Such evil toil of men and horses did Zeus on that day strain taut over Patroclus. Nor as yet did goodly Achilles know aught of Patroclus' death, for afar from the swift ships were they fighting beneath the wall of the Trojans. Wherefore Achilles never deemed in his heart that he was dead, but that he would return alive, after he had reached even to the gates; nor yet thought he this in any wise, that Patroclus would sack the city without him, nay, nor with him, for full often had he heard this from his mother, listening to her privily, whenso she brought him tidings of the purpose of great Zeus.
τοῖον Ζεὺς ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ ἀνδρῶν τε καὶ ἵππωνἤματι τῷ ἐτάνυσσε κακὸν πόνον· οὐδʼ ἄρα πώ τιᾔδεε Πάτροκλον τεθνηότα δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·πολλὸν γὰρ ῥʼ ἀπάνευθε νεῶν μάρναντο θοάωντείχει ὕπο Τρώων· τό μιν οὔ ποτε ἔλπετο θυμῷτεθνάμεν, ἀλλὰ ζωὸν ἐνιχριμφθέντα πύλῃσινἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ τὸ ἔλπετο πάμπανἐκπέρσειν πτολίεθρον ἄνευ ἕθεν, οὐδὲ σὺν αὐτῷ·πολλάκι γὰρ τό γε μητρὸς ἐπεύθετο νόσφιν ἀκούων,ἥ οἱ ἀπαγγέλλεσκε Διὸς μεγάλοιο νόημα.
Howbeit then his mother told him not how great an evil had been brought to pass, that his comrade, far the dearest, had been slain. But the others round about the corpse, with sharp spears in their hands, ever pressed on continually, and slew each other. And thus would one of the brazen-coated Achaeans say:
δὴ τότε γʼ οὔ οἱ ἔειπε κακὸν τόσον ὅσσον ἐτύχθημήτηρ, ὅττί ῥά οἱ πολὺ φίλτατος ὤλεθʼ ἑταῖρος.οἳ δʼ αἰεὶ περὶ νεκρὸν ἀκαχμένα δούρατʼ ἔχοντεςνωλεμὲς ἐγχρίμπτοντο καὶ ἀλλήλους ἐνάριζον·ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων·
Friends, no fair fame verily were it for us to return back to the hollow ships; nay, even here let the black earth gape for us all. That were for us straightway better far, if we are to yield this man to the Trojans, tamers of horses, to hale to their city, and win them glory.
ὦ φίλοι οὐ μὰν ἧμιν ἐϋκλεὲς ἀπονέεσθαινῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς, ἀλλʼ αὐτοῦ γαῖα μέλαιναπᾶσι χάνοι· τό κεν ἧμιν ἄφαρ πολὺ κέρδιον εἴηεἰ τοῦτον Τρώεσσι μεθήσομεν ἱπποδάμοισινἄστυ πότι σφέτερον ἐρύσαι καὶ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι.
And thus in like manner would one of the great-hearted Trojans speak:Friends, though it be our fate all together to be slain beside this man, yet let none give backward from the fight.Thus would one speak and arouse the might of each. So they fought on, and the iron din went up through the unresting air to the brazen heaven. But the horses of the son of Aeacus being apart from the battle were weeping, since first they learned that their charioteer had fallen in the dust beneath the hands of man-slaying Hector. In sooth Automedon, valiant son of Diores, full often plied them with blows of the swift lash, and full often with gentle words bespake them, and oft with threatenings; yet neither back to the ships to the broad Hellespont were the twain minded to go, not yet into the battle amid the Achaeans. Nay, as a pillar abideth firm that standeth on the tomb of a dead man or woman, even so abode they immovably with the beauteous car, bowing their heads down to the earth. And hot tears ever flowed from their eyes to the ground, as they wept in longing for their charioteer, and their rich manes were befouled, streaming from beneath the yoke-pad beside the yoke on this aide and on that. And as they mourned, the son of Cronos had sight of them and was touched with pity, and he shook his head, and thus spake unto his own heart:Ah unhappy pair, wherefore gave we you to king Peleus, to a mortal, while ye are ageless and immortal?
ὣς δέ τις αὖ Τρώων μεγαθύμων αὐδήσασκεν·ὦ φίλοι, εἰ καὶ μοῖρα παρʼ ἀνέρι τῷδε δαμῆναιπάντας ὁμῶς, μή πώ τις ἐρωείτω πολέμοιο.ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε, μένος δʼ ὄρσασκεν ἑκάστου.ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο, σιδήρειος δʼ ὀρυμαγδὸςχάλκεον οὐρανὸν ἷκε διʼ αἰθέρος ἀτρυγέτοιο·ἵπποι δʼ Αἰακίδαο μάχης ἀπάνευθεν ἐόντεςκλαῖον, ἐπεὶ δὴ πρῶτα πυθέσθην ἡνιόχοιοἐν κονίῃσι πεσόντος ὑφʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο.ἦ μὰν Αὐτομέδων Διώρεος ἄλκιμος υἱὸςπολλὰ μὲν ἂρ μάστιγι θοῇ ἐπεμαίετο θείνων,πολλὰ δὲ μειλιχίοισι προσηύδα, πολλὰ δʼ ἀρειῇ·τὼ δʼ οὔτʼ ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἐπὶ πλατὺν Ἑλλήσποντονἠθελέτην ἰέναι οὔτʼ ἐς πόλεμον μετʼ Ἀχαιούς,ἀλλʼ ὥς τε στήλη μένει ἔμπεδον, ἥ τʼ ἐπὶ τύμβῳἀνέρος ἑστήκῃ τεθνηότος ἠὲ γυναικός,ὣς μένον ἀσφαλέως περικαλλέα δίφρον ἔχοντεςοὔδει ἐνισκίμψαντε καρήατα· δάκρυα δέ σφιθερμὰ κατὰ βλεφάρων χαμάδις ῥέε μυρομένοισινἡνιόχοιο πόθῳ· θαλερὴ δʼ ἐμιαίνετο χαίτηζεύγλης ἐξεριποῦσα παρὰ ζυγὸν ἀμφοτέρωθεν.μυρομένω δʼ ἄρα τώ γε ἰδὼν ἐλέησε Κρονίων,κινήσας δὲ κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν·ἆ δειλώ, τί σφῶϊ δόμεν Πηλῆϊ ἄνακτιθνητῷ, ὑμεῖς δʼ ἐστὸν ἀγήρω τʼ ἀθανάτω τε;
Was it that among wretched men ye too should have sorrows? For in sooth there is naught, I ween, more miserable than man among all things that breathe and move upon earth. Yet verily not upon you and your car, richly-dight, shall Hector, Priam's son, mount; that will I not suffer. Sufficeth it not that he hath the armour and therewithal vaunteth him vainly? Nay, in your knees and in your heart will I put strength, to the end that ye may also bear Automedon safe out of the war to the hollow ships; for still shall I vouchsafe glory to the Trojans, to slay and slay, until they come to the well-benched ships, and the sun sets and sacred darkness cometh on.So saying he breathed great might into the horses. And the twain shook the dust from their manes to the ground, and fleetly bare the swift car amid the Trojans and Achaeans. And behind them fought Automedon, albeit he sorrowed for his comrade, swooping with his car as a vulture on a flock of geese, for lightly would he flee from out the battle-din of the Trojans, and lightly charge, setting upon them through the great throng. Howbeit no man might he slay as he hasted to pursue them, for in no wise was it possible for him being alone in the sacred car, to assail them with the spear, and withal to hold the swift horses. But at last a comrade espied him with his eyes, even Alcimedon, son of Laerces, son of Haemon, and he halted behind the chariot and spake unto Automedon:Automedon, what god hath put in thy breast unprofitable counsel and taken from thee thy heart of understanding, that thus in the foremost throng thou fightest with the Trojans, alone as thou art? For thy comrade hath been slain, and his armour Hector weareth on his own shoulders, even the armour of the son of Aeacus, and glorieth therein.To him then made answer Automedon, son of Diores:
ἦ ἵνα δυστήνοισι μετʼ ἀνδράσιν ἄλγεʼ ἔχητον;οὐ μὲν γάρ τί πού ἐστιν ὀϊζυρώτερον ἀνδρὸςπάντων, ὅσσά τε γαῖαν ἔπι πνείει τε καὶ ἕρπει.ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰν ὑμῖν γε καὶ ἅρμασι δαιδαλέοισινἝκτωρ Πριαμίδης ἐποχήσεται· οὐ γὰρ ἐάσω.ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ὡς καὶ τεύχεʼ ἔχει καὶ ἐπεύχεται αὔτως;σφῶϊν δʼ ἐν γούνεσσι βαλῶ μένος ἠδʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,ὄφρα καὶ Αὐτομέδοντα σαώσετον ἐκ πολέμοιονῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· ἔτι γάρ σφισι κῦδος ὀρέξωκτείνειν, εἰς ὅ κε νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους ἀφίκωνταιδύῃ τʼ ἠέλιος καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἱερὸν ἔλθῃ·ὣς εἰπὼν ἵπποισιν ἐνέπνευσεν μένος ἠΰ.τὼ δʼ ἀπὸ χαιτάων κονίην οὖδας δὲ βαλόντεῥίμφα φέρον θοὸν ἅρμα μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς.τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ Αὐτομέδων μάχετʼ ἀχνύμενός περ ἑταίρουἵπποις ἀΐσσων ὥς τʼ αἰγυπιὸς μετὰ χῆνας·ῥέα μὲν γὰρ φεύγεσκεν ὑπʼ ἐκ Τρώων ὀρυμαγδοῦ,ῥεῖα δʼ ἐπαΐξασκε πολὺν καθʼ ὅμιλον ὀπάζων.ἀλλʼ οὐχ ᾕρει φῶτας ὅτε σεύαιτο διώκειν·οὐ γάρ πως ἦν οἶον ἐόνθʼ ἱερῷ ἐνὶ δίφρῳἔγχει ἐφορμᾶσθαι καὶ ἐπίσχειν ὠκέας ἵππους.ὀψὲ δὲ δή μιν ἑταῖρος ἀνὴρ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσινἈλκιμέδων υἱὸς Λαέρκεος Αἱμονίδαο·στῆ δʼ ὄπιθεν δίφροιο καὶ Αὐτομέδοντα προσηύδα·Αὐτόμεδον, τίς τοί νυ θεῶν νηκερδέα βουλὴνἐν στήθεσσιν ἔθηκε, καὶ ἐξέλετο φρένας ἐσθλάς;οἷον πρὸς Τρῶας μάχεαι πρώτῳ ἐν ὁμίλῳμοῦνος· ἀτάρ τοι ἑταῖρος ἀπέκτατο, τεύχεα δʼ Ἕκτωραὐτὸς ἔχων ὤμοισιν ἀγάλλεται Αἰακίδαο.τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Αὐτομέδων προσέφη Διώρεος υἱός·
Alcimedon, what man beside of the Achaeans is of like worth to curb and guide the spirit of immortal steeds, save only Patroclus, the peer of the gods in counsel, while yet he lived? But now death and fate have come upon him. Howbeit take thou the lash and the shining reins, and I will dismount to fightSo spake he, and Alcimedon leapt upon the car that was swift in battle, and quickly grasped in his hands the lash and reins; and Automedon leapt down. And glorious Hector espied them, and forthwith spake to Aeneas, that was near:
Ἀλκίμεδον τίς γάρ τοι Ἀχαιῶν ἄλλος ὁμοῖοςἵππων ἀθανάτων ἐχέμεν δμῆσίν τε μένος τε,εἰ μὴ Πάτροκλος θεόφιν μήστωρ ἀτάλαντοςζωὸς ἐών; νῦν αὖ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κιχάνει.ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν μάστιγα καὶ ἡνία σιγαλόενταδέξαι, ἐγὼ δʼ ἵππων ἀποβήσομαι, ὄφρα μάχωμαι.ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀλκιμέδων δὲ βοηθόον ἅρμʼ ἐπορούσαςκαρπαλίμως μάστιγα καὶ ἡνία λάζετο χερσίν,Αὐτομέδων δʼ ἀπόρουσε· νόησε δὲ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ,αὐτίκα δʼ Αἰνείαν προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα·
Aeneas, counsellor of the brazen-coated Trojans, yonder I espy the two horses of the swift-footed son of Aeacus coming forth to view into the battle with weakling charioteers. These twain might I hope to take, if thou in thy heart art willing, seeing the men would not abide the oncoming of us two, and stand to contend with us in battle.So spake he, and the valiant son of Anchises failed not to hearken. And the twain went straight forward, their shoulders clad with shields of bull's-hide, dry and tough, and abundant bronze had been welded thereupon. And with them went Chromius, and godlike Aretus both, and their hearts within them were full of hope to slay the men and drive off the horses with high-arched necks—fools that they were! for not without shedding of blood were they to get them back from Automedon. He made prayer to father Zeus, and his dark heart within him was filled with valour and strength;
Αἰνεία Τρώων βουληφόρε χαλκοχιτώνωνἵππω τώδʼ ἐνόησα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαοἐς πόλεμον προφανέντε σὺν ἡνιόχοισι κακοῖσι·τώ κεν ἐελποίμην αἱρησέμεν, εἰ σύ γε θυμῷσῷ ἐθέλεις, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἂν ἐφορμηθέντε γε νῶϊτλαῖεν ἐναντίβιον στάντες μαχέσασθαι Ἄρηϊ.ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησεν ἐῢς πάϊς Ἀγχίσαο.τὼ δʼ ἰθὺς βήτην βοέῃς εἰλυμένω ὤμουςαὔῃσι στερεῇσι· πολὺς δʼ ἐπελήλατο χαλκός.τοῖσι δʼ ἅμα Χρομίος τε καὶ Ἄρητος θεοειδὴςἤϊσαν ἀμφότεροι· μάλα δέ σφισιν ἔλπετο θυμὸςαὐτώ τε κτενέειν ἐλάαν τʼ ἐριαύχενας ἵππουςνήπιοι, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλον ἀναιμωτί γε νέεσθαιαὖτις ἀπʼ Αὐτομέδοντος. ὃ δʼ εὐξάμενος Διὶ πατρὶἀλκῆς καὶ σθένεος πλῆτο φρένας ἀμφὶ μελαίνας·
and forthwith he spake to Alcimedon, his trusty comrade:Alcimedon, not afar from me do thou hold the horses, but let their breath smite upon my very back; for I verily deem not that Hector, son of Priam, will be stayed from his fury until he mount behind the fair-maned horses of Achilles, and have slain the two of us, and driven in rout the ranks of the Argive warriors, or haply himself be slain amid the foremost.So spake he, and called to the two Aiantes and to Menelaus:Ye Aiantes twain, leaders of the Argives, and thou Menelaus, lo now, leave ye the corpse in charge of them that are bravest to stand firm about it and to ward off the ranks of men; but from us twain that yet live ward ye off the pitiless day of doom, for here are pressing hard in tearful war Hector and Aeneas, the best men of the Trojans. Yet these things verily lie on the knees of the gods:
αὐτίκα δʼ Ἀλκιμέδοντα προσηύδα πιστὸν ἑταῖρον·Ἀλκίμεδον μὴ δή μοι ἀπόπροθεν ἰσχέμεν ἵππους,ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ἐμπνείοντε μεταφρένῳ· οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγεἝκτορα Πριαμίδην μένεος σχήσεσθαι ὀΐω,πρίν γʼ ἐπʼ Ἀχιλλῆος καλλίτριχε βήμεναι ἵππωνῶϊ κατακτείναντα, φοβῆσαί τε στίχας ἀνδρῶνἈργείων, ἤ κʼ αὐτὸς ἐνὶ πρώτοισιν ἁλοίη.ὣς εἰπὼν Αἴαντε καλέσσατο καὶ Μενέλαον·Αἴαντʼ Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε καὶ Μενέλαεἤτοι μὲν τὸν νεκρὸν ἐπιτράπεθʼ οἵ περ ἄριστοιἀμφʼ αὐτῷ βεβάμεν καὶ ἀμύνεσθαι στίχας ἀνδρῶν,νῶϊν δὲ ζωοῖσιν ἀμύνετε νηλεὲς ἦμαρ·τῇδε γὰρ ἔβρισαν πόλεμον κάτα δακρυόενταἝκτωρ Αἰνείας θʼ, οἳ Τρώων εἰσὶν ἄριστοι.ἀλλʼ ἤτοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται·
I too will cast, and the issue shall rest with Zeus.He spake, and poised his far-shadowing spear and hurled it, and smote upon the shield of Aretus, that was well-balanced upon every side, and this stayed not the spear, but the bronze passed clean through, and into the lower belly he drave it through the belt.
ἥσω γὰρ καὶ ἐγώ, τὰ δέ κεν Διὶ πάντα μελήσει.ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,καὶ βάλεν Ἀρήτοιο κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην·ἣ δʼ οὐκ ἔγχος ἔρυτο, διὰ πρὸ δὲ εἴσατο χαλκός,νειαίρῃ δʼ ἐν γαστρὶ διὰ ζωστῆρος ἔλασσεν.
And as when a strong man with sharp axe in hand smiteth behind the horns of an ox of the steading and cutteth clean through the sinew, and the ox leapeth forward and falleth; even so Aretus leapt forward and fell upon his back, and the spear, exceeding sharp, fixed quivering in his entrails loosed his limbs.
ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ὀξὺν ἔχων πέλεκυν αἰζήϊος ἀνὴρκόψας ἐξόπιθεν κεράων βοὸς ἀγραύλοιοἶνα τάμῃ διὰ πᾶσαν, ὃ δὲ προθορὼν ἐρίπῃσιν,ὣς ἄρʼ ὅ γε προθορὼν πέσεν ὕπτιος· ἐν δέ οἱ ἔγχοςνηδυίοισι μάλʼ ὀξὺ κραδαινόμενον λύε γυῖα.
But Hector cast at Automedon with his bright spear, howbeit he, looking steadily at him, avoided the spear of bronze, for he stooped forward, and the long spear fixed itself in the ground behind him, and the butt of the spear quivered; howbeit there at length did mighty Ares stay its fury.
Ἕκτωρ δʼ Αὐτομέδοντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ·ἀλλʼ ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος·πρόσσω γὰρ κατέκυψε, τὸ δʼ ἐξόπιθεν δόρυ μακρὸνοὔδει ἐνισκίμφθη, ἐπὶ δʼ οὐρίαχος πελεμίχθηἔγχεος· ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀφίει μένος ὄβριμος Ἄρης.
And now had they clashed with their swords in close fight but that the twain Aiantes parted them in their fury, for they came through the throng at the call of their comrade, and seized with fear of them Hector and Aeneas and godlike Chromius gave ground again and left Aretus lying there stricken to the death. And Automedon, the peer of swift Ares, despoiled him of his armour, and exulted, saying:Verily a little have I eased mine heart of grief for the death of Menoetius' son, though it be but a worse man that I have slain.
καί νύ κε δὴ ξιφέεσσʼ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμηθήτηνεἰ μή σφωʼ Αἴαντε διέκριναν μεμαῶτε,οἵ ῥʼ ἦλθον καθʼ ὅμιλον ἑταίρου κικλήσκοντος·τοὺς ὑποταρβήσαντες ἐχώρησαν πάλιν αὖτιςἝκτωρ Αἰνείας τʼ ἠδὲ Χρομίος θεοειδής,Ἄρητον δὲ κατʼ αὖθι λίπον δεδαϊγμένον ἦτορκείμενον· Αὐτομέδων δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊτεύχεά τʼ ἐξενάριξε καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα·ἦ δὴ μὰν ὀλίγον γε Μενοιτιάδαο θανόντοςκῆρ ἄχεος μεθέηκα χερείονά περ καταπέφνων.
So saying, he took up the bloody spoils, and set them in the car, and himself mounted thereon, his feet and his hands above all bloody, even as a lion that hath devoured a bull. Then again over Patroclus was strained taut the mighty conflict, dread and fraught with tears, and Athene roused the strife, being come down from heaven; for Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, had sent her to urge on the Danaans, for lo, his mind was turned. As Zeus stretcheth forth for mortals a lurid rainbow from out of heaven to be a portent whether of war or of chill storm that maketh men to cease from their work upon the face of the earth, and vexeth the flocks; even so Athene, enwrapping herself in a lurid cloud, entered the throng of the Danaans, and urged on each man. First to hearten him she spake to Atreus' son, valiant Menelaus, for he was nigh to her, likening herself to Phoenix, in form and untiring voice:To thee, verily, Menelaus, shall there be shame and a hanging of the head, if the trusty comrade of lordly Achilles he torn by swift dogs beneath the wall of the Trojans. Nay, hold thy ground valiantly, and urge on all the host.
ὣς εἰπὼν ἐς δίφρον ἑλὼν ἔναρα βροτόενταθῆκʼ, ἂν δʼ αὐτὸς ἔβαινε πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεναἱματόεις ὥς τίς τε λέων κατὰ ταῦρον ἐδηδώς.ἂψ δʼ ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ τέτατο κρατερὴ ὑσμίνηἀργαλέη πολύδακρυς, ἔγειρε δὲ νεῖκος Ἀθήνηοὐρανόθεν καταβᾶσα· προῆκε γὰρ εὐρύοπα Ζεὺςὀρνύμεναι Δαναούς· δὴ γὰρ νόος ἐτράπετʼ αὐτοῦ.ἠΰτε πορφυρέην ἶριν θνητοῖσι τανύσσῃΖεὺς ἐξ οὐρανόθεν τέρας ἔμμεναι ἢ πολέμοιοἢ καὶ χειμῶνος δυσθαλπέος, ὅς ῥά τε ἔργωνἀνθρώπους ἀνέπαυσεν ἐπὶ χθονί, μῆλα δὲ κήδει,ὣς ἣ πορφυρέῃ νεφέλῃ πυκάσασα ἓ αὐτὴνδύσετʼ Ἀχαιῶν ἔθνος, ἔγειρε δὲ φῶτα ἕκαστον.πρῶτον δʼ Ἀτρέος υἱὸν ἐποτρύνουσα προσηύδαἴφθιμον Μενέλαον· ὃ γάρ ῥά οἱ ἐγγύθεν ἦεν·εἰσαμένη Φοίνικι δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν·σοὶ μὲν δὴ Μενέλαε κατηφείη καὶ ὄνειδοςἔσσεται εἴ κʼ Ἀχιλῆος ἀγαυοῦ πιστὸν ἑταῖροντείχει ὕπο Τρώων ταχέες κύνες ἑλκήσουσιν.ἀλλʼ ἔχεο κρατερῶς, ὄτρυνε δὲ λαὸν ἅπαντα.
Then Menelaus, good at the war-cry, answered her:Phoenix, old sire, my father of ancient days, would that Athene may give me strength and keep from me the onrush of darts. So should I be full fain to stand by Patroclus' side and succour him; for in sooth his death hath touched me to the heart.
τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος·Φοῖνιξ ἄττα γεραιὲ παλαιγενές, εἰ γὰρ Ἀθήνηδοίη κάρτος ἐμοί, βελέων δʼ ἀπερύκοι ἐρωήν·τώ κεν ἔγωγʼ ἐθέλοιμι παρεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνεινΠατρόκλῳ· μάλα γάρ με θανὼν ἐσεμάσσατο θυμόν.
Howbeit, Hector hath the dread fury of fire, and ceaseth not to make havoc with the bronze; for it is to him that Zeus vouchsafeth glory.So spake he, and the goddess, flashing-eyed Athene, waxed glad, for that to her first of all the gods he made his prayer. And she put strength into his shoulders and his knees, and in his breast set the daring of the fly, that though it be driven away never so often from the skin of a man, ever persisteth in biting, and sweet to it is the blood of man; even with such daring filled she his dark heart within him, and he stood over Patroclus and hurled with his bright spear.
ἀλλʼ Ἕκτωρ πυρὸς αἰνὸν ἔχει μένος, οὐδʼ ἀπολήγειχαλκῷ δηϊόων· τῷ γὰρ Ζεὺς κῦδος ὀπάζει.ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,ὅττί ῥά οἱ πάμπρωτα θεῶν ἠρήσατο πάντων.ἐν δὲ βίην ὤμοισι καὶ ἐν γούνεσσιν ἔθηκε,καί οἱ μυίης θάρσος ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐνῆκεν,ἥ τε καὶ ἐργομένη μάλα περ χροὸς ἀνδρομέοιοἰσχανάᾳ δακέειν, λαρόν τέ οἱ αἷμʼ ἀνθρώπου·τοίου μιν θάρσευς πλῆσε φρένας ἀμφὶ μελαίνας,βῆ δʼ ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.
Now among the Trojans was one Podes, son of Eetion, a rich man and a valiant, and Hector honoured him above all the people, for that he was his comrade, a welcome companion at the feast. Him, fair-haired Menelaus smote upon the belt with a spear cast as he started to flee, and drave the bronze clean through;
ἔσκε δʼ ἐνὶ Τρώεσσι Ποδῆς υἱὸς Ἠετίωνοςἀφνειός τʼ ἀγαθός τε· μάλιστα δέ μιν τίεν Ἕκτωρδήμου, ἐπεί οἱ ἑταῖρος ἔην φίλος εἰλαπιναστής·τόν ῥα κατὰ ζωστῆρα βάλε ξανθὸς Μενέλαοςἀΐξαντα φόβον δέ, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσε·
and he fell with a thud. But Menelaus, son of Atreus, dragged the dead body from amid the Trojans into the throng of his comrades. Then unto Hector did Apollo draw nigh, and urged him on, in the likeness of Asius' son Phaenops, that of all his guest-friends was dearest to him, and had his house at Abydus.
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών· ἀτὰρ Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαοςνεκρὸν ὑπʼ ἐκ Τρώων ἔρυσεν μετὰ ἔθνος ἑταίρων.Ἕκτορα δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἱστάμενος ὄτρυνεν ἈπόλλωνΦαίνοπι Ἀσιάδῃ ἐναλίγκιος, ὅς οἱ ἁπάντωνξείνων φίλτατος ἔσκεν Ἀβυδόθι οἰκία ναίων·
In his likeness Apollo that worketh afar spake unto Hector:Hector, what man beside of the Achaeans will fear thee any more, seeing thou hast thus quailed before Menelaus, who aforetime was a weakling warrior? Now with none to aid him hath he taken the dead from out the ranks of the Trojans and is gone—aye, he hath slain thy trusty comrade, a good man among the foremost fighters, even Podes, son of Eetion.So spake he, and a black cloud of grief enwrapped Hector, and he strode amid the foremost fighters, harnessed in flaming bronze. And then the son of Cronos took his tasselled aegis, all gleaming bright, and enfolded Ida with clouds, and lightened and thundered mightily, and shook the aegis, giving victory to the Trojans, but the Achaeans he drave in rout. First to begin the rout was Peneleos the Boeotian. For as he abode ever facing the foe he was smitten on the surface of the shoulder with a spear, a grazing blow, but the spear-point of Polydamas cut even to the bone, for he it was that cast at him from nigh at hand. And Leitus again, the son of great-souled Alectryon, did Hector wound in close fight, on the hand at the wrist, and made him cease from fighting: and casting an anxious glance about him he shrank back, seeing he no more had hope that bearing spear in hand he might do battle with the Trojans.
τῷ μιν ἐεισάμενος προσέφη ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων·Ἕκτορ τίς κέ σʼ ἔτʼ ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶν ταρβήσειεν;οἷον δὴ Μενέλαον ὑπέτρεσας, ὃς τὸ πάρος γεμαλθακὸς αἰχμητής· νῦν δʼ οἴχεται οἶος ἀείραςνεκρὸν ὑπʼ ἐκ Τρώων, σὸν δʼ ἔκτανε πιστὸν ἑταῖρονἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι Ποδῆν υἱὸν Ἠετίωνος.ὣς φάτο, τὸν δʼ ἄχεος νεφέλη ἐκάλυψε μέλαινα,βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.καὶ τότʼ ἄρα Κρονίδης ἕλετʼ αἰγίδα θυσσανόεσσανμαρμαρέην, Ἴδην δὲ κατὰ νεφέεσσι κάλυψεν,ἀστράψας δὲ μάλα μεγάλʼ ἔκτυπε, τὴν δὲ τίναξε,νίκην δὲ Τρώεσσι δίδου, ἐφόβησε δʼ Ἀχαιούς.πρῶτος Πηνέλεως Βοιώτιος ἦρχε φόβοιο.βλῆτο γὰρ ὦμον δουρὶ πρόσω τετραμμένος αἰεὶἄκρον ἐπιλίγδην· γράψεν δέ οἱ ὀστέον ἄχριςαἰχμὴ Πουλυδάμαντος· ὃ γάρ ῥʼ ἔβαλε σχεδὸν ἐλθών.Λήϊτον αὖθʼ Ἕκτωρ σχεδὸν οὔτασε χεῖρʼ ἐπὶ καρπῷυἱὸν Ἀλεκτρυόνος μεγαθύμου, παῦσε δὲ χάρμης·τρέσσε δὲ παπτήνας, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι ἔλπετο θυμῷἔγχος ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ μαχήσεσθαι Τρώεσσιν.
And as Hector pursued after Leitus, Idomeneus smote him upon the corselet, on the breast beside the nipple; but the long spear-shaft was broken in the socket, and the Trojans shouted aloud. And Hector cast at Idomeneus, Deucalion's son, as he stood upon his car, and missed him by but little;
Ἕκτορα δʼ Ἰδομενεὺς μετὰ Λήϊτον ὁρμηθένταβεβλήκει θώρηκα κατὰ στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν·ἐν καυλῷ δʼ ἐάγη δολιχὸν δόρυ, τοὶ δὲ βόησανΤρῶες· ὃ δʼ Ἰδομενῆος ἀκόντισε Δευκαλίδαοδίφρῳ ἐφεσταότος· τοῦ μέν ῥʼ ἀπὸ τυτθὸν ἅμαρτεν·
howbeit he smote Coeranus the comrade and charioteer of Meriones that followed him from out of well-built Lyctus—for on foot had Idomeneus come at the first from the curved ships, and would have yielded great victory to the Trojans, had not Coeranus speedily driven up the swift-footed horses.
αὐτὰρ ὃ Μηριόναο ὀπάονά θʼ ἡνίοχόν τεΚοίρανον, ὅς ῥʼ ἐκ Λύκτου ἐϋκτιμένης ἕπετʼ αὐτῷ·πεζὸς γὰρ τὰ πρῶτα λιπὼν νέας ἀμφιελίσσαςἤλυθε, καί κε Τρωσὶ μέγα κράτος ἐγγυάλιξεν,εἰ μὴ Κοίρανος ὦκα ποδώκεας ἤλασεν ἵππους·
Thus to Idomeneus he came as a light of deliverance, and warded from him the pitiless day of doom, but him self lost his life at the hands of man-slaying Hector— this Coeranus did Hector smite beneath the jaw under the ear, and the spear dashed out his teeth by the roots, and clave his tongue asunder in the midst; and he fell from out the car, and let fall the reins down upon the ground.
καὶ τῷ μὲν φάος ἦλθεν, ἄμυνε δὲ νηλεὲς ἦμαρ,αὐτὸς δʼ ὤλεσε θυμὸν ὑφʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο·τὸν βάλʼ ὑπὸ γναθμοῖο καὶ οὔατος, ἐκ δʼ ἄρʼ ὀδόνταςὦσε δόρυ πρυμνόν, διὰ δὲ γλῶσσαν τάμε μέσσην.ἤριπε δʼ ἐξ ὀχέων, κατὰ δʼ ἡνία χεῦεν ἔραζε.
And Meriones stooped, and gathered them in his own hands from the earth, and spake to Idomeneus:Ply now the lash, until thou be come to the swift ships. Lo, even of thyself thou knowest that victory is no more with the Achaeans.So spake he, and Idomeneus lashed the fair-maned horses back to the hollow ships; for verily fear had fallen upon his soul. Nor were great-hearted Aias and Menelaus unaware how that Zeus was giving to the Trojans victory to turn the tide of battle; and of them great Telamonian Aias was first to speak, saying:Out upon it, now may any man, how foolish so ever he be, know that father Zeus himself is succouring the Trojans. For the missiles of all of them strike home, whosoever hurleth them, be he brave man or coward: Zeus in any case guideth them all aright; but for us the shafts of every man fall vainly to the ground. Nay, come, let us of ourselves devise the counsel that is best, whereby we may both hale away the corpse, and ourselves return home for the joy of our dear comrades, who methinks are sore distressed as they look hither-ward, and deem that the fury and the irresistible hands of man-slaying Hector will not be stayed, but will fall upon the black ships.
καὶ τά γε Μηριόνης ἔλαβεν χείρεσσι φίλῃσικύψας ἐκ πεδίοιο, καὶ Ἰδομενῆα προσηύδα·μάστιε νῦν εἷός κε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας ἵκηαι·γιγνώσκεις δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ὅ τʼ οὐκέτι κάρτος Ἀχαιῶν.ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἵμασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππουςνῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· δὴ γὰρ δέος ἔμπεσε θυμῷ.οὐδʼ ἔλαθʼ Αἴαντα μεγαλήτορα καὶ ΜενέλαονΖεύς, ὅτε δὴ Τρώεσσι δίδου ἑτεραλκέα νίκην.τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·ὢ πόποι ἤδη μέν κε καὶ ὃς μάλα νήπιός ἐστιγνοίη ὅτι Τρώεσσι πατὴρ Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἀρήγει.τῶν μὲν γὰρ πάντων βέλεʼ ἅπτεται ὅς τις ἀφήῃἢ κακὸς ἢ ἀγαθός· Ζεὺς δʼ ἔμπης πάντʼ ἰθύνει·ἡμῖν δʼ αὔτως πᾶσιν ἐτώσια πίπτει ἔραζε.ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ αὐτοί περ φραζώμεθα μῆτιν ἀρίστην,ἠμὲν ὅπως τὸν νεκρὸν ἐρύσσομεν, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτοὶχάρμα φίλοις ἑτάροισι γενώμεθα νοστήσαντες,οἵ που δεῦρʼ ὁρόωντες ἀκηχέδατʼ, οὐδʼ ἔτι φασὶνἝκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτουςσχήσεσθʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐν νηυσὶ μελαίνῃσιν πεσέεσθαι.
But I would there were some comrade to bear word with all speed to the son of Peleus, for methinks he hath not even heard the woeful tale, that his dear comrade is slain. Howbeit, nowhere can I see such a one among the Achaeans, for in darkness are they all enwrapped, themselves and their horses withal.
εἴη δʼ ὅς τις ἑταῖρος ἀπαγγείλειε τάχισταΠηλεΐδῃ, ἐπεὶ οὔ μιν ὀΐομαι οὐδὲ πεπύσθαιλυγρῆς ἀγγελίης, ὅτι οἱ φίλος ὤλεθʼ ἑταῖρος.ἀλλʼ οὔ πῃ δύναμαι ἰδέειν τοιοῦτον Ἀχαιῶν·ἠέρι γὰρ κατέχονται ὁμῶς αὐτοί τε καὶ ἵπποι.
Father Zeus, deliver thou from the darkness the sons of the Achaeans, and make clear sky, and grant us to see with our eyes. In the light do thou e'en slay us, seeing such is thy good pleasure.So spake he, and the Father had pity on him as he wept, and forthwith scattered the darkness and drave away the mist, and the sun shone forth upon them and all the battle was made plain to view. Then Aias spake unto Menelaus, good at the war-cry:Look forth now, Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, if so be thou mayest have sight of Antilochus yet alive, son of great-souled Nestor, and bestir thou him to go with speed unto Achilles, wise of heart, to tell him that his comrade, far the dearest, is slain.So spake he, and Menelaus, good at the war-cry, failed not to hearken, but went his way as a lion from a steading when he waxeth weary with vexing dogs and men that suffer him not to seize the fattest of the herd, watching the whole night through; but he in his lust for flesh goeth straight on, yet accomplisheth naught thereby, for thick the darts fly to meet him, hurled by bold hands, and blazing brands withal, before which he quaileth, how eager soever he be, and at dawn he departeth with sure heart;
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἀλλὰ σὺ ῥῦσαι ὑπʼ ἠέρος υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,ποίησον δʼ αἴθρην, δὸς δʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι·ἐν δὲ φάει καὶ ὄλεσσον, ἐπεί νύ τοι εὔαδεν οὕτως.ὣς φάτο, τὸν δὲ πατὴρ ὀλοφύρατο δάκρυ χέοντα·αὐτίκα δʼ ἠέρα μὲν σκέδασεν καὶ ἀπῶσεν ὀμίχλην,ἠέλιος δʼ ἐπέλαμψε, μάχη δʼ ἐπὶ πᾶσα φαάνθη·καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ Αἴας εἶπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον·σκέπτεο νῦν Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς αἴ κεν ἴδηαιζωὸν ἔτʼ Ἀντίλοχον μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱόν,ὄτρυνον δʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ δαΐφρονι θᾶσσον ἰόνταεἰπεῖν ὅττι ῥά οἱ πολὺ φίλτατος ὤλεθʼ ἑταῖρος.ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,βῆ δʼ ἰέναι ὥς τίς τε λέων ἀπὸ μεσσαύλοιο,ὅς τʼ ἐπεὶ ἄρ κε κάμῃσι κύνας τʼ ἄνδρας τʼ ἐρεθίζων,οἵ τέ μιν οὐκ εἰῶσι βοῶν ἐκ πῖαρ ἑλέσθαιπάννυχοι ἐγρήσσοντες· ὃ δὲ κρειῶν ἐρατίζωνἰθύει, ἀλλʼ οὔ τι πρήσσει· θαμέες γὰρ ἄκοντεςἀντίον ἀΐσσουσι θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν,καιόμεναί τε δεταί, τάς τε τρεῖ ἐσσύμενός περ·ἠῶθεν δʼ ἀπονόσφιν ἔβη τετιηότι θυμῷ·
even so from Patroclus departed Menelaus, good at the war-cry, sorely against his will; for exceedingly did he fear lest the Achaeans in sorry rout should leave him to be a prey to the foemen. And many a charge laid he on Meriones and the Aiantes, saying:Ye Aiantes twain, leaders of the Argives, and thou, Meriones, now let each man remember the kindliness of hapless Patroclus; for to all was he ever gentle while yet he lived, but now death and fate have come upon him.So saying fair-haired Menelaus departed, glancing warily on every side as an eagle, which, men say, hath the keenest sight of all winged things under heaven, of whom, though he be on high, the swift-footed hare is not unseen as he croucheth beneath a leafy bush, but the eagle swoopeth upon him and forthwith seizeth him, and robbeth him of life. Even so then, Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, did thy bright eyes range everywhither over the throng of thy many comrades, if so be they niight have sight of Nestor's son yet alive. Him he marked full quickly on the left of the whole battle, heartening his comrades and urging them on to fight. And drawing nigh fair-haired Menelaus spake to him, saying:
ὣς ἀπὸ Πατρόκλοιο βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαοςἤϊε πόλλʼ ἀέκων· περὶ γὰρ δίε μή μιν Ἀχαιοὶἀργαλέου πρὸ φόβοιο ἕλωρ δηΐοισι λίποιεν.πολλὰ δὲ Μηριόνῃ τε καὶ Αἰάντεσσʼ ἐπέτελλεν·Αἴαντʼ Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε Μηριόνη τενῦν τις ἐνηείης Πατροκλῆος δειλοῖομνησάσθω· πᾶσιν γὰρ ἐπίστατο μείλιχος εἶναιζωὸς ἐών· νῦν αὖ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κιχάνει.ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,πάντοσε παπταίνων ὥς τʼ αἰετός, ὅν ῥά τέ φασινὀξύτατον δέρκεσθαι ὑπουρανίων πετεηνῶν,ὅν τε καὶ ὑψόθʼ ἐόντα πόδας ταχὺς οὐκ ἔλαθε πτὼξθάμνῳ ὑπʼ ἀμφικόμῳ κατακείμενος, ἀλλά τʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷἔσσυτο, καί τέ μιν ὦκα λαβὼν ἐξείλετο θυμόν.ὣς τότε σοὶ Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ὄσσε φαεινὼπάντοσε δινείσθην πολέων κατὰ ἔθνος ἑταίρων,εἴ που Νέστορος υἱὸν ἔτι ζώοντα ἴδοιτο.τὸν δὲ μάλʼ αἶψʼ ἐνόησε μάχης ἐπʼ ἀριστερὰ πάσηςθαρσύνονθʼ ἑτάρους καὶ ἐποτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι,ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·
Antilochus, up, come hither, thou nurtured of Zeus, that thou mayest learn woeful tidings, such as I would had never been. Even now, I ween, thou knowest, for thine eyes behold it, how that a god rolleth ruin upon the Danaans, and that victory is with the men of Troy. And slain is the best man of the Achaeans, even Patroclus, and great longing for him is wrought for the Danaans. But do thou with speed run to the ships of the Achaeans and bear word unto Achilles, in hope that he may forthwith bring safe to his ship the corpse—the naked corpse; but his armour is held by Hector of the flashing helm.So spake he, and Antilochus had horror, as he heard that word.
Ἀντίλοχʼ εἰ δʼ ἄγε δεῦρο διοτρεφὲς ὄφρα πύθηαιλυγρῆς ἀγγελίης, ἣ μὴ ὤφελλε γενέσθαι.ἤδη μὲν σὲ καὶ αὐτὸν ὀΐομαι εἰσορόωνταγιγνώσκειν ὅτι πῆμα θεὸς Δαναοῖσι κυλίνδει,νίκη δὲ Τρώων· πέφαται δʼ ὤριστος ἈχαιῶνΠάτροκλος, μεγάλη δὲ ποθὴ Δαναοῖσι τέτυκται.ἀλλὰ σύ γʼ αἶψʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ θέων ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶνεἰπεῖν, αἴ κε τάχιστα νέκυν ἐπὶ νῆα σαώσῃγυμνόν· ἀτὰρ τά γε τεύχεʼ ἔχει κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀντίλοχος δὲ κατέστυγε μῦθον ἀκούσας·
Long time was he speechless, and both his eyes were filled with tears, and the flow of his voice was checked. Yet not even so was he neglectful of the bidding of Menelaus, but set him to run, and gave his armour to his peerless comrade Laodocus, that hard beside him was wheeling his single-hoofed horses.
δὴν δέ μιν ἀμφασίη ἐπέων λάβε, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσεδακρυόφι πλῆσθεν, θαλερὴ δέ οἱ ἔσχετο φωνή.ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὧς Μενελάου ἐφημοσύνης ἀμέλησε,βῆ δὲ θέειν, τὰ δὲ τεύχεʼ ἀμύμονι δῶκεν ἑταίρῳΛαοδόκῳ, ὅς οἱ σχεδὸν ἔστρεφε μώνυχας ἵππους.
Him then as he wept his feet bare forth from out the battle to bear an evil tale to Peleus' son Achilles. Nor was thy heart, Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, minded to bear aid to the sore-pressed comrades from whom Antilochus was departed, and great longing was wrought for the men of Pylos.
τὸν μὲν δάκρυ χέοντα πόδες φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιοΠηλεΐδῃ Ἀχιλῆϊ κακὸν ἔπος ἀγγελέοντα.οὐδʼ ἄρα σοὶ Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ἤθελε θυμὸςτειρομένοις ἑτάροισιν ἀμυνέμεν, ἔνθεν ἀπῆλθενἈντίλοχος, μεγάλη δὲ ποθὴ Πυλίοισιν ἐτύχθη·
Howbeit, for their aid he sent goodly Thrasymedes, and himself went again to bestride the warrior Patroclus; and he ran, and took his stand beside the Aiantes, and forthwith spake to them:Yon man have I verily sent forth to the swift ships, to go to Achilles, fleet of foot. Howbeit I deem not that Achilles will come forth, how wroth soever he be against goodly Hector; for in no wise may he fight against the Trojans unarmed as he is. But let us of ourselves devise the counsel that is best, whereby we may both hale away the corpse, and ourselves escape death and fate amid the battle-din of the Trojans.
ἀλλʼ ὅ γε τοῖσιν μὲν Θρασυμήδεα δῖον ἀνῆκεν,αὐτὸς δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ ἥρωϊ βεβήκει,στῆ δὲ παρʼ Αἰάντεσσι θέων, εἶθαρ δὲ προσηύδα·κεῖνον μὲν δὴ νηυσὶν ἐπιπροέηκα θοῇσινἐλθεῖν εἰς Ἀχιλῆα πόδας ταχύν· οὐδέ μιν οἴωνῦν ἰέναι μάλα περ κεχολωμένον Ἕκτορι δίῳ·οὐ γάρ πως ἂν γυμνὸς ἐὼν Τρώεσσι μάχοιτο.ἡμεῖς δʼ αὐτοί περ φραζώμεθα μῆτιν ἀρίστην,ἠμὲν ὅπως τὸν νεκρὸν ἐρύσσομεν, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτοὶΤρώων ἐξ ἐνοπῆς θάνατον καὶ κῆρα φύγωμεν.
Then great Telamonian Aias answered him:All this hast thou spoken aright, most glorious Menelaus. But do thou and Meriones stoop with all speed beneath the corpse, and raise him up, and bear him forth from out the toil of war; but behind you we twain will do battle with the Trojans and goodly Hector, one in heart as we are one in name, even we that aforetime have been wont to stand firm in fierce battle, abiding each by the other's side.So spake he, and the others took in their arms the dead from the ground, and lifted him on high in their great might; and thereat the host of the Trojans behind them shouted aloud, when they beheld the Achaeans lifting the corpse.
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·πάντα κατʼ αἶσαν ἔειπες ἀγακλεὲς ὦ Μενέλαε·ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν καὶ Μηριόνης ὑποδύντε μάλʼ ὦκανεκρὸν ἀείραντες φέρετʼ ἐκ πόνου· αὐτὰρ ὄπισθενῶϊ μαχησόμεθα Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι δίῳἶσον θυμὸν ἔχοντες ὁμώνυμοι, οἳ τὸ πάρος περμίμνομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα παρʼ ἀλλήλοισι μένοντες.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα νεκρὸν ἀπὸ χθονὸς ἀγκάζοντοὕψι μάλα μεγάλως· ἐπὶ δʼ ἴαχε λαὸς ὄπισθεΤρωϊκός, ὡς εἴδοντο νέκυν αἴροντας Ἀχαιούς.
And they charged straight upon them like hounds that in front of hunting youths dart upon a wounded wild boar: awhile they rush upon him fain to rend him asunder, but whenso he wheeleth among them trusting in his might, then they give ground and shrink in fear, one here, one there;
ἴθυσαν δὲ κύνεσσιν ἐοικότες, οἵ τʼ ἐπὶ κάπρῳβλημένῳ ἀΐξωσι πρὸ κούρων θηρητήρων·ἕως μὲν γάρ τε θέουσι διαρραῖσαι μεμαῶτες,ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐν τοῖσιν ἑλίξεται ἀλκὶ πεποιθώς,ἄψ τʼ ἀνεχώρησαν διά τʼ ἔτρεσαν ἄλλυδις ἄλλος.
even so the Trojans for a time ever followed on in throngs, thrusting with swords and two-edged spears, but whenso the twain Aiantes would wheel about and stand against them, then would their colour change, and no man dared dart forth and do battle for the dead.
ὣς Τρῶες εἷος μὲν ὁμιλαδὸν αἰὲν ἕποντονύσσοντες ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν·ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ Αἴαντε μεταστρεφθέντε κατʼ αὐτοὺςσταίησαν, τῶν δὲ τράπετο χρώς, οὐδέ τις ἔτληπρόσσω ἀΐξας περὶ νεκροῦ δηριάασθαι.
Thus the twain were hasting to bear the corpse forth from out the battle to the hollow ships, and against them was strained a conflict fierce as fire that, rushing upon a city of men with sudden onset, setteth it aflame, and houses fall amid the mighty glare, and the might of the wind driveth it roaring on.
ὣς οἵ γʼ ἐμμεμαῶτε νέκυν φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιονῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· ἐπὶ δὲ πτόλεμος τέτατό σφινἄγριος ἠΰτε πῦρ, τό τʼ ἐπεσσύμενον πόλιν ἀνδρῶνὄρμενον ἐξαίφνης φλεγέθει, μινύθουσι δὲ οἶκοιἐν σέλαϊ μεγάλῳ· τὸ δʼ ἐπιβρέμει ἲς ἀνέμοιο.
Even so against them as they went came ever the ceaseless din of chariots and of spearmen. But as mules that, putting forth on either side their great strength, drag forth from the mountain down a rugged path a beam haply, or a great ship-timber, and within them their hearts as they strive are distressed with toil alike and sweat; even so these hasted to bear forth the corpse. And behind them the twain Aiantes held back the foe, as a ridge holdeth back a flood —some wooded ridge that chanceth to lie all athwart a plain and that holdeth back even the dread streams of mighty rivers, and forthwith turneth the current of them all to wander over the plain, neither doth the might of their flood avail to break through it; even so the twain Aiantes ever kept back the battle of the Trojans, but these ever followed after and two among them above all others, even Aeneas, Anchises' son, and glorious Hector.
ὣς μὲν τοῖς ἵππων τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν αἰχμητάωνἀζηχὴς ὀρυμαγδὸς ἐπήϊεν ἐρχομένοισιν·οἳ δʼ ὥς θʼ ἡμίονοι κρατερὸν μένος ἀμφιβαλόντεςἕλκωσʼ ἐξ ὄρεος κατὰ παιπαλόεσσαν ἀταρπὸνἢ δοκὸν ἠὲ δόρυ μέγα νήϊον· ἐν δέ τε θυμὸςτείρεθʼ ὁμοῦ καμάτῳ τε καὶ ἱδρῷ σπευδόντεσσιν·ὣς οἵ γʼ ἐμμεμαῶτε νέκυν φέρον. αὐτὰρ ὄπισθενΑἴαντʼ ἰσχανέτην, ὥς τε πρὼν ἰσχάνει ὕδωρὑλήεις πεδίοιο διαπρύσιον τετυχηκώς,ὅς τε καὶ ἰφθίμων ποταμῶν ἀλεγεινὰ ῥέεθραἴσχει, ἄφαρ δέ τε πᾶσι ῥόον πεδίον δὲ τίθησιπλάζων· οὐδέ τί μιν σθένεϊ ῥηγνῦσι ῥέοντες·ὣς αἰεὶ Αἴαντε μάχην ἀνέεργον ὀπίσσωΤρώων· οἳ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο, δύω δʼ ἐν τοῖσι μάλισταΑἰνείας τʼ Ἀγχισιάδης καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ.
And as flieth a cloud of starlings or of daws, shrieking cries of doom, when they see coming upon them a falcon that beareth death unto small birds; so before Aeneas and Hector fled the youths of the Achaeans, shrieking cries of doom, and forgat all fighting.
τῶν δʼ ὥς τε ψαρῶν νέφος ἔρχεται ἠὲ κολοιῶνοὖλον κεκλήγοντες, ὅτε προΐδωσιν ἰόντακίρκον, ὅ τε σμικρῇσι φόνον φέρει ὀρνίθεσσιν,ὣς ἄρʼ ὑπʼ Αἰνείᾳ τε καὶ Ἕκτορι κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶνοὖλον κεκλήγοντες ἴσαν, λήθοντο δὲ χάρμης.
And fair arms full many fell around and about the trench as the Danaans fled; but there was no ceasing from war.
πολλὰ δὲ τεύχεα καλὰ πέσον περί τʼ ἀμφί τε τάφρονφευγόντων Δαναῶν· πολέμου δʼ οὐ γίγνετʼ ἐρωή.