Chapter 6
Such strength, and courage then to Diomed, The son of Tydeus, Pallas gave, as rais’d, ’Mid all the Greeks, the glory of his name. Forth from his helm and shield a fiery light There flash’d, like autumn’s star, that brightest shines When newly risen from his ocean bath. So from the warrior’s head and shoulders flash’d That fiery light, as to the midst he urg’d His furious course, where densest masses fought.
There was one Dares ’mid the Trojan host, The priest of Vulcan, rich, of blameless life; Two gallant sons he had, Idaeus nam’d, And Phegeus, skill’d in all the points of war. These, parted from the throng, the warrior met; They on their car, while he on foot advanc’d. When near they came, first Phegeus threw his spear; O’er the left shoulder of Tydides pass’d The erring weapon’s point, and miss’d its mark. His pond’rous spear in turn Tydides threw, And not in vain; on Phegeus’ breast it struck, Full in the midst, and hurl’d him from the car. Idaeus from the well-wrought chariot sprang, And fled, nor durst his brother’s corpse defend. Nor had he so escap’d the doom of death, But Vulcan bore him safely from the field, In darkness shrouded, that his aged sire Might not be wholly of his sons bereav’d. The car Tydides to his comrades gave, And bade them to the ships the horses drive.
Now when the Trojans Dares’ sons beheld, The one in flight, the other stretch’d in death, Their spirits within them quail’d; but Pallas took The hand of Mars, and thus address’d the God: “Mars, Mars, thou bane of mortals, blood-stain’d Lord, Razer of cities, wherefore leave we not The Greeks and Trojans to contend, and see To which the sire of all will vict’ry give; While we retire, and shun the wrath of Jove?”
Thus saying, from the battle Mars she led, And plac’d him on Scamander’s steepy banks.
The Greeks drove back the Trojan host; the chiefs Slew each his victim; Agamemnon first, The mighty monarch, from his chariot hurl’d Hodius, the sturdy Halizonian chief, Him, as he turn’d, between the shoulder-blades The jav’lin struck, and through his chest was driv’n; Thund’ring he fell, and loud his armour rang.
On Phaestus, Borus’ son, Maeonian chief, Who from the fertile plains of Tarna came, Then sprang Idomeneus; and as he sought To mount upon his car, the Cretan King Through his right shoulder drove the pointed spear; He fell; the shades of death his eyes o’erspread, And of his arms the followers stripp’d his corpse.
The son of Atreus, Menelaus, slew Scamandrius, son of Strophius, sportsman keen, In woodcraft skilful; for his practis’d hand Had by Diana’s self been taught to slay Each beast of chase the mountain forest holds. But nought avail’d him then the Archer-Queen Diana’s counsels, nor his boasted art Of distant aim; for as he fled, the lance Of Menelaus, Atreus’ warlike son, Behind his neck, between the shoulder-blades, His flight arresting, through his chest was driv’n. Headlong he fell, and loud his armour rang.
Phereclus by Meriones was slain, Son of Harmonides, whose practis’d hand Knew well to fashion many a work of art; By Pallas highly favour’d; he the ships For Paris built, first origin of ill, Freighted with evil to the men of Troy, And to himself, who knew not Heav’n’s decrees. Him, in his headlong flight, in hot pursuit Meriones o’ertook, and thrust his lance Through his right flank; beneath the bone was driv’n The spear, and pierc’d him through: prone on his knees, Groaning, he fell, and death his eyelids clos’d.
Meges Pedaeus slew, Antenor’s son, A bastard born, but by Theano rear’d With tender care, and nurtur’d as her son, With her own children, for her husband’s sake. Him, Phyleus’ warrior son, approaching near, Thrust through the junction of the head and neck; Crash’d through his teeth the spear beneath the tongue; Prone in the dust he gnash’d the brazen point.
Eurypylus, Euaemon’s noble son, Hypsenor slew, the worthy progeny Of Dolopion brave; Scamander’s priest, And by the people as a God rever’d: Him, as he fled before him, from behind Eurypylus, Euaemon’s noble son, Smote with the sword; and from the shoulder-point The brawny arm he sever’d; to the ground Down fell the gory hand; the darkling shades Of death, and rig’rous doom, his eyelids clos’d.
Thus labour’d they amid the stubborn fight; But of Tydides none might say to whom His arm belong’d, or whether with the hosts Of Troy or Greece he mingled in the fight: Hither and thither o’er the plain he rush’d, Like to a wintry stream, that brimming o’er Breaks down its barriers in its rapid course; Nor well-built bridge can stem the flood, nor fence guards the fertile fields, as down it pours Its sudden torrent, swoll’n with rain from Heav’n, And many a goodly work of man destroys: So back were borne before Tydides’ might The serried ranks of Troy, nor dar’d await, Despite their numbers, his impetuous charge.
Him when Lycaon’s noble son beheld Careering o’er the plain, the serried ranks Driving before him, quick at Tydeus’ son He bent his bow; and onward as he rush’d, On the right shoulder, near the breastplate’s joint, The stinging arrow struck; right through it pass’d, And held its way, that blood the breastplate stain’d. Then shouted loud Lycaon’s noble son: “Arouse ye, valiant Trojans, ye who goad Your flying steeds; the bravest of the Greeks Is wounded, nor, I deem, can long withstand My weapon, if indeed from Lycia’s shore By Phoebus’ counsel sent I join’d the war.”
Thus he, vain-glorious; but not so was quell’d The godlike chief; back he withdrew, and stood Beside his car, and thus to Sthenelus, The son of Capaneus, his speech address’d: “Up, gentle son of Capaneus, descend From off the car, and from my shoulder draw This stinging arrow forth.” He said, and down Leap’d from the chariot Sthenelus, and stood Beside him; and as forth he drew the shaft, Gush’d out the blood, and dyed the twisted mail. Then thus the valiant son of Tydeus pray’d: “Hear me, thou child of aegis-bearing Jove, Unconquer’d! if amid the deadly fight Thy friendly aid my father e’er sustain’d, Let me in turn thy favour find; and grant Within my reach and compass of my spear That man may find himself, who unawares Hath wounded me, and vainly boasting deems I shall not long behold the light of day.” Thus pray’d the chief, and Pallas heard his pray’r; To all his limbs, to feet and hands alike, She gave fresh vigour; and with winged words, Beside him as she stood, address’d him thus:
“Go fearless onward, Diomed, to meet The Trojan hosts; for I within thy breast Thy father’s dauntless courage have infus’d, Such as of old in Tydeus’ bosom dwelt, Bold horseman, buckler-clad; and from thine eyes The film that dimm’d them I have purg’d away, That thou mayst well ’twixt Gods and men discern. If then some God make trial of thy force, With other of th’ Immortals fight thou not; But should Jove’s daughter Venus dare the fray Thou needst not shun at her to cast thy spear.”
This said, the blue-ey’d Goddess disappear’d. Forthwith again amid the foremost ranks Tydides mingled; keenly as before His spirit against the Trojans burn’d to fight, With threefold fury now he sought the fray. As when a hungry lion has o’erleap’d The sheepfold; him the guardian of the flock Has wounded, not disabled; by his wound To rage excited, but not forc’d to fly, The fold he enters, scares the trembling sheep, That, closely huddled, each on other press, Then pounces on his prey, and leaps the fence: So pounc’d Tydides on the Trojan host. Astynous and Hypeiron then he slew, His people’s guardian; through the breast of one He drove his spear, and with his mighty sword He smote the other on the collar-bone, The shoulder sev’ring from the neck and back. Them left he there to lie; of Abas then And Polyeidus went in hot pursuit, Sons of Eurydamas, an aged seer, Whose visions stay’d them not; but both were doom’d A prey to valiant Diomed to fall. Xanthus and Thoon then the hero slew, The sons of Phaenops, children of his age: He, worn with years, no other sons begot, Heirs of his wealth; they two together fell, And to their father left a load of grief, That from the battle they return’d not home, And distant kindred all his substance shar’d. On Chromius and Echemon next he fell, Two sons of Priam on one chariot borne; And as a lion springs upon a herd, And breaks the neck of heifer or of steer, Feeding in woodland glade; with such a spring These two, in vain resisting, from their car Tydides hurl’d; then stripp’d their arms, and bade His followers lead their horses to the ships.
Him when Æneas saw amid the ranks Dealing destruction, through the fight and throng Of spears he plung’d, if haply he might find The godlike Pandarus; Lycaon’s son He found, of noble birth and stalwart form, And stood before him, and address’d him thus: “Where, Pandarus, are now thy winged shafts, Thy bow, and well-known skill, wherein with thee Can no man here contend? nor Lycia boasts, Through all her wide-spread plains, a truer aim; Then raise to Jove thy hands, and with thy shaft Strike down this chief, whoe’er he be, that thus Is making fearful havoc in our host, Relaxing many a warrior’s limbs in death: If he be not indeed a God, incens’d Against the Trojans for neglected rites; For fearful is the vengeance of a God.”
Whom answer’d thus Lycaon’s noble son: “Æneas, chief and councillor of Troy, Most like in all respects to Tydeus’ son He seems; his shield I know, and visor’d helm, And horses; whether he himself be God, I cannot tell; but if he be indeed The man I think him, Tydeus’ valiant son, He fights not thus without the aid of Heav’n; But by his side, his shoulders veiled in cloud, Some God attends his steps, and turns away The shaft that just hath reach’d him; for ev’n now A shaft I shot, which by the breastplate’s joint Pierc’d his right shoulder through: full sure I deem’d That shaft had sent him to the shades, and yet It slew him not; ’tis sure some angry God. Nor horse have I, nor car on which to mount; But in my sire Lycaon’s wealthy house Elev’n fair chariots stand, all newly built, Each with its cover; by the side of each Two steeds on rye and barley white are fed; And in his well-built house, when here I came, Lycaon, aged warrior, urg’d me oft With horses and with chariots high upborne, To lead the Trojans in the stubborn fight; I hearken’d not—’twere better if I had— Yet fear’d I lest my horses, wont to feed In plenty unstinted, by the soldiers’ wants Might of their custom’d forage be depriv’d; I left them there, and hither came on foot, And trusting to my bow: vain trust, it seems; Two chiefs already have I struck, the sons Of Tydeus and of Atreus; with true aim Drawn blood from both, yet but increas’d their rage. Sad was the hour when down from where it hung I took my bow, and hasting to the aid Of godlike Hector, hither led my troops; But should I e’er return, and see again My native land, my wife, my lofty hall, Then may a stranger’s sword cut off my head, If with these hands I shatter not, and burn, The bow that thus hath fail’d me at my need.”
Him answer’d thus Æneas, chief of Troy: “Speak thou not thus; our fortunes shall not change Till thou and I, with chariot and with horse, This chief encounter, and his prowess prove; Then mount my car, and see how swift my steeds. Hither and thither, in pursuit or flight, From those of Tros descended, scour the plain. So if the victory to Diomed, The son of Tydeus, should by Jove be giv’n, We yet may safely reach the walls of Troy. Take thou the whip and reins, while I descend To fight on foot; or thou the chief engage, And leave to me the conduct of the car.”
Whom answer’d thus Lycaon’s noble son: “Æneas, of thy horses and thy car Take thou the charge; beneath th’ accustomed hand, With more assurance would they draw the car, If we from Tydeus’ son be forced to fly; Nor, struck with panic, and thy voice unheard, Refuse to bear us from the battle-field; So should ourselves be slain, and Tydeus’ son In triumph drive thy horses to the ships. But thou thy horses and thy chariot guide, While I his onset with my lance receive.”
Thus saying, on the car they mounted both, And tow’rd Tydides urg’d their eager steeds. Them Sthenelus beheld, the noble son Of Capaneus, and to Tydides cried: “Oh son of Tydeus, dearest to my soul, Two men I see, of might invincible, Impatient to engage thee; Pandarus, Well skill’d in archery, Lycaon’s son; With him, Æneas, great Anchises’ son, Who from immortal Venus boasts his birth. Then let us timely to the car retreat, Lest, moving thus amid the foremost ranks, Thy daring pay the forfeit of thy life.”
To whom brave Diomed with stern regard: “Talk not to me of flight! I heed thee not! It is not in my nature so to fight With skulking artifice and faint retreat; My strength is yet unbroken; I should shame To mount the car; but forward will I go To meet these chiefs’ encounter; for my soul Pallas forbids the touch of fear to know. Nor shall their horses’ speed procure for both A safe return, though one escape my arm. This too I say, and bear my words in mind; By Pallas’ counsel if my hap should be To slay them both, leave thou my horses here, The reins attaching to the chariot-rail, And seize, and from the Trojans to the ships Drive off the horses in Æneas’ car; From those descended, which all-seeing Jove On Tros, for Ganymede his son, bestow’d: With these may none beneath the sun compare. Anchises, King of men, the breed obtain’d By cunning, to the horses sending mares Without the knowledge of Laomedon. Six colts were thus engender’d: four of these In his own stalls he rear’d; the other two Gave to Æneas, fear-inspiring chief: These could we win, our praise were great indeed.”
Such converse while they held, the twain approach’d, Their horses urg’d to speed; then thus began, To Diomed, Lycaon’s noble son:
“Great son of Tydeus, warrior brave and skill’d, My shaft, it seems, has fail’d to reach thy life; Try we then now what hap attends my spear.” He said; and, poising, hurl’d his pond’rous spear, And struck Tydides’ shield; right through the shield Drove the keen weapon, and the breastplate reach’d. Then shouted loud Lycaon’s noble son: “Thou hast it through the flank, nor canst thou long Survive the blow; great glory now is mine.”
To whom, unmov’d, the valiant Diomed: “Thine aim hath failed, I am not touch’d; and now I deem we part not hence till one of ye Glut with his blood th’ insatiate Lord of War.”
He said: the spear, by Pallas guided, struck Beside the nostril, underneath the eye; Crash’d thro’ the teeth, and cutting thro’ the tongue Beneath the angle of the jaw came forth: Down from the car he fell; and loudly rang His glitt’ring arms: aside the startled steeds Sprang devious: from his limbs the spirit fled. Down leap’d Æneas, spear and shield in hand, Against the Greeks to guard the valiant dead; And like a lion, fearless in his strength, Around the corpse he stalk’d, this way and that, His spear and buckler round before him held, To all who dar’d approach him threat’ning death, With fearful shouts; a rocky fragment then Tydides lifted up, a mighty mass, Which scarce two men could raise, as men are now: But he, unaided, lifted it with ease. With this he smote Æneas near the groin, Where the thigh-bone, inserted in the hip, Turns in the socket-joint; the rugged mass The socket crush’d, and both the tendons broke, And tore away the flesh: down on his knees, Yet resting on his hand, the hero fell; And o’er his eyes the shades of darkness spread. Then had Æneas, King of men, been slain, Had not his mother, Venus, child of Jove, Who to Anchises, where he fed his flocks, The hero bore, his peril quickly seen: Around her son she threw her snowy arms, And with a veil, thick-folded, wrapt him round, From hostile spears to guard him, lest some Greek Should pierce his breast, and rob him of his life.
She from the battle thus her son removed; Nor did the son of Capaneus neglect The strict injunction by Tydides giv’n; His reins attaching to the chariot-rail, Far from the battle-din he check’d, and left, His own fleet steeds; then rushing forward, seiz’d, And from the Trojans tow’rd the camp drove off, The sleek-skinn’d horses of Æneas’ car. These to Deipylus, his chosen friend, He gave, of all his comrades best esteem’d, Of soundest judgment, tow’rd the ships to drive. Then, his own car remounting, seiz’d the reins, And urg’d with eager haste his fiery steeds, Seeking Tydides; he, meanwhile, press’d on In keen pursuit of Venus; her he knew A weak, unwarlike Goddess, not of those That like Bellona fierce, or Pallas, range Exulting through the blood-stain’d fields of war.
Her, searching thro’ the crowd, at length he found, And springing forward, with his pointed spear A wound inflicted on her tender hand. Piercing th’ ambrosial veil, the Graces’ work, The sharp spear graz’d her palm below the wrist. Forth from the wound th’ immortal current flow’d, Pure ichor, life-stream of the blessed Gods; They eat no bread, they drink no ruddy wine, And bloodless thence and deathless they become. The Goddess shriek’d aloud, and dropp’d her son; But in his arms Apollo bore him off In a thick cloud envelop’d, lest some Greek Might pierce his breast, and rob him of his life. Loud shouted brave Tydides, as she fled: “Daughter of Jove, from battle-fields retire; Enough for thee weak woman to delude; If war thou seek’st, the lesson thou shalt learn Shall cause thee shudder but to hear it nam’d.” Thus he; but ill at ease, and sorely pain’d, The Goddess fled: her, Iris, swift as wind, Caught up, and from the tumult bore away, Weeping with pain, her fair skin soil’d with blood.
Mars on the left hand of the battle-field She found, his spear reclining by his side, And, veil’d in cloud, his car and flying steeds. Kneeling, her brother she besought to lend The flying steeds, with golden frontlets crown’d: “Dear brother, aid me hence, and lend thy car To bear me to Olympus, seat of Gods; Great is the pain I suffer from a wound Receiv’d from Diomed, a mortal man, Who now would dare with Jove himself to fight.”
He lent the steeds, with golden frontlets crown’d; In deep distress she mounted on the car: Beside her Iris stood, and took the reins, And urg’d the coursers; nothing loth they flew, And soon to high Olympus, seat of Gods, They came: swift Iris there the coursers stay’d, Loos’d from the chariot, and before them plac’d Ambrosial forage: on her mother’s lap, Dione, Venus fell; she in her arms Embrac’d, and sooth’d her with her hand, and said: “Which of the heav’nly pow’rs hath wrong’d thee thus, My child, as guilty of some open shame?”
Whom answer’d thus the laughter-loving Queen; “The haughty son of Tydeus, Diomed, Hath wounded me, because my dearest son, Æneas, from the field I bore away. No more ’twixt Greeks and Trojans is the fight, But with the Gods themselves the Greeks contend.” To whom Dione, heav’nly Goddess, thus: “Have patience, dearest child; though much enforc’d, Restrain thine anger: we, in Heav’n who dwell, Have much to bear from mortals; and ourselves Too oft upon each other suff’rings lay. Mars had his suff’rings; by Aloeus’ sons, Otus and Ephialtes, strongly bound, He thirteen months in brazen fetters lay: And there had pin’d away the God of War, Insatiate Mars, had not their step-mother, The beauteous Eriboea, sought the aid Of Hermes; he by stealth releas’d the God, Sore worn and wasted by his galling chains. Juno too suffer’d, when Amphitryon’s son Through her right breast a three-barb’d arrow sent: Dire, and unheard of, were the pangs she bore. Great Pluto’s self the stinging arrow felt, When that same son of aegis-bearing Jove Assail’d him in the very gates of hell, And wrought him keenest anguish; pierc’d with pain To high Olympus, to the courts of Jove, Groaning, he came; the bitter shaft remain’d Deep in his shoulder fix’d, and griev’d his soul. But soon with soothing ointments Paeon’s hand (For death on him was powerless) heal’d the wound. Accurs’d was he, of daring over-bold, Reckless of evil deeds, who with his bow Assail’d the Gods, who on Olympus dwell. The blue-ey’d Pallas, well I know, has urg’d Tydides to assail thee; fool and blind! Unknowing he how short his term of life Who fights against the Gods! for him no child Upon his knees shall lisp a father’s name, Safe from the war and battle-field return’d. Brave as he is, let Diomed beware He meet not some more dangerous foe than thee. Then fair Ægiale, Adrastus’ child, The noble wife of valiant Diomed, Shall long, with lamentations loud, disturb The slumbers of her house, and vainly mourn Her youthful Lord, the bravest of the Greeks.” She said; and wip’d the ichor from the wound; The hand was heal’d, the grievous pains allay’d. But Juno and Minerva, looking on, With words of bitter mock’ry Saturn’s son Provok’d: and thus the blue-ey’d Goddess spoke: “O Father! may I speak without offence? Venus, it seems, has sought to lead astray Some Grecian woman, and persuade to join Those Trojans, whom she holds in high esteem; And, as her hand the gentle dame caress’d, A golden clasp has scratched her slender arm.”
Thus she: and smil’d the Sire of Gods and men; He call’d the golden Venus to his side, And, “Not to thee, my child,” he said, “belong The deeds of war; do thou bestow thy care On deeds of love, and tender marriage ties; But leave to Mars and Pallas feats of arms.”
Such converse while they held, brave Diomed Again assail’d Æneas; well he knew Apollo’s guardian hand around him thrown; Yet by the God undaunted, on he press’d To slay Æneas, and his arms obtain. Thrice was his onset made, with murd’rous aim; And thrice Apollo struck his glitt’ring shield; But when, with godlike force, he sought to make His fourth attempt, the Far-destroyer spoke In terms of awful menace: “Be advis’d, Tydides, and retire; nor as a God Esteem thyself; since not alike the race Of Gods immortal and of earth-born men.”
He said; and Diomed a little space Before the Far-destroyer’s wrath retir’d: Apollo then Æneas bore away Far from the tumult; and in Pergamus, Where stood his sacred shrine, bestow’d him safe. Latona there, and Dian, Archer-Queen, In the great temple’s innermost recess, Gave to his wounds their care, and sooth’d his pride. Meanwhile Apollo of the silver bow A phantom form prepar’d, the counterpart Of great Æneas, and alike in arms: Around the form, of Trojans and of Greeks, Loud was the din of battle; fierce the strokes That fell on rounded shield of tough bull’s-hide, And lighter targe, before each warrior’s breast. Then thus Apollo to the God of War: “Mars! Mars! thou bane of mortals, blood-stain’d Lord, Razer of cities, wer’t not well thyself To interpose, and from the battle-field Withdraw this chief, Tydides? such his pride, He now would dare with Jove himself to fight. Venus, of late, he wounded in the wrist; And, like a God, but now confronted me.” He said, and sat on Ilium’s topmost height: While Mars, in likeness of the Thracian chief, Swift Acamas, amid the Trojan ranks Mov’d to and fro, and urg’d them to the fight. To Priam’s Heav’n-descended sons he call’d; “Ye sons of Priam, Heav’n-descended King, How long will ye behold your people slain? Till to your very doors the war be brought? Æneas, noble-soul’d Anchises’ son, In like esteem with Hector held, is down; On to his aid! our gallant comrade save!”
He said; his words fresh courage gave to all: Then thus Sarpedon, in reproachful tone, Address’d the godlike Hector; “Where is now, Hector, the spirit that heretofore was thine? ’Twas once thy boast that ev’n without allies Thyself, thy brethren, and thy house, alone The city could defend: for all of these I look in vain, and see not one; they all, As curs around a lion, cow’r and crouch: We, strangers and allies, maintain the fight. I to your aid, from lands afar remote, From Lycia came, by Xanthus’ eddying stream; There left a cherish’d wife, and infant son, And rich possessions, which might envy move; Yet I my troops encourage; and myself Have play’d my part, though nought have I to lose, Nought that the Greeks could drive or bear away; But thou stand’st idly by; nor bidd’st the rest Maintain their ground, and guard their wives and homes. Beware lest ye, as in the meshes caught Of some wide-sweeping net, become the prey And booty of your foes, who soon shall lay Your prosp’rous city level with the dust. By day and night should this thy thoughts engage, With constant pray’r to all thy brave allies, Firmly to stand, and wipe this shame away.”
He said; and Hector felt the biting speech; Down from his car he leap’d; and through the ranks, Two jav’lins brandishing, he pass’d, to arms Exciting all, and rais’d his battle-cry. The tide was turn’d; again they fac’d the Greeks: In serried ranks the Greeks, undaunted, stood. As when the wind from off a threshing-floor, Where men are winnowing, blows the chaff away; When yellow Ceres with the breeze divides The corn and chaff, which lies in whit’ning heaps; So thick the Greeks were whiten’d o’er with dust, Which to the brazen vault of Heav’n arose Beneath the horses’ feet, that with the crowd Were mingled, by their drivers turn’d to flight. Unwearied still, they bore the brunt; but Mars The Trojans succouring, the battle-field Veil’d in thick clouds, from ev’ry quarter brought. Thus he of Phoebus of the golden sword Obey’d th’ injunction, bidding him arouse The courage of the Trojans, when he saw Pallas approaching to support the Greeks.
Then from the wealthy shrine Apollo’s self Æneas brought, and vigour fresh infus’d: Amid his comrades once again he stood; They joy’d to see him yet alive, and sound, And full of vigour; yet no question ask’d: No time for question then, amid the toils Impos’d by Phoebus of the silver bow, And blood-stain’d Mars, and Discord unappeas’d.
Meanwhile Ulysses, and th’ Ajaces both, And Diomed, with courage for the fight The Grecian force inspir’d; they undismay’d Shrank not before the Trojans’ rush and charge; In masses firm they stood, as when the clouds Are gather’d round the misty mountain top By Saturn’s son, in breathless calm, while sleep The force of Boreas and the stormy winds, That with their breath the shadowy clouds disperse; So stood the Greeks, nor shunn’d the Trojans’ charge. Through all the army Agamemnon pass’d, And cried, “Brave comrades, quit ye now like men; Bear a stout heart; and in the stubborn fight, Let each to other mutual succour give; By mutual succour more are sav’d than fall; In timid flight nor fame nor safety lies.”
Thus he: and straight his jav’lin threw, and struck A man of mark, Æneas’ faithful friend, Deicoon, the son of Pergasus, By Troy, as ever foremost in the field, In equal honour held with Priam’s sons. His shield the monarch Agamemnon struck; The shield’s defence was vain; the spear pass’d through Beneath the belt, and in his groin was lodg’d; Thund’ring he fell, and loud his armour rang.
On th’ other side, Æneas slew two chiefs, The bravest of the Greeks, Orsilochus And Crethon, sons of Diocles, who dwelt In thriving Phera; rich in substance he, And from the mighty River Alpheus trac’d His high descent, who through the Pylian land His copious waters pours; to him was born Orsilochus, of num’rous tribes the chief; To him succeeded valiant Diocles; To whom were born twin sons, Orsilochus And Crethon, skill’d in ev’ry point of war. They, in the vigour of their youth, to Troy Had sail’d amid the dark-ribb’d ships of Greece, Of Atreus’ sons the quarrel to uphold; But o’er them both the shades of death were spread. As two young lions, by their tawny dam Nurs’d in the mountain forest’s deep recess, On flocks and herds their youthful fury pour, With havoc to the sheepfolds, till themselves Succumb, o’ermaster’d by the hand of man: So fell these two beneath Æneas’ hand, And like two lofty pines in death they lay.
The warlike Menelaus saw their fall With pitying eye; and through the foremost ranks With brandish’d spear advanc’d, by Mars impell’d, Who hop’d his death by great Æneas’ hand. Him Nestor’s son, Antilochus, beheld, And hasten’d to his aid; for much he fear’d Lest ill befall the monarch, and his death Deprive them of their warlike labours’ fruit. They two, with force combined of hand and spear, Press’d onward to the fight; Antilochus His station keeping close beside the King. Before the two combined, Æneas fear’d, Bold warrior as he was, to hold his ground. The slain they drew within the Grecian lines, Placed in their comrades’ hands, and turning back Amid the foremost mingled in the fray. Then, brave as Mars, Pylaemenes they slew, The buckler’d Paphlagonians’ warlike chief; Him Menelaus, hand to hand engag’d, Pierc’d with a spear-thrust through the collar-bone; While, with a pond’rous stone, Antilochus Full on the elbow smote Atymnius’ son, Mydon, his charioteer, in act to turn His fiery steeds to flight; down from his hands Fell to the ground the iv’ry-mounted reins. On rush’d Antilochus, and with his sword Across the temples smote him; gasping, he Upon his neck and shoulders from the car Pitch’d headlong; and (for there the sand was deep) Awhile stood balanc’d, till the horses’ feet Dash’d him upon the ground; Antilochus, The horses seizing, drove them to the ships.
Hector beheld athwart the ranks, and rush’d, Loud shouting, to th’ encounter; at his back Follow’d the thronging bands of Troy, by Mars And fierce Bellona led; she by the hand Wild Uproar held; while Mars a giant spear Brandish’d aloft: and stalking now before, Now following after Hector, urg’d them on. Quail’d at the sight the valiant Diomed: As when a man, long journeying o’er the plain, All unprepar’d, stands sudden on the brink Of a swift stream, down rushing to the sea, Boiling with foam, and back recoils; so then Recoil’d Tydides, and address’d the crowd: “O friends, we marvel at the might display’d By Hector, spearman skill’d and warrior bold; But still some guardian God his steps attends, And shields from danger; now beside him stands, In likeness of a mortal, Mars himself. Then turning still your faces to your foes, Retire, nor venture with the Gods to fight.”
He said; the Trojans now were close at hand, And, mounted both upon a single car, Two chiefs, Menesthes and Anchialus, Well skill’d in war, by Hector’s hand were slain.
With pitying eyes great Ajax Telamon Beheld their fall; advancing close, he threw His glitt’ring spear; the son of Selagus It struck, Amphius, who in Paesus dwelt, In land and substance rich; by evil fate Impell’d, to Priam’s house he brought his aid. Below the belt the spear of Ajax struck, And in his groin the point was buried deep; Thund’ring he fell; then forward Ajax sprang To seize the spoils of war; but fast and fierce The Trojans show’r’d their weapons bright and keen, And many a lance the mighty shield receiv’d. Ajax, his foot firm planted on the slain, Withdrew the brazen spear; yet could not strip His armour off, so galling flew the shafts; And much he fear’d his foes might hem him in, Who closely press’d upon him, many and brave; And, valiant as he was, and tall, and strong, Still drove him backward; he perforce retired.
Thus labour’d they amid the stubborn fight. Then evil fate induc’d Tlepolemus, Valiant and strong, the son of Hercules, Heav’n-born Sarpedon to confront in fight. When near they came, of cloud-compelling Jove Grandson and son, Tlepolemus began: “Sarpedon, Lycian chief, what brings thee here, Trembling and crouching, all unskill’d in war? Falsely they speak who fable thee the son Of aegis-bearing Jove; so far art thou Beneath their mark who claim’d in elder days That royal lineage: such my father was, Of courage resolute, of lion heart. With but six ships, and with a scanty band, The horses by Laomedon withheld Avenging, he o’erthrew this city, Troy, And made her streets a desert; but thy soul Is poor, thy troops are wasting fast away; Nor deem I that the Trojans will in thee (Ev’n were thy valour more) and Lycia’s aid Their safeguard find; but vanquish’d by my hand, This day the gates of Hades thou shalt pass.”
To whom the Lycian chief, Sarpedon, thus: “Tlepolemus, the sacred walls of Troy Thy sire o’erthrew, by folly of one man, Laomedon, who with injurious words His noble service recompens’d; nor gave The promis’d steeds, for which he came from far. For thee, I deem thou now shalt meet thy doom Here, at my hand; on thee my spear shall win Renown for me, thy soul to Hades send.”
Thus as Sarpedon spoke, Tlepolemus Uprais’d his ashen spear; from both their hands The pond’rous weapons simultaneous flew. Full in the throat Tlepolemus receiv’d Sarpedon’s spear; right through the neck it pass’d, And o’er his eyes the shades of death were spread. On th’ other side his spear Sarpedon struck On the left thigh; the eager weapon pass’d Right through the flesh, and in the bone was fix’d; The stroke of death his father turn’d aside. Sarpedon from the field his comrades bore, Weigh’d down and tortured by the trailing spear, For, in their haste to bear him to his car, Not one bethought him from his thigh to draw The weapon forth; so sorely were they press’d.
The Greeks too from the battle-field convey’d The slain Tlepolemus; Ulysses saw, Patient of spirit, but deeply mov’d at heart; And with conflicting thoughts his breast was torn, If first he should pursue the Thund’rer’s son, Or deal destruction on the Lycian host. But fate had not decreed the valiant son Of Jove to fall beneath Ulysses’ hand; So on the Lycians Pallas turn’d his wrath. Alastor then, and Coeranus he slew, Chromius, Alcander, Halius, Prytanis, Noemon; nor had ended then the list Of Lycian warriors by Ulysses slain; But Hector of the glancing helm beheld; Through the front ranks he rush’d, with burnish’d crest Resplendent, flashing terror on the Greeks; With joy Sarpedon saw his near approach, And with imploring tones address’d him thus:
“Hector, thou son of Priam, leave me not A victim to the Greeks, but lend thine aid: Then in your city let me end my days. For not to me is giv’n again to see My native land; or, safe returning home, To glad my sorrowing wife and infant child.”
Thus he; but Hector, answ’ring not a word, Pass’d on in silence, hasting to pursue The Greeks, and pour destruction on their host.
Beneath the oak of aegis-bearing Jove His faithful comrades laid Sarpedon down, And from his thigh the valiant Pelagon, His lov’d companion, drew the ashen spear. He swoon’d, and giddy mists o’erspread his eyes: But soon reviv’d, as on his forehead blew, While yet he gasp’d for breath, the cooling breeze.
By Mars and Hector of the brazen helm The Greeks hard-press’d, yet fled not to their ships, Nor yet sustain’d the fight; but back retir’d Soon as they learned the presence of the God. Say then who first, who last, the prowess felt Of Hector, Priam’s son, and mail-clad Mars? The godlike Teuthras first, Orestes next, Bold charioteer; th’ Ætolian spearman skill’d, Trechus, Œnomaus, and Helenus, The son of Œnops; and Oresbius, girt With sparkling girdle; he in Hyla dwelt, The careful Lord of boundless wealth, beside Cephisus’ marshy banks; Bœotia’s chiefs Around him dwelt, on fat and fertile soil. Juno, the white-arm’d Queen, who saw these two The Greeks destroying in the stubborn fight, To Pallas thus her winged words address’d: “O Heav’n! brave child of aegis-bearing Jove, Vain was our word to Menelaus giv’n. That he the well-built walls of Troy should raze, And safe return, if unrestrain’d we leave Ferocious Mars to urge his mad career. Come then; let us too mingle in the fray.”
She said: and Pallas, blue-ey’d Maid, complied. Offspring of Saturn, Juno, heav’nly Queen, Herself th’ immortal steeds caparison’d, Adorn’d with golden frontlets: to the car Hebe the circling wheels of brass attach’d, Eight-spok’d, that on an iron axle turn’d; The felloes were of gold, and fitted round With brazen tires, a marvel to behold; The naves were silver, rounded every way: The chariot-board on gold and silver bands Was hung, and round it ran a double rail: The pole was all of silver; at the end A golden yoke, with golden yoke-bands fair: And Juno, all on fire to join the fray, Beneath the yoke the flying coursers led.
Pallas, the child of aegis-bearing Jove, Within her father’s threshold dropp’d her veil, Of airy texture, work of her own hands; The cuirass donn’d of cloud-compelling Jove, And stood accoutred for the bloody fray. Her tassell’d aegis round her shoulders next She threw, with Terror circled all around; And on its face were figur’d deeds of arms, And Strife, and Courage high, and panic Rout; There too a Gorgon’s head, of monstrous size, Frown’d terrible, portent of angry Jove: And on her head a golden helm she plac’d, Four-crested, double-peak’d, whose ample verge A hundred cities’ champions might suffice: Her fiery car she mounted: in her hand A spear she bore, long, weighty, tough; wherewith The mighty daughter of a mighty sire Sweeps down the ranks of those her hate pursues.
Then Juno sharply touch’d the flying steeds: Forthwith spontaneous opening, grated harsh The heavenly portals, guarded by the Hours, Who Heav’n and high Olympus have in charge To roll aside, or draw the veil of cloud. Through these th’ excited horses held their way. They found the son of Saturn, from the Gods Sitting apart, upon the highest crest Of many-ridg’d Olympus; there arriv’d, The white-arm’d Goddess Juno stay’d her steeds, And thus address’d the Sov’reign Lord of Heav’n:
“O Father Jove! canst thou behold unmov’d The violence of Mars? how many Greeks, Reckless and uncontroll’d, he hath destroy’d; To me a source of bitter grief; meanwhile Venus and Phoebus of the silver bow Look on, well pleas’d, who sent this madman forth, To whom both law and justice are unknown. Say, Father Jove, shall I thine anger move, If with disgrace I drive him from the field?”
To whom the Cloud-compeller thus replied: “Go, send against him Pallas; she, I know, Hath oft inflicted on him grievous pain.”.
He said: the white-arm’d Queen with joy obey’d; She urg’d her horses; nothing loth, they flew Midway between the earth, and starry Heav’n: Far as his sight extends, who from on high Looks from his watch-tow’r o’er the dark-blue sea, So far at once the neighing horses bound. But when to Troy they came, beside the streams Where Simois’ and Scamander’s waters meet, The white-arm’d Goddess stay’d her flying steeds, Loos’d from the car, and veil’d in densest cloud. For them, at bidding of the river-God, Ambrosial forage grew: the Goddesses, Swift as the wild wood-pigeon’s rapid flight, Sped to the battle-field to aid the Greeks. But when they reach’d the thickest of the fray, Where throng’d around the might of Diomed The bravest and the best, as lions fierce, Or forest-boars, the mightiest of their kind, There stood the white-arm’d Queen, and call’d aloud, In form of Stentor, of the brazen voice, Whose shout was as the shout of fifty men:
“Shame on ye, Greeks, base cowards! brave alone In outward semblance; while Achilles yet Went forth to battle, from the Dardan gates The Trojans never ventur’d to advance, So dreaded they his pond’rous spear; but now Far from the walls, beside your ships, they fight.”
She said: her words their drooping courage rous’d. Meanwhile the blue-ey’d Pallas went in haste In search of Tydeus’ son; beside his car She found the King, in act to cool the wound Inflicted by the shaft of Pandarus: Beneath his shield’s broad belt the clogging sweat Oppress’d him, and his arm was faint with toil; The belt was lifted up, and from the wound He wip’d the clotted blood: beside the car The Goddess stood, and touch’d the yoke, and said:
“Little like Tydeus’ self is Tydeus’ son: Low was his stature, but his spirit was high: And ev’n when I from combat rashly wag’d Would fain have kept him back, what time in Thebes He found himself, an envoy and alone, Without support, among the Thebans all, I counsell’d him in peace to share the feast: But by his own impetuous courage led, He challenged all the Thebans to contend With him in wrestling, and o’erthrew them all With ease; so mighty was the aid I gave. Thee now I stand beside, and guard from harm, And bid thee boldly with the Trojans fight. But, if the labours of the battle-field O’ertask thy limbs, or heartless fear restrain, No issue thou of valiant Tydeus’ loins.”
Whom answer’d thus the valiant Diomed: “I know thee, Goddess, who thou art; the child Of aegis-bearing Jove: to thee my mind I freely speak, nor aught will I conceal. Nor heartless fear, nor hesitating doubt, Restrain me; but I bear thy words in mind, With other of th’ Immortals not to fight: But should Jove’s daughter, Venus, dare the fray, At her I need not shun to throw my spear. Therefore I thus withdrew, and others too Exhorted to retire, since Mars himself I saw careering o’er the battle-field.”
To whom the blue-ey’d Goddess, Pallas, thus: “Thou son of Tydeus, dearest to my soul, Fear now no more with Mars himself to fight, Nor other God; such aid will I bestow. Come then; at him the first direct thy car; Encounter with him hand to hand; nor fear To strike this madman, this incarnate curse, This shameless renegade; who late agreed With Juno and with me to combat Troy, And aid the Grecian cause; who now appears, The Greeks deserting, in the Trojan ranks.”
Thus Pallas spoke, and stretching forth her hand Backward his comrade Sthenelus she drew From off the chariot; down in haste he sprang. His place beside the valiant Diomed The eager Goddess took; beneath the weight Loud groan’d the oaken axle; for the car A mighty Goddess and a Hero bore. Then Pallas took the whip and reins, and urg’d Direct at Mars the fiery coursers’ speed.
The bravest of th’ Ætolians, Periphas, Ochesius’ stalwart son, he just had slain, And stood in act to strip him of his arms. The helmet then of Darkness Pallas donn’d, To hide her presence from the sight of Mars: But when the blood-stain’d God of War beheld Advancing tow’rd him godlike Diomed, The corpse of stalwart Periphas he left, There where he fell, to lie; while he himself Of valiant Diomed th’ encounter met. When near they came, first Mars his pond’rous spear Advanc’d beyond the yoke and horses’ reins, With murd’rous aim; but Pallas from the car Turn’d it aside, and foil’d the vain attempt.
Then Diomed thrust forward in his turn His pond’rous spear; low on the flank of Mars, Guided by Pallas, with successful aim, Just where the belt was girt, the weapon struck: It pierc’d the flesh, and straight was back withdrawn: Then Mars cried out aloud, with such a shout As if nine thousand or ten thousand men Should simultaneous raise their battle-cry: Trojans and Greeks alike in terror heard, Trembling; so fearful was the cry of Mars. As black with clouds appears the darken’d air, When after heat the blust’ring winds arise, So Mars to valiant Diomed appear’d, As in thick clouds he took his heav’nward flight. With speed he came to great Olympus’ heights, Th’ abode of Gods; and sitting by the throne Of Saturn’s son, with anguish torn, he show’d Th’ immortal stream that trickled from the wound, And thus to Jove his piteous words address’d:
“O Father Jove, canst thou behold unmov’d These acts of violence? the greatest ills We Gods endure, we each to other owe Who still in human quarrels interpose. Of thee we all complain; thy senseless child Is ever on some evil deed intent. The other Gods, who on Olympus dwell, Are all to thee obedient and submiss; But thy pernicious daughter, nor by word Nor deed dost thou restrain; who now excites Th’ o’erbearing son of Tydeus, Diomed, Upon th’ immortal Gods to vent his rage. Venus of late he wounded in the wrist, And, as a God, but now encounter’d me: Barely I ’scap’d by swiftness of my feet; Else, ’mid a ghastly heap of corpses slain, In anguish had I lain; and, if alive, Yet liv’d disabl’d by his weapon’s stroke.”
Whom answer’d thus the Cloud-compeller, Jove, With look indignant: “Come no more to me, Thou wav’ring turncoat, with thy whining pray’rs: Of all the Gods who on Olympus dwell I hate thee most; for thou delight’st in nought But strife and war; thou hast inherited Thy mother, Juno’s, proud, unbending mood, Whom I can scarce control; and thou, methinks, To her suggestions ow’st thy present plight. Yet since thou art my offspring, and to me Thy mother bore thee, I must not permit That thou should’st long be doom’d to suffer pain; But had thy birth been other than it is, For thy misdoings thou hadst long ere now Been banish’d from the Gods’ companionship.”
He said: and straight to Paeon gave command To heal the wound; with soothing anodynes He heal’d it quickly; soon as liquid milk Is curdled by the fig-tree’s juice, and turns In whirling flakes, so soon was heal’d the wound. By Hebe bath’d, and rob’d afresh, he sat In health and strength restor’d, by Saturn’s son.
Mars thus arrested in his murd’rous course, Together to th’ abode of Jove return’d The Queen of Argos and the blue-ey’d Maid.
ARGUMENT.
THE EPISODES OF GLAUCUS AND DIOMED, AND OF HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE.
The gods having left the field, the Grecians prevail. Helenus, the chief augur of Troy, commands Hector to return to the city, in order to appoint a solemn procession of the Queen and the Trojan matrons to the temple of Minerva, to entreat her to remove Diomed from the fight. The battle relaxing during the absence of Hector, Glaucus and Diomed have an interview between the two armies; where, coming to the knowledge of the friendship and hospitality past between their ancestors, they make exchange of their arms. Hector, having performed the orders of Helenus, prevailed upon Paris to return to the battle, and taken a tender leave of his wife Andromache, hastens again to the field.
The scene is first in the field of battle, between the rivers Simois and Scamander, and then changes to Troy.