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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. V.

And Pallas now t’ ennoble Diomed
Amongst the Greeks, with force did him inspire,
Whereby his heart and hands were strengthened;
And on his shield and helmet stood a fire
The first battle continued, wherein Pallas strengtheneth Diomedes to supply the absence of Achilles.
5Bright as th’ autumnal star above his head

And shoulders flaming. And straightway he runs
(Set on by Pallas and encouraged)
Into the throng, where were the two good sons
Of Dares, who was Vulcan’s priest. Well skill’d
10They both were in the war. Idæus one,

The other Phegus. These seeing him i’ th’ field
On foot, and not far from them, and alone,
Met him; and Phegus threw, but hit him not.
For o’er his shoulder flew the spear in vain.
15Then Diomedes threw, and Phegus smote,

Clean through the breast. When Phegus thus was slain
Down leap’d Idæus from the chariot;
But durst not by his brother’s body stay.
For if he had, the like fate he had got.
20But Vulcan in a smoke took him away,

Not willing that his priest should childless die.
Tydides to the ships the horses sent.
To see these two, one slain, the other fly,
To the proud Trojans’ very hearts it went.
25But Pallas then took Mars by th’ hand, and said,

Mars, bloody Mars, to what end stay we here?
Let’s neuters be. For I am much afraid
We both shall too much anger Jupiter.
This said, she led him out, and set him on
30Scamander’s bank. And then the Trojans fled

Before the Greeks. Each leader killed one,
Pressing them at their backs uncovered.
Then Dalius first his char’ot turn’d about,
And open lay to Agamemnon’s spear,
35Which in at’s back, and at his breast went out.

Down fell the Alizonian charioteer.
Idomeneus slew Phæstus with a thrust,
As up into his chariot he went,
The spear at the right shoulder passed just,
40And back again unto the earth him sent.

And Menelaus slew Scamandrius,
That well the art of hunting understood.
I’ th’ hills and woods none was more dexterous,
But Dian, and his skill did him no good.
45For Menelaus pierc’d him back and breast,

Between the shoulders with a deadly spear,
And down he tumbled of life dispossest,
His eyes with endless darkness covered were.
Meriones slew Phoriclus, the son
50Of Harmonides, the great architect,

That, but by Pallas, taught had been by none.
But of his art unhappy was th’ effect.
’Twas he that built those ships for Alexander,
That brought with him so much ill luck to Troy,
55And to himself, and to his chief commander;

Not knowing what the oracles did say.
But he, as from the fight he fled, was here
O’ertaken by Meriones, and slain.
At his right buttock entered the spear;
60And at his groin the point came out again.

Meges Pedæus slew, Antenor’s son,
Though not his wife’s, yet was his wife so kind
T’ Antenor, that she bred him as her own,
And look’d upon him with a mother’s mind.
65Him Meges overtaking as he fled

Slew with his strong sharp-pointed spear, which lighting
Behind upon the noddle of his head,
Forward he fell, the senseless weapon biting.
And then Eurypylus, Euæmon’s son,
70Hypsenor slew, new made Scamander’s priest,

That from him, but not fast enough, did run.
Eurypylus shav’d off his hand at th’ wrist.
For at his shoulder though he aim’d the stroke,
The quick sword finding there the brass resist,
75Slipt down unto his hand with force unbroke,

And there in streams of blood his soul dismiss’d.
Meanwhile Tydides, like a man enraged,
Ran up and down the field. One could not know
With whom and where he was in fight engaged,
80Whether amongst the Greeks, or with the foe.

As when a torrent falling from the hills
Distends itself with fury on the plain,
And suddenly the river overfills,
Supplied by Jove with mighty showers of rain,
85And beareth down the bridges as it goes;

No fence of vineyard can against it stand,
But all the husbandry of men o’erthrows,
And uncontrolled passes o’er their land;
Tydides so brake through each Trojan band,
90And made them fly before him as he went.

And Pandarus then took his bow in hand,
And a sharp arrow from it to him sent,
Which pass’d through the right shoulder of his coat
Of mail, and fetch’d the blood, and with great joy,
95Trojans, cried he, no more stand so remote.

For wounded is the stoutest foe of Troy,
And long he cannot the sore pain endure,
Unless my faith in Phœbus be in vain.
Thus said he boasting. For he thought ’twas sure
100The wound was mortal, and Tydides slain.

Tydides to his char’ot did then retreat,
And Sthenelus alighting on the ground
(For sitting he was on the char’ot-seat)
Drew out the cruel arrow from the wound,
105And out the blood gush’d. Then Tydides pray’d,

O Pallas, Jove’s all-conquering child, said he,
If e’er you did me or my father aid,
Within my spear’s reach let me this man see,
That with his arrow me prevented has,
110And boasting says, I have not long to live.

Athena to his wish indulgent was,
And to him did more strength and courage give.
Fear not, said she, to go into the throng,
And charge i’ th’ thickest of the enemies.
115For I have made thee as thy father strong,

And taken have the mist off from thy eyes,
That thou mayst see who Gods are, who are men.
If any God oppose thee, give him way,
Except if Venus thou encounter; then
120Spare her no more than mortals in the fray.

This said, away the Goddess Pallas went,
And Diomed went to the fight again,
And though before he were upon it bent,
His courage now was trebled by his pain.
125As when a shepherd sees a lion come,

And wounds him slightly as he leaps the pen;
Then leaves his sheep, and frighted runneth home,
And dares not in the field appear again;
The lion now made fiercer than before,
130Lays all the sheep one by another dead,

And back again the pen once more leaps o’er:
So rag’d amongst the Trojans Diomed.
Astynous there, and Hypenor died;
One through the breast he pierced with his spear;
135And th’ other’s head did from his neck divide

With his broad sword. And slain he left them there,
And overtook Abas and Polyeide,
Sons of Eurydamas, who could tell what
Upon a dream should to a man betide,
140And slew them both. No dream had told him that.

Thoon and Xanthus then he followed,
Phænop’s two sons, gotten when he was old,
And of them both the vital blood did shed;
Th’ estate to strangers came to have and hold.
145Then Chromius and Echemon he slew,

Two sons of Priam, in one chariot,
Whom from the seat unto the ground he threw,
And till he had disarm’d them left them not.
But to the ships he sent away the horses.
150Æneas seeing how he disarray’d

Before him as he went the Trojan forces,
Sought Pandarus, and having found him, said,
Lycaon’s son, where are thy shafts and bow,
And skill, wherein the Lycians yield to thee?
155See you the man that rages yonder now?

Aim a shaft at him whosoe’er he be,
For many valiant Trojans he has slain.
(Unless he be one of the Gods above
Neglected by us) ’twill not be in vain.
160Shoot boldly then, but first invoking Jove.

Then Pandarus replying, to him said,
’Tis Diomed as far as can be guess’d.
His horses, and his shield I have survey’d,
And plaited horse-hair hanging at his crest.
165Though it be he, as I believe it is,

Yet sure some God does on his shoulders sit.
For else of killing him how could I miss,
When I his shoulder with my arrow hit?
For I one arrow shot at him before,
170And verily believ’d I had him slain.

His armour all besmeared was with gore,
But slew him not. Now here he is again.
I did not on a char’ot hither come,
Although Lycaon have eleven new,
175With handsome curtains to each one, at home,

And horses fit to draw them not a few.
The old knight too advis’d me earnestly
That when to battle I the Trojans led,
I from a car should charge the enemy;
180But to his counsel I not hearkened.

(Which I repent.) It came into my head
That when within Troy’s walls we should be pent,
My horses, which were us’d to be well fed,
Would there be useless wanting nourishment.
185This made me come without a chariot,

And march, as far as ’twas, to Troy on foot,
And trust unto my bow, which helps me not,
But faileth me as often as I shoot.
For two of them I have already shot,
190Tydides and Atrides, and good store

Of blood have drawn from both, though killed not,
But made them fiercer than they were before.
In an ill hour sure I took down my bow
To fight for Hector and the Trojan men;
195But if I safely to my country go,

And to my house and wife get back again,
Let any man that will cut off my head,
If presently my bow I do not burn,
That never yet my hopes has answered.
200For why not, when it doth not serve my turn?

To Pandarus Æneas then replied:
No, say not so, but first let’s to him go.
For by th’ encounter soon it will be tried
Whether he be indeed a God or no.
205Get up into the seat, and you shall see

The virtue of my horses on the plain,
And if some God with Diomedes be,
How nimbly they will fetch us off again.
Come, take the whip and reins in hand, and I
210Descend will from the chariot and fight.

Or if you please, when to him we are nigh
I’ll hold the whip and reins, and you alight.
No, no, said he, keep you the reins in hand,
The horses us’d thereto will you obey.
215To me, it may be, they will restive stand,

And to the foe themselves and us betray.
Let me alight and meet him with my spear.
This said, they mounted both; and coming on
Towards Tydides, both observed were
220By Sthenelus Copaneus his son,

Who warning to Tydides gave. I see
Two mighty men to fight us coming on,
Of which I know th’ one Pandarus to be,
The other Venus and Anchises’ son.
225Come up into your chariot and retire.

But frowning he replied, I’ll ne’er do that
It not becomes the children of my sire,
When they should fight to double nor to squat.
I loath to sit upon a chariot,
230And as I am I will attend them here.

For of my strength deprived I am not,
And Pallas has forbidden me to fear.
I doubt not but to kill them both, or one.
If both, your reins unto the two wheels tie,
235And to Æneas’ horses quickly run,

And seize their reins, less frighted they should fly.
Then send them to the ships, brave steeds, well bred;
Of heavenly race they are, and got by those,
Which Jove, to make amends for Ganymed,
240Was pleas’d to give unto his father Tros.

Anchises privily convey’d to these,
Six mares, and had a colt by ev’ry one;
Whereof he gave two to his son Æneas.
To take these horses now were bravely done.
245While they were talking, th’other two came nigh,

And then said Pandarus, O Diomed,
Since my swift arrow could not make you die,
I come to try now how my spear will speed.
And as he spake the spear flew from his hand
250And pass’d his shield, but in his armour stayed.

Y’are hit, said he, and long you cannot stand.
But Diomed, nothing at all dismayed,
No, no, cried out, your spear is thrown in vain.
But I believe before we have done here,
255That one of you, if not both, will be slain.

And as he spake he at him threw his spear.
Which at his nose close by his eye went in,
And struck his teeth out, and cut off his tongue,
And out again it pass’d beneath his chin.
260For Pallas from above it downward flung.

There dead he lay. Æneas to defend
His body, to him came with spear and shield,
And ’bout him went, resolv’d the man to send
To hell, that should oppose him in the field.
265Tydides then took up a mighty stone

Which two men scarce could bear such as are now.
But Diomedes swinging it alone,
The same with ease did at Æneas throw,
And hit him on the huckle bone, wherein
270Into the hip inserted is the thigh.

And torn was by the rugged stone the skin,
And tendons broken which the joint did tie.
Then down upon his knees and hands he fell,
And taken from him was his sight with pain.
275That Venus saw him lying thus ’twas well;

Else by Tydides he had there been slain.
For then came Venus down, and with the lap
Of her celestial robe him covered,
Lest any of the Greeks should have the hap
280To kill or wound him as from earth he fled.

But Stheneius rememb’ring well his order,
Tied his own steeds up to his chariot-wheels,
And led them out o’th’ tumult and disorder,
And to Deiphilus that was at’s heels,
285(His friend) he gave the horses of Æneas

To carry them unto the Argive fleet.
But took Tydides’ horses, and with these
To try went if Tydides he could meet.
But he in chase of Venus now was gone
290(Knowing that she a tender Goddess was,

And for the war commission had none,
Nor had as Pallas any shield of brass.)
And had when he came to her wounded her.
For through her robe, though by the Graces made,
295Without resistance quickly pass’d the spear,

And at her wrist did her fair hand invade.
And from the wound out sprang the blood divine,
(Not such as men have in their veins, but ichor.
For Gods that neither eat bread nor drink wine
300Have in their veins another kind of liquor,

And therefore bloodless and immortal be.)
And Venus screaming then lets fall her son,
But by Apollo’s hand preserv’d was he,
Convey’d thence in a mist perceiv’d by none,
305For fear he should be by some Argive slain.

To Venus then Tydides whoop’d, and said,
Away, Jove’s daughter, from the war abstain.
Go practise how to cozen wife or maid,
For I believe if here you longer stay,
310(So many such as these mishaps there are)

That you therein will have but little joy,
And troubled be when men but talk of war.
This said, away she went, not knowing where
She was; and great the pain was of her hand.
315But Iris from the fight conducted her,

And set her hard by Mars upon the sand.
For there by Pallas placed he had been.
His horses and his char’ot by him staid
Hid in a mist, by man not to be seen.
320And Venus there before him kneeling said,

Dear brother, let me your good horses have,
To bear me to Olympus from the fray;
This cruel wound mad Diomed me gave,
And would wound Jove if he came in his way.
325Mars presently his horses to her lent.

Venus and Iris mount into the seat;
Iris the reins held, and away they went;
The time they spent in going was not great.
When they were there, Iris the steeds untied,
330And set them up, and gave unto them meat,

Such as immortal horses use to eat,
Ambrosian meat, till they were satisfied.
But Venus fell into Diones’ lap,
Her mother, who embrac’d her lovingly,
335Strok’d her, and said, how came this sad mishap?

Who used you thus? What a rash God was he?
What more could he have done, if he had found
You doing something openly amiss?
It was a man, said she, gave me this wound,
340Tydides; and for nothing else but this;

I sav’d my son Æneas from his hand,
My dearest son, whom he was going to slay.
And now the war is all (I understand)
’Twixt Greeks and Heaven, not ’twixt Greeks and Troy.
345Daughter (replied Dione then) ’tis hard,

For we the Gods that in Olympus dwell
Many from men as ill as you have far’d,
And many no less wrongs have put up well.
Otus and Ephialtes, Neptune’s sons,
350In a brass dungeon once imprison’d Mars,

And kept him in the dark there thirteen moons.
There like he was t’have stayed till now, for scarce
Could Hermes set him free with all his art
And Juno’s help. And when to liberty
355He was restor’d, he took it in good part,

Though with his chains he gall’d was cruelly.
When Hercules shot Juno in the breast,
Though wounded sore, yet she reveng’d it not.
And Pluto by the same man shot did rest
360Contented, and no reparation got.

But to the house of Jupiter he went,
And got the arrow pluck’d out from the wound
By Pæon; who with gentle plaisters sent
The pain away, and made his shoulder sound.
365But though no God of any wound can die,

Yet of Amphitryon the peevish son
(Who little cares at whom his arrows fly)
Great mischief oft unto the Gods has done.
But Pallas ’tis that thus has wounded you,
370Though with Tydides spear. Fool as he was,

What ’tis to wound a God he never knew.
Not long such wicked deeds unpunish’d pass.
Such men when they return from painful war
Shall seldom set their children on their knee
375Pleas’d with their half-form’d words. Let him beware

Lest he provoke some stronger Deity,
And then Ægilia Diomede’s wife
Awake the household with her lamentation,
And cry, Tydides, thou hast lost thy life,
380O my dear husband, best of all the nation.

This said, she wip’d the ichor from her hand,
And straight her hand was well, the pain was gone.
Then Juno by, and Pallas, jeering stand.
And Pallas thus to Jupiter begun.
385Shall I say what I think? O father Jove,

Venus some Argive dame has courting been
To take the Trojan’s part, whom she doth love,
And stroking her, her hand scratch’d with a pin.
Jove smil’d at this, and then to Venus said,
390Daughter, I gave you no command in war.

That charge on Mars and Pallas I have laid.
Of nuptials and love take you the care.
While they were thus discoursing, Diomed
Did with great speed and rage Æneas follow,
395To gain his armour and his blood to shed,

Knowing he was in th’ hands now of Apollo.
Undaunted then, with shield before his breast,
And sword in hand, struck at Æneas thrice,
And thrice again Phœbus his rage repress’d.
400But at the fourth time gave him good advice.

Retire, said he, Tydides, and beware
You not yourself think equal to the Gods.
They sway the heav’ns, on earth men creeping are.
’Twixt mortals and immortals there’s great odds.
405Tydides then retir’d a little way,

Not knowing what harm might from Phœbus come.
And Phœbus thence Æneas did convey
T’ a temple of his own in Pergamum.
There Leto and Diana cur’d his wound.
410And then an image Phœbus like him made,

And in like arms, and set it on the ground,
For which the foes each other then invade,
And there they one another’s bucklers hew.
To Mars Apollo speaking, why, said he,
415Mars, bloody, murd’ring Mars, why suffer you

Tydides at the battle still to be?
Mad as he is now, he with Jove would fight.
From Venus’ hand he made the blood run down,
And then at me he flew like any sprite.
420This said, he sat o’ th’ top of Pergam town.

And Mars the Trojan bands encouraged,
Taking the shape of valiant Acamas,
Who to the war at Troy the Thracians led.
And as he through the armed ranks did pass,
425Children of Priam what d’ye mean, said he;

Shall the Greeks follow killing us to Troy?
Fall’n is Æneas, the great man whom we
Like Hector honour’d. Come, let’s if we may
This good commander rescue. Thus said he.
430Sarpedon likewise Hector sharpen’d. Where

Are now your kin you said enough would be
Troy to defend? I see none of them here.
Like hounds about a lion off they stand,
We your confederates the fight maintain.
435The labour lieth all upon our hand;

And I myself amongst the rest would fain
Make trial of this mighty man in fight.
At least I shall, as doth a friend become,
My people’s courage all I can excite;
440Since they are here, and very far from home;

And though from me the Greeks can nothing get,
Neither to carry nor to drive away.
But you to th’ Trojans have not spoken yet,
So much as to defend their wives in Troy
445From being taken in the Argives’ net,

And plund’red be the stately town of Troy.
When chiefly you on this your heart should set,
And your confederates persuade to stay,
And not the fault on one another lay.
450So said Sarpedon. Hector therewith stung,

Upon his chariot could no longer stay,
But armed down unto the ground he sprung.
And ’mongst the Trojan ranks and files he goes,
Into their hearts new courage to inspire.
455And then they turn’d their faces to their foes.

Nor did the Argives from their place retire.
And then, as when on Ceres’ sacred floor
The winnowed chaff lies heap’d together white,
So white the troops of Argives were all o’er
460With dust their horses rais’d had in the fight.

And then the Trojans boldly marched on,
And Mars to aid them dark’ned had the field,
As he was bidden by Latona’s son,
When Pallas from the Greeks removed her shield.
465And from the Temple fetch’d Æneas out

Alive and whole, and bold, and made him stand
Amongst the troops, that joyful stood about.
But other work now lying on their hand,
(Made them by Mars and Strife) no time had they
470To ask him questions. But encouraged

The Argives were by th’ Ajaxes to stay,
And by Ulysses and by Diomed.
For of the Trojans they were not afraid.
But as a cloud that resteth on a hill,
475Which in calm weather there by Jove is laid,

Till boisterous winds arise it resteth still.
Then up and down went Agamemnon there,
My friends, said he, be bold, and fight like men,
Of one another’s censure stand in fear.
480Of them that do so, fewer perish than

Of those that fly and never think upon
The loss of fame. This said, he threw his spear
And smote Æneas’ friend Democoon,
Who was unto the Trojans no less dear
485Than if he one of Priam’s sons had been.

For with the foremost he was still in fight.
And at his buckler went the weapon in,
And through both that and belt it passed quite.
And mortal in his belly was the wound,
490And with his armour rat’ling down he fell.

Æneas then two Greeks laid on the ground,
The sons of Diocles, descended well.
For of th’ immortal and fair stream Alpheus,
Orsilochus a great king was the son.
495And he the father was of Diocles,

And he Orsilochus got and Crethon;
Brave men, who when they came to man’s estate
With Atreus’ son his honour to regain,
To Ilium sail’d, and there they met their fate,
500And never to their country came again.

As when two lions in the mountains bred
And woods obscure, come down into the plain,
And sheep and cattle in the field leave dead,
Until at last by hunters they are slain;
505So fell these two men by Æneas kill’d,

And like two fir trees straight laid on the sand.
And Menelaus then with fury fill’d,
With helmet on his head, and spear in hand,
Advanced boldly to Anchises’ son,
510In hope to have deprived him of breath.

And Mars himself it was that set him on
To bring him by Æneas’ hand to death.
Antilochus then, Nestor’s valiant son,
Fearing lest Menelaus should be slain,
515Resolv’d he should not fight with him alone,

And all their toil at Ilium make vain.
Went after him, and overtook him as
They ready were to fight, but nothing done.
Æneas then, as valiant as he was,
520Retir’d, eschewing th’ odds of two to one.

And when they had brought off the bodies slain,
And left them in their fellow-soldiers’ hands,
Unto the skirmish they returned again,
And slew the Prince of Paphlagonians
525Pylæmines. Atrides threw the spear

Which near the shoulder pass’d into his neck.
By Nestor’s son slain was his charioteer,
Mydon by name that did his horses check,
As he his char’ot turning was to fly,
530Antilochus him wounded with a stone

On th’ elbow, and benumb’d his hand, whereby
The sense he had to hold the reins was gone.
The reins fell down, and then with sword in hand
Antilochus divides his head in twain,
535And headlong fell he where it chanc’d the sand

Was very deep, and there he did remain
With head and shoulders sticking in the sands.
But upright in the air were both his hips.
The horses laid him flat. Which by the hands
540Of Nestor’s son convey’d were to the ships.

Hector saw this, and in came with great cry,
Whom bands of lusty Trojans followed,
Mars and Bellona marching furiously
Against the Argives to the fight them led.
545Bellona brought in tumult and affright.

And Mars a mighty spear had in his hand.
And sometimes after Hector went i’ th’ fight,
Sometimes before, and oft did by him stand.
Tydides when he saw him was afraid,
550As when a man in haste has lost his way,

And running on is at some river stayed,
That’s deep and swift, he runs as fast away;
So he retir’d. And to his Argives said,
No wonder ’tis if Hector valiant be;
555One God or other always gives him aid,

And near him stands from death to set him free.
Now Mars comes with him, like a mortal wight.
Retire. But turn your faces to the foe,
Forbearing still against the Gods to fight.
560This said he, but the Trojans near were now.

And Hector there had slain two men that sat
Together, Mnestheus and Anchialus,
Both warriors good. But Ajax griev’d thereat,
(The greater Ajax, Telamonius)
565Darted his heavy spear at Amphius.

Rich was he both in lands and goods, and dwelt
At Pæsus: and fought here for Priamus.
But by the spear which pass’d quite through his belt
Upon his belly took a mortal wound.
570And as he fell, Ajax ran fiercely in

To strip him of his armour on the ground,
And stript him had, had he not hindered been.
For from the Trojans came a shower of spears,
Whereof his shield received not a few.
575Then to be hemm’d in by the foe he fears.

His own spear he recover’d and withdrew.
Whilst they in stubborn war thus toiling were,
Unlucky fate Tlepolemus brought on
To charge Sarpedon; and when they were near
580Together come, Jove’s grandson and his son,

Tlepolemus said then, what need had you,
Unskilful in the war, to tremble here?
Jove’s son men say you are, but ’tis not true.
No such weak men by Jove begotten were;
585But such as Hercules is said t’have been,

Courageous as a lion; with few men
In but six ships, this strong town he did win,
And rifled it, and safe went off again.
But you are weak, your men a great part dead,
590And can but little help afford to Troy,

And though from Lycia you were strengthened,
I mean to send you now another way.
To this Sarpedon answered, ’Tis true
That Hercules sack’d Troy, because the steeds
595Laomedon kept back that were his due,

And gave him evil language for good deeds.
But you from me shall present death receive,
For which I shall have honour truly paid,
And you your soul shall now to Pluto leave.
600And this Sarpedon had no sooner said,

Than from their hands the spears together started.
Tlepolemus clean through the neck was struck,
And from him presently his life departed.
But from Sarpedon Jove kept such ill luck;
605Yet on his left thigh he receiv’d a wound:

For through it went the spear close by the bone.
Sarpedon, by his friends borne off the ground,
Was plac’d apart where battle there was none,
Tormented with the spear still in his thigh.
610To pull it out they all had quite forgot.

In so great haste they were, the foe so nigh,
The time so little, and the fight so hot.
Meanwhile Tlepolemus his body dead
The Greeks fetch’d off. The wise Ulysses then
615Within himself a while considered,

Whether to charge Sarpedon or his men.
But since by fate Sarpedon was to die
By other, and not by Ulysses’ hands,
Athena made him lay that purpose by,
620And turn his anger on the Lycians.

Alastor then he slew, and Cœramus,
Alcander, Prytanis, and Noemon.
And Halius he slew, and Chromius,
And many Lycians more had overthrown,
625But mighty Hector now approached near

In glittering arms, and brought with him affright.
But glad Sarpedon was to see him there;
And when he was come up unto him quite,
Himself lamenting, thus to Hector said,
630Leave me not, Hector, to the Greeks a prey,

But let my body in your ground be laid,
Since I my country must no more enjoy,
Nor my beloved wife and tender son.
So said Sarpedon. Hector not replies,
635But to the enemy he passeth on;

And as he goes the ground with blood he dies.
Under a beech, sacred to Jupiter
Sarpedon placed was upon the ground,
And gently Pelagon pull’d out the spear;
640The pain hereof put him into a swound.

Lost was his sight; but by a gentle wind
And cool, that from the north upon him blew,
He soon recover’d both his sight and mind,
And all the company about him knew.
645To Mars and Hector still the Greeks gave way

And still their faces to the Trojans were,
But for to charge none durst advance or stay.
For Diomed had told them Mars was there.
Now tell me, Muse, who slain by Hector was?
650Trechus, Orestes, Teuthras, Helenus,

(Whose father Œnops was) and Œnonaus;
And last of all wealthy Oresbius.
In Hyla on Cephisses lake he dwelt,
The richest pasture of Bœotia,
655And known was by the gayness of his belt.

This slaughter of the Greeks when Juno saw,
She then to Pallas spake. Pallas, said she,
If we let Mars still play the madman here,
Our word to Menelaus false will be,
660That he from Troy return should conqueror.

Let’s courage take, and try what we can do.
Pallas contented, ’twas agreed upon.
And Juno ready made herself to go,
And quickly the coachwheels Hebe sets on.
665Eight spokes each wheel had, and were all of brass,

And fixed round about at th’ axle-tree.
The axle-tree itself of iron was,
The circle gold, and wonderful to see.
But arm’d it was above with plates of brass.
670The naves on both sides were of silver white,

With gold and silver wire extended was
The seat, which had two silver rings and bright,
In which the beam of silver fast’ned stayed;
At the other end th’ golden yoke she tied,
675And on the yoke the golden reins she laid.

And Juno then no longer could abide,
But to the coach herself the horses brought,
From quarrels so impatiently she stayed.
Pallas threw off her robe, and took Jove’s coat,
680And with the same she there herself array’d.

And then her breast with armour covered,
And on her shoulder hung her frightful shield,
Wherein Strife, Force, Flight, Chase, were figured,
With all the horror of a foughten field;
685And in the middle stood out Gorgoe’s head.

Then put she on her golden helmet, that
Ten thousand men’s heads might have covered,
And to the chariot up she went, and sat,
And her great heavy spear takes in her hands
690The spear wherewith, when she displeased is,

She scatters of proud kings the armed bands.
Then Juno with the whip was not remiss,
And of itself flew open heaven-gate,
Though to the Seasons, Jove the power gave
695Alone to judge of early and of late.

And out the Goddesses their horses drave.
Jove on the highest of Olympus tops,
Sitting alone they found, and none him nigh.
The Goddess Juno there her horses stops,
700And spake unto him thus, his mind to try:

Pray tell me, Jove, if you contented be,
That Mars thus raging in the field remain;
For what unseemly work he makes, you see,
And of brave Greeks how many he has slain,
705While Venus at my grief stands laughing by,

And pleased is Apollo with the sight,
And set him on. But I could make him fly
(But that I fear your anger) from the fight.
Do’t then, said Jove; not you, but Pallas; she
710Accustom’d is to vex him more than you.

Juno took this commission willingly.
Feeling the whip, away her horses flew,
’Twixt heaven and earth, and went at every strain
As far as coming one can see a ship,
715That from a hill looketh upon the main,

So far the horses of the Gods can skip.
Arriv’d at Troy, on ground they set their feet,
And Juno there her heavenly steeds untied,
Where Simois doth with Scamander meet.
720And with ambrosia, Simois them supplied.

Then swift as doves, to give the Argives aid,
They went to where they saw the greatest throng.
There was Tydides, and about him stayed
Many as lions valiant and strong.
725And Juno there in shape of Stentor stood,

And spake as loud as any fifty men.
Argives, said she, cowards, for nothing good,
Although you make a goodly show. For when
Achilles went before you to the fight,
730Out at their gates the Trojans durst not peep,

So much they of his spear abhorr’d the sight,
But from your ships you scarce now can them keep.
When Juno thus the Greeks encouraged,
To Diomed went Pallas; whom she found
735Hard by his horses sitting, wearied.

And cooling in the open air the wound
Given by Pandarus; which with the sweat
Under his belt afflicted him the more;
And lifting up his belt some ease to get,
740He from the wound was wiping off the gore.

As at the yoke Athena leaning stood,
Like him, said she, your father left no son;
A little man was he, but warrior good.
Though I not bade him, he went boldly on.
745And when to Thebes alone I bade him go

Ambassador, and with the Theban lords
To sit at feast, and not provoke the foe,
And at their table to forbear harsh words,
Yet he his native courage still retained,
750And them defied at manly exercises,

And from them all the victory he gained,
And won, by my assistance, all the prizes.
But when I you, as I did him, defend,
And bid you boldly with the Trojans fight,
755You are afraid, or weariness pretend.

Of Tydeus sure the son you are not right.
Tydides to her then replying said,
Daughter of Jove, Pallas I know you are,
’Tis not that I am weary or afraid,
760That I stand here abstaining from the war,

But in obedience to your own command,
Who gave me leave, if Venus in the wars
I met, to wound her; but not lift my hand
’Gainst other Gods. Now in the field is Mars,
765And domineering fights on Hector’s side;

And that’s the cause why I from fight abstain,
And others by my counsel here abide.
To this the Goddess then replied again,
Nor Mars nor any of th’ Immortals spare,
770That shall advance against you in the field.

And for your safety trust unto my care,
And know you are protected by my shield.
But first to Mars drive up your horses close,
And strike the blockhead with your spear in hand,
775That fights sometimes for these, sometimes for those,

And with the Trojans now you see him stand,
And yet to help the Greeks he promis’d me
And Juno, but a little while before,
And now amongst the Trojans fighteth he,
780And thinks upon his promises no more.

This said, they mount into the chariot,
And Sthenelus descending left his seat.
The axle-tree groaned under them. Why not?
A great man he, she was a Goddess great.
785And then to Mars directly they drive on,

Who had but newly slain great Periphas,
Of old Ochesius the valiant son,
And far the best of all th’ Ætolians was.
Athena then puts Pluto’s helmet on,
790Lest she by Mars should be discovered.

When Mars there saw Tydides all alone,
He Periphas forsook, who there lay dead;
And turn’d to meet Tydides on the way;
And when to one another they were near,
795Mars making full account the man to slay,

Over the yoke thrusts at him with his spear.
But Pallas with her hand the point suppress’d,
And made it light beneath the seat in vain.
Tydides then to Mars a spear address’d,
800Which had he been a mortal had him slain;

For Pallas in his belly stuck the spear,
And presently the same pluck’d out again.
Mars roar’d as loud as if in battle there
Fighting had been nine or ten thousand men,
805And frighted both the armies with the noise.

Then like a black cloud which some wind makes rise,
He left th’ unlucky field and went his ways,
And in a little time was in the skies.
And sitting down hard by his father’s throne,
810Shew’d him the blood that from the wound did flow,

And grievously lamenting made his moan.
Father, said he, do you such work allow?
That we the Gods such harm from mortals take,
While some for Trojans, some for Argives fight,
815And partial be for one another’s sake,

The fault is to be laid on you by right.
For you brought forth this mad, pernicious maid,
Whose study is her malice to effect,
When by us other Gods you are obey’d;
820And this you saw, but never would correct.

’Twas she that on the Gods set Diomed,
Who wounded Venus first, then flew at me.
And there in pain I lain had ’mongst the dead,
Or crippled been, had not my feet been free.
825Uncertain Mars, then Jupiter replied,

Of all the Gods most hateful to my sight,
That quarrel lov’st to make, but not decide;
Thou hast thy mother Juno’s nature right,
That oft provokes me with her peevish tongue,
830And by her order, I think, this was done.

But in this pain I’ll not detain you long,
Seeing you are as well mine as her son.
But had another got you, you had sure
To Pluto and th’ infernal Gods been sent.
835This said, to Pæon he commits his cure;

And Pæon presently about it went.
As quickly as the milk is turn’d to curd,
When with a proper rennet it is mix’d,
And with a housewife’s hand together stirr’d,
840So quickly was the wide wound clos’d and fix’d.

Then bath’d he was by Hebe, and new clad;
And that he so came off was well content.
Juno and Pallas when they driven had
Mars from th’ battle, up t’ Olympus went.

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LIB. V. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. V.