατέως, οἳ δὲ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσηςκεκλίαται, χώρης ὀλίγην ἔτι μοῖραν ἔχοντεςἈργεῖοι, Τρώων δὲ πόλις ἐπὶ πᾶσα βέβηκεθάρσυνος· οὐ γὰρ ἐμῆς κόρυθος λεύσσουσι μέτωπονἐγγύθι λαμπομένης· τάχα κεν φεύγοντες ἐναύλουςπλήσειαν νεκύων, εἴ μοι κρείων Ἀγαμέμνωνἤπια εἰδείη· νῦν δὲ στρατὸν ἀμφιμάχονται.οὐ γὰρ Τυδεΐδεω Διομήδεος ἐν παλάμῃσιμαίνεται ἐγχείη Δαναῶν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι·οὐδέ πω Ἀτρεΐδεω ὀπὸς ἔκλυον αὐδήσαντοςἐχθρῆς ἐκ κεφαλῆς· ἀλλʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιοΤρωσὶ κελεύοντος περιάγνυται, οἳ δʼ ἀλαλητῷπᾶν πεδίον κατέχουσι μάχῃ νικῶντες Ἀχαιούς.
Yet even so, Patroclus, in warding destruction from the ships fall thou upon them mightily, lest verily they burn the ships with blazing fire and rob the Greeks of their desired return. Howbeit do thou hearken, that I may put in thy mind the sum of my counsel, to the end that thou mayest win me great recompense and glory at the hands of all the Danaans, and that they send back that beauteous girl, and therewithal give glorious gifts. When thou hast driven them from the ships, come back, and if the loud-thundering lord of Hera grant thee to win glory, be not thou fain apart from me to war against the war-loving Trojans: thou wilt lessen mine honour. Nor yet do thou, as thou exultest in war and conflict, and slayest the Trojans, lead on unto Ilios, lest one of the gods that are for ever shall come down from Olympus and enter the fray; right dearly doth Apollo, that worketh afar, love them.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς Πάτροκλε νεῶν ἄπο λοιγὸν ἀμύνωνἔμπεσʼ ἐπικρατέως, μὴ δὴ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιονῆας ἐνιπρήσωσι, φίλον δʼ ἀπὸ νόστον ἕλωνται.πείθεο δʼ ὥς τοι ἐγὼ μύθου τέλος ἐν φρεσὶ θείω,ὡς ἄν μοι τιμὴν μεγάλην καὶ κῦδος ἄρηαιπρὸς πάντων Δαναῶν, ἀτὰρ οἳ περικαλλέα κούρηνἂψ ἀπονάσσωσιν, ποτὶ δʼ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα πόρωσιν.ἐκ νηῶν ἐλάσας ἰέναι πάλιν· εἰ δέ κεν αὖ τοιδώῃ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης,μὴ σύ γʼ ἄνευθεν ἐμεῖο λιλαίεσθαι πολεμίζεινΤρωσὶ φιλοπτολέμοισιν· ἀτιμότερον δέ με θήσεις·μὴ δʼ ἐπαγαλλόμενος πολέμῳ καὶ δηϊοτῆτιΤρῶας ἐναιρόμενος προτὶ Ἴλιον ἡγεμονεύειν,μή τις ἀπʼ Οὐλύμποιο θεῶν αἰειγενετάωνἐμβήῃ· μάλα τούς γε φιλεῖ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων·
Nay, return thou back, when once thou hast set a light of deliverance amid the ships, and suffer the rest to battle over the plain. For I would, O father Zeus, and Athene, and Apollo, that no man of the Trojans might escape death, of all that there are, neither any of the Argives, but that we twain might escape destruction, that alone we might loose the sacred diadem of Troy.On this wise spake they one to the other, but Aias no longer abode, for he was sore beset with darts; the will of Zeus was overmastering him, and the lordly Trojans with their missiles; and terribly did the bright helm about his temples ring continually, as it was smitten, for smitten it ever was upon the well-wrought cheek-pieces, and his left shoulder grew weary as he ever firmly held his flashing shield; nor might they beat it back about him, for all they pressed him hard with darts. And evermore was he distressed by laboured breathing, and down from his limbs on every side abundant sweat kept streaming, nor had he any wise respite to get his breath withal, but every way evil was heaped upon evil. Tell me now, ye Muses, that have dwellings on Olympus, how fire was first flung upon the ships of the Achaeans. It was Hector that drew nigh to Aias and smote his ashen spear with his great sword hard by the socket, at the base ot the point, and shore it clean away, so that Telamonian Aias brandished all vainly a pointless spear, and far from him the head of bronze fell ringing to the ground. And Aias knew in his noble heart, and shuddered at the deeds of the gods, how that Zeus, who thundereth on high, brought utterly to naught the counsels of his battle, and would have victory for the Trojans. Then he gave ground from out the darts; and the Trojans cast upon the swift ship unwearied fire, and over her forthwith streamed a flame that might not be quenched. So then was the ship's stern wreathed about with fire, but Achilles smote both his thighs and spake to Patroclus:Up now, Zeus-born Patroclus, master of horsemen. Lo, I see by the ships the rush of consuming fire. Let it not be that they take the ships and there be no more escaping! Do on my armour with all haste, and I will gather the host.
ἀλλὰ πάλιν τρωπᾶσθαι, ἐπὴν φάος ἐν νήεσσιθήῃς, τοὺς δʼ ἔτʼ ἐᾶν πεδίον κάτα δηριάασθαι.αἲ γὰρ Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλονμήτέ τις οὖν Τρώων θάνατον φύγοι ὅσσοι ἔασι,μήτέ τις Ἀργείων, νῶϊν δʼ ἐκδῦμεν ὄλεθρον,ὄφρʼ οἶοι Τροίης ἱερὰ κρήδεμνα λύωμεν.ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,Αἴας δʼ οὐκ ἔτʼ ἔμιμνε· βιάζετο γὰρ βελέεσσι·δάμνα μιν Ζηνός τε νόος καὶ Τρῶες ἀγαυοὶβάλλοντες· δεινὴν δὲ περὶ κροτάφοισι φαεινὴπήληξ βαλλομένη καναχὴν ἔχε, βάλλετο δʼ αἰεὶκὰπ φάλαρʼ εὐποίηθʼ· ὃ δʼ ἀριστερὸν ὦμον ἔκαμνενἔμπεδον αἰὲν ἔχων σάκος αἰόλον· οὐδὲ δύναντοἀμφʼ αὐτῷ πελεμίξαι ἐρείδοντες βελέεσσιν.αἰεὶ δʼ ἀργαλέῳ ἔχετʼ ἄσθματι, κὰδ δέ οἱ ἱδρὼςπάντοθεν ἐκ μελέων πολὺς ἔρρεεν, οὐδέ πῃ εἶχενἀμπνεῦσαι· πάντῃ δὲ κακὸν κακῷ ἐστήρικτο.ἔσπετε νῦν μοι Μοῦσαι Ὀλύμπια δώματʼ ἔχουσαι,ὅππως δὴ πρῶτον πῦρ ἔμπεσε νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.Ἕκτωρ Αἴαντος δόρυ μείλινον ἄγχι παραστὰςπλῆξʼ ἄορι μεγάλῳ αἰχμῆς παρὰ καυλὸν ὄπισθεν,ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἀπάραξε· τὸ μὲν Τελαμώνιος Αἴαςπῆλʼ αὔτως ἐν χειρὶ κόλον δόρυ, τῆλε δʼ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦαἰχμὴ χαλκείη χαμάδις βόμβησε πεσοῦσα.γνῶ δʼ Αἴας κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονα ῥίγησέν τεἔργα θεῶν, ὅ ῥα πάγχυ μάχης ἐπὶ μήδεα κεῖρεΖεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, Τρώεσσι δὲ βούλετο νίκην·χάζετο δʼ ἐκ βελέων. τοὶ δʼ ἔμβαλον ἀκάματον πῦρνηῒ θοῇ· τῆς δʼ αἶψα κατʼ ἀσβέστη κέχυτο φλόξ.ὣς τὴν μὲν πρυμνὴν πῦρ ἄμφεπεν· αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺςμηρὼ πληξάμενος Πατροκλῆα προσέειπεν·ὄρσεο διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες ἱπποκέλευθε·λεύσσω δὴ παρὰ νηυσὶ πυρὸς δηΐοιο ἰωήν·μὴ δὴ νῆας ἕλωσι καὶ οὐκέτι φυκτὰ πέλωνται·δύσεο τεύχεα θᾶσσον, ἐγὼ δέ κε λαὸν ἀγείρω.
So spake he, and Patroclus arrayed him in gleaming bronze. The greaves first he set about his legs; beautiful they were, and fitted with silver ankle-pieces; next he did on about his chest the corselet of the swift-footed son of Aeacus, richly-wrought, and spangled with stars.
ὣς φάτο, Πάτροκλος δὲ κορύσσετο νώροπι χαλκῷ.κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκεκαλάς, ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας·δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνεποικίλον ἀστερόεντα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο.
And about his shoulders he cast the silver-studded sword of bronze, and thereafter the shield, great and sturdy; and upon his mighty head he set the well-wrought helmet with horse-hair crest, and terribly did the plume nod from above; and he took two valorous spears, that fitted his grasp.
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλονχάλκεον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε·κρατὶ δʼ ἐπʼ ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκενἵππουριν· δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν.εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμα δοῦρε, τά οἱ παλάμηφιν ἀρήρει.
Only the spear of the peerless son of Aeacus he took not, the spear heavy and huge and strong; this none other of the Achaeans could wield, but Achilles alone was skilled to wield it, even the Pelian spear of ash, that Cheiron had given to his dear father from the peak of Pelion, to be for the slaying of warriors.
ἔγχος δʼ οὐχ ἕλετʼ οἶον ἀμύμονος Αἰακίδαοβριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν· τὸ μὲν οὐ δύνατʼ ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶνπάλλειν, ἀλλά μιν οἶος ἐπίστατο πῆλαι ἈχιλλεὺςΠηλιάδα μελίην, τὴν πατρὶ φίλῳ πόρε ΧείρωνΠηλίου ἐκ κορυφῆς, φόνον ἔμμεναι ἡρώεσσιν.
And the horses he bade Automedon yoke speedily, even him that he honoured most after Achilles, breaker of the ranks of men, and that in his eyes was faithful above all to abide his call in battle. At his bidding then Automedon led beneath the yoke the fleet horses, Xanthus and Balius, that flew swift as the winds, horses that the Harpy Podarge conceived to the West Wind, as she grazed on the meadow beside the stream of Oceanus. And in the side-traces he set the goodly Pedasus that on a time Achilles had brought away, when he took the city of Eetion; and he, being but mortal, kept pace with immortal steeds.
ἵππους δʼ Αὐτομέδοντα θοῶς ζευγνῦμεν ἄνωγε,τὸν μετʼ Ἀχιλλῆα ῥηξήνορα τῖε μάλιστα,πιστότατος δέ οἱ ἔσκε μάχῃ ἔνι μεῖναι ὁμοκλήν.τῷ δὲ καὶ Αὐτομέδων ὕπαγε ζυγὸν ὠκέας ἵππουςΞάνθον καὶ Βαλίον, τὼ ἅμα πνοιῇσι πετέσθην,τοὺς ἔτεκε Ζεφύρῳ ἀνέμῳ Ἅρπυια Ποδάργηβοσκομένη λειμῶνι παρὰ ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο.ἐν δὲ παρηορίῃσιν ἀμύμονα Πήδασον ἵει,τόν ῥά ποτʼ Ἠετίωνος ἑλὼν πόλιν ἤγαγʼ Ἀχιλλεύς,ὃς καὶ θνητὸς ἐὼν ἕπεθʼ ἵπποις ἀθανάτοισι.
But Achilles went to and fro throughout the huts and let harness in their armour all the Myrmidons, and they rushed forth like ravening wolves in whose hearts is fury unspeakable—wolves that have slain in the hills a great horned stag, and rend him, and the jaws of all are red with gore;
Μυρμιδόνας δʼ ἄρʼ ἐποιχόμενος θώρηξεν Ἀχιλλεὺςπάντας ἀνὰ κλισίας σὺν τεύχεσιν· οἳ δὲ λύκοι ὣςὠμοφάγοι, τοῖσίν τε περὶ φρεσὶν ἄσπετος ἀλκή,οἵ τʼ ἔλαφον κεραὸν μέγαν οὔρεσι δῃώσαντεςδάπτουσιν· πᾶσιν δὲ παρήϊον αἵματι φοινόν·
and in a pack they go to lap with their slender tongues the surface of the black water from a dusky spring, belching forth the while blood and gore, the heart in their breasts unflinching, and their bellies gorged full; even in such wise the leaders and rulers of the Myrmidons sped forth round about the valiant squire of the swift-footed son of Aeacus. And among them all stood warlike Achilles, urging on both horses and men that bear the shield. Fifty were the swift ships which Achilles, dear to Zeus, led to Troy, and in each ship at the thole-pins were fifty men, his comrades; and five leaders had he appointed in whom he trusted to give command, and himself in his great might was king over all. The one rank was led by Menesthius of the flashing corselet, son of Spercheius, the heaven-fed river.
καί τʼ ἀγεληδὸν ἴασιν ἀπὸ κρήνης μελανύδρουλάψοντες γλώσσῃσιν ἀραιῇσιν μέλαν ὕδωρἄκρον ἐρευγόμενοι φόνον αἵματος· ἐν δέ τε θυμὸςστήθεσιν ἄτρομός ἐστι, περιστένεται δέ τε γαστήρ·τοῖοι Μυρμιδόνων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντεςἀμφʼ ἀγαθὸν θεράποντα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαοῥώοντʼ· ἐν δʼ ἄρα τοῖσιν ἀρήϊος ἵστατʼ Ἀχιλλεύς,ὀτρύνων ἵππους τε καὶ ἀνέρας ἀσπιδιώτας.πεντήκοντʼ ἦσαν νῆες θοαί, ᾗσιν Ἀχιλλεὺςἐς Τροίην ἡγεῖτο Διῒ φίλος· ἐν δὲ ἑκάστῃπεντήκοντʼ ἔσαν ἄνδρες ἐπὶ κληῗσιν ἑταῖροι·πέντε δʼ ἄρʼ ἡγεμόνας ποιήσατο τοῖς ἐπεποίθεισημαίνειν· αὐτὸς δὲ μέγα κρατέων ἤνασσε.τῆς μὲν ἰῆς στιχὸς ἦρχε Μενέσθιος αἰολοθώρηξυἱὸς Σπερχειοῖο διιπετέος ποταμοῖο·
Him did fair Polydora, daughter of Peleus, bear to tireless Spercheius, a woman couched with a god, but in name she bare him to Borus, son of Perieres, who openly wedded her, when he had given gifts of wooing past counting. And of the next company warlike Eudorus was captain, the son of a girl unwed, and him did Polymele, fair in the dance, daughter of Phylas, bear. Of her the strong Argeiphontes became enamoured, when his eyes had sight of her amid the singing maidens, in the dancing-floor of Artemis, huntress of the golden arrows and the echoing chase. Forthwith then he went up into her upper chamber, and lay with her secretly, even Hermes the helper, and she gave him a goodly son, Eudorus, pre-eminent in speed of foot and as a warrior. But when at length Eileithyia, goddess of child-birth, had brought him to the light, and he saw the rays of the sun, then her did the stalwart and mighty Echecles, son of Actor, lead to his home, when he had given countless gifts of wooing, and Eudorus did old Phylas nurse and cherish tenderly, loving him dearly, as he had been his own son. And of the third company warlike Peisander was captain, son of Maemalus, a man pre-eminent among all the Myrmidons in fighting with the spear, after the comrade of the son of Peleus. And the fourth company did the old knight Phoenix lead, and the fifth Alcimedon, the peerless son of Laerces. But when at length Achilles had set them all in array with their leaders, duly parting company from company, he laid upon them a stern command:
ὃν τέκε Πηλῆος θυγάτηρ καλὴ ΠολυδώρηΣπερχειῷ ἀκάμαντι γυνὴ θεῷ εὐνηθεῖσα,αὐτὰρ ἐπίκλησιν Βώρῳ Περιήρεος υἷι,ὅς ῥʼ ἀναφανδὸν ὄπυιε πορὼν ἀπερείσια ἕδνα.τῆς δʼ ἑτέρης Εὔδωρος ἀρήϊος ἡγεμόνευεπαρθένιος, τὸν ἔτικτε χορῷ καλὴ ΠολυμήληΦύλαντος θυγάτηρ· τῆς δὲ κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντηςἠράσατʼ, ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδὼν μετὰ μελπομένῃσινἐν χορῷ Ἀρτέμιδος χρυσηλακάτου κελαδεινῆς.αὐτίκα δʼ εἰς ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβὰς παρελέξατο λάθρῃἙρμείας ἀκάκητα, πόρεν δέ οἱ ἀγλαὸν υἱὸνΕὔδωρον πέρι μὲν θείειν ταχὺν ἠδὲ μαχητήν.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τόν γε μογοστόκος Εἰλείθυιαἐξάγαγε πρὸ φόως δὲ καὶ ἠελίου ἴδεν αὐγάς,τὴν μὲν Ἐχεκλῆος κρατερὸν μένος Ἀκτορίδαοἠγάγετο πρὸς δώματʼ, ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα,τὸν δʼ ὃ γέρων Φύλας εὖ ἔτρεφεν ἠδʼ ἀτίταλλενἀμφαγαπαζόμενος ὡς εἴ θʼ ἑὸν υἱὸν ἐόντα.τῆς δὲ τρίτης Πείσανδρος ἀρήϊος ἡγεμόνευεΜαιμαλίδης, ὃς πᾶσι μετέπρεπε Μυρμιδόνεσσινἔγχεϊ μάρνασθαι μετὰ Πηλεΐωνος ἑταῖρον.τῆς δὲ τετάρτης ἦρχε γέρων ἱππηλάτα Φοῖνιξ,πέμπτης δʼ Ἀλκιμέδων Λαέρκεος υἱὸς ἀμύμων.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντας ἅμʼ ἡγεμόνεσσιν Ἀχιλλεὺςστῆσεν ἐῢ κρίνας, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·
Myrmidons, let no man, I bid you, be forgetful of the threats, wherewith heside the swift ships ye threatened the Trojans throughout all the time of my wrath, and upbraided me, each man of you, saying:Cruel son of Peleus, surely it was on gall that thy mother reared thee, thou pitiless one, seeing that in their own despite thou holdest back thy comrades beside the ships.
Μυρμιδόνες μή τίς μοι ἀπειλάων λελαθέσθω,ἃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἀπειλεῖτε Τρώεσσιπάνθʼ ὑπὸ μηνιθμόν, καί μʼ ᾐτιάασθε ἕκαστος·σχέτλιε Πηλέος υἱὲ χόλῳ ἄρα σʼ ἔτρεφε μήτηρ,νηλεές, ὃς παρὰ νηυσὶν ἔχεις ἀέκοντας ἑταίρους·
Nay, homeward let us return again with our seafaring ships, since in this wise evil wrath hath fallen upon thy heart.With such words would ye ofttimes gather together and prate at me, but now is set before you a great work of war, whereof in time past ye were enamoured. Therefore let it be with valiant heart that each man fights with the Trojans.
οἴκαδέ περ σὺν νηυσὶ νεώμεθα ποντοπόροισιναὖτις, ἐπεί ῥά τοι ὧδε κακὸς χόλος ἔμπεσε θυμῷ.ταῦτά μʼ ἀγειρόμενοι θάμʼ ἐβάζετε· νῦν δὲ πέφανταιφυλόπιδος μέγα ἔργον, ἕης τὸ πρίν γʼ ἐράασθε.ἔνθά τις ἄλκιμον ἦτορ ἔχων Τρώεσσι μαχέσθω.
So saying, he aroused the strength and spirit of every man, and yet closer were their ranks serried when they heard their king. And as when a man buildeth the wall of a high house with close-set stones, to avoid the might of the winds, even so close were arrayed their helms and bossed shields;
ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.μᾶλλον δὲ στίχες ἄρθεν, ἐπεὶ βασιλῆος ἄκουσαν.ὡς δʼ ὅτε τοῖχον ἀνὴρ ἀράρῃ πυκινοῖσι λίθοισιδώματος ὑψηλοῖο βίας ἀνέμων ἀλεείνων,ὣς ἄραρον κόρυθές τε καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι.
buckler pressed on buckler, helm upon helm, and man on man. The horse-hair crests on the bright helmet-ridges touched each other, as the men moved their heads, in such close array stood they one by another. And in the front of all two warriors arrayed themselves for war, even Patroclus and Automedon, both of one mind, to war in the forefront of the Myrmidons. But Achilles went into his hut, and opened the lid of a chest, fair and richly-dight, that silver-footed Thetis had set on his ship for him to carry with him, whem she had filled it well with tunics, and cloaks to keep off the wind, and woollen rugs.
ἀσπὶς ἄρʼ ἀσπίδʼ ἔρειδε, κόρυς κόρυν, ἀνέρα δʼ ἀνήρ·ψαῦον δʼ ἱππόκομοι κόρυθες λαμπροῖσι φάλοισινευόντων, ὡς πυκνοὶ ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισι.πάντων δὲ προπάροιθε δύʼ ἀνέρε θωρήσσοντοΠάτροκλός τε καὶ Αὐτομέδων ἕνα θυμὸν ἔχοντεςπρόσθεν Μυρμιδόνων πολεμιζέμεν. αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺςβῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς κλισίην, χηλοῦ δʼ ἀπὸ πῶμʼ ἀνέῳγεκαλῆς δαιδαλέης, τήν οἱ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζαθῆκʼ ἐπὶ νηὸς ἄγεσθαι ἐῢ πλήσασα χιτώνωνχλαινάων τʼ ἀνεμοσκεπέων οὔλων τε ταπήτων.
Therein had he a fair-fashioned cup, wherefrom neither was any other man wont to drink the flaming wine, nor was he wont to pour drink offerings to any other of the gods save only to father Zeus. This cup he then took from the chest and cleansed it first with sulphur, and thereafter washed it in fair streams of water; and himself he washed his hands, and drew flaming wine. Then he made prayer, standing in the midst of the court, and poured forth the wine, looking up to heaven; and not unmarked was he of Zeus, that hurleth the thunderbolt:Zeus, thou king, Dodonaean, Pelasgian, thou that dwellest afar, ruling over wintry Dodona,—and about thee dwell the Selli, thine interpreters, men with unwashen feet that couch on the ground. Aforetime verily thou didst hear my word, when I prayed: me thou didst honour, and didst mightily smite the host of the Achaeans; even so now also fulfill thou for me this my desire. Myself verily will I abide in the gathering of the ships, but my comrade am I sending forth amid the host of the Myrmidons to war: with him do thou send forth glory, O Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, and make bold the heart in his breast, to the end that Hector, too, may know whether even alone my squire hath skill to fight, or whether his hands then only rage invincible, whenso I enter the turmoil of Ares. But when away from the ships he hath driven war and the din of war, thea all-unscathed let him come back to the swift ships with all his arms, and his comrades that fight in close combat.So spake he in prayer, and Zeus, the counsellor, heard him, and a part the Father granted him, and a part denied. That Patroclus should thrust back the war and battle from the ships he granted; but that he should return safe from out the battle he denied. Achilles then, when he had poured libation and made prayer to father Zeus, went again into his tent, and laid the cup away in the chest, and came forth and stood in front of the hut; for still his heart was fain to look upon the dread conflict of Trojans and Achaeans. But they that were arrayed together with great-hearted Patroclus marched forth, until with high spirits they leapt upon the Trojans. Straightway they poured forth like wasps of the wayside, that boys are wont to stir to wrath, ever tormenting them in their nests beside the way, foolish that they are; and a common evil they make for many. And the wasps, if so be some wayfaring ran as he passeth by rouse them unwittingly, fly forth one and all in the valour of their hearts, and fight each in defence of his young; having a heart and spirit like theirs the Myrmidons then poured forth from the ships, and a cry unquenchable arose. But Patroclus called to his comrades with a loud shout:Myrmidons, ye comrades of Achilles, son of Peleus, be men, my friends, and bethink you of furious valour, to the end that we may win honour for the son of Peleus, that is far the best of the Argives by the ships, himself and his squires that fight in close combat; and that the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, may know his blindness in that he honoured not at all the best of the Achaeans.
ἔνθα δέ οἱ δέπας ἔσκε τετυγμένον, οὐδέ τις ἄλλοςοὔτʼ ἀνδρῶν πίνεσκεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ αἴθοπα οἶνον,οὔτέ τεῳ σπένδεσκε θεῶν, ὅτε μὴ Διὶ πατρί.τό ῥα τότʼ ἐκ χηλοῖο λαβὼν ἐκάθηρε θεείῳπρῶτον, ἔπειτα δʼ ἔνιψʼ ὕδατος καλῇσι ῥοῇσι,νίψατο δʼ αὐτὸς χεῖρας, ἀφύσσατο δʼ αἴθοπα οἶνον.εὔχετʼ ἔπειτα στὰς μέσῳ ἕρκεϊ, λεῖβε δὲ οἶνονοὐρανὸν εἰσανιδών· Δία δʼ οὐ λάθε τερπικέραυνον·Ζεῦ ἄνα Δωδωναῖε Πελασγικὲ τηλόθι ναίωνΔωδώνης μεδέων δυσχειμέρου, ἀμφὶ δὲ Σελλοὶσοὶ ναίουσʼ ὑποφῆται ἀνιπτόποδες χαμαιεῦναι,ἠμὲν δή ποτʼ ἐμὸν ἔπος ἔκλυες εὐξαμένοιο,τίμησας μὲν ἐμέ, μέγα δʼ ἴψαο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν,ἠδʼ ἔτι καὶ νῦν μοι τόδʼ ἐπικρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·αὐτὸς μὲν γὰρ ἐγὼ μενέω νηῶν ἐν ἀγῶνι,ἀλλʼ ἕταρον πέμπω πολέσιν μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσιμάρνασθαι· τῷ κῦδος ἅμα πρόες εὐρύοπα Ζεῦ,θάρσυνον δέ οἱ ἦτορ ἐνὶ φρεσίν, ὄφρα καὶ Ἕκτωρεἴσεται ἤ ῥα καὶ οἶος ἐπίστηται πολεμίζεινἡμέτερος θεράπων, ἦ οἱ τότε χεῖρες ἄαπτοιμαίνονθʼ, ὁππότʼ ἐγώ περ ἴω μετὰ μῶλον Ἄρηος.αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κʼ ἀπὸ ναῦφι μάχην ἐνοπήν τε δίηται,ἀσκηθής μοι ἔπειτα θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας ἵκοιτοτεύχεσί τε ξὺν πᾶσι καὶ ἀγχεμάχοις ἑτάροισιν.ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε μητίετα Ζεύς.τῷ δʼ ἕτερον μὲν ἔδωκε πατήρ, ἕτερον δʼ ἀνένευσε·νηῶν μέν οἱ ἀπώσασθαι πόλεμόν τε μάχην τεδῶκε, σόον δʼ ἀνένευσε μάχης ἐξαπονέεσθαι.ἤτοι ὃ μὲν σπείσας τε καὶ εὐξάμενος Διὶ πατρὶἂψ κλισίην εἰσῆλθε, δέπας δʼ ἀπέθηκʼ ἐνὶ χηλῷ,στῆ δὲ πάροιθʼ ἐλθὼν κλισίης, ἔτι δʼ ἤθελε θυμῷεἰσιδέειν Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν φύλοπιν αἰνήν.οἳ δʼ ἅμα Πατρόκλῳ μεγαλήτορι θωρηχθέντεςἔστιχον, ὄφρʼ ἐν Τρωσὶ μέγα φρονέοντες ὄρουσαν.αὐτίκα δὲ σφήκεσσιν ἐοικότες ἐξεχέοντοεἰνοδίοις, οὓς παῖδες ἐριδμαίνωσιν ἔθοντεςαἰεὶ κερτομέοντες ὁδῷ ἔπι οἰκίʼ ἔχονταςνηπίαχοι· ξυνὸν δὲ κακὸν πολέεσσι τιθεῖσι.τοὺς δʼ εἴ περ παρά τίς τε κιὼν ἄνθρωπος ὁδίτηςκινήσῃ ἀέκων, οἳ δʼ ἄλκιμον ἦτορ ἔχοντεςπρόσσω πᾶς πέτεται καὶ ἀμύνει οἷσι τέκεσσι.τῶν τότε Μυρμιδόνες κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἔχοντεςἐκ νηῶν ἐχέοντο· βοὴ δʼ ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.Πάτροκλος δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀΰσας·Μυρμιδόνες ἕταροι Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆοςἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς,ὡς ἂν Πηλεΐδην τιμήσομεν, ὃς μέγʼ ἄριστοςἈργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ καὶ ἀγχέμαχοι θεράποντες,γνῷ δὲ καὶ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνωνἣν ἄτην, ὅ τʼ ἄριστον Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲν ἔτισεν.
So saying, he roused the strength and spirit of every man, and on the Trojans they fell all in a throng, and round about them the ships echoed wondrously beneath the shouting of the Achaeans. But when the Trojans saw the valiant son of Menoetius, himself and his squire, shining in their armour, the heart of each man was stirred, and their battalions were shaken, for they deemed that by the ships the swift-footed son of Peleus had cast aside his wrath and had chosen friendliness; and each man gazed about to see how he might escape utter destruction. Then Patroclus was first to cast with his bright spear straight into the midst where men thronged the thickest, even by the stern of the ship of great-souled Protesilaus, and smote Pyraechmes, that had led the Paeonians, lords of chariots, out of Amydon, from the wide-flowing Axius. Him he smote on the right shoulder, and backward in the dust he fell with a groan, and about him his comrades were driven in rout, even the Paeonians, for upon them all had Patroclus sent panic, when he slew their leader that was pre-eminent in fight. From out the ships then he drave them, and quenched the blazing fire. And half-burnt the ship was left there, but the Trojans were driven in rout with a wondrous din, and the Danaans poured in among the hollow ships, and a ceaseless din arose. And as when from the high crest of a great mountain Zeus, that gathereth the lightnings, moveth a dense cloud away, and forth to view appear all mountain peaks, and high headlands, and glades, and from heaven breaketh open the infinite air; even so the Danaans, when they had thrust back from the ships consuming fire, had respite for a little time; howbeit there was no ceasing from war. For not yet were the Trojans driven in headlong rout by the Achaeans, dear to Ares, from the black ships, but still they sought to withstand them, and gave ground from the ships perforce. Then man slew man of the chieftains as the fight was scattered. First the valiant son of Menoetius smote the thigh of Areilycus with a cast of his sharp spear at the moment when he turned to flee, and drave the bronze clean through;
ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου,ἐν δʼ ἔπεσον Τρώεσσιν ἀολλέες· ἀμφὶ δὲ νῆεςσμερδαλέον κονάβησαν ἀϋσάντων ὑπʼ Ἀχαιῶν.Τρῶες δʼ ὡς εἴδοντο Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμον υἱὸναὐτὸν καὶ θεράποντα σὺν ἔντεσι μαρμαίροντας,πᾶσιν ὀρίνθη θυμός, ἐκίνηθεν δὲ φάλαγγεςἐλπόμενοι παρὰ ναῦφι ποδώκεα Πηλεΐωναμηνιθμὸν μὲν ἀπορρῖψαι, φιλότητα δʼ ἑλέσθαι·πάπτηνεν δὲ ἕκαστος ὅπῃ φύγοι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.Πάτροκλος δὲ πρῶτος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷἀντικρὺ κατὰ μέσσον, ὅθι πλεῖστοι κλονέοντο,νηῒ πάρα πρυμνῇ μεγαθύμου Πρωτεσιλάου,καὶ βάλε Πυραίχμην, ὃς Παίονας ἱπποκορυστὰςἤγαγεν ἐξ Ἀμυδῶνος ἀπʼ Ἀξιοῦ εὐρὺ ῥέοντος·τὸν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον· ὃ δʼ ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσικάππεσεν οἰμώξας, ἕταροι δέ μιν ἀμφεφόβηθενΠαίονες· ἐν γὰρ Πάτροκλος φόβον ἧκεν ἅπασινἡγεμόνα κτείνας, ὃς ἀριστεύεσκε μάχεσθαι.ἐκ νηῶν δʼ ἔλασεν, κατὰ δʼ ἔσβεσεν αἰθόμενον πῦρ.ἡμιδαὴς δʼ ἄρα νηῦς λίπετʼ αὐτόθι· τοὶ δὲ φόβηθενΤρῶες θεσπεσίῳ ὁμάδῳ· Δαναοὶ δʼ ἐπέχυντονῆας ἀνὰ γλαφυράς· ὅμαδος δʼ ἀλίαστος ἐτύχθη.ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀφʼ ὑψηλῆς κορυφῆς ὄρεος μεγάλοιοκινήσῃ πυκινὴν νεφέλην στεροπηγερέτα Ζεύς,ἔκ τʼ ἔφανεν πᾶσαι σκοπιαὶ καὶ πρώονες ἄκροικαὶ νάπαι, οὐρανόθεν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπερράγη ἄσπετος αἰθήρ,ὣς Δαναοὶ νηῶν μὲν ἀπωσάμενοι δήϊον πῦρτυτθὸν ἀνέπνευσαν, πολέμου δʼ οὐ γίγνετʼ ἐρωή·οὐ γάρ πώ τι Τρῶες ἀρηϊφίλων ὑπʼ Ἀχαιῶνπροτροπάδην φοβέοντο μελαινάων ἀπὸ νηῶν,ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ἄρʼ ἀνθίσταντο, νεῶν δʼ ὑπόεικον ἀνάγκῃ.ἔνθα δʼ ἀνὴρ ἕλεν ἄνδρα κεδασθείσης ὑσμίνηςἡγεμόνων. πρῶτος δὲ Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱὸςαὐτίκʼ ἄρα στρεφθέντος Ἀρηϊλύκου βάλε μηρὸνἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσε·
and the spear brake the bone, and he fell on his face on the ground. And warlike Menelaus thrust and smote Thoas on the breast, where it was left bare beside the shield, and loosed his limbs. And the son of Phyleus as he watched Amphiclus that was rushing upon him, proved quicker than his foe, and smote him upon the base of the leg, where a man's muscle is thickest; and round about the spear-point the sinews were rent apart; and darkness enfolded his eyes. Then of the sons of Nestor, the one, Antilochus, thrust at Atymnius with his sharp spear, and drave the spear of bronze through his flank; and he fell forward. But Maris, hard at hand, rushed upon Antilochus with his spear, wroth for his brother's sake, and took his stand before the dead; howbeit godlike Thrasymedes was too quick for him, and forthwith ere his foe could thrust, smote upon his shoulder, and missed not; but the point of the spear shore the base of the arm away from the muscles, and utterly brake asunder the bone;
ῥῆξεν δʼ ὀστέον ἔγχος, ὃ δὲ πρηνὴς ἐπὶ γαίῃκάππεσʼ· ἀτὰρ Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος οὖτα Θόανταστέρνον γυμνωθέντα παρʼ ἀσπίδα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα.Φυλεΐδης δʼ Ἄμφικλον ἐφορμηθέντα δοκεύσαςἔφθη ὀρεξάμενος πρυμνὸν σκέλος, ἔνθα πάχιστοςμυὼν ἀνθρώπου πέλεται· περὶ δʼ ἔγχεος αἰχμῇνεῦρα διεσχίσθη· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε.Νεστορίδαι δʼ ὃ μὲν οὔτασʼ Ἀτύμνιον ὀξέϊ δουρὶἈντίλοχος, λαπάρης δὲ διήλασε χάλκεον ἔγχος·ἤριπε δὲ προπάροιθε. Μάρις δʼ αὐτοσχεδὰ δουρὶἈντιλόχῳ ἐπόρουσε κασιγνήτοιο χολωθεὶςστὰς πρόσθεν νέκυος· τοῦ δʼ ἀντίθεος Θρασυμήδηςἔφθη ὀρεξάμενος πρὶν οὐτάσαι, οὐδʼ ἀφάμαρτεν,ὦμον ἄφαρ· πρυμνὸν δὲ βραχίονα δουρὸς ἀκωκὴδρύψʼ ἀπὸ μυώνων, ἀπὸ δʼ ὀστέον ἄχρις ἄραξε·
and he fell with a thud, and darkness enfolded his eyes. So these twain, overcome by twain brethren, went their way to Erebus, goodly comrades of Sarpedon, spearmen sons of Araisodarus, him that reared the raging Chimaera, a bane to many men.
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, κατὰ δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν.ὣς τὼ μὲν δοιοῖσι κασιγνήτοισι δαμέντεβήτην εἰς Ἔρεβος Σαρπηδόνος ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροιυἷες ἀκοντισταὶ Ἀμισωδάρου, ὅς ῥα Χίμαιρανθρέψεν ἀμαιμακέτην πολέσιν κακὸν ἀνθρώποισιν.
And Aias, son of Oileus, leapt upon Cleobulus, and caught him alive, entangled in the throng; but even there he loosed his might, smiting him upon the neck with his hilted sword. Thereat all the blade grew warm with his blood, and down over his eyes came dark death and mighty fate.
Αἴας δὲ Κλεόβουλον Ὀϊλιάδης ἐπορούσαςζωὸν ἕλε βλαφθέντα κατὰ κλόνον· ἀλλά οἱ αὖθιλῦσε μένος πλήξας ξίφει αὐχένα κωπήεντι.πᾶν δʼ ὑπεθερμάνθη ξίφος αἵματι· τὸν δὲ κατʼ ὄσσεἔλλαβε πορφύρεος θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κραταιή.
Then Peneleos and Lyco rushed together, for with their spears either had missed the other, and both had cast in vain; but again they rushed together with their swords. Then Lyco let drive upon the horn of the helm with horse-hair crest, and the sword was shattered at the hilt; but Peneleos smote him upon the neck beneath the ear, and all the blade sank in, so that naught but the skin held fast, and the head hung to one side, and his limbs were loosed. And Meriones with swift strides overtook Acamas, and thrust and smote him, even as he was mounting his car, upon the right shoulder; and he fell from his car and down over his eyes a mist was shed.
Πηνέλεως δὲ Λύκων τε συνέδραμον· ἔγχεσι μὲν γὰρἤμβροτον ἀλλήλων, μέλεον δʼ ἠκόντισαν ἄμφω·τὼ δʼ αὖτις ξιφέεσσι συνέδραμον. ἔνθα Λύκων μὲνἱπποκόμου κόρυθος φάλον ἤλασεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ καυλὸνφάσγανον ἐρραίσθη· ὃ δʼ ὑπʼ οὔατος αὐχένα θεῖνεΠηνέλεως, πᾶν δʼ εἴσω ἔδυ ξίφος, ἔσχεθε δʼ οἶονδέρμα, παρηέρθη δὲ κάρη, ὑπέλυντο δὲ γυῖα.Μηριόνης δʼ Ἀκάμαντα κιχεὶς ποσὶ καρπαλίμοισινύξʼ ἵππων ἐπιβησόμενον κατὰ δεξιὸν ὦμον·ἤριπε δʼ ἐξ ὀχέων, κατὰ δʼ ὀφθαλμῶν κέχυτʼ ἀχλύς.
Then Idomeneus smote Erymas upon the mouth with a thrust of the pitiless bronze, and clean through passed the spear of bronze beneath the brain, and clave asunder the white bones; and his teeth were shaken out, and both his eyes were filled with blood; and up through mouth and nostrils he spurted blood as he gaped, and a black cloud of death enfolded him. These, then, leaders of the Damans, slew each his man. And as murderous wolves fall upon lambs or kids, choosing them from out the flocks, when through the witlessness of the shepherd they are scattered among the mountains, and the wolves seeing it, forthwith harry the young whose hearts know naught of valour; even so the Damans fell upon the Trojans, and they bethougnt them of ill-sounding flight, and forgat their furious valour. And the great Aias was ever fain to cast his spear at Hector, harnessed in bronze, but he in his cunning of war, his broad shoulders covered with shield of bull's-hide, ever watched the whirring of arrows and the hurtling of spears. In sooth he knew the tide of victory was turning, but even so he abode, and sought to save his trustv comrades. And as when from Olympus a cloud fareth toward heaven out of the bright air, when Zeus spreadeth forth the tempest, even so from the ships came the shouting and the rout of these; nor was it in good order that they crossed the trench again. Hector verily did his swift-footed horses bear forth with his battle-gear, and he left tbe hosts of Troy, whom the digged trench held back against their will.
Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ Ἐρύμαντα κατὰ στόμα νηλέϊ χαλκῷνύξε· τὸ δʼ ἀντικρὺ δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξεπέρησενέρθεν ὑπʼ ἐγκεφάλοιο, κέασσε δʼ ἄρʼ ὀστέα λευκά·ἐκ δʼ ἐτίναχθεν ὀδόντες, ἐνέπλησθεν δέ οἱ ἄμφωαἵματος ὀφθαλμοί· τὸ δʼ ἀνὰ στόμα καὶ κατὰ ῥῖναςπρῆσε χανών· θανάτου δὲ μέλαν νέφος ἀμφεκάλυψεν.οὗτοι ἄρʼ ἡγεμόνες Δαναῶν ἕλον ἄνδρα ἕκαστος.ὡς δὲ λύκοι ἄρνεσσιν ἐπέχραον ἢ ἐρίφοισισίνται ὑπʼ ἐκ μήλων αἱρεύμενοι, αἵ τʼ ἐν ὄρεσσιποιμένος ἀφραδίῃσι διέτμαγεν· οἳ δὲ ἰδόντεςαἶψα διαρπάζουσιν ἀνάλκιδα θυμὸν ἐχούσας·ὣς Δαναοὶ Τρώεσσιν ἐπέχραον· οἳ δὲ φόβοιοδυσκελάδου μνήσαντο, λάθοντο δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.Αἴας δʼ ὃ μέγας αἰὲν ἐφʼ Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇἵετʼ ἀκοντίσσαι· ὃ δὲ ἰδρείῃ πολέμοιοἀσπίδι ταυρείῃ κεκαλυμμένος εὐρέας ὤμουςσκέπτετʼ ὀϊστῶν τε ῥοῖζον καὶ δοῦπον ἀκόντων.ἦ μὲν δὴ γίγνωσκε μάχης ἑτεραλκέα νίκην·ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἀνέμιμνε, σάω δʼ ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀπʼ Οὐλύμπου νέφος ἔρχεται οὐρανὸν εἴσωαἰθέρος ἐκ δίης, ὅτε τε Ζεὺς λαίλαπα τείνῃ,ὣς τῶν ἐκ νηῶν γένετο ἰαχή τε φόβος τε,οὐδὲ κατὰ μοῖραν πέραον πάλιν. Ἕκτορα δʼ ἵπποιἔκφερον ὠκύποδες σὺν τεύχεσι, λεῖπε δὲ λαὸνΤρωϊκόν, οὓς ἀέκοντας ὀρυκτὴ τάφρος ἔρυκε.
And in the trench many pairs of swift horses, drawers of chariots, brake the pole at the end, and left the chariots of their lords. But Patroclus followed after, calling fiercely to the Danaans, with purpose of evil toward the Trojans, while they with shouting and in flight filled all the ways, now that their ranks were broken; and on high a cloud of dust was spread up beneath the clouds, and the single-hoofed horses strained back toward the city from the ships and the huts. And Patroclus, wheresoever he saw the greatest throng huddled in rout, thither would with shouting; and beneath his axle-trees men kept falling headlong from their cars, and the chariots were overturned.
πολλοὶ δʼ ἐν τάφρῳ ἐρυσάρματες ὠκέες ἵπποιἄξαντʼ ἐν πρώτῳ ῥυμῷ λίπον ἅρματʼ ἀνάκτων,Πάτροκλος δʼ ἕπετο σφεδανὸν Δαναοῖσι κελεύωνΤρωσὶ κακὰ φρονέων· οἳ δὲ ἰαχῇ τε φόβῳ τεπάσας πλῆσαν ὁδούς, ἐπεὶ ἂρ τμάγεν· ὕψι δʼ ἀέλλησκίδναθʼ ὑπὸ νεφέων, τανύοντο δὲ μώνυχες ἵπποιἄψορρον προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.Πάτροκλος δʼ ᾗ πλεῖστον ὀρινόμενον ἴδε λαόν,τῇ ῥʼ ἔχʼ ὁμοκλήσας· ὑπὸ δʼ ἄξοσι φῶτες ἔπιπτονπρηνέες ἐξ ὀχέων, δίφροι δʼ ἀνακυμβαλίαζον.
And straight over the trench leapt the swift horses—the immortal horses that the gods gave as glorious gifts to Peleus—in their onward flight, and against Hector did the heart of Patroclus urge him on, for he was fain to smite him; but his swift horses ever bare Hector forth. And even as beneath a tempest the whole black earth is oppressed, on a day in harvest-time, when Zeus poureth forth rain most violently, whenso in anger he waxeth wroth against men that by violence give crooked judgments in the place of gathering, and drive justice out, recking not of the vengeance of the gods; and all their rivers flow in flood, and many a hillside do the torrents furrow deeply, and down to the dark sea they rush headlong from the mountains with a mighty roar, and the tilled fields of men are wasted; even so mighty was the roar of the mares of Troy as they sped on. But when Patroclus had cut off the foremost battalions, he hemmed them back again towards the ships and would not suffer them for all their eagerness to set foot in the city, but in the mid-space between the ships and the river and the high wall he rushed among them and slew them, and got him vengeance for many a slain comrade. There verily he first smote Pronous with a cast of his bright spear, upon the breast where it was left bare beside the shield, and loosed his limbs; and he feIl with a thud. Next upon Thestor, son of Enops, he rushed. Crouching he sat in his polished car, for his wits were distraught with terror, and the reins had slipped from his hands, but Patroclus drew nigh to him, and smote him upon the right jaw with his spear, and drave it through his teeth; and he laid hold of the spear and dragged him over the chariot-rim, as when a man sitting upon a jutting rock draggeth to land a sacred fish from out the sea, with line and gleaming hook of bronze; even so on the bright spear dragged he him agape from out the car, and cast him down upon his face; and life left him as he fell. Then as Erylaus rushed upon him, he smote him full upon the head with a stone, and his head was wholly cloven asunder within the heavy helmet; and he fell headlong upon the earth, and death, that slayeth the spirit, was shed about him.
ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἄρα τάφρον ὑπέρθορον ὠκέες ἵπποιἄμβροτοι, οὓς Πηλῆϊ θεοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα,πρόσσω ἱέμενοι, ἐπὶ δʼ Ἕκτορι κέκλετο θυμός·ἵετο γὰρ βαλέειν· τὸν δʼ ἔκφερον ὠκέες ἵπποι.ὡς δʼ ὑπὸ λαίλαπι πᾶσα κελαινὴ βέβριθε χθὼνἤματʼ ὀπωρινῷ, ὅτε λαβρότατον χέει ὕδωρΖεύς, ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἄνδρεσσι κοτεσσάμενος χαλεπήνῃ,οἳ βίῃ εἰν ἀγορῇ σκολιὰς κρίνωσι θέμιστας,ἐκ δὲ δίκην ἐλάσωσι θεῶν ὄπιν οὐκ ἀλέγοντες·τῶν δέ τε πάντες μὲν ποταμοὶ πλήθουσι ῥέοντες,πολλὰς δὲ κλιτῦς τότʼ ἀποτμήγουσι χαράδραι,ἐς δʼ ἅλα πορφυρέην μεγάλα στενάχουσι ῥέουσαιἐξ ὀρέων ἐπικάρ, μινύθει δέ τε ἔργʼ ἀνθρώπων·ὣς ἵπποι Τρῳαὶ μεγάλα στενάχοντο θέουσαι.Πάτροκλος δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν πρώτας ἐπέκερσε φάλαγγας,ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἔεργε παλιμπετές, οὐδὲ πόληοςεἴα ἱεμένους ἐπιβαινέμεν, ἀλλὰ μεσηγὺνηῶν καὶ ποταμοῦ καὶ τείχεος ὑψηλοῖοκτεῖνε μεταΐσσων, πολέων δʼ ἀπετίνυτο ποινήν.ἔνθʼ ἤτοι Πρόνοον πρῶτον βάλε δουρὶ φαεινῷστέρνον γυμνωθέντα παρʼ ἀσπίδα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα·δούπησεν δὲ πεσών· ὃ δὲ Θέστορα Ἤνοπος υἱὸνδεύτερον ὁρμηθείς· ὃ μὲν εὐξέστῳ ἐνὶ δίφρῳἧστο ἀλείς· ἐκ γὰρ πλήγη φρένας, ἐκ δʼ ἄρα χειρῶνἡνία ἠΐχθησαν· ὃ δʼ ἔγχεϊ νύξε παραστὰςγναθμὸν δεξιτερόν, διὰ δʼ αὐτοῦ πεῖρεν ὀδόντων,ἕλκε δὲ δουρὸς ἑλὼν ὑπὲρ ἄντυγος, ὡς ὅτε τις φὼςπέτρῃ ἔπι προβλῆτι καθήμενος ἱερὸν ἰχθὺνἐκ πόντοιο θύραζε λίνῳ καὶ ἤνοπι χαλκῷ·ὣς ἕλκʼ ἐκ δίφροιο κεχηνότα δουρὶ φαεινῷ,κὰδ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπὶ στόμʼ ἔωσε· πεσόντα δέ μιν λίπε θυμός.αὐτὰρ ἔπειτʼ Ἐρύλαον ἐπεσσύμενον βάλε πέτρῳμέσσην κὰκ κεφαλήν· ἣ δʼ ἄνδιχα πᾶσα κεάσθηἐν κόρυθι βριαρῇ· ὃ δʼ ἄρα πρηνὴς ἐπὶ γαίῃκάππεσεν, ἀμφὶ δέ μιν θάνατος χύτο θυμοραϊστής.
Thereafter Erymas and Amphoterus, and Epaltes, and Tlepolemus, son of Damastor, and Echius and Pyris, and Ipheus and Evippus, and Polymelus, son of Argeas, all these one after another he brought down to the bounteous earth. But when Sarpedon saw his comrades, that wear the tunic ungirt, being laid low beneath the hands of Patroclus, son of Menoetius, he called aloud, upbraiding the godlike Lycians:Shame, ye Lycians, whither do ye flee? Now be ye swift to fight; for I myself will meet this man, that I may know who he is that prevaileth here, and verily hath wrought the Trojans much mischief, seeing he hath loosed the knees of many men and goodly.He spake, and leapt in his armour from his chariot to the ground. And Patroclus, over against him, when he beheld him, sprang from his chariot. And as vultures crooked of talon and curved of beak fight with loud cries upon a high rock, even so with cries rushed they one against the other. And the son of crooked-counselling Cronos took pity when he saw them, and spake to Hera, his sister and his wife:Ah, woe is me, for that it is fated that Sarpedon, dearest of men to me, be slain by Patroclus, son of Menoetius!
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτʼ Ἐρύμαντα καὶ Ἀμφοτερὸν καὶ ἘπάλτηνΤληπόλεμόν τε Δαμαστορίδην Ἐχίον τε Πύριν τεἸφέα τʼ Εὔιππόν τε καὶ Ἀργεάδην Πολύμηλονπάντας ἐπασσυτέρους πέλασε χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ.Σαρπηδὼν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἴδʼ ἀμιτροχίτωνας ἑταίρουςχέρσʼ ὕπο Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμέντας,κέκλετʼ ἄρʼ ἀντιθέοισι καθαπτόμενος Λυκίοισιν·αἰδὼς ὦ Λύκιοι· πόσε φεύγετε; νῦν θοοὶ ἔστε.ἀντήσω γὰρ ἐγὼ τοῦδʼ ἀνέρος, ὄφρα δαείωὅς τις ὅδε κρατέει καὶ δὴ κακὰ πολλὰ ἔοργεΤρῶας, ἐπεὶ πολλῶν τε καὶ ἐσθλῶν γούνατʼ ἔλυσεν.ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε.Πάτροκλος δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ἔκθορε δίφρου.οἳ δʼ ὥς τʼ αἰγυπιοὶ γαμψώνυχες ἀγκυλοχεῖλαιπέτρῃ ἐφʼ ὑψηλῇ μεγάλα κλάζοντε μάχωνται,ὣς οἳ κεκλήγοντες ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν ὄρουσαν.τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν ἐλέησε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω,Ἥρην δὲ προσέειπε κασιγνήτην ἄλοχόν τε·ὤ μοι ἐγών, ὅ τέ μοι Σαρπηδόνα φίλτατον ἀνδρῶνμοῖρʼ ὑπὸ Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμῆναι.