Did the reins haply slip from the charioteer, and was he unable to guide the course aright about the post, and did he fail in the turn? Even there, methinks, must he have been hurled to earth, and have wrecked his car, and the mares must have swerved from the course in wild terror of heart. Howbeit stand ye up also, and look; for myself I discern not clearly, but the man seemeth to me to be an Aetolian by race, and is king among the Argives, even the son of horse-taming Tydeus, mighty Diomedes.Then shamefully chid him swift Aias, son of Oïleus:Idomeneus, why art thou a braggart from of old? Nay, still afar off are the high-stepping mares speeding over the wide plain. Neither art thou so far the youngest among the Argives, nor do thine eyes look forth from thy head so far the keenliest yet thou ever pratest loudly. It beseemeth thee not to be loud of speech, for here be others better than thou.
ἦε τὸν ἡνίοχον φύγον ἡνία, οὐδὲ δυνάσθηεὖ σχεθέειν περὶ τέρμα καὶ οὐκ ἐτύχησεν ἑλίξας·ἔνθά μιν ἐκπεσέειν ὀΐω σύν θʼ ἅρματα ἆξαι,αἳ δʼ ἐξηρώησαν, ἐπεὶ μένος ἔλλαβε θυμόν.ἀλλὰ ἴδεσθε καὶ ὔμμες ἀνασταδόν· οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγεεὖ διαγιγνώσκω· δοκέει δέ μοι ἔμμεναι ἀνὴρΑἰτωλὸς γενεήν, μετὰ δʼ Ἀργείοισιν ἀνάσσειΤυδέος ἱπποδάμου υἱὸς κρατερὸς Διομήδης.τὸν δʼ αἰσχρῶς ἐνένιπεν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴας·Ἰδομενεῦ τί πάρος λαβρεύεαι; αἳ δέ τʼ ἄνευθενἵπποι ἀερσίποδες πολέος πεδίοιο δίενται.οὔτε νεώτατός ἐσσι μετʼ Ἀργείοισι τοσοῦτον,οὔτέ τοι ὀξύτατον κεφαλῆς ἐκδέρκεται ὄσσε·ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ μύθοις λαβρεύεαι· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴλαβραγόρην ἔμεναι· πάρα γὰρ καὶ ἀμείνονες ἄλλοι.
The selfsame mares are in the lead, that led of old, even they of Eumelus, and himself he standeth firmly in the car and holdeth the reins.Then the leader of the Cretans waxed wroth, and spake in answer:Aias, thou master of railing, witless in counsel, in all things else thou fallest behind the other Argives, for thy mind is stubborn.
ἵπποι δʼ αὐταὶ ἔασι παροίτεραι, αἳ τὸ πάρος περ,Εὐμήλου, ἐν δʼ αὐτὸς ἔχων εὔληρα βέβηκε.τὸν δὲ χολωσάμενος Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·Αἶαν νεῖκος ἄριστε κακοφραδὲς ἄλλά τε πάνταδεύεαι Ἀργείων, ὅτι τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής.
Come now, let us wager a tripod or a cauldron, and as umpire betwixt us twain let us choose Atreus' son Agamemnon, as to which mares are in the lead — that thou mayst learn by paying the price.So spake he, and forthwith uprose in wrath swift Aias, son of Oïleus, to answer him with angry words;
δεῦρό νυν ἢ τρίποδος περιδώμεθον ἠὲ λέβητος,ἴστορα δʼ Ἀτρεΐδην Ἀγαμέμνονα θείομεν ἄμφω,ὁππότεραι πρόσθʼ ἵπποι, ἵνα γνώῃς ἀποτίνων.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὄρνυτο δʼ αὐτίκʼ Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴαςχωόμενος χαλεποῖσιν ἀμείψασθαι ἐπέεσσι·
and yet furthur would the strife between the twain have gone, had not Achilles himself stood up, and spoken, saying:No longer now, O Aias and Idomeneus, answer ye one another with angry words, with evil words, for that were unseemly. Ye have indignation with another, whoso should act thus.
καί νύ κε δὴ προτέρω ἔτʼ ἔρις γένετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν,εἰ μὴ Ἀχιλλεὺς αὐτὸς ἀνίστατο καὶ φάτο μῦθον·μηκέτι νῦν χαλεποῖσιν ἀμείβεσθον ἐπέεσσινΑἶαν Ἰδομενεῦ τε κακοῖς, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ ἔοικε.καὶ δʼ ἄλλῳ νεμεσᾶτον ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι.
Nay, sit ye down in the place of gathering, and watch ye the horses; full soon in their eager haste for victory will they come hither, and then shall ye know, each man of you, the horses of the Argives, which be behind, and which in the lead.So spake he, and Tydeus' son came hard anigh as he drave, and with his lash dealt many a stroke down from the shoulder; and his horses leapt on high as they swiftly sped on their way. And ever did flakes of dust smite the charioteer, and his chariot overlaid with gold and tin ran on behind the swift-footed horses, and small trace there was of the wheel tires behind in the light dust, as the twain flew speeding on. Then he drew up in the midst of the place of gathering, and in streams the sweat flowed from the necks and chests of the horses to the ground. And Diomedes himself leapt to the ground from his gleaming car, and leaned the goad against the yoke. Neither did mighty Sthenelus anywise tarry, but speedily took the prize, and gave to his comrades, high of heart, the woman and the eared tripod to bear away; and himself loosed the horses from beneath the yoke. And next after him Antilochus of the stock of Neleus drave his horses, for that by guile, and nowise by speed, had he outstripped Menelaus; howbeit even so Menelaus guided his swift horses close behind. Far as a horse is from the wheel, a horse that draweth his master over the plain, and straineth at the car—the tire thereof do the hindmost hairs of his tail touch, for it runneth close behind, and but scant space is there between, as he courseth over the wide plain—even by so much was Menelaus behind peerless Antilochus, though at the first he was behind far as a man hurleth the discus; howbeit quickly was he overtaking Antilochus, for the goodly mettle of the mare of Agamemnon, fair-maned Aethe, waxed ever higher. And if the course had been yet longer for the twain, then had he passed him by, neither left the issue in doubt. But Meriones, valiant squire of Idomeneus, was a spear-cast behind glorious Menelaus, for slowest of all were his fair-maned horses, and himself least skilled to drive a chariot in the race. And the son of Admetus came in last, behind all the rest, dragging his fair chariot and driving his horses before him. And at sight of him swift-footed, goodly Achilles had pity and he stood up amid the Argives, and spake winged words:Lo, in the last place driveth his single-hooved horses the man that is far the best. But come, let us give him a prize, as is meet, a prize for the second place; but the first let the son of Tydeus bear away.So spake he, and they all assented even as he bade.
ἀλλʼ ὑμεῖς ἐν ἀγῶνι καθήμενοι εἰσοράασθεἵππους· οἳ δὲ τάχʼ αὐτοὶ ἐπειγόμενοι περὶ νίκηςἐνθάδʼ ἐλεύσονται· τότε δὲ γνώσεσθε ἕκαστοςἵππους Ἀργείων, οἳ δεύτεροι οἵ τε πάροιθεν.ὣς φάτο, Τυδεΐδης δὲ μάλα σχεδὸν ἦλθε διώκων,μάστι δʼ αἰὲν ἔλαυνε κατωμαδόν· οἳ δέ οἱ ἵπποιὑψόσʼ ἀειρέσθην ῥίμφα πρήσσοντε κέλευθον.αἰεὶ δʼ ἡνίοχον κονίης ῥαθάμιγγες ἔβαλλον,ἅρματα δὲ χρυσῷ πεπυκασμένα κασσιτέρῳ τεἵπποις ὠκυπόδεσσιν ἐπέτρεχον· οὐδέ τι πολλὴγίγνετʼ ἐπισσώτρων ἁρματροχιὴ κατόπισθενἐν λεπτῇ κονίῃ· τὼ δὲ σπεύδοντε πετέσθην.στῆ δὲ μέσῳ ἐν ἀγῶνι, πολὺς δʼ ἀνεκήκιεν ἱδρὼςἵππων ἔκ τε λόφων καὶ ἀπὸ στέρνοιο χαμᾶζε.αὐτὸς δʼ ἐκ δίφροιο χαμαὶ θόρε παμφανόωντος,κλῖνε δʼ ἄρα μάστιγα ποτὶ ζυγόν· οὐδὲ μάτησενἴφθιμος Σθένελος, ἀλλʼ ἐσσυμένως λάβʼ ἄεθλον,δῶκε δʼ ἄγειν ἑτάροισιν ὑπερθύμοισι γυναῖκακαὶ τρίποδʼ ὠτώεντα φέρειν· ὃ δʼ ἔλυεν ὑφʼ ἵππους.τῷ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ Ἀντίλοχος Νηλήϊος ἤλασεν ἵππουςκέρδεσιν, οὔ τι τάχει γε, παραφθάμενος Μενέλαον·ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς Μενέλαος ἔχʼ ἐγγύθεν ὠκέας ἵππους.ὅσσον δὲ τροχοῦ ἵππος ἀφίσταται, ὅς ῥα ἄνακταἕλκῃσιν πεδίοιο τιταινόμενος σὺν ὄχεσφι·τοῦ μέν τε ψαύουσιν ἐπισσώτρου τρίχες ἄκραιοὐραῖαι· ὃ δέ τʼ ἄγχι μάλα τρέχει, οὐδέ τι πολλὴχώρη μεσσηγὺς πολέος πεδίοιο θέοντος·τόσσον δὴ Μενέλαος ἀμύμονος Ἀντιλόχοιολείπετʼ· ἀτὰρ τὰ πρῶτα καὶ ἐς δίσκουρα λέλειπτο,ἀλλά μιν αἶψα κίχανεν· ὀφέλλετο γὰρ μένος ἠῢἵππου τῆς Ἀγαμεμνονέης καλλίτριχος Αἴθης·εἰ δέ κʼ ἔτι προτέρω γένετο δρόμος ἀμφοτέροισι,τώ κέν μιν παρέλασσʼ οὐδʼ ἀμφήριστον ἔθηκεν.αὐτὰρ Μηριόνης θεράπων ἐῢς Ἰδομενῆοςλείπετʼ ἀγακλῆος Μενελάου δουρὸς ἐρωήν·βάρδιστοι μὲν γάρ οἱ ἔσαν καλλίτριχες ἵπποι,ἤκιστος δʼ ἦν αὐτὸς ἐλαυνέμεν ἅρμʼ ἐν ἀγῶνι.υἱὸς δʼ Ἀδμήτοιο πανύστατος ἤλυθεν ἄλλωνἕλκων ἅρματα καλὰ ἐλαύνων πρόσσοθεν ἵππους.τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ᾤκτειρε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,στὰς δʼ ἄρʼ ἐν Ἀργείοις ἔπεα πτερόεντʼ ἀγόρευε·λοῖσθος ἀνὴρ ὤριστος ἐλαύνει μώνυχας ἵππους·ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή οἱ δῶμεν ἀέθλιον ὡς ἐπιεικὲςδεύτερʼ· ἀτὰρ τὰ πρῶτα φερέσθω Τυδέος υἱός.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ὡς ἐκέλευε.
And now would he have given him the mare —for the Achaeans assented thereto —but that Antilochus, son of great-souled Nestor, uprose and answered Achilles, son of Peleus, to claim his due:Achilles, sore wroth shall I be with thee if thou fulfill this word, for thou art minded to rob me of my prize, bethinking thee of this, how his chariot and his swift honses came to harm, and himself withal, good man though he be. Nay, he should have made prayer to the immortals, then had he nowise come in last of all in the race. But if so be thou pitiest him, and he be dear to thy heart, lo, in thy hut is great store of gold, and bronze is there and sheep, aye, and handmaids too, and single-hooved horses. Thereof do thou hereafter take and give him even a goodlier prize, or even now forthwith, that the Achaeans may applaud thee. But the mare will I not yield; for her let any man that will, essay to do battle with me by might of hand.
καί νύ κέ οἱ πόρεν ἵππον, ἐπῄνησαν γὰρ Ἀχαιοί,εἰ μὴ ἄρʼ Ἀντίλοχος μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱὸςΠηλεΐδην Ἀχιλῆα δίκῃ ἠμείψατʼ ἀναστάς·ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ μάλα τοι κεχολώσομαι αἴ κε τελέσσῃςτοῦτο ἔπος· μέλλεις γὰρ ἀφαιρήσεσθαι ἄεθλοντὰ φρονέων ὅτι οἱ βλάβεν ἅρματα καὶ ταχέʼ ἵππωαὐτός τʼ ἐσθλὸς ἐών· ἀλλʼ ὤφελεν ἀθανάτοισινεὔχεσθαι· τό κεν οὔ τι πανύστατος ἦλθε διώκων.εἰ δέ μιν οἰκτίρεις καί τοι φίλος ἔπλετο θυμῷἔστί τοι ἐν κλισίῃ χρυσὸς πολύς, ἔστι δὲ χαλκὸςκαὶ πρόβατʼ, εἰσὶ δέ τοι δμῳαὶ καὶ μώνυχες ἵπποι·τῶν οἱ ἔπειτʼ ἀνελὼν δόμεναι καὶ μεῖζον ἄεθλονἠὲ καὶ αὐτίκα νῦν, ἵνα σʼ αἰνήσωσιν Ἀχαιοί.τὴν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐ δώσω· περὶ δʼ αὐτῆς πειρηθήτωἀνδρῶν ὅς κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν ἐμοὶ χείρεσσι μάχεσθαι.
So spake he, and swift-footed, goodly Achilles smiled, having joy in Antilochus, for that he was his dear comrade; and he made answer, and spake to him winged words:Antilochus, if thou wilt have men give to Eumelus some other thing from out my house as a further prize, even this will I do.
ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺςχαίρων Ἀντιλόχῳ, ὅτι οἱ φίλος ἦεν ἑταῖρος·καί μιν ἀμειβόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·Ἀντίλοχʼ, εἰ μὲν δή με κελεύεις οἴκοθεν ἄλλοΕὐμήλῳ ἐπιδοῦναι, ἐγὼ δέ κε καὶ τὸ τελέσσω.
I will give him the corselet that I took from Asteropaeus; of bronze is it, and thereon is set in circles a casting of bright tin, and it shall be to him a thing of great worth.He spake, and bade his dear comrade Automedon bring it from the hut and he went and brought it, and placed it in Eumelus' hands and he received it gladly. Then among them uprose also Menelaus, sore vexed at heart, furiously wroth at Antilochus; and a herald gave the staff into his hand, and proclaimed silence among the Argives; and thereafter spake among them the godlike man:
δώσω οἱ θώρηκα, τὸν Ἀστεροπαῖον ἀπηύρωνχάλκεον, ᾧ πέρι χεῦμα φαεινοῦ κασσιτέροιοἀμφιδεδίνηται· πολέος δέ οἱ ἄξιος ἔσται.ἦ ῥα, καὶ Αὐτομέδοντι φίλῳ ἐκέλευσεν ἑταίρῳοἰσέμεναι κλισίηθεν· ὃ δʼ ᾤχετο καί οἱ ἔνεικεν,Εὐμήλῳ δʼ ἐν χερσὶ τίθει· ὃ δὲ δέξατο χαίρων.τοῖσι δὲ καὶ Μενέλαος ἀνίστατο θυμὸν ἀχεύωνἈντιλόχῳ ἄμοτον κεχολωμένος· ἐν δʼ ἄρα κῆρυξχειρὶ σκῆπτρον ἔθηκε, σιωπῆσαί τε κέλευσενἈργείους· ὃ δʼ ἔπειτα μετηύδα ἰσόθεος φώς·
Antilochus, thou that aforetime wast wise, what a thing hast thou wrought! Thou hast put my skill to shame and hast thwarted my horses, thrusting to the front thine own that were worser far. Come now, ye leaders and rulers of the Argives, judge ye aright betwixt us twain, neither have regard unto either, lest in aftertime some one of the brazen-coated Achaeans shall say: ‘Over Antilochus did Menelaus prevail by lies, and depart with the mare, for that his horses were worser far, but himself the mightier in worth and in power.’ Nay, but I will myself declare the right, and I deem that none other of the Danaans shall reproach me, for my judgement shall be just. Antilochus, fostered of Zeus, up, come thou hither and, as is the appointed way, stand thou before thy horses and chariot, and take in hand the slender lash with which aforetimethou wast wont to drive, and laying thy hand on thy horses swear by him that holdeth and shaketh the earth that not of thine own will didst thou hinder my chariot by guile.Then in turn wise Antilochus answered him:Bear with me, now, for far younger am I than thou, king Menelaus, and thou art the elder and the better man. Thou knowest of what sort are the transgressions of a man that he is young, for hasty is he of purpose and but slender is his wit. Wherefore let thy heart be patient; the mare that I have won will I give thee of my self. Aye, and if thou shouldst ask some other goodlier thing from out my house, forthwith were I fain to give it thee out of hand, rather than all my days be cast out of thy heart, thou nurtured of Zeus, and be a sinner in the eyes of the gods.So spake the son of great-souled Nestor, and led up the mare, and gave her into the hands of Menelaus. And his heart was gladdened even as the corn when with the dew upon the ears it waxeth ripe, what time the fields are bristling.
Ἀντίλοχε πρόσθεν πεπνυμένε ποῖον ἔρεξας.ᾔσχυνας μὲν ἐμὴν ἀρετήν, βλάψας δέ μοι ἵππουςτοὺς σοὺς πρόσθε βαλών, οἵ τοι πολὺ χείρονες ἦσαν.ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντεςἐς μέσον ἀμφοτέροισι δικάσσατε, μὴ δʼ ἐπʼ ἀρωγῇ,μή ποτέ τις εἴπῃσιν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων·Ἀντίλοχον ψεύδεσσι βιησάμενος Μενέλαοςοἴχεται ἵππον ἄγων, ὅτι οἱ πολὺ χείρονες ἦσανἵπποι, αὐτὸς δὲ κρείσσων ἀρετῇ τε βίῃ τε.εἰ δʼ ἄγʼ ἐγὼν αὐτὸς δικάσω, καί μʼ οὔ τινά φημιἄλλον ἐπιπλήξειν Δαναῶν· ἰθεῖα γὰρ ἔσται.Ἀντίλοχʼ εἰ δʼ ἄγε δεῦρο διοτρεφές, ἣ θέμις ἐστί,στὰς ἵππων προπάροιθε καὶ ἅρματος, αὐτὰρ ἱμάσθληνχερσὶν ἔχε ῥαδινήν, ᾗ περ τὸ πρόσθεν ἔλαυνες,ἵππων ἁψάμενος γαιήοχον ἐννοσίγαιονὄμνυθι μὴ μὲν ἑκὼν τὸ ἐμὸν δόλῳ ἅρμα πεδῆσαι.τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίλοχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·ἄνσχεο νῦν· πολλὸν γὰρ ἔγωγε νεώτερός εἰμισεῖο ἄναξ Μενέλαε, σὺ δὲ πρότερος καὶ ἀρείων.οἶσθʼ οἷαι νέου ἀνδρὸς ὑπερβασίαι τελέθουσι·κραιπνότερος μὲν γάρ τε νόος, λεπτὴ δέ τε μῆτις.τώ τοι ἐπιτλήτω κραδίη· ἵππον δέ τοι αὐτὸςδώσω, τὴν ἀρόμην. εἰ καί νύ κεν οἴκοθεν ἄλλομεῖζον ἐπαιτήσειας, ἄφαρ κέ τοι αὐτίκα δοῦναιβουλοίμην ἢ σοί γε διοτρεφὲς ἤματα πάνταἐκ θυμοῦ πεσέειν καὶ δαίμοσιν εἶναι ἀλιτρός.ἦ ῥα καὶ ἵππον ἄγων μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱὸςἐν χείρεσσι τίθει Μενελάου· τοῖο δὲ θυμὸςἰάνθη ὡς εἴ τε περὶ σταχύεσσιν ἐέρσηληΐου ἀλδήσκοντος, ὅτε φρίσσουσιν ἄρουραι·
In such wise, Menelaus, was thy heart gladdened in thy breast. Then he spake winged words unto Antilochos, saying:Antilochus, lo now, I of myself cease from mine anger against thee, since nowise flighty or light of wit wast thou of old, albeit now hath thy youth got the better of thy reason.
ὣς ἄρα σοὶ Μενέλαε μετὰ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἰάνθη.καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·Ἀντίλοχε νῦν μέν τοι ἐγὼν ὑποείξομαι αὐτὸςχωόμενος, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι παρήορος οὐδʼ ἀεσίφρωνἦσθα πάρος· νῦν αὖτε νόον νίκησε νεοίη.
Another time seek not to outwit thy betters. Verily not soon should another of the Achaeans have persuaded me, but thou hast suffered greatly and toiled greatly, thou and thy brave father and thy brother, for my sake; wherefore I will hearken to thy prayer, aye, and will give unto thee the mare, for all she is mine own, to the end that these too may know that my heart is never over-haughty neither unbending.He spake, and gave the mare unto Nosmon, the comrade of Antilochus, to lead away, and himself thereafter took the shining cauldron. And Meriones took up the two talents of gold in the fourth place, even as he drave; but the fifth prize was left unclaimed, even the two-handled urn. Unto Nestor Achilles gave this, bearing it through the gathering of the Argives; and he came to his side, and saidTake this now, old sire, and let it be treasure for thee, a memorial of Patroclus' burying; for nevermore shalt thou behold him among the Argives. Lo, I give thee this prize unwon; for not in boxing shalt thou contend, neither in wrestling, nor shalt thou enter the lists for the casting of javelins, neither run upon thy feet; for now grievous old age weigheth heavy upon thee.So saying he placed the urn in his arms, and Nestor received it gladly, and spake, and addressed him with winged words:Aye, verily, my son, all this hast thou spoken aright, for my limbs, even my feet, are no more firm, O my friend, as of old, nor do my arms as of old dart out lightly from my shoulders on either side. Would that I were young, and my strength were firm as on the day when the Epeians were burying lord Amarynceus at Buprasium, and his sons appointed prizes in honour of the king. Then was there no man that proved himself my peer, neither of the Epeians nor of Pylians themselves nor of the great-souled Aetolians. In boxing I overcame Clytomedes, son of Enops, and in wrestling Ancaeus of Pleuron, who stood up against me; Iphiclus I outran in the foot-race, good man though he was; and in casting the spear I outthrew Phyleus and Polydorus. In the chariot race alone the twain sons of Actor outstripped me by force of numbers crowding their horses to the front, being exceeding jealous for victory, for that the goodliest prize abode yet there in the lists. Twin brethren were they— the one drave with sure hand, drave with sure hand, while the other plied the goad. Thus was I on a time, but now let men that be younger face such-like tasks; me it behoveth to yield to grievous old age, but then was I pre-eminent among warriors. But come, for thy comrade too hold thou funeral rites with contests. For this gift, I receive it with gladness, and my heart rejoiceth that thou rememberest me, thy friend, neither am I forgotten of thee, and the honour wherewith it beseemeth that I be honoured among the Achaeans.
δεύτερον αὖτʼ ἀλέασθαι ἀμείνονας ἠπεροπεύειν.οὐ γάρ κέν με τάχʼ ἄλλος ἀνὴρ παρέπεισεν Ἀχαιῶν.ἀλλὰ σὺ γὰρ δὴ πολλὰ πάθες καὶ πολλὰ μόγησαςσός τε πατὴρ ἀγαθὸς καὶ ἀδελφεὸς εἵνεκʼ ἐμεῖο·τώ τοι λισσομένῳ ἐπιπείσομαι, ἠδὲ καὶ ἵππονδώσω ἐμήν περ ἐοῦσαν, ἵνα γνώωσι καὶ οἵδεὡς ἐμὸς οὔ ποτε θυμὸς ὑπερφίαλος καὶ ἀπηνής.ἦ ῥα, καὶ Ἀντιλόχοιο Νοήμονι δῶκεν ἑταίρῳἵππον ἄγειν· ὃ δʼ ἔπειτα λέβηθʼ ἕλε παμφανόωντα.Μηριόνης δʼ ἀνάειρε δύω χρυσοῖο τάλαντατέτρατος, ὡς ἔλασεν. πέμπτον δʼ ὑπελείπετʼ ἄεθλον,ἀμφίθετος φιάλη· τὴν Νέστορι δῶκεν ἈχιλλεὺςἈργείων ἀνʼ ἀγῶνα φέρων, καὶ ἔειπε παραστάς·τῆ νῦν, καὶ σοὶ τοῦτο γέρον κειμήλιον ἔστωΠατρόκλοιο τάφου μνῆμʼ ἔμμεναι· οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ αὐτὸνὄψῃ ἐν Ἀργείοισι· δίδωμι δέ τοι τόδʼ ἄεθλοναὔτως· οὐ γὰρ πύξ γε μαχήσεαι, οὐδὲ παλαίσεις,οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἀκοντιστὺν ἐσδύσεαι, οὐδὲ πόδεσσιθεύσεαι· ἤδη γὰρ χαλεπὸν κατὰ γῆρας ἐπείγει.ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει· ὃ δʼ ἐδέξατο χαίρων,καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα τέκος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες·οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἔμπεδα γυῖα φίλος πόδες, οὐδέ τι χεῖρεςὤμων ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἐπαΐσσονται ἐλαφραί.εἴθʼ ὣς ἡβώοιμι βίη τέ μοι ἔμπεδος εἴηὡς ὁπότε κρείοντʼ Ἀμαρυγκέα θάπτον ἘπειοὶΒουπρασίῳ, παῖδες δʼ ἔθεσαν βασιλῆος ἄεθλα·ἔνθʼ οὔ τίς μοι ὁμοῖος ἀνὴρ γένετʼ, οὔτʼ ἄρʼ Ἐπειῶνοὔτʼ αὐτῶν Πυλίων οὔτʼ Αἰτωλῶν μεγαθύμων.πὺξ μὲν ἐνίκησα Κλυτομήδεα Ἤνοπος υἱόν,Ἀγκαῖον δὲ πάλῃ Πλευρώνιον, ὅς μοι ἀνέστη·Ἴφικλον δὲ πόδεσσι παρέδραμον ἐσθλὸν ἐόντα,δουρὶ δʼ ὑπειρέβαλον Φυλῆά τε καὶ Πολύδωρον.οἴοισίν μʼ ἵπποισι παρήλασαν Ἀκτορίωνεπλήθει πρόσθε βαλόντες ἀγασσάμενοι περὶ νίκης,οὕνεκα δὴ τὰ μέγιστα παρʼ αὐτόθι λείπετʼ ἄεθλα.οἳ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔσαν δίδυμοι· ὃ μὲν ἔμπεδον ἡνιόχευεν,ἔμπεδον ἡνιόχευʼ, ὃ δʼ ἄρα μάστιγι κέλευεν.ὥς ποτʼ ἔον· νῦν αὖτε νεώτεροι ἀντιοώντωνἔργων τοιούτων· ἐμὲ δὲ χρὴ γήραϊ λυγρῷπείθεσθαι, τότε δʼ αὖτε μετέπρεπον ἡρώεσσιν.ἀλλʼ ἴθι καὶ σὸν ἑταῖρον ἀέθλοισι κτερέϊζε.τοῦτο δʼ ἐγὼ πρόφρων δέχομαι, χαίρει δέ μοι ἦτορ,ὥς μευ ἀεὶ μέμνησαι ἐνηέος, οὐδέ σε λήθω,τιμῆς ἧς τέ μʼ ἔοικε τετιμῆσθαι μετʼ Ἀχαιοῖς.
And to thee may the gods in requital thereof grant grace to satisfy thy heart.So spake he, and the son of Peleus went his way through the great throng of the Achaeans, when he had hearkened to all the praise of the son of Neleus. Then set he forth prizes for grievous boxing. A sturdy mule he brought and tethered in the place of gathering, a mule of six years, unbroken, the which is hardest of all to break; and for him that should be worsted he appointed a two-handled cup. Then he stood up, and spake among the Argives, saying:Son of Atreus, and ye other well-greaved Achaeans, for these prizes we invite warriors twain, the best there are, to lift up their hands and box amain. Let him to whom Apollo shall grant strength to endure, and all the Achaeans have knowledge thereof, go his way to his hut leading the sturdy muIe; but he that is worsted shall bear as his prize the two-handled cup.So spake he, and forthwith uprose a man valiant and tall, well-skilled in boxing, even Epeius, son of Panopeus; and he laid hold of the sturdy mule, and spake, saying:Let him draw nigh, whoso is to bear as his prize the two-handled cup: the mule I deem that none other of the Achaeans shall lead away, by worsting me with his fists, for I avow me to be the best man.
σοὶ δὲ θεοὶ τῶνδʼ ἀντὶ χάριν μενοεικέα δοῖεν.ὣς φάτο, Πηλεΐδης δὲ πολὺν καθʼ ὅμιλον Ἀχαιῶνᾤχετʼ, ἐπεὶ πάντʼ αἶνον ἐπέκλυε Νηλεΐδαο.αὐτὰρ ὃ πυγμαχίης ἀλεγεινῆς θῆκεν ἄεθλα·ἡμίονον ταλαεργὸν ἄγων κατέδησʼ ἐν ἀγῶνιἑξέτεʼ ἀδμήτην, ἥ τʼ ἀλγίστη δαμάσασθαι·τῷ δʼ ἄρα νικηθέντι τίθει δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον.στῆ δʼ ὀρθὸς καὶ μῦθον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·Ἀτρεΐδη τε καὶ ἄλλοι ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶἄνδρε δύω περὶ τῶνδε κελεύομεν, ὥ περ ἀρίστω,πὺξ μάλʼ ἀνασχομένω πεπληγέμεν· ᾧ δέ κʼ Ἀπόλλωνδώῃ καμμονίην, γνώωσι δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί,ἡμίονον ταλαεργὸν ἄγων κλισίην δὲ νεέσθω·αὐτὰρ ὃ νικηθεὶς δέπας οἴσεται ἀμφικύπελλον.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὄρνυτο δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀνὴρ ἠΰς τε μέγας τεεἰδὼς πυγμαχίης υἱὸς Πανοπῆος Ἐπειός,ἅψατο δʼ ἡμιόνου ταλαεργοῦ φώνησέν τε·ἆσσον ἴτω ὅς τις δέπας οἴσεται ἀμφικύπελλον·ἡμίονον δʼ οὔ φημί τινʼ ἀξέμεν ἄλλον Ἀχαιῶνπυγμῇ νικήσαντʼ, ἐπεὶ εὔχομαι εἶναι ἄριστος.
Sufficeth it not that I fall short in battle? One may not, meseemeth, prove him a man of skill in every work. For thus will I speak, and verily this thing shall be brought to pass: utterly will I rend his flesh and crush his bones. Wherefore let them that be next of kin abide here in a throng, that they may bear him forth when worsted by my hands.So spake he, and they all became hushed in silence. Euryalus alone uprose to face him, a godlike man, son of king Mecisteus, son of Talaus, who on a time had come to Thebes for the burial of Oedipus, when he had fallen, and there had worsted all the sons of Cadmus. And Tydeus' son, famed for his spear, made Euryalus ready, heartening him with words, and much he wished for him victory. A girdle first he cast about him, and thereafter gave him well-cut thongs of the hide of an ox of the field.
ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ὅττι μάχης ἐπιδεύομαι; οὐδʼ ἄρα πως ἦνἐν πάντεσσʼ ἔργοισι δαήμονα φῶτα γενέσθαι.ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·ἀντικρὺ χρόα τε ῥήξω σύν τʼ ὀστέʼ ἀράξω.κηδεμόνες δέ οἱ ἐνθάδʼ ἀολλέες αὖθι μενόντων,οἵ κέ μιν ἐξοίσουσιν ἐμῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶ δαμέντα.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.Εὐρύαλος δέ οἱ οἶος ἀνίστατο ἰσόθεος φὼςΜηκιστῆος υἱὸς Ταλαϊονίδαο ἄνακτος,ὅς ποτε Θήβας δʼ ἦλθε δεδουπότος Οἰδιπόδαοἐς τάφον· ἔνθα δὲ πάντας ἐνίκα Καδμείωνας.τὸν μὲν Τυδεΐδης δουρὶ κλυτὸς ἀμφεπονεῖτοθαρσύνων ἔπεσιν, μέγα δʼ αὐτῷ βούλετο νίκην.ζῶμα δέ οἱ πρῶτον παρακάββαλεν, αὐτὰρ ἔπειταδῶκεν ἱμάντας ἐϋτμήτους βοὸς ἀγραύλοιο.
So the twain, when they had girded themselves, stepped into the midst of the place of gathering, and lifting their mighty hands on high one against the other, fell to, and their hands clashed together in heavy blows. Dread then was the grinding of their teeth, and the sweat flowed on every side from off their limbs But upon him goodly Epeius rushed as he peered for an opening, and smote him on the cheek, nor after that, methinks, did he long stand upright, for even there did his glorious limbs sink beneath him. And as when beneath the ripple of the North Wind a fish leapeth up on the tangle-strewn sand of a shallow, and then the black wave hideth it, even so leapt up Euryalus when he was smitten. But great-souled Epeius took him in his hands and set him on his feet, and his dear comrades thronged about him and led him through the place of gathering with trailing feet, spitting out clotted blood and letting his head hang to one side; and they brought him wandering in his wits and set him down in the midst of their company, and themselves went and fetched the two-handled cup.
τὼ δὲ ζωσαμένω βήτην ἐς μέσσον ἀγῶνα,ἄντα δʼ ἀνασχομένω χερσὶ στιβαρῇσιν ἅμʼ ἄμφωσύν ῥʼ ἔπεσον, σὺν δέ σφι βαρεῖαι χεῖρες ἔμιχθεν.δεινὸς δὲ χρόμαδος γενύων γένετʼ, ἔρρεε δʼ ἱδρὼςπάντοθεν ἐκ μελέων· ἐπὶ δʼ ὄρνυτο δῖος Ἐπειός,κόψε δὲ παπτήναντα παρήϊον· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴνἑστήκειν· αὐτοῦ γὰρ ὑπήριπε φαίδιμα γυῖα.ὡς δʼ ὅθʼ ὑπὸ φρικὸς Βορέω ἀναπάλλεται ἰχθὺςθίνʼ ἐν φυκιόεντι, μέλαν δέ ἑ κῦμα κάλυψεν,ὣς πληγεὶς ἀνέπαλτʼ· αὐτὰρ μεγάθυμος Ἐπειὸςχερσὶ λαβὼν ὤρθωσε· φίλοι δʼ ἀμφέσταν ἑταῖροι,οἵ μιν ἄγον διʼ ἀγῶνος ἐφελκομένοισι πόδεσσιναἷμα παχὺ πτύοντα κάρη βάλλονθʼ ἑτέρωσε·κὰδ δʼ ἀλλοφρονέοντα μετὰ σφίσιν εἷσαν ἄγοντες,αὐτοὶ δʼ οἰχόμενοι κόμισαν δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον.
Then the son of Peleus forthwith ordained in the sight of the Danaans other prizes for a third contest, even for toilsome wrestling — for him that should win, a great tripod to stand upon the fire, that the Achaeans prized amongst them at the worth of twelve oxen; and for him that should be worsted he set in the midst a woman of manifold skill in handiwork, and they prized her at the worth of four oxen. And he stood up and spake among the Argives saying:Up now, ye twain that will make essay likewise in this contest.So spake he, and thereat arose great Telamonian Aias, and up stood Odysseus of many wiles, he of guileful mind.
Πηλεΐδης δʼ αἶψʼ ἄλλα κατὰ τρίτα θῆκεν ἄεθλαδεικνύμενος Δαναοῖσι παλαισμοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆς,τῷ μὲν νικήσαντι μέγαν τρίποδʼ ἐμπυριβήτην,τὸν δὲ δυωδεκάβοιον ἐνὶ σφίσι τῖον Ἀχαιοί·ἀνδρὶ δὲ νικηθέντι γυναῖκʼ ἐς μέσσον ἔθηκε,πολλὰ δʼ ἐπίστατο ἔργα, τίον δέ ἑ τεσσαράβοιον.στῆ δʼ ὀρθὸς καὶ μῦθον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·ὄρνυσθʼ οἳ καὶ τούτου ἀέθλου πειρήσεσθον.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὦρτο δʼ ἔπειτα μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας,ἂν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς πολύμητις ἀνίστατο κέρδεα εἰδώς.
Then the twain, when they had girded themselves, stepped into the midst of the place of gathering, and laid hold each of the other in close grip with their mighty hands, even as the gable-rafters of a high house, which some famous craftsman joineth together, that he may have shelter from the might of the winds. And their backs creaked beneath the violent tugging of bold hands, and the sweat flowed down in streams; and many a weal, red with blood, sprang up along their ribs and shoulders; and ever they strove amain for victory, to win the fashioned tripod. Neither might Odysseus avail to trip Aias and throw him to the ground, nor Aias him, for the mighty strength of Odysseus held firm. But when at the last they were like to weary the well-greaved Achaeans, then unto Odysseus spake great Telamonian Aias, saying:Zeus-born, son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, lift thou me, or let me lift thee; but the issue shall rest with Zeus.
ζωσαμένω δʼ ἄρα τώ γε βάτην ἐς μέσσον ἀγῶνα,ἀγκὰς δʼ ἀλλήλων λαβέτην χερσὶ στιβαρῇσινὡς ὅτʼ ἀμείβοντες, τούς τε κλυτὸς ἤραρε τέκτωνδώματος ὑψηλοῖο βίας ἀνέμων ἀλεείνων.τετρίγει δʼ ἄρα νῶτα θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶνἑλκόμενα στερεῶς· κατὰ δὲ νότιος ῥέεν ἱδρώς,πυκναὶ δὲ σμώδιγγες ἀνὰ πλευράς τε καὶ ὤμουςαἵματι φοινικόεσσαι ἀνέδραμον· οἳ δὲ μάλʼ αἰεὶνίκης ἱέσθην τρίποδος πέρι ποιητοῖο·οὔτʼ Ὀδυσεὺς δύνατο σφῆλαι οὔδει τε πελάσσαι,οὔτʼ Αἴας δύνατο, κρατερὴ δʼ ἔχεν ἲς Ὀδυσῆος.ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἀνίαζον ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς,δὴ τότε μιν προσέειπε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦἤ μʼ ἀνάειρʼ, ἢ ἐγὼ σέ· τὰ δʼ αὖ Διὶ πάντα μελήσει.
He spake, and lifted him; but Odysseus forgat not his guile. He smote with a sure blow the hollow of Aias' knee from behind, and loosed his limbs, so that he was thrown backward, and Odysseus fell upon his chest; and the people gazed thereon and were seized with wonder. Then in his turn the much-enduring goodly Odysseus essayed to lift, and moved him a little from the ground, but lifted him not, howbeit he crooked his knee within that of Aias, and upon the ground the twain fell one hard by the other, and were befouled with dust. And now would they have sprung up again for the third time and have wrestled, but that Achilles himself uprose, and held them back:
ὣς εἰπὼν ἀνάειρε· δόλου δʼ οὐ λήθετʼ Ὀδυσσεύς·κόψʼ ὄπιθεν κώληπα τυχών, ὑπέλυσε δὲ γυῖα,κὰδ δʼ ἔβαλʼ ἐξοπίσω· ἐπὶ δὲ στήθεσσιν Ὀδυσσεὺςκάππεσε· λαοὶ δʼ αὖ θηεῦντό τε θάμβησάν τε.δεύτερος αὖτʼ ἀνάειρε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,κίνησεν δʼ ἄρα τυτθὸν ἀπὸ χθονός, οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἄειρεν,ἐν δὲ γόνυ γνάμψεν· ἐπὶ δὲ χθονὶ κάππεσον ἄμφωπλησίοι ἀλλήλοισι, μιάνθησαν δὲ κονίῃ.καί νύ κε τὸ τρίτον αὖτις ἀναΐξαντʼ ἐπάλαιον,εἰ μὴ Ἀχιλλεὺς αὐτὸς ἀνίστατο καὶ κατέρυκε·
No longer strain ye now, neither be worn with pain. Victory is with you both; take then equa1 prizes and go your ways, that other Achaeans too may strive.So spake he, and they readily hearkened to him and obeyed, and wiping from their bodies the dust they put upon them their tunics.
μηκέτʼ ἐρείδεσθον, μὴ δὲ τρίβεσθε κακοῖσι·νίκη δʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν· ἀέθλια δʼ ἶσʼ ἀνελόντεςἔρχεσθʼ, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλοι ἀεθλεύωσιν Ἀχαιοί.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδὲ πίθοντο,καί ῥʼ ἀπομορξαμένω κονίην δύσαντο χιτῶνας.
Then the son of Peleus straightway set forth other prizes for fleetness of foot: a mixingbowl of silver, richly wrought; six measures it held, and in beauty it was far the goodliest in all the earth, seeing that Sidonians, well skilled in deft handiwork, had wrought it cunningly, and men of the Phoenicians brought it over the murky deep, and landed it in harbour, and gave it as a gift to Thoas; and as a ransom for Lycaon, son of Priam, Jason's son Euneos gave it to the warrior Patroclus. This bowl did Achilles set forth as a prize in honour of his comrade, even for him whoso should prove fleetest in speed of foot.
Πηλεΐδης δʼ αἶψʼ ἄλλα τίθει ταχυτῆτος ἄεθλαἀργύρεον κρητῆρα τετυγμένον· ἓξ δʼ ἄρα μέτραχάνδανεν, αὐτὰρ κάλλει ἐνίκα πᾶσαν ἐπʼ αἶανπολλόν, ἐπεὶ Σιδόνες πολυδαίδαλοι εὖ ἤσκησαν,Φοίνικες δʼ ἄγον ἄνδρες ἐπʼ ἠεροειδέα πόντον,στῆσαν δʼ ἐν λιμένεσσι, Θόαντι δὲ δῶρον ἔδωκαν·υἷος δὲ Πριάμοιο Λυκάονος ὦνον ἔδωκεΠατρόκλῳ ἥρωϊ Ἰησονίδης Εὔνηος.καὶ τὸν Ἀχιλλεὺς θῆκεν ἄεθλον οὗ ἑτάροιο,ὅς τις ἐλαφρότατος ποσσὶ κραιπνοῖσι πέλοιτο·
For the second again he set an ox great and rich with fat; and a half-talent in gold he appointed for the last. And he stood up, and spake among the Argives saying:Up now, ye that will make essay likewise in this contest.So spake he, and forthwith uprose swift Aias, son of Oïleus, and Odysseus of many wiles, and after them Antilochus, Nestor's son, for he surpassed all the youths in swiftness of foot. Then took they their places in a row, and Achilles showed them the goal, and a course was marked out for them from the turning-point. Then speedily the son of Oïleus forged to the front, and close after him sped goodly Odysseus; close as is the weaving-rod to the breast of a fair-girdled woman, when she deftly draweth it in her hands, pulling the spool past the warp, and holdeth the rod nigh to her breast; even so close behind ran Odysseus, and his feet trod in the footsteps of Aias or ever the dust had settled therein, and down upon his head beat the breath of goodly Odysseus, as he ran ever swiftly on; and all the Achaeans shouted to further him as he struggled for victory, and called to him as he strained to the utmost. But when now they were running the last part of the course, straightway Odysseus made prayer in his heart to flashing-eyed Athene:
δευτέρῳ αὖ βοῦν θῆκε μέγαν καὶ πίονα δημῷ,ἡμιτάλαντον δὲ χρυσοῦ λοισθήϊʼ ἔθηκε.στῆ δʼ ὀρθὸς καὶ μῦθον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·ὄρνυσθʼ οἳ καὶ τούτου ἀέθλου πειρήσεσθε.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὄρνυτο δʼ αὐτίκʼ Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴας,ἂν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς πολύμητις, ἔπειτα δὲ Νέστορος υἱὸςἈντίλοχος· ὃ γὰρ αὖτε νέους ποσὶ πάντας ἐνίκα.στὰν δὲ μεταστοιχί· σήμηνε δὲ τέρματʼ Ἀχιλλεύς.τοῖσι δʼ ἀπὸ νύσσης τέτατο δρόμος· ὦκα δʼ ἔπειταἔκφερʼ Ὀϊλιάδης· ἐπὶ δʼ ὄρνυτο δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςἄγχι μάλʼ, ὡς ὅτε τίς τε γυναικὸς ἐϋζώνοιοστήθεός ἐστι κανών, ὅν τʼ εὖ μάλα χερσὶ τανύσσῃπηνίον ἐξέλκουσα παρὲκ μίτον, ἀγχόθι δʼ ἴσχειστήθεος· ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς θέεν ἐγγύθεν, αὐτὰρ ὄπισθενἴχνια τύπτε πόδεσσι πάρος κόνιν ἀμφιχυθῆναι·κὰδ δʼ ἄρα οἱ κεφαλῆς χέʼ ἀϋτμένα δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςαἰεὶ ῥίμφα θέων· ἴαχον δʼ ἐπὶ πάντες Ἀχαιοὶνίκης ἱεμένῳ, μάλα δὲ σπεύδοντι κέλευον.ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ πύματον τέλεον δρόμον, αὐτίκʼ Ὀδυσσεὺςεὔχετʼ Ἀθηναίῃ γλαυκώπιδι ὃν κατὰ θυμόν·
Hear me, goddess, and come a goodly helper to my feet.So spake he in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him, and made his limbs light, his feet and his hands above. But when they were now about to dart forth to win the prize, then Aias slipped as he ran—for Athene hampered him— where was strewn the filth from the slaying of the loud bellowing bulls that swift-footed Achilles had slain in honour of Patroclus; and with the filth of the bulls were his mouth and nostrils filled. So then much-enduring, goodly Odysseus took up the bowl, seeing he came in the first, and glorious Aias took the ox.
κλῦθι θεά, ἀγαθή μοι ἐπίρροθος ἐλθὲ ποδοῖιν.ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος· τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη,γυῖα δʼ ἔθηκεν ἐλαφρά, πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν.ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τάχʼ ἔμελλον ἐπαΐξασθαι ἄεθλον,ἔνθʼ Αἴας μὲν ὄλισθε θέων, βλάψεν γὰρ Ἀθήνη,τῇ ῥα βοῶν κέχυτʼ ὄνθος ἀποκταμένων ἐριμύκων,οὓς ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ πέφνεν πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·ἐν δʼ ὄνθου βοέου πλῆτο στόμα τε ῥῖνάς τε·κρητῆρʼ αὖτʼ ἀνάειρε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,ὡς ἦλθε φθάμενος· ὃ δὲ βοῦν ἕλε φαίδιμος Αἴας.
And he stood holding in his hands the horn of the ox of the field, spewing forth the filth; and he spake among the Argives:Out upon it, lo, the goddess hampered me in my running, she that standeth ever by Odysseus' side like a mother, and helpeth him.So spake he, but they all laughed merrily at him.
στῆ δὲ κέρας μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχων βοὸς ἀγραύλοιοὄνθον ἀποπτύων, μετὰ δʼ Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·ὢ πόποι ἦ μʼ ἔβλαψε θεὰ πόδας, ἣ τὸ πάρος περμήτηρ ὣς Ὀδυσῆϊ παρίσταται ἠδʼ ἐπαρήγει.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἡδὺ γέλασσαν.
Then Antilochus bare away the last prize, smiling the while, and spake among the Argives, saying:Among you all that know it well, will I declare, my friends, that even to this day the immortals shew honour to older men. For Aias is but a little older than I, whereas Odysseus is of an earlier generation and of earlier men—a green old age is his, men say—yet hard were he for any other Achaean to contend with in running, save only for Achilles.So spake he, and gave glory to the son of Peleus, swift of foot. And Achilles made answer, and spake to him, saying:
Ἀντίλοχος δʼ ἄρα δὴ λοισθήϊον ἔκφερʼ ἄεθλονμειδιόων, καὶ μῦθον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·εἰδόσιν ὔμμʼ ἐρέω πᾶσιν φίλοι, ὡς ἔτι καὶ νῦνἀθάνατοι τιμῶσι παλαιοτέρους ἀνθρώπους.Αἴας μὲν γὰρ ἐμεῖʼ ὀλίγον προγενέστερός ἐστιν,οὗτος δὲ προτέρης γενεῆς προτέρων τʼ ἀνθρώπων·ὠμογέροντα δέ μίν φασʼ ἔμμεναι· ἀργαλέον δὲποσσὶν ἐριδήσασθαι Ἀχαιοῖς, εἰ μὴ Ἀχιλλεῖ.ὣς φάτο, κύδηνεν δὲ ποδώκεα Πηλεΐωνα.τὸν δʼ Ἀχιλεὺς μύθοισιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·
Antilochus, not in vain shall thy word of praise be spoken; nay, I will add to thy prize a half-talent of gold.So saying, he set it in his hands, and Antilochus received it gladly. But the son of Peleus brought and set in the place of gathering a far-shadowing spear, and therewith a shield and helmet, the battlegear of Sarpedon, that Patroclus stripped from him; and he stood up, and spake among the Argives, saying:To win these prizes invite we warriors twain, the best there are, to clothe them in their armour and take bronze that cleaveth the flesh, and so make trial each of the other before the host.
Ἀντίλοχʼ οὐ μέν τοι μέλεος εἰρήσεται αἶνος,ἀλλά τοι ἡμιτάλαντον ἐγὼ χρυσοῦ ἐπιθήσω.ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει, ὃ δʼ ἐδέξατο χαίρων.αὐτὰρ Πηλεΐδης κατὰ μὲν δολιχόσκιον ἔγχοςθῆκʼ ἐς ἀγῶνα φέρων, κατὰ δʼ ἀσπίδα καὶ τρυφάλειαντεύχεα Σαρπήδοντος, ἅ μιν Πάτροκλος ἀπηύρα.στῆ δʼ ὀρθὸς καὶ μῦθον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·ἄνδρε δύω περὶ τῶνδε κελεύομεν, ὥ περ ἀρίστω,τεύχεα ἑσσαμένω ταμεσίχροα χαλκὸν ἑλόντεἀλλήλων προπάροιθεν ὁμίλου πειρηθῆναι.
Whoso of the twain shall first reach the other's fair flesh, and touch the inward parts through armour and dark blood, to him will I give this silver-studded sword—a goodly Thracian sword which I took from Asteropaeus; and these arms let the twain bear away to hold in common;
ὁππότερός κε φθῇσιν ὀρεξάμενος χρόα καλόν,ψαύσῃ δʼ ἐνδίνων διά τʼ ἔντεα καὶ μέλαν αἷμα,τῷ μὲν ἐγὼ δώσω τόδε φάσγανον ἀργυρόηλονκαλὸν Θρηΐκιον, τὸ μὲν Ἀστεροπαῖον ἀπηύρων·τεύχεα δʼ ἀμφότεροι ξυνήϊα ταῦτα φερέσθων·
and a goodly banquet shall we set before them in our huts.So spake he, and thereat arose great Telamonian Aias, and up rose the son of Tydeus, stalwart Diomedes. So when they had armed them on either side of the throng, into the midst strode the twain, eager for battle, glaring terribly; and amazement held all the Achaeans. But when they were come near as they advanced one against the other, thrice they set upon each other, and thrice they clashed together. Then Aias thrust upon the shield, that was well-balanced upon every side, but reached not the flesh, for the corselet within kept off the spear.
καί σφιν δαῖτʼ ἀγαθὴν παραθήσομεν ἐν κλισίῃσιν.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὦρτο δʼ ἔπειτα μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας,ἂν δʼ ἄρα Τυδεΐδης ὦρτο, κρατερὸς Διομήδης.οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἑκάτερθεν ὁμίλου θωρήχθησαν,ἐς μέσον ἀμφοτέρω συνίτην μεμαῶτε μάχεσθαιδεινὸν δερκομένω· θάμβος δʼ ἔχε πάντας Ἀχαιούς.ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες,τρὶς μὲν ἐπήϊξαν, τρὶς δὲ σχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν.ἔνθʼ Αἴας μὲν ἔπειτα κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσηννύξʼ, οὐδὲ χρόʼ ἵκανεν· ἔρυτο γὰρ ἔνδοθι θώρηξ·
But Tydeus' son over the great shield sought ever to reach the neck with the point of his shining spear. Then verily the Achaeans, seized with fear for Aias, bade them cease and take up equal prizes. Howbeit to Tydeus' son the warrior gave the great sword, bringing it with its scabbard and its well-cut baldric. Then the son of Peleus set forth a mass of rough-cast iron, which of old the mighty strength of Eëtion was wont to hurl; but him had swift-footed goodly Achilles slain, and bare this away on his ships with his other possessions.
Τυδεΐδης δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα ὑπὲρ σάκεος μεγάλοιοαἰὲν ἐπʼ αὐχένι κῦρε φαεινοῦ δουρὸς ἀκωκῇ.καὶ τότε δή ῥʼ Αἴαντι περιδείσαντες Ἀχαιοὶπαυσαμένους ἐκέλευσαν ἀέθλια ἶσʼ ἀνελέσθαι.αὐτὰρ Τυδεΐδῃ δῶκεν μέγα φάσγανον ἥρωςσὺν κολεῷ τε φέρων καὶ ἐϋτμήτῳ τελαμῶνι.αὐτὰρ Πηλεΐδης θῆκεν σόλον αὐτοχόωνονὃν πρὶν μὲν ῥίπτασκε μέγα σθένος Ἠετίωνος·ἀλλʼ ἤτοι τὸν ἔπεφνε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,τὸν δʼ ἄγετʼ ἐν νήεσσι σὺν ἄλλοισι κτεάτεσσι.
And he stood up, and spake among the Argives, saying:Up now, ye that will make essay likewise in this contest. Though his rich fields lie very far remote, the winner hereof will have it five revolving years to serve his need; for not through lack of iron will his shepherd or ploughman fare to the city; nay, this will supply them.So spake he, and thereat arose Polypoetes, staunch in fight, and the mighty strength of godlike Leonteus, and Aias, son of Telamon, and goodly Epeius. Then they took their places in order, and goodly Epeius grasped the mass, and whirled and flung it; and all the Achaeans laughed aloud thereat. Then in turn Leonteus, scion of Ares, made a cast; and thirdly great Telamonian Aias hurled it from his strong hand, and sent it past the marks of all. But when Polypoetes, staunch in fight, grasped the mass, far as a herdsman flings his crook, and it flieth whirling over the herds of kine, even so far cast he it beyond all the gathering; and the folk shouted aloud. And the comrades of strong Polypoetes rose up and bare to the hollow ships the prize of the king.
στῆ δʼ ὀρθὸς καὶ μῦθον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἔειπεν·ὄρνυσθʼ οἳ καὶ τούτου ἀέθλου πειρήσεσθε.εἴ οἱ καὶ μάλα πολλὸν ἀπόπροθι πίονες ἀγροί,ἕξει μιν καὶ πέντε περιπλομένους ἐνιαυτοὺςχρεώμενος· οὐ μὲν γάρ οἱ ἀτεμβόμενός γε σιδήρουποιμὴν οὐδʼ ἀροτὴρ εἶσʼ ἐς πόλιν, ἀλλὰ παρέξει.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὦρτο δʼ ἔπειτα μενεπτόλεμος Πολυποίτης,ἂν δὲ Λεοντῆος κρατερὸν μένος ἀντιθέοιο,ἂν δʼ Αἴας Τελαμωνιάδης καὶ δῖος Ἐπειός.ἑξείης δʼ ἵσταντο, σόλον δʼ ἕλε δῖος Ἐπειός,ἧκε δὲ δινήσας· γέλασαν δʼ ἐπὶ πάντες Ἀχαιοί.δεύτερος αὖτʼ ἀφέηκε Λεοντεὺς ὄζος Ἄρηος·τὸ τρίτον αὖτʼ ἔρριψε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴαςχειρὸς ἄπο στιβαρῆς, καὶ ὑπέρβαλε σήματα πάντων.ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ σόλον εἷλε μενεπτόλεμος Πολυποίτης,ὅσσόν τίς τʼ ἔρριψε καλαύροπα βουκόλος ἀνήρ,ἣ δέ θʼ ἑλισσομένη πέτεται διὰ βοῦς ἀγελαίας,τόσσον παντὸς ἀγῶνος ὑπέρβαλε· τοὶ δὲ βόησαν.ἀνστάντες δʼ ἕταροι Πολυποίταο κρατεροῖονῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς ἔφερον βασιλῆος ἄεθλον.
Then for the archers he set forth as a prize dark iron—ten double axes laid he down, and ten single; and he set up the mast of a dark-prowed ship far off in the sands, and with a slender cord made fast thereto by the foot a timorous dove, and bade shoot thereat.Whoso shall hit the timorous dove let him take up all the double axes and bear them home, and whoso shall hit the cord, albeit he miss the bird: lo, his is the worser shot; he shall bear as his prize the single axes.So spake he, and there arose the might of the prince Teucer, and Meriones the valiant squire of Idomeneus. Then took they the lots and shook them in a helmet of bronze, and Teucer drew by lot the first place. Forthwith he let fly an arrow with might, howbeit he vowed not that he would sacrifice to the king a glorious hecatomb of firstling lambs.
αὐτὰρ ὃ τοξευτῇσι τίθει ἰόεντα σίδηρον,κὰδ δʼ ἐτίθει δέκα μὲν πελέκεας, δέκα δʼ ἡμιπέλεκκα,ἱστὸν δʼ ἔστησεν νηὸς κυανοπρῴροιοτηλοῦ ἐπὶ ψαμάθοις, ἐκ δὲ τρήρωνα πέλειανλεπτῇ μηρίνθῳ δῆσεν ποδός, ἧς ἄρʼ ἀνώγειτοξεύειν· ὃς μέν κε βάλῃ τρήρωνα πέλειαν,πάντας ἀειράμενος πελέκεας οἶκον δὲ φερέσθω·ὃς δέ κε μηρίνθοιο τύχῃ ὄρνιθος ἁμαρτών,ἥσσων γὰρ δὴ κεῖνος, ὃ δʼ οἴσεται ἡμιπέλεκκα.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὦρτο δʼ ἔπειτα βίη Τεύκροιο ἄνακτος,ἂν δʼ ἄρα Μηριόνης θεράπων ἐῢς Ἰδομενῆος.κλήρους δʼ ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλον ἑλόντες,Τεῦκρος δὲ πρῶτος κλήρῳ λάχεν· αὐτίκα δʼ ἰὸνἧκεν ἐπικρατέως, οὐδʼ ἠπείλησεν ἄνακτιἀρνῶν πρωτογόνων ῥέξειν κλειτὴν ἑκατόμβην.
So he missed the bird, for Apollo grudged him that, but hit the cord beside its foot wherewith the bird was tied, and clean away the bitter arrow cut the cord. Then the dove darted skyward, and the cord hung loose toward earth; and the Achaeans shouted aloud.
ὄρνιθος μὲν ἅμαρτε· μέγηρε γάρ οἱ τό γʼ Ἀπόλλων·αὐτὰρ ὃ μήρινθον βάλε πὰρ πόδα, τῇ δέδετʼ ὄρνις·ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἀπὸ μήρινθον τάμε πικρὸς ὀϊστός.ἣ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἤϊξε πρὸς οὐρανόν, ἣ δὲ παρείθημήρινθος ποτὶ γαῖαν· ἀτὰρ κελάδησαν Ἀχαιοί.
But Meriones speedily snatched the bow from Teucer's hand—an arrow had he long been holding while Teucer aimed—and vowed forthwith that he would sacrifice to Apollo that smiteth afar a glorious hecatomb of firstling lambs. High up beneath the cloud he spied the timorous dove;
σπερχόμενος δʼ ἄρα Μηριόνης ἐξείρυσε χειρὸςτόξον· ἀτὰρ δὴ ὀϊστὸν ἔχεν πάλαι, ὡς ἴθυνεν.αὐτίκα δʼ ἠπείλησεν ἑκηβόλῳ Ἀπόλλωνιἀρνῶν πρωτογόνων ῥέξειν κλειτὴν ἑκατόμβην.ὕψι δʼ ὑπὸ νεφέων εἶδε τρήρωνα πέλειαν·
there as she circled round he struck her in the midst beneath the wing, and clean through passed the shaft, and fell again and fixed itself in the ground before the foot of Meriones; but the dove, lighting on the mast of the dark-prowed ship, hung down her head, and her thick plumage drooped.
τῇ ῥʼ ὅ γε δινεύουσαν ὑπὸ πτέρυγος βάλε μέσσην,ἀντικρὺ δὲ διῆλθε βέλος· τὸ μὲν ἂψ ἐπὶ γαίῃπρόσθεν Μηριόναο πάγη ποδός· αὐτὰρ ἣ ὄρνιςἱστῷ ἐφεζομένη νηὸς κυανοπρῴροιοαὐχένʼ ἀπεκρέμασεν, σὺν δὲ πτερὰ πυκνὰ λίασθεν.
Swiftly the life fled from her limbs, and she fell far from the mast; and the people gazed thereon and were seized with wonder. And Meriones took up all ten double axes, and Teucer bare the single to the hollow ships. Then the son of Peleus brought and set in the place of gathering a far-shadowing spear and a cauldron, that the fire had not yet touched, of an ox's worth, embossed with flowers; and men that were hurlers of javelins arose. Up rose the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon and Meriones, the valiant squire of Idomeneus. But among them spake swift-footed, goodly Achilles:
ὠκὺς δʼ ἐκ μελέων θυμὸς πτάτο, τῆλε δʼ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦκάππεσε· λαοὶ δʼ αὖ θηεῦντό τε θάμβησάν τε.ἂν δʼ ἄρα Μηριόνης πελέκεας δέκα πάντας ἄειρε,Τεῦκρος δʼ ἡμιπέλεκκα φέρεν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας.αὐτὰρ Πηλεΐδης κατὰ μὲν δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,κὰδ δὲ λέβητʼ ἄπυρον βοὸς ἄξιον ἀνθεμόενταθῆκʼ ἐς ἀγῶνα φέρων· καί ῥʼ ἥμονες ἄνδρες ἀνέσταν·ἂν μὲν ἄρʼ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων,ἂν δʼ ἄρα Μηριόνης, θεράπων ἐῢς Ἰδομενῆος.τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·
Son of Atreus, we know how far thou excellest all, and how far thou art the best in might and in the casting of the spear; nay, take thou this prize and go thy way to the hollow ships; but the spear let us give to the warrior Meriones, if thy heart consenteth thereto: so at least would I have it:
Ἀτρεΐδη· ἴδμεν γὰρ ὅσον προβέβηκας ἁπάντωνἠδʼ ὅσσον δυνάμει τε καὶ ἥμασιν ἔπλευ ἄριστος·ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν τόδʼ ἄεθλον ἔχων κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆαςἔρχευ, ἀτὰρ δόρυ Μηριόνῃ ἥρωϊ πόρωμεν,εἰ σύ γε σῷ θυμῷ ἐθέλοις· κέλομαι γὰρ ἔγωγε.
So spake he, and the king of men, Agamemnon, failed not to hearken. Then to Meriones he gave the spear of bronze, but the warrior handed to the herald Talthybius the beauteous prize.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·δῶκε δὲ Μηριόνῃ δόρυ χάλκεον· αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἥρωςΤαλθυβίῳ κήρυκι δίδου περικαλλὲς ἄεθλον.