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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. XXIII.

Thus wail’d the Trojans then in Ilium.
To Hellespont th’ Achæans straight went down;
And when they to their hollow ships were come,
Dispers’d themselves each man unto his own,
The funeral games for Patroclus.
5Achilles only staid his Myrmidons

Upon the place; and thus unto them spake.
You Myrmidons, my stout companions,
You must not from your cars your horses take,
With horses and with cars we first must go,
10And for Patroclus weep about his bier.

And when we have by weeping eas’d our woe,
Untie your horses and we’ll all sup here.
This said, they wail’d. Achilles first began;
And thrice about Patroclus’ bier they drave.
15And Thetis, fallen was so great a man,

Amongst them stood, and tears unto them gave,
Which down their armour fell into the sand.
Achilles bade him then with tears, farewell.
And laying on Patroclus’ breast his hand,
20Rejoice, said he, Patroclus, though in hell;

For now I to you shall my word make good,
Since hither I have Hector dragged dead
For dogs to eat. And to revenge your blood,
Twelve Trojans I will at your pile behead.
25This said, he Hector laid upon his face

I’ th’ dust before the bier disgracefully.
The Myrmidons meanwhile their arms unlace,
And th’ horses from the chariots untie.
And then down by Achilles’ ship they sat,
30Who gave unto them all a fun’ral feast,

And for them slew both goats and muttons fat,
And swine good store, and many a well-fed beast.
But to Achilles then came in the lords,
To wait upon him t’ Agamemnon’s tent,
35That he might try with comfortable words

If he could mitigate his discontent.
When they were there Atrides first commands
His ministers to bring in water hot,
To wash the gore from off his face and hands.
40Achilles peremptorily said, Not,

And swearing, unto Agamemnon said,
By Jove, that is of all the Gods most high,
Till I Patroclus in the fire have laid,
And rais’d him have a tomb wherein to lie,
45And with him burn’d these locks of mine, nor hand,

Nor face shall washed be by me. But now
Let’s sup. I’ th’ morning I will give command
That for his pile we may have wood enough,
That speedily the body we may burn.
50And when out of our sight we have it laid,

The people to their business may return.
Thus he advised, and it was obey’d.
The people then in haste to supper went,
And had good cheer, and heartily they fed.
55And when their hunger and their thirst was spent,

Into their tents went every man to bed.
Down went Achilles to the water’s side
Attended on by many Myrmidons,
And in a place clean washed by the tide
60He laid him down to sleep upon the stones.

Nor was it long ere sleep upon him crept.
For labour’d very hard he had that day.
For Hector him in exercise had kept
Running before him round the wall of Troy.
65And then the spirit of Patroclus dead,

Like him in stature, garments, voice, and eyes,
Appeared to him standing at his head,
And speaking said unto him in this wise.
You sleep, Achilles, and have me forgot,
70Though when I was alive you lov’d me well.

Pray bury me, these spirits here will not
Let me come in within the gates of hell,
Nor let me mix with those beyond the river,
But make me wander ’bout the house of Dis.
75Give me your hand upon’t, for I shall never

Return, when once my body burned is.
We shall no more together counsel take,
Since by my fate I taken am away,
And you yourself, divine Achilles, make
80Account to die before the walls of Troy.

And then the favour let me have, I pray,
That when my flesh consum’d is in the flame,
My bones with yours you will be pleas’d to lay,
And let the urn that holds them be the same;
85That golden urn which Thetis gave to you.

We long with one another lived have.
For when Amphidamus his son I slew,
Unto your house I fled my life to save,
From Opus, being little past a boy,
90And childishly the quarrel took at chess;

And never meant him ill before that day,
And sorry was I for my foolishness.
Your father to his house then took me in,
Made me your man, and lov’d and cherish’d me,
95And since so long we have together been,

Why should not now our bones together be?
Achilles to the shadow then replied,
Sweet friend, what need had you to come from hell
To tell me this? I for you do provide,
100That all you say may be performed well.

Come nearer to me, that embrace we may
A little while, and one another moan.
This said, his arms he spreads; and then away
Patroclus sunk and left him there alone.
105At this amazed, up Achilles starts.

Oh, oh, said he, I see ’tis certain then,
In hell there souls are, though they have no hearts,
But idols only are, and forms of men.
For by me standing was the soul all night
110Of my Patroclus to me dictating,

And wonderfully like him ’twas t’ the sight;
And what he wanted told me ev’ry thing.
This said, again about the body dead
Achilles and the Myrmidons lament,
115And so continued till the day was spread;

But to the wood then Agamemnon sent
From ev’ry part of th’ army men to Ide,
Whereof some axes carried in their hands,
And others ropes. And with them goes for guide
120Meriones, and, as their chief, commands.

O’er hills and dales then to the woods they went,
Driving their mules before them all the way;
And lusty oaks unto the ground they sent,
And cleft them into pieces as they lay.
125And those unto the mules with ropes they tied,

And every one of them took in his hand,
Either a heavy bough, or limb beside.
For so Meriones had given command.
This done, they back descended to the plain
130Fast as they could, through bri’rs and bushes store;

And quickly at the ships they were again,
And laid their wood in order on the shore.
Then to the Myrmidons Achilles spake,
You Myrmidons, put on your arms, said he,
135And, horsemen, all your char’ots ready make,

And mount into your seats and follow me.
When they were ready, foremost went the horse,
And by a cloud of foot were followed.
I’ th’ midst between them carried was the corse
140With locks of hair thrown on him covered,

Which the sad mourners from their heads had shorn.
Achilles went himself next to the bier,
Who for his friend did principally mourn.
When at the place of funeral they were,
145Upon the ground they layed down the bier,

And quickly in a pile they heap’d the wood.
Then cuts Achilles off his yellow hair,
And from the body at a distance stay’d,
And towards Greece and Phthia turn’d his eye,
150And speaking to Spercheius’ river said.

My father to you made a vow, when I
Return’d, this hair should unto you be paid,
And to the other Gods a hecatomb,
And fifty fat rams at your spring to slay.
155Thus vowed he. But I shall ne’er come home,

But here must die before the gates of Troy.
Since then my father’s wish you not fulfil,
Nor I return into my native land,
My hair now to Patroclus give I will.
160And at that word he puts it in his hand.

At this the Greeks a-weeping fell again,
And wept had till the setting of the sun,
But that Achilles spake t’ Atrides then,
And pray’d him that the people might be gone.
165King Agamemnon, will the Greeks, said he,

Be never with lamenting satisfied?
’Tis in your pow’r; let them dispersed be
Unto their ships, their suppers to provide,
For we will of the fun’ral take a care.
170But let the leaders of the army stay,

And such as specially concerned are.
This said, Atrides sent the rest away.
And then the wood into a pile they laid.
A hundred foot it was from side to side;
175And on the top the corpse. Then kill’d and flay’d

Both sheep and beeves, and with their fat they hide
Patroclus’ body dead from head to foot.
And by it laid the cattle flay’d to burn.
To the bier Achilles went and laid into ’t
180Of honey one, of oil another urn.

And of Patroclus’ horses four he slew;
And of nine little dogs he kept, kill’d two.
And those into the fun’ral pile he threw;
And last of all, twelve Trojans adds thereto.
185This done, again he to Patroclus said,

My dear Patroclus, once again, farewell.
Twelve lusty Trojans on your pile are laid.
I’m faithful to you, though you be in hell,
But Hector for the dogs shall be a prey.
190But Venus ’nointed him with oil of rose,

And so preserved him both night and day,
That not a dog did on him lay his nose.
Then Phœbus sent from heav’n a cloud obscure,
The place whereon his body lay to hide,
195To th’ end it might the scorching sun endure,

And not be shrivell’d up, nor shrunk, nor dried.
And then Achilles a new bus’ness finds;
He could not set on flame the new-fell’d wood,
But forc’d he was to pray to the two Winds,
200Zephyr and Boreas. Then off he stood,

And to them offer’d with a cup in’s hand,
And to them vowed a good sacrifice,
If they from sea would come, and by him stand,
And blow the fire until the flame did rise.
205This Iris hearing, went unto the Winds,

To tell them how Achilles to them pray’d,
And at good cheer in Zephyr’s house them finds,
And fain they would her with them there have staid,
And made her sit; but she refused that.
210The Gods, said she, feast at a hecatomb

In Blackmoor-land, and I must be thereat,
And must make haste, or thither cannot come.
To Zephyr now and Boreas I came,
To tell them that a plenteous sacrifice
215Achilles make them will, if on a flame

They’ll set the pile whereon Patroclus lies.
This said, she parts. The Winds arise and roar,
And toss the clouds before them in the sky,
And at their feet tumble the waves ashore,
220And then upon Patroclus’ pile they fly,

And fiercely blow. Inflamed was the pile,
And whistling at it staid the Winds all night,
Achilles standing by it all the while,
Invoking solemnly Patroclus’ spright;
225And th’ earth with wine by cupfuls watered.

As one that mourneth for his eldest son,
That then dies, when he should be married;
So did he for Patroclus sigh and groan.
When in the sky the day-star did appear
230To shew that after him Aurora came,

The pile and bodies dead consumed were
To ashes, and extinguish’d was the flame;
Away the Winds went o’er the seas of Thrace,
And passing, shook the waters of the deep.
235Achilles went a little from the place,

And weary, laid him down and fell asleep.
And now ’twas day, the soldiers came again.
Then with their trampling did Achilles wake,
And up he stood and look’d about. And then
240He to Atrides turn’d his eyes and spake:

Atrides, let us first with wine, said he,
Put out the fire as far as it is spread,
That taken up Patroclus’ bones may be
(For where they lie ’tis soon discovered;
245Since in the midst we did his body lay,

But others, horse and men, at the outside lie)
That in a bason of pure gold they may
Reserved be until I also die.
And though no great tomb here I have design’d,
250Yet may the Greeks that stay when I am gone,

When they think good, if they will be so kind,
And see cause for it, make a greater one.
This said, the fire they first extinguished;
Then down unto the ground the ashes came,
255And up Patroclus’ bones they gathered,

And in a golden pan they laid the same;
And back into the ships they carried that,
To be reserved in Achilles’ tent,
Wrapp’d up within a double kell of fat.
260And then about the pile to work they went,

And where the pile was, that they made their ground,
And earth abundance on the same they lay,
Till it became a mighty hill and round.
When they had done, Achilles made them stay
265And sit o’ th’ ground, to see the games which he

Prepared had, the funeral to grace.
Then many prizes rich he caus’d to be
Brought from his ship and laid upon the place,
Brass cauldrons, tripods, and great iron bars,
270Horses and mules, and cattle of great size,

And goodly women taken in the wars.
First for the horse; he tells each one his prize.
To th’ first a woman that could spin and weave,
Together with a tripod deep and wide.
275The next a mare of six years should receive,

Together with her young mule by her side.
A handsome kettle to the third he gave,
Which never on the fire had yet been set.
Of gold two talents was the fourth to have;
280The fifth a cup and cover was to get.

Then to them spake. These prizes here, said he,
Lie waiting for the horsemen on the plain,
If any horsemen in the host there be,
That with their char’ots hope the same to gain,
285Come in. Had any else these games set forth,

The greatest of these prizes had been mine;
For of my horses you well know the worth,
And that they are immortal and divine,
Which Neptune gave to Peleus, he to me.
290But I’ll sit out; my horses shall stay here,

Hanging their heads as they do heavily,
Since they have lost their gentle char’oteer.
Let any other of the Argives, who
Is of his horses confident, come in,
295And presently prepare himself thereto,

And try which of the prizes he can win.
This said, the horsemen straight themselves present.
Eumelus first, Adrestus’ noble son,
That was for horsemanship most eminent.
300Then Diomed with th’ horses which he won

From Venus’ son, when by her sav’d he was.
Then sitting on his chariot came forth
King Agamemnon’s brother Menelaus,
And at it horses two were of great worth.
305The one of them, Podargus, was his own,

The other, Æthe, very swift she was,
A female, and for Agamemnon’s known,
To whom, when he to Ilium was to pass,
She given was by Echepolus, who
310T’ excuse himself of following him to Troy

(For very rich he was, and loath to go)
And with his leave in Siryon to stay.
The fourth, with horses of the Pylian brood,
Was Nestor’s gallant son, Antilochus.
315His father, careful of him, by him stood

Instructing him, and said unto him thus:
Antilochus, you have been taught so well
By Jove and Neptune, young man as you are,
The rules of horsemanship, I need not tell
320You of the art, but pray you to take care;

Though you know how about the goal to wind,
Their horses somewhat are than yours more swift.
I fear you will in that some damage find;
But none of them know better how to shift.
325’Tis care, not strength, makes a good carpenter,

And ships at sea are governed by care;
Force in foul weather little helps to steer;
Best char’oteers are they that best beware.
A man that on his horses’ speed relies,
330May from the high-way sometimes drive aside,

But not come in again. But he that’s wise,
Will always tow’rds the goal directly guide,
And have an eye on him that goes before.
The goal I’ll tell you (lest you know it not)
335A staff is, of a fathom high or more,

Of oak or pine, that is not apt to rot,
Standing between two great white stones upright,
And for a monument set up was there
In ancient time, of some deceased wight,
340Or formerly there had a race been there,

And to that purpose served now again.
Be sure you drive your horses to it close,
And leaning, press a little th’ inner rein,
And let the farther horse’s rein go loose.
345But let the near horse to it go as near

As can be, so the stones you still avoid;
You’ll wound your horses else, and char’ot tear,
And be asham’d whilst others will be joy’d.
If at the staff you once but get the start,
350In coming back before you shall be none,

How good soe’er their horses be or art,
Though they the steeds were of Laomedon,
Or like Arion all their horses were,
Adrestus’ horse of the celestial race.
355Thus Nestor his good son instructed there,

And having done, returned to his place.
The fifth and last came in Meriones.
Then up into their seats they mounted all;
And then by lots determin’d which of these
360Should start the first. T’ Antilochus did fall

To start the first. The next t’ Eumelus came.
The third lot fell t’ Atrides Menelaus.
The fourth had on’t Meriones his name.
The best, and last to start Tydides was.
365Then all a-row they stood. Achilles by,

Showed them the goal far off upon the plain;
And all at once hold up their whips on high,
And beat their horses each one with his rein;
And loud upon them call’d to make them run.
370Old Phœnix at the staff was set to stay

And be a witness of what there was done,
And see there were amongst them no foul play.
And swiftly from the ships they part away,
In clouds of dust up to their breasts they fly,
375And to the wind their spreading manes display;

Their cars sometimes are in the air a-high,
And sometimes on the ground. The char’oteers
Sit for all that still fast upon their seats,
And ev’ry one aloud his horses cheers,
380While in his breast his heart with longing beats.

But when about the goal they turned were,
And coming back again unto the shore,
Then ’twas their virtue chiefly did appear,
And faster went their horses than before.
385And now Eumelus’ horses foremost were,

And Diomed behind him was not far
With his male Trojan horses, but so near,
As if they would have gone into his car.
So near they were their heads did on it lie,
390And made Eumelus’ back and shoulders hot

With breathing on them; and the victory
Had got, or doubtful made at least, had not
Apollo been to Diomed unkind,
And from his hand struck out his shining whip.
395Tydides then again was left behind,

And wept to see Eumelus him outstrip.
When Pallas saw what wrong was to him done,
She puts the whip into his hand again,
And angry goes unto Admetus’ son,
400And of his horses breaks the yoke in twain.

On one side of the way then went one mare,
And on the other side the other goes.
Down fell the pole, and with it he; and tare
His elbows and his eye-brows, mouth, and nose.
405Tydides in the meantime passed by,

And got before them all a mighty length.
For Pallas to him meant the victory,
And gave unto his horses greater strength.
Behind Tydides next was Menelaus,
410And next to him Antilochus; and he

Aloud unto his horses calling was.
Now let’s, said he, your utmost virtue see.
With Diomed you are not bid contend,
Whom victor now Athena means to make,
415And strengthened hath his horses to that end;

But only Menelaus t’ overtake.
Were ’t not a shame that Æthe, but a mare,
Should leave you two such lusty steeds behind?
But if you now seek how yourselves to spare,
420I tell you this, and true you will it find,

You shall be slain. Therefore use all your speed,
And when you come into a narrow place,
Leave it to me to do what I see need.
This said, the horses fearing mend their pace,
425And now were close at Menelaus’ heels.

Then near unto a hollow way they came;
And lest they break should one another’s wheels,
Atrides turn’d aside into the same.
The other after him a little wide
430The same way took. Atrides then afraid

That he would enter with him side by side,
Unto Antilochus cried out and said,
Antilochus, you drive too carelessly,
The way’s too narrow. Pray a little stay
435Your horses; broader ’twill be by and by,

Lest both our cars lie broken on the way.
Antilochus then whipp’d his horses on
So much the faster, seeming not to hear.
And when they were a little further gone,
440Atrides held his horses in, for fear

Their cars should clashing overturned be,
And with them they be thrown into the dust,
And to him spake, reviling: Go, said he,
Of all the men I know the most unjust,
445And not so wise as th’ Argives thought you were.

But yet the prize you shall not so obtain,
But for it first you shall be put to swear.
And then his horses he drave on again,
And to encourage them unto them said,
450His horses cannot keep before you long;

They old are both; strain hard. Be not dismay’d,
For both of you brave horses are, and young.
This said, at highest speed again they fly,
And to Antilochus came up again.
455The Argives on the race now sat to spy

Who foremost coming was upon the plain.
Idomeneus sat in a place more high
Without the race, and heard a char’oteer,
Whose voice he knew, unto his horses cry,
460And presently two horses did appear.

Of one of them the colour was bright bay,
But on his forehead had a spot of white,
And, as the moon at full, round ev’ry way,
And from afar conspicuous and bright.
465Then to the Greeks he said, Is there no more

That see these horses coming back but I?
They are not those that foremost were before;
And ’tis another char’oteer I spy.
Eumelus some mischance has had I fear;
470And yet about the goal he turned well,

But now I cannot see him any where.
Perhaps out of his hands their bridles fell;
No longer would the horses then obey,
But thrown him somewhere have o’ th’ field, or borne
475Him in their fit by violence away,

And have his char’ot overturn’d, or torn.
Stand on your feet yourselves, and mark him well,
Whether or no it Diomedes be,
The son of Tydeus, for I cannot tell;
480He like him is, and I believe ’tis he.

The lesser Ajax then, Oileus’ son,
With evil words t’ Idomeneus replied,
The mares upon the field are coming on,
But you must talk, though from the purpose wide.
485Your eyes are now grown old, and less can see,

And yet to talk you love so much the more,
Though at discerning many better be;
Eumelus, as at first, is still before.
Ajax, said he, of all the Greeks the worst,
490Except at railing, let’s a wager lay,

A tripod, or a cauldron, who comes first;
Atrides judge, that you may know and pay.
And Ajax then about was to reply;
Nor had the quarrel ’twixt them there been staid,
495But that Achilles, who was sitting by,

Rose from his seat, and coming to them said,
Idomeneus and Ajax, ’tis a shame
For you in evil language to contend,
That others when they do so ought to blame.
500Sit down, and but a little while attend,

They’ll soon be here. They strive for victory,
And driving are as fast as e’er they can;
Discerned then it will be easily
Which is the foremost, which the hindmost man.
505This said, they saw Tydides very near,

Plying his whip; his horses seem’d to fly,
And cover’d was with dust the char’oteer,
And hard it was the track o’ th’ wheels to spy.
Then coming in, before the lords he stopp’d,
510And to the ground leapt from his chariot;

With sweat his horses’ breasts and shoulders dropp’d.
Then Stenelus the prize neglected not,
But nimbly from his place he to it skips,
And by his friends there standing by his side
515Sent th’ woman and the tripod to the ships;

And having done, the horses he untied.
Antilochus next to Tydides was,
That not by virtue of his steeds, but sleight,
Advantage gotten had of Menelaus,
520When for them both he found the way too streight.

But Menelaus to him was so near,
As is a char’ot-horse unto the wheel,
Which of his tail doth sometimes touch the hair,
And makes the horse to run that does it feel.
525So near unto him was Atrides then,

That was behind once a quoit’s cast or more.
But quickly to him he came up again,
For Æthe now ran faster than before,
And had they but a little longer run,
530Atrides by Antilochus had pass’d,

And without doubt the second prize had won.
Meriones behind was a spear’s cast;
Slow steeds he had, and but small skill in courses.
Eumelus, whom Athena overthrew,
535Came hindmost, and before him drave his horses,

And with his hands behind, his char’ot drew.
Achilles mov’d with pity was at this,
And spake unto the Argives in this wise:
Although he come the last, the best he is;
540’Tis fit he have at least the second prize,

But Diomed the first, that has it won.
And just it seemed in the Argives’ sight,
And from Antilochus the prize had gone,
Had he not pleaded for it as his right.
545Antilochus then to Achilles spake:

Though well, said he, in pity you incline
T’ Eumelus, yet my prize he must not take;
I won it have, and ’tis not yours, but mine.
His horses good, and horseman good he is;
550And he and they upon the ground were laid

By some mischance; I’m not concern’d in this,
He should unto th’ immortal Gods have pray’d.
But you, that pity him, and at your tent
Have gold, brass, horses, women, cattle store,
555May out of that, when you think fit, content

Eumelus with the value, or with more;
For whosoever means to have the mare,
Must for her with me fight. Thus pleaded he.
Achilles, that great love unto him bare,
560Was glad, and said, Since you so counsel me,

The breast-plate I will to him give of brass,
That hemm’d is all about with shining tin,
With which Asteropæus armed was.
Automedon, into my tent go in,
565And quickly to me bring the breast-plate forth.

And then Automedon no longer stands,
But fetches out the armour of great worth,
And puts the same into Eumelus’ hands.
Then up Atrides Menelaus stands,
570And in his hand the crier a sceptre laid,

And silence to be kept i’ th’ court commands.
T’ Antilochus then Menelaus said,
Antilochus, what made you me disgrace,
Justling my horses in the hollow way,
575When there was so much danger in the place

That ’t had been best for both of us to stay?
But you, the princes, hear the cause I pray,
And judge between us both impartially,
Lest any of the Greeks hereafter say
580I did t’ Antilochus an injury,

And from him got the mare by fraud or might;
And that his horses than mine better were;
But come, I now know how myself to right.
Come, lay your hand upon the reins, and swear
585By Neptune, that you did not willingly

And with prepensed malice cross my car.
To this Antilochus did then reply:
O Menelaus, since you elder are,
You know our faults upon the sudden rise,
590And that before-hand young men study not;

Their wits are present, but the old are wise,
To do you injury I never thought.
The mare is yours; and if you please to send
For anything I have, that too I’ll give
595Rather than with an oath the Gods offend,

And out of Menelaus’ favour live.
This said, he put the mare into his hand;
Then Menelaus look’d as fresh and gay
As dew, that on the growing corn doth stand,
600Then when the fields are in their best array,

And to Antilochus replied again:
Antilochus, I angry am no more;
I see you were by youth transported then;
But putting tricks upon your friends give o’er.
605I not so soon forgiven had another;

But you so much have suffer’d for my sake,
Together with your father and your brother,
That I can easy satisfaction take.
And now, to shew I got it not by might,
610Take you the prize, although it be my share.

This said, he took t’ himself the cauldron bright,
And yielding to Antilochus the mare,
Unto Noëmon gave her to set up
(Noëmon was Antilochus his man).
615One prize remain’d, which was the double cup;

Meriones the two gold talents wan.
Achilles rising then to Nestor went,
And unto him the double cup he gave.
This prize, said he, keep for a monument
620Of my Patroclus lying in his grave.

You shall not for it arm your fists with lead,
Nor with young men at cast of spear engage,
Nor shall you on the foot-race need to tread;
Of all such work you are excus’d by age.
625This said, the cup into his hand he laid,

Which joyfully he took, and thus replied:
Sweet son, you nothing but the truth have said.
My strength is past, it cannot be denied;
My hands I scarce can to my shoulders raise,
630And heavily my feet both rise and fall.

Oh, that I were as young as in those days
When I saw Amarynceus’ funeral
Set forth most nobly in Buprasion.
There many prizes were, and many a man;
635But like to me amongst them there was none,

Eperan, Pylian, nor Ætolian.
At fists the prize from Clytomed I won;
And wrestling with Ancæus I him threw,
And Iphiclus, swift as he was, outrun;
640And with the spears I Polydore out-threw,

And at the horse-race only was outstripp’d
By th’ envy of the sons of Actor two;
For sitting on the char’ot they both whipp’d,
And from me won that prize with much ado.
645Such then I was. But now to younger men

That work I leave. Old age I must obey;
But such I was amongst the Argives then.
And now, Achilles, here no longer stay,
Proceed with other games your friend to grace;
650Your gift I take, and great content I find,

In that you shewn have in this public place,
Amongst the Greeks you have me in your mind.
Achilles having heard these praises all
Of Nestor, brought into the place a mule,
655A prize for him that won at fist and ball,

A mule of six years old, and hard to rule.
As for the vanquish’d, he assign’d to him
A lesser prize, which was a silver cup,
That crook’d and wryed was about the brim.
660Achilles then amongst the Greeks stood up.

Atrides, and you Argives all, said he,
Let two men fight for these at fist and ball;
The lusty mule shall for the victor be,
The cup for him that in the fight shall fall.
665This said, Epeius, a huge man stood up,

And that had at this kind of fight great skill,
And seiz’d the mule, and said, As for the cup,
Let any one against me rise that will,
The mule is mine; at this game I am best.
670Is’t not enough that th’ Argives value me

In fight but as a mean man like the rest?
For no man can the best at all things be.
But let him know, whoe’er with me contends,
I’ll break his bones. Which being to him known,
675He may about him ready have his friends,

To take him up when I have knocked him down.
This said, Mecestes’ son, Euryalus,
That won the prize from the Cadmæans all,
At Thebes, upon the death of Œdipus,
680When celebrated was his funeral,

Presents himself. About him, busy was
Tydides, wishing him the victory;
And gave him of strong leather well-wrought lace,
Wherewith the balls unto his wrists to tie.
685The champions up their fists together have,

Which when they met so quick and mingled were,
That which was which a man could not perceive,
But how they rattled at their heads might hear.
Euryalus then chanc’d to look aside,
690At which Epeius such a blow him hit,

Upon the cheek, that he was stupified,
And could no longer stand upon his feet.
As when the sea is curl’d by Zephyrus,
A little fish leaps up and falls again;
695So started at the stroke Euryalus,

And fainted. To him went Epeius, then,
And took him up. His friends that by him stood,
Led him away trailing his feet behind,
His neck aside hanging, and spitting blood;
700And wand’ring out of order was his mind.

Achilles other prizes then brought forth
For wrestlers; and for him that did the best,
A mighty three-foot pot esteemed worth,
By th’ company, twelve oxen at the least,
705And for the vanquished a lesser prize,

A woman that in many works had skill;
And to the Argives speaking, said: Arise,
You that contend for the great tripod will!
Then up rose Ajax, up Ulysses rose,
710And having girt themselves stood on the place,

And presently extend their arms, and close;
And one another with twin’d arms embrace.
As when a carpenter to keep the wind
Out of a house, the timber bows and pleats;
715So were their arms with one another twin’d,

And each of them keeps fast his hold, and sweats,
And squeez’d until their sides were black and blue.
And weary were the Greeks with looking on,
When neither Ajax yet Ulysses threw,
720Nor he the mighty son of Telamon.

And Ajax then unto Ulysses said,
Let’s lift each other; and withal him lifts,
And hop’d upon the ground to have him laid,
But he, then, not forgetful of his shifts,
725Struck with his right foot Ajax on the ham,

So that to turn him Ajax strength did lack.
Then both together to the ground they came,
One on his breast, the other on his back.
And now Ulysses to lift Ajax is.
730And from the ground he heav’d him, but not high,

And in he clapt one knee between both his,
Then both upon the ground again they lie.
Again they rise, and had not so giv’n o’er,
But that Achilles to them goes, and says,
735You both are best; torment yourselves no more,

But equal prizes take, and go your ways,
That other Greeks for other prizes may
Their virtue show. This said, they him obey’d,
And from their bodies wip’d the dust away,
740And with their coats themselves again array’d.

And then Achilles brought new prizes in,—
A silver temp’rer that six gallons held,
And by Sidonian workmen made had been,
And all that e’er they made before excell’d,
745And by Phœnicians into Greece was brought,

And giv’n to Thoas, and from him it came
T’ Eunæus, Jason’s son. Eunæus bought
Lycaon of Patroclus with the same.
This was the prize for him that swiftest ran.
750A great fat ox the second was to take;

And half a talent, gold, the hindmost man.
And then Achilles to the Argives spake.
Arise, said he, that for this prize will run.
Then Ajax rose, son of Oïleus,
755The lesser Ajax. And then Nestor’s son,

The swiftest of the youth, Antilochus.
Arow they stand. Achilles to them shows
The goal about the which they were to run.
Together then they start; and foremost goes
760The nimble-footed Ajax, Oïleus’ son.

But next him, and so near Ulysses is,
As from a woman’s distaff comes the thread,
And on his steps trod ere the dust aris,
And breathed all the way upon his head.
765The Greeks upon him called all the way

To do his best, and wish’d him victory.
Then to Athena did Ulysses pray.
O help me, my good Goddess, now, said he.
And when almost they ended had the race,
770Then chanced Ajax in the dung to fall

Of cattle which had kill’d been on the place,
B’ Achilles for Patroclus’ funeral,
And fill’d with cow-dung was his mouth and nose.
Ulysses on the temp’rer laid his hands.
775And Ajax, spitting dung, again arose,

And with his ox before the Argives stands.
Oh, oh, said he, ’tis Pallas hath done this,
Who, as a careful mother of her child,
Upon Ulysses always waiting is.
780And when he that had said th’ Achæans smil’d.

Antilochus th’ half talent took of gold,
And smil’d, and to the Argives said, You see
The Gods still give most honour to the old;
Ajax in age a little passeth me;
785Again, Ulysses older is than he.

And younger men with these cannot contend
At running of a race, except it be
Achilles: whom he finely did commend.
Achilles, of that commendation glad,
790Unto Antilochus replied again;

To your half-talent I’ll another add.
That word of yours shall not be said in vain.
Achilles then brought forth the shield, and spear,
And helmet of Sarpedon, for till he
795Was killed by Patroclus his they were,

And said unto the Greeks: now let me see
Two valiant men, well-arm’d, contend for these;
And he that first draws blood shall bear away
This Thracian sword won from Asteropæus.
800The arms in common they shall both enjoy,

And at my tent they both shall feasted be.
Up then great Ajax, up Tydides rose,
And came forth armed from the company,
And looking grimly, one to th’ other goes,
805And thrice to one another fiercely leapt,

And Ajax’ spear pass’d through Tydides’ shield;
But by the breast-plate from his flesh was kept.
Good was his breast-plate, and not apt to yield.
But still at Ajax’ neck Tydides aim’d,
810Above his shield still pushing with his spear;

At which the people standing by exclaim’d;
For then of Ajax’ life they stood in fear,
And to Achilles cried to part the fray
Betime, and let them equal prizes have.
815And by Achilles then dismiss’d were they;

But yet the sword he to Tydides gave.
And then of iron he brought out a sough,
Such as at first it from the furnace came,
The which Eëtion was wont to throw;
820Amongst whose goods Achilles found the same,

And to his ship he brought it with the rest.
And said to th’ Argives, He this prize shall gain,
That lets us see he throw it can the best.
It will his plough with iron five years maintain.
825He needs not to the town for iron go.

Then Polypœtes and Leontes rise,
And Ajax, and together stand arow;
And last of all unto them comes Epeius.
First threw Epeius, and well laugh’d at was.
830And next to him Leontes threw the same.

Then Ajax threw and did them both surpass.
But when to Polypœtes’ hand it came,
As far as doth a shepherd throw his hook
Seeing his sheep stand still or straggle out,
835So far threw he. The prize his friends then took

And bare it to his tent. The people shout.
Achilles then brought other prizes in,
Ten double, and ten single axes keen,
The which the two best bowmen were to win,
840And said, Now let your archery be seen.

And on the sands erects a ship-mast high,
And at the top he tied a dove unto’t
With slender thread, and said, Your skill now try.
For he that dead the tender dove shall shoot,
845Shall have the double axes for his prize;

The single he that breaks the thread shall win.
Then Teucer and Meriones arise,
And lots they cast which of them shall begin.
And to begin to Teucer fell the lot.
850And first he shot. But should have made a vow

A hecatomb to Phœbus, but forgot.
And therefore Phœbus would not him allow
To kill the bird. But yet he brake the thread,
And tow’rds the ground, it hung down from her feet.
855The frighted dove in th’ air hovered,

And mightily the Argives shout to see’t.
Meriones then quickly drew his bow,
For th’ arrow fitted on’t already lay,
And presently to Phœbus made a vow
860Of his first lambs a hecatomb to pay.

And seeing how the dove amazed went
Above his head this way and that way round,
His arrow keen he quickly to her sent,
Which pierc’d her thro’, and brought her to the ground.
865The wounded dove unto a mast then flies,

And there her feathers sheds, and hangs her head,
And having sitten there not long she dies.
The Argives gazing at it wondered.
And then Meriones away did bear
870The double axes. Teucer took the rest.

Achilles then new prizes fetch’d; a spear,
And a new cauldron worth an ox at least.
To throw the spear then rose the king Atrides,
And after him stood up Meriones
875Idomeneus his squire. Then said Pelides,

There shall be no contention for these.
We know how much you are more excellent
At this than any of th’ Achæans here.
Take you these prizes therefore to your tent,
880And give unto Meriones the spear,

If you think fit. Atrides was content,
And to Meriones he gave the spear,
And by Talthybius the cauldron sent
Unto the ships; and all well pleased were.

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

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LIB. XXIII.