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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. III.

The duel of Menelaus and Paris, for the ending of the war.

When both the armies were prepar’d for fight,
The Trojans marched on with noise and cry.
As in the air of cackling fowl a flight,
Or like the cranes when from the north they fly,
5The army of Pygmæan men to charge,

And shun the winter, with a mighty cry
Fly through the air over the ocean large;
So swiftly march’d the Greeks, but silently
Resolved one another to assist.
10And such a dust between both hosts did rise,

As when upon the mountains lies a mist,
Which to a stone’s cast limiteth the eyes.
(Which good for thieves is, but for shepherds not)
So great a dust the middle space possest.
15When they were near to one another got,

Came Alexander forth before the rest.
A leopard’s skin he wore upon his shoulders,
Two spears in hand, his sword girt at his side,
Bow at his back, and brave to the beholders;
20And any of Achæan host defied.

And glad was Menelaus to see this.
As when a lion finds a lusty prey,
A wild goat or a stag well pleased is,
And hungry seizes him without delay,
25Although by hunters and by hounds pursu’d;

So glad was Menelaus him to see.
And soon as he his person had well view’d,
Arm’d from his char’ot to the ground leap’d he.
Assured, as he thought, revenge to take.
30But soon as Alexander once saw that,

He fled into the throng, as from a snake
Seen unawares, trembling and pale thereat.
Then Hector him with words of great disgrace
Reprov’d and said, Fine man and lover keen,
35Cajoler, that confidest in thy face,

I would to God thou born hadst never been,
Or never hadst been married. For that
A great deal better had been of the twain,
Than to be scorn’d of men, and pointed at
40For one that durst not his own word maintain.

O how the Greeks are laughing now to see
That so absurdly they themselves mistook,
Supposing you some mighty man to be
That art worth nothing, judging by your look.
45Was’t you to Lacedemon pass’d the deep,

And fetch’d fair Helen thence, the bane of Troy,
And now, when it concerns you her to keep,
You dare not in her husband’s presence stay?
For you would quickly know what kind of man
50You have bereav’d unjustly of his wife.

Neither your cittern, nor your beauty can,
Nor other gifts of Venus save your life.
Were not the Trojans fearful more than needs,
You had a coat of stones by this time had,
55A fit reward for all your evil deeds.

This answer then to Hector, Paris made.
Hector, since your reproof is just, said he,
And your hard language (as when help’d by art
A shipwright’s axe strikes deep into a tree)
60Like rigid steel has cut me to the heart;

If with Atrides you would have me fight,
Object not Venus’ favours (’tis unfit
The gifts of the immortal Gods to slight),
But make the Greeks and Trojans both to sit.
65And in the midst set me and Menelaus,

And which of us shall have the victory,
Helen be his, and all the wealth she has,
And ’twixt the Greeks and Trojans amity.
Let this be sworn to, that we may remain
70At Troy in quiet, and the Greeks repass

To Argos and Achæa back again.
At this brave proffer Hector joyful was;
And stepping forth, the Trojan ranks kept in
With both his hands o’ th’ middle of his spear.
75And to shoot at him the Greeks begin,

And many took up stones and hurling were.
But Agamemnon with a voice as high
As high as he could raise it, to the Greeks cried, hold.
Throw no more stones, let no more arrows fly;
80Hector to us has somewhat to unfold.

This said, they held their hands, and silent were,
And Hector both to Greeks and Trojans spake.
May you be pleased on both sides to hear
The motion I from Alexander make.
85Let arms, said he, on both sides be laid by,

And in the midst set him and Menelaus,
And which of them shall have the victory,
Be Helen his, with all the wealth she has.
And let the rest an oath on both sides take
90The pacts agreed on not to violate.

When this was said, then Menelaus spake,
And both the armies with great silence sate.
Hear me too then, said Menelaus, who
By Alexander have been most offended.
95If you’ll do that which I advise you to,

The quarrel he began will soon be ended.
Which of us two shall fall in single fight,
Let him die only, and the rest agree.
Bring forth two lambs, one black, another white,
100To t’ Earth and Sun a sacrifice to be.

Another we will sacrifice to Jove.
And let the old King Priam present be,
(His proud sons think themselves all oaths above)
That what is sworn he may performed see.
105No hold is to be taken of an oath

Which young men make, whose likings change like wind.
But old men can foresee what’s good for both.
’Tis good for both that makes a contract bind.
These words did to both armies sweetly sound;
110They thought the worst was past; and up they tied

Their horses; and their spears stuck in the ground,
With spaces left between them, but not wide.
Then Hector to the king two heralds sent,
To fetch the lambs, and Priam to implore
115To take the oath. From Agamemnon went

Talthybius to the fleet to fetch two more.
Meanwhile to the fair Helen Iris came,
So like t’ Antenor’s wife Laodice,
King Priam’s daughter, that she seem’d the same.
120Quickly she found her; for at work was she

Upon a double splendid web, wherein
Many a cruel battle she had wrought
The Trojans and th’ incensed Greeks between,
That for her own sake only had been fought.
125Come nymph, said Iris, see one battle more

Between the gallant men of Greece and Troy.
They fight not altogether as before,
But silent sit, and from their arms away.
Shields are their cushions, planted are their spears;
130Paris and Menelaus only fight.

Save these two no man any armour wears;
And you his wife are, that has greatest might.
Thus Iris said, and her inspir’d anew
With love to Menelaus as before.
135Then o’er her head a milk-white scarf she threw,

And out went weeping at the chamber door,
But not alone; two maidens follow’d her,
Fair Æthre Pittheus’ child, and Clymene.
And quickly at the Scæan gate they were,
140Where Priam sate; and in his company

Were the old lords, Lampus and Clytius,
And Icetaon, and Ucalegon,
Antenor, Thymetes, and Panthous,
Whence both the armies they might look upon.
145Old men they were, but had brave captains been,

And now for consultation prized were.
As soon as Helen came into their sight,
They whisper’d one another in the ear,
I cannot blame the man that for her strives,
150Like an immortal God she is. Yet so,

Rather than we should hazard all our lives,
I should advise the king to let her go.
Thus said they one t’ another. But the king
Call’d her and said, daughter, sit down by me,
155(Not you, but the immortal powers bring

Upon the Trojans this calamity.)
And tell me who that great Achæan is.
I see some higher by the head than he,
But comelier man I never saw than this,
160Nor liker to a king in majesty.

O king, then answered Helen, to whom I
Of all men owe most reverence and fear,
Would I had rather chosen there to die,
Than to your son’s ill counsel given ear,
165Leaving my house, my child, and brothers two,

And all my sweet companions for his sake.
But since I cannot what is done undo,
Unto your question I’ll now answer make.
The man you point to Agamemnon is,
170A good king, and a valiant man in fight,

And brother to the husband is of this
Unworthy woman, me, that did him slight.
And Priam then the man admiring said,
Happy Atrides, great is thy command,
175Whose soldiers though now very much decay’d,

In such great multitude before us stand.
At a great fight I was in Phrygia,
And brought to Otreus and Mygdon aid
Against the Amazons. I never saw
180Till then, so many for a fight array’d,

As were the Amazons, upon the banks
Of Sangareus, and yet they fewer were,
Than are contained in the bristled ranks
Of th’ armed Greeks that stand before us here.
185Again Ulysses coming in his sight,

Tell me, said he, sweet daughter, who is this?
He wants the head of Agamemnon’s height,
But at the breast and shoulders broader is.
His arms lie still upon the ground; but he
190In no one certain place himself can keep,

But through the ranks and files runs busily,
Just as a ram runs in a fold of sheep.
To this Jove’s daughter, Helen, thus replies.
Ulysses ’tis, the old Laertes’ son,
195Of Ithaca; to counsel and devise,

In all the army like him there is none.
O Helen, said Antenor, you say right;
On your affair he once came into Troy
With Menelaus. I did them both invite
200To sup with me; and in my house they lay.

I them compar’d. When at their audience
They both stood up, Atrides taller seem’d;
Sitting Ulysses won most reverence,
And was amongst the people most esteem’d.
205And when they were orations to make,

Atrides’ words went easily and close,
For little he, but to the purpose spake,
Though th’ younger man. But when Ulysses rose,
Upon the ground a while he fix’d his eyes,
210Nor ever mov’d the sceptre in his hand;

You would have thought him sullen or unwise,
That did not yet his bus’ness understand.
But when his voice was raised to the height,
And like a snow upon a winter’s day
215His gentle words fell from him, no man might

With him compare; so much his words did weigh.
Then Priam seeing Ajax, ask’d again,
What Greek is that, that taller by the head
And shoulders is than all the other men?
220And Helen to the king thus answered,

Great Ajax; who of th’ Argives is the sconce:
And he o’ th’ other side Idomeneus,
Who was the guest of Menelaus once,
And lodg’d at Lacedemon in his house.
225And now I see the rest, and could them name.

But Castor I and Pollux cannot see.
Two princes are they, and well known by Fame,
And by one mother brothers are to me.
Did they not pass the sea? Yes sure they did
230Come with the rest; but are asham’d of me.

And in the Argive fleet lie somewhere hid,
And will not in my shame partakers be.
Thus Helen said, because she could not tell
Whether her brothers were alive or dead.
235But dead they were; and, where they both did dwell,

In Lacedemon they were buried.
The heralds now the two lambs had brought in,
That for their sacrifice appointed were,
And full of noble wine a great goat skin.
240Idæus with the golden cups stood near,

And pray’d the king to go down to the plain.
There stay for you the Greeks and Trojans both;
A peace agreed on is; but all in vain
Unless you also go and take the oath.
245For Paris must with Menelaus fight,

And he must Helen and her wealth enjoy
Upon whose side the victory shall light;
The Greeks return; and peace remain at Troy.
These words to th’ old man’s heart came cold as ice.
250But straight he bade his coach made ready be.

The servants made it ready in a trice,
And up into ’t Antenor went and he;
And pass’d the Scæan gate into the plain.
And when they came near to Scamander’s banks,
255From out the coach alighted they again,

And stood between the adverse armies’ ranks.
Then Agamemnon and Ulysses came,
And to the contract for the Greeks did swear.
And Priam and Antenor swore the same.
260The heralds mix the wine with water clear;

And poured water on the princes’ hands.
Atrides at his sword a knife did wear,
And as he near unto the victims stands,
Cuts with it from their foreheads locks of hair,
265Which by the heralds were distributed,

Till ev’ry leader part had of the hair.
The ceremonies being finished,
Atrides to the Gods then made this prayer.
O mighty Jove, the monarch of the Gods,
270O glorious Sun, with thy all-seeing eye,

O Streams, O Earth, O you that hold the rod
Beneath the earth, scourges of perjury,
Hear me, and be you witnesses of this.
If Menelaus be by Paris slain,
275Let Helen and the wealth she has be his,

And to Achæ we return again.
If slain by Menelaus Paris be,
Let Helen with her wealth to Greece be sent
With some amends made for the injury,
280To be of th’ wrong done an acknowledgment.

If such amends the Trojans will not make,
I will pursue the war, and here abide,
Till I the town of Ilium shall take,
Or till the Gods the quarrel shall decide.
285This said, the victims with his knife he slew.

And sprawling there upon the place they lay.
Then into golden cups the wine they drew,
And pour’d it on the lambs. Then prayed they
Both Greeks and Trojans; Jove, and pow’rs divine,
290Who first to break this peace shall go about,

As poured on the victims is this wine,
So they, and their sons’ brains be poured out.
Thus prayed they. But Jove that pray’r did slight.
Then Priam said, To Troy return will I.
295It cannot please me to behold the fight.

For none but Gods know which of them shall die.
And then into the char’ot went again
He and Antenor, and drave t’ Ilium,
And with them carried their victims slain.
300Then in Ulysses and great Hector come,

And having measur’d out the lists, wherein
They were to fight, then the two lots they drew
For who to throw his spear should first begin.
And then the Greeks and Trojans pray’d anew.
305O glorious Jove, whom all the Gods obey,

Let him that of the war the author was
Be slain, and all the rest firm peace enjoy.
Then mighty Hector shook the skull of brass.
The lot that was the first drawn out, was that
310Which gave to Paris the right to begin.

Then down upon the ground the people sate
In order as their armour plac’d had been.
And Paris arm’d himself, and first puts on
His leg-pieces of brass, and closely ties,
315That silver’d over were at th’ ancle-bone.

And then his breast-plate to his breast applies.
Lycaon’s breast-plate ’twas, but ev’ry whit
As just upon him sat, as it had done
Upon Lycaon when he used it.
320And next to this his good sword he puts on.

And then his broad shield and his helmet good.
And last of all a spear takes in his hand.
And in like armour Menelaus stood.
Then come they forth, and in the lists they stand.
325And one did on another fiercely look.

(The people stupid sat ’twixt hope and fear.)
And when they come were nigh, their spears they shook.
But Paris was the first to throw his spear,
And threw, and smote the shield of Menelaus,
330But through the mettle tough it passed not,

But turn’d, and bended at the point it was.
Then Menelaus was to throw by lot.
But first he prayed. Grant me, O Jove, said he,
That this my spear may Alexander slay,
335Who was the first that did the injury;

That they who shall be born hereafter may
Not dare to violate the sacred laws
Of hospitality. Having thus said,
He threw his spear, which Paris’ shield did pass,
340And through his breast-plate quite, and there it stay’d;

But tore his coat. And there he had been dead,
But that his belly somewhat he drew back.
Then with his sword Atrides smote his head
Which arm’d was, and the sword in pieces broke.
345Then Menelaus grieved at the heart,

Looking to heaven did on Jove complain.
O Jove, that of the Gods most cruel art,
Broken my sword, my spear is thrown in vain.
Then suddenly laid hold on Paris’ crest,
350And to the Greeks to drag him did begin,

And Paris then was mightily distrest,
Choakt by the latchet underneath his chin.
And to the Greeks had dragg’d been by the head,
If Venus to his aid had not come in,
355Who broke the string and him delivered.

Atrides’ conquest else had famous been.
Then to the Greeks the empty cask he threw.
But Venus snatcht him from him in a mist.
And whither she convey’d him none there knew.
360A God she is, and can do what she list.

When Paris to his chamber was convey’d,
His chamber which of perfumes sweetly smelt,
Then puts she on the form of an old maid
That Helen serv’d when she at Sparta dwelt.
365And in that shape went to call Helen home,

That stood with other ladies of the town
Upon a tow’r. When she was to her come,
She gently with her finger stirr’d her gown.
Helen, said she, Paris has for you sent,
370And on his glorious bed doth for you stay,

Not as a man that came from fight, but went
To dance, or from it were new come away.
Helen at this was mov’d, and mark’d her eyes,
And of her lovely neck did notice take,
375And knew ’twas Venus though in this disguise;

And troubled as she was, thus to her spake.
Venus, why seek you to deceive me still,
Since Menelaus has the victory?
Though I have wrong’d him, he receive me will,
380And you come hither now to hinder me.

Whither d’ye mean to send me further yet;
To Phrygia or to Mœonia,
That there I may another husband get?
You shall not me to Alexander draw.
385Go to him you, and Heaven for ever quit;

Grieve with him; have a care the man to save,
And by his side continually to sit,
Till he his bride have made you, or his slave.
I will not to him go (for ’twere a shame)
390Nor any longer meddle with his bed,

Nor longer bear the scorns, nor mocks, nor blame
Which from the wives of Troy I suffered.
Then Venus vext, Hussie, said she, no more
Provoke my anger. If I angry be,
395And hate you as I loved you before,

The armies both will to your death agree.
This said, the beauteous Helen frighted was,
And with the Goddess went, who led the way,
And by the Trojan wives did quiet pass
400Unto the house where Alexander lay.

I’th’ rooms below at work her women were,
But up went Helen with the Goddess fair.
And when to Alexander they were near,
The Goddess unto Helen fetcht a chair.
405Then sat she down, and look’d at him again.

You come from battle. I would you had there
And by my former husband’s hand, been slain.
You bragg’d you were his better at a spear.
Go challenge him again, and fight anew.
410But do not though, for fear you should be kill’d

But rather when you see him, him eschew,
Lest he should leave you dead upon the field.
To Helen Alexander then replied.
Forbear; though he have now the victory
415By Pallas’ help; there are Gods on our side,

And they another time may favour me.
Let’s go to bed, and in sweet love agree.
Your beauty never did me so much move,
At Lacedemon, nor in Cranae;
420Where the first blessing I had of your love.

This said, to bed they went, first he, then she.
Atrides then sought Paris in the throng
O’th’ Trojans and their aids; but could not see
Nor hear of him the company among.
425They would not have conceal’d him though they might;

But had to Menelaus him betray’d.
So hateful to the Trojans was his sight.
Then stood King Agamemnon up and said,
Hear me ye Trojans and your aids. ’Tis plain
430That Menelaus has the victory.

Let Helen therefore rendered be again,
And pay your fine. ’Tis right, the Greeks all cry.

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LIB. III. - 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. III.