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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. XI.

The third fight.

Aurora rising from Tithonus’ bed,
Before both Gods and men to hold her light,
Eris from Jove the signal carried
Unto the Argive fleet of bloody fight.
5And down unto Ulysses’ ship she went,

That was the middlemost and high’st of all,
That heard she might be to Achilles’ tent,
And Ajax’s, that they might hear her call.
At th’ outsides of the fleet they quarter’d were;
10For they upon their prowess most relied:

Then Eris with her voice the air did tear,
And horribly to the Achæans cried,
Come quickly forth into the field and fight;
Be bold, Achæans; to the battle come.
15Encourag’d thus, the Greeks took more delight

In staying at the war than going home.
Fellows, to arms, then Agamemnon cried,
And to put on his arms the first man was.
His leg-pieces he down to th’ ankles tied
20With silver buckles, leg-pieces of brass;

And then puts on an armour on his breast,
That had been given him by Cinyres,
(His ancient acquaintance and his guest,)
Whilst he preparing was to pass the seas:
25For long before the Greeks for Troy set sail,

Their purpose was at Cyprus known by fame,
And thinking such a gift might him avail,
In kindness t’ Agamemnon sent the same.
The colour was by pales distinguished,
30Ten black, twelve gold, and twenty were of tin:

And in it three black serpents figured,
As if they creeping were unto his chin.
Their sides like rainbows look’d, which in the sky
Are shown by Jove for men to wonder at.
35Then from his shoulder down upon his thigh

He hung his sword. Studded with gold was that.
Then took his shield which finely varied was;
Bossed in twenty places with white tin;
And round about them were ten orbs of brass;
40And black the circle was enclos’d within.

Then Gorgo painted was with killing eyes,
And with her standing Terror and Affright:
His belt of silver was, and to the skies
Returned back again the glitt’ring light.
45Wound up lay on it painted a great snake,

Which had three heads, and crowned was each one.
And last into his hand two spears did take,
Having his helmet on his head put on.
Thus Agamemnon armed was. And then
50Juno and Pallas both rais’d such a sound

(To honour him before the Greeks) as when
A man that’s slain falls suddenly to th’ ground.
Then every one unto his charioteer
Commandment gave upon the ditch to stay
55And ready be. The foot all armed were,

And forth into the field were march’d away.
But soon again the horses with them stood.
Then Jove amongst them Noise and Tumult sent;
And mingled was the morning dew with blood,
60For on that day much blood was to be spent.

Upon a rising ground now Hector was,
Æneas with him, and Polydamas,
And three sons of Antenor, Acamas,
Agenor, Polybus, and th’ army was.
65And Hector with a round shield at their head,

As when a star does through the clouds appear,
And presently again is covered;
Sometimes i’ th’ front was, sometimes in the rear
Giving command; his arms like lightning show.
70As mowers standing one rank ’gainst another,

A field of barley or of wheat to mow;
So Greeks and Trojans mow down one the other.
On neither side thought any man of flight,
But like to wolves on one another fly,
75In number equal; and gave great delight

To Eris, who (and no God else) was by.
The other Gods stayed on Olympus Hill,
Within whose folds they dwell, and murmur’d at
Their father Jove for bearing such goodwill
80To Ilium. But he car’d not for that.

And by himself he from them went; and then
Took pride to see the Greeks and Trojans fight,
And look on killing and on dying men,
And of their arms to see the flashing light.
85Now all the while that mounting was the sun,

The number slain on both sides was the same;
But when the woodman half his work had done,
And willingly unto his dinner came,
The Greeks then brake the Trojan ranks, and on
90Fell Agamemnon, and Bienor slew,

Both him and Ocles his companion,
That drove the horses which the chariot drew.
He lighting and assailing him was slain;
And Ocles had no time his spear to throw:
95For Agamemnon’s spear had pierc’d his brain,

Passing both through his helmet and his brow.
These there he left, stript both of arms and coat,
And Antiphus and Isus then drew near,
Both Priam’s sons, one legal, th’ other not,
100Upon one seat, and Isus charioteer.

Once by Achilles taken were these men,
As they were feeding sheep on Ida’s hills,
And for their ransom were set free again;
But both of them now Agamemnon kills.
105For Isus’ breast he pierc’d through with his spear;

The other with his sword he overthrew,
And seen him had when he was prisoner.
And that ’twas Antiphus (when stript) he knew.
As when a lion with his mighty teeth
110Crusheth the tender issue of a hind,

Which the affrighted dam stands by and seeth,
And grieveth, but no remedy can find;
And skipping in the woods for shelter seeks
To save her own life; so the Trojans fled,
115Pursu’d by Agamemnon and the Greeks,

And thought not on their fellows they left dead.
T’ Hyppolochus then comes he and Pisander,
Sons of Antimachus, a person noted
For having gold receiv’d of Alexander,
120And for it in the common council voted.

And these two Agamemnon took alive;
For by mischance the reins slipp’d from their hands,
And then they saw it was in vain to strive,
And Agamemnon now before them stands.
125Then as they sat together on one seat,

Save us (said they) Atrides, let us live,
For we redeem’d shall be with ransom great,
Our father for us what you please will give.
Are you Antimachus’s son, said he,
130That gave advice to murder Menelaus,

Contrary to the laws of honesty,
When of the Greeks ambassador he was,
And with Ulysses sent into the town?
You for your father’s evil deed must pay.
135Then from his car Pisander he struck down;

With breast pierc’d through upon his back he lay.
Hyppolochus was lighted and on foot,
And with the sword of Agamemnon slain,
Who cuts his head off, and his hands to boot,
140And then upon the Trojans press’d again.

And great the slaughter was of them that fled,
And wonderful the dust that raised was;
And both the field and army covered,
Forc’d up by troops of horses shod with brass.
145As boughs fall in a wood that’s set on flame,

And shaken by the violence of wind,
So fast unto the ground the Trojans came,
When Agamemnon follow’d them behind.
And many horses made their chariots rattle,
150Which empty ran about when no man drives.

For they that drove them fall’n were in the battle,
A lovelier sight to vultures than their wives.
But Hector was by Jove set out of sight
Of all this dust and slaughter and disorder:
155But Agamemnon still with all his might

Pursuing killed, and to kill gave order.
Then they that were encamp’d at Ilus’ tomb
Retir’d in haste unto the sycamore,
Half the plain over towards Ilium,
160And after them Atrides, covered o’er

With blood and dust. But when the Trojans were
Got back unto the beech near Scæa gate,
Awhile they for their fellows stayed there,
Who swiftly ran, fearing to come too late.
165As when a lion falleth in the night

Upon a herd of kine, and one must die,
And all the rest are put into a fright,
So Agamemnon made the Trojans fly;
And all the way he went the hindmost kill’d.
170And from their cars some forward fell, and some

Upon their backs, and lay dead on the field.
But when unto the wall they near were come,
Then Jove came down to Ida from the sky
With thunder in his hand, and t’ Iris said,
175Go, Iris, quickly, and tell Hector I

Command him Agamemnon to avoid
As long as in the front he raging is,
And let the fight by others manag’d be.
But when he Agamemnon wounded sees,
180And leave the field, I’ll give the victory

To him, and he shall put them all to flight,
And to the fleet go killing all the way,
Until the sun be set, and dark the night.
This said, away she went without delay;
185And down from Ida came to Ilium,

And finding him upon his car, To you
From Jove (said she) O Hector, I am come
To warn you Agamemnon to eschew,
As long as in the front he raging is.
190And let the fight by others manag’d be;

But when by spear or bow he wounded is,
And leaves the field, he’ll give the victory
To you, and you shall put them all to flight,
And to the fleet go killing all the way,
195Until the sun be set, and dark the night.

Having thus said, she did no longer stay.
Then Hector armed, leap’d unto the ground,
And with two spears well pointed in his hand
Exhorting went about the army round.
200Their faces then the Trojans turn, and stand.

The first that did advance Atrides was.
But tell me, Muse, who first came in his way?
One of Antenor’s sons, Iphidamas,
That was brought up in Thrace (though born at Troy)
205By Cisseus, who his mother’s father was,

From childhood till to man’s estate he came,
And made his son in law. But then, because
The coming of the Greeks was known by Fame,
Was thence, although but new espoused, sent
210To th’ aid of Priam and his sons at Troy,

And at Percopa landing t’ Ilium went,
And now was standing in Atrides’ way.
First Agamemnon threw his spear and miss’d:
Iphidamas then at Atrides threw,
215And hit his belt, which did the stroke resist,

For massy silver was the belt and true,
And bent the point as if it had been lead.
Then Agamemnon with his sword came on,
And smote him on the neck, and laid him dead.
220Thus died Iphidamas, Antenor’s son:

And much to be lamented was his case,
That far from his espoused virgin wife,
Without receiving from her any grace,
Should fighting for his country lose his life.
225He given for her had a thousand kine,

And promis’d sheep and goats a thousand more.
Now slain, and stript was of his armour fine
By Agamemnon, and triumphed o’er.
But Coön then, Antenor’s eldest son,

Agamemnon wounded.

230Incensed by his brother’s death, came in,

And pierc’d Atrides’ arm close by the bone,
(Unseen) the elbow and the wrist between.
Then cold was Agamemnon’s heart with fear,
But gave not over. For as Coön drew
235His brother off, he came on with his spear,

And with a thrust beneath his shield, him slew,
And, on his brother, then cuts off his head.
Thus these two brothers finished their fate.
Atrides still the slaughter followed
240With spear, and sword, and stones of mighty weight,

Not giving over whilst the wound was warm.
But when ’twas cleans’d, and stayed was the blood,
So cruel then the pain was in his arm,
That on the ground no longer stay he could.
245Then, mounted on his chariot, he said,

Drive to the ships; for he was in great pain.
And on the princes then the charge he laid,
The fight against the Trojans to maintain.
My friends, said he, ’tis your part now to stay
250The fury of the Trojans from our ships;

Since Jove not suffers me to fight all day.
This said, the charioteer his horses whips,
Which when they felt, away they swiftly went,
And stain’d with sweat and powder of the plain,
255Brought wounded Agamemnon to his tent,

From off the field bestrew’d with bodies slain.
As soon as Hector saw Atrides gone,
Now Trojans, Dardans, Lycians, he cried,
Now charge the Greeks with resolution,
260For he is gone on whom they most relied,

And Jove assures me that the day is mine.
This said, like hounds encourag’d by the hunter
Against a lion or a tusked swine,
The Trojans boldly marched to th’ encounter,

The Greeks beaten to their camp.

265And on them fell, with Hector at their head.

And as a down-right wind the sea, so he
The Argive ranks and files disordered,
And them that fled pursued furiously.
But tell me, Muse, whilst Hector, Priam’s son,
270By Jove assisted, did the Greeks pursue,

And great renown amongst the Trojans won,
Who and how many were the men he slew.
Assæus first, and then Antonous,
Oplites, Dolops, and Ophelitus,
275And then Æsymnus, and Agelaus;

Then Orus, and the last Hipponous.
All these were princes in the Argive host.
But look how many are the drops of dew,
When into th’ air the sea by winds is tost,
280So many private soldiers Hector slew.

And then incurable their loss had been,
And fled had to their ships the Greeks, dismay’d,
Had not Ulysses then the same foreseen,
And to Tydides, not far from him, said,
285Tydides, to what purpose stand we here?

Come hither, man, and stand close to my side,
To let our ships be lost great shame it were.
Tydides to Ulysses then replied,
Yes, yes, Ulysses, I will with you bide,
290Though we shall take but little pleasure here,

For Jove I see inclineth to their side.
This said, he at Thymbræus threw his spear,
Which lighting on his left pap pierc’d him through.
Ulysses slew Molion, Priam’s man;
295Upon the field unstript they left these two,

And then into the Trojan throng they ran,
(Whilst th’ other Greeks from Hector swiftly fly)
Like two wild boars that turn upon the hounds,
That know they may upon their strength rely,
300And scatter ’mongst the Trojans death and wounds.

And there two valiant sons of Merops kill’d,
As they together on one chariot sate.
This Merops was in prophecy well skill’d,
And bade them stay, and told them had their fate.
305But the two forward youths would not obey,

But led unto the war by destiny,
Unluckily came in Tydides’ way,
Where by his hand their fortune ’twas to die.
Hippodamas was by Ulysses kill’d,
310As also was Eypirichus; and now

None knew who had the better in the field
But Jove, who looked on from Ida’s brow.
And then Agastrophus, King Pæon’s son,
Was by Tydides wounded in the thigh,

Diomed, Machaon, Ulysses, and Eurypylus wounded.

315And would have fled, but horses he had none,

His man that held them for him was not nigh.
Yet fought he ’mongst the foremost till he died.
This Hector saw, and towards Diomed
His horses turn’d, and to the Trojans cried,
320Come, follow me, and they all followed.

And Diomed, as soon as he saw this,
Though chill with fear, unto Ulysses said,
To us this plaguy Hector rolling is;
But stand, and let him see we’re not afraid.
325This said, he straight at Hector threw his spear,

Which hit his helmet, but glanc’d from the brass,
And never to his tender skin came near:
This helmet given him by Apollo was.
But stunn’d he was, and resting on his knees,
330He kept himself from falling with his hand.

Dark are his eyes, nothing at all he sees,
And for a while unable is to stand.
But whilst Tydides on the plain advanced,
To get into his hand again the spear,
335Which from the place he aim’d at far was glanced,

Hector was mounted, and his senses clear.
Tydides then upon him look’d, and said,
Thou dog, escap’d an evil death thou hast;
And twice been saved by Apollo’s aid,
340But sure I shall dispatch thee at the last,

For of a God I also have the aid.
But now to other Trojans I’ll go on,
Such as shall come into my way. This said,
Away he went to strip King Pæon’s son.
345And then, as Diomed was taking from

Agastrophus the armour of his breast,
Paris, that leaning stood at Ilus’ tomb,
To him an arrow unperceiv’d addrest,
Which hit him on the foot above the toes,
350And to the ground clean thorough went the shaft.

Then openly into the field he goes,
And coming nearer to him spake, and laugh’d.
Ye’re hit, said he, Tydides. Would it had
Been on your belly, that you might have died;
355The Trojans would of that been very glad,

That are so often by you terrified.
Proud, boasting archer, said Tydides, know,
If in your armour you before me stood,
To try your valour and your force, your bow
360And arrows would not do you any good.

You value such a scratch as this too much.
The weapons of the strengthless blunted are:
Mine is not so; but whom it does but touch,
His wife lamenting tears her cheeks and hair;
365His children orphans are; and red the ground

Whereon he rotting lies; and vultures more
Than women standing by him will be found.
Ulysses then, that near him was before,
Stepp’d in, and stood betwixt him and his foes
370Whilst from his foot the arrow he pull’d out.

Then to his char’ot up Tydides goes,
And left the field where he had nobly fought.
And now Ulysses left was all alone,
For from him all the rest were fled for fear,
275And then unto himself he made his moan.

Ay me, said he, what now shall I do here?
Though many be the foes, ’tis ill to fly,
But yet, since Jove saves all the rest by flight,
It would be worse if I alone should die.
380But why dispute I, when I ought to fight?

None but a coward from the fight will run.
But he that honour loves will stand his ground,
And be content with what he cannot shun,
Whether it be to give or take a wound.
385While thus Ulysses argued in his mind,

Hector was near him, and enclos’d him had
With targetiers before him and behind,
Whereof they had no reason to be glad.
As when the hounds by hunters are set on
390A wild boar as he comes out from the wood,

He whets his teeth, they from him will not run;
Even so Ulysses ’mongst the Trojans stood;
Where by him slain first Deiopites was,
And Thoon then, and Eunomus he kill’d;
395And after these he slew Chersidamas,

As from his car he lighted in the field.
Then leaving these, slew Charops with his spear,
Socus, his brother Hippasus his son.
Then Socus to him came, and standing near
400Unto Ulysses, with a speech begun.

Ulysses, much renown’d for craft and pain,
This day you either must the honour wear
Of having Hippasus his two sons slain,
Or lose your own life, wounded by my spear.
405Then threw his spear, and pierc’d Ulysses’ shield,

His breast-plate, and his coat, and tore his skin.
But Pallas him preserv’d from being kill’d;
For to the vital parts it went not in.
Ulysses knew the wound not mortal was;
410Made a step back, and then to Socus said,

Fool that thou art, that wouldst not let me pass
On other Trojans, hast thyself destroy’d,
I do not think you shall this hour outlive,
But from my spear’s sharp point receive your death,
415And unto me more reputation give,

And leave your soul unto the pow’rs beneath.
Then Socus turn’d himself about to fly,
But overtaken by Ulysses’ spear,
That pierc’d him back and breast, he fell down dead.
420Then scornfully Ulysses did him jeer.

O Socus, gallant man at arms, said he,
By death prevented is your enterprise;
Your eyes shall not by parents closed be,
But shall be pecked out by crows and pyes.
425Then from his shield and body he pull’d out

The spear which at him was by Socus thrown.
The blood then from the wound did freely spout,
Which when the Trojans saw, they straight came down
And all together tow’rds him went the rabble.
430Then he retir’d, and as he going was,

Thrice called out, as loud as he was able,
For help; and thrice was heard by Menelaus,
Who t’ Ajax said, Ulysses’ voice I hear,
And like the voice of one that is distrest.
435He hemm’d in by the Trojans is, I fear;

Come, let us to him go, and do our best
To fetch him off. For valiant though he be,
I fear, unless we aid him with great speed,
He by the Trojans will be slain, and we
440Lose a good man, of whom we oft have need.

Then up they went, and found him by the foes
Environ’d round. As when a stag is shot
By some young man, he swiftly from him goes
Whilst strong his knees are, and his blood is hot.
445But when he by the arrow tamed is,

The wolves feed on him in the gloomy wood;
Then comes the lion, and the prey is his.
About Ulysses so the Trojans stood,
Till Ajax, with a target like a tower,
450Came to his aid; then sev’ral ways they fled.

Ulysses, now no longer in their power,
Was from the field by Menelaus led,
And mounted on his chariot again.
But on went Ajax, and slew Pandocus,
455King Priam’s son, and wounded three good men,

Lisander, Pylartes, and Pyrasus.
Then as a river coming to the plain,
And swell’d by Jupiter with show’rs of rain
More than the banks are able to contain,
460Bears oaks and pines before it to the main,

So Ajax charg’d the Trojan troops. But this
Hector knew nothing of; for far off now
Upon Scamander’s banks he fighting is,
And to the ground doth many an Argive throw.
465There was the noise, there aged Nestor stood,

And there Idomeneus, with their steeds.
And Hector, that the use well understood
Of spears and horses, there did mighty deeds.
And yet the Greeks retir’d not; nor had done
470If Paris had not with an arrow smote

Machaon on the shoulder to the bone.
Three-forked was the arrow which he shot;
And mightily the Argives were afraid
Since now the foe prevail’d, he would be slain.
475To Nestor then Idomeneus said,

O Nestor, to your char’ot mount again,
And with Machaon make haste to the ships.
A surgeon many other men is worth.
For many other men alive he keeps
480By making salves and drawing weapons forth.

Then Nestor mounteth and the horses whips,
Which they no sooner feel than they are gone,
And quickly brought unto the hollow ships
Machaon Æsculapius his son.
485Mean while Cebriones, the chari’teer

Of Hector, saw the Trojans were distress’d,
And to him said, To what end stay we here,
Since yonder by the Greeks our friends are press’d?
’Tis Ajax that disorders them, I see;
490I know him by the largeness of his shield.

Now where they fighting are most furiously,
Let us go down to that side of the field.
This said, he crack’d his whip, his horses ran
Unto the place where greatest was the cry,
495O’er many a shield, and over many a man

That gasping on the bloody field did lie.
The horses’ bellies and the char’ot wheels
And axletrees with blood were cover’d o’er,
Forc’d up in drops by the swift horses’ heels.
500And Hector rushing in, their battles tore.

But Hector still took heed of Ajax’ spear.
And fought in other places of the field.
But Ajax, struck by Jupiter with fear,
Amazed, at his shoulder hung his shield;
505And staring on the foe awhile he stood,

Then turn’d and softly from them went away.
As when a lion coming from the wood
Down to a pasture, on a cow to prey,
Is hu’d by dogs and peasants in the night,
510And hungry sometimes goes and sometimes stands,

But cannot have his will for all his might,
So many spears are flying from their hands,
And flaming brands which put him in a fright,
Keen as he is, then sullenly he goes
515Back to the wood and comes no more in sight;

So then retired Ajax from his foes.
Or as an ass, in spite of many boes,
Is got into the corn, and there abides,
Though they upon him fall with blows and noise,
520And many cudgels break upon his sides,

For he the force of boys but little feels,
He hardly will be driven out though fill’d,
And now and then kicks at them with his heels:
So Ajax at the last went off the field,
525By Hector and the Trojans still pursu’d,

Upon his shield receiving many a spear;
Sometimes his back, sometimes his face he show’d,
So that they could not to the ships come near.
Thus he between the Greeks and Trojans stands,
530While spears abundance at him hurled were;

Some in his shield stuck, driven by strong hands,
Some on the ground fell short and fix’d were there.
But then Eurypylus, Euæmon’s son,
That saw him thus oppress’d, came to his side,
535And wounded with his spear Apisaon

The liver through; and on the place he died.
But as he stripp’d him lying on the ground
Was shot by Alexander in the thigh,
And broken was the arrow in the wound,
540And much increased was his pain thereby.

Then went Eurypylus into the crowd,
And cried out to the princes of the host,
Turn and save noble Ajax from this cloud
Of Trojan spears, or else he will be lost.
545This said, the best commanders to him go

With spears advanc’d, and bucklers turn’d before,
And place themselves between him and the foe.
And then again the fight was very sore.
Mean while Achilles as he sitting was
550On high astern his ship to see them fight,

Perceived Nestor and Machaon pass,
And to Patroclus call’d with all his might,
Come hither, friend. Patroclus heard him call,
For he was sitting in Achilles’ tent,
555And (which was the beginning of his fall)

Immediately rose up and to him went,
And said, Achilles, what’s your will with me?
Achilles then replied, Patroclus, now
The Argives, I believe, will bend the knee,
560For their condition never was so low.

But go to Nestor and informed be
Who ’tis that he brought with him from the fight.
Machaon by his back he seem’d to me,
But of his face I could not have a sight.
565So many cars and horses cross’d the way.

This said, unto the ships Patroclus went;
But at the ships arrived now were they,
Alighted and gone into Nestor’s tent:
The horses by Eurymedon untied
570Were cooled by the sea-side in the air,

And of their sweat well cleansed were and dried,
And in the mean time Ecameda fair,
That was the daughter of Arsinous,
And taken by Achilles was when he
575Conquer’d and sack’d the city Tenedus,

And by the Greeks to Nestor giv’n; and she
To Nestor and Machaon setteth up
A table with a black foot smooth and fine,
And on it set a basket, and a cup,
580And to each one before him set on wine.

The cup with nails of gold was studded o’er,
Four ears it had, and two doves at each ear,
And those were gold, and at the foot two more
In posture such as if they feeding were.
585Nestor to Troy had with him brought this cup.

Another scarce could lift it from the table
When fill’d with wine; though he to take it up,
Old as he was, and easily was able.
And in the same the woman made the drink,
590With goat’s-milk cheese, and white flour sprinkled o’er,

And left it on the board full to the brink.
Then quenched they their thirst, and drank no more,
But talking sat, to put out of their thought
Their ill success. Now at the door o’ th’ tent
595Patroclus was, and in by Nestor brought,

And pray’d to sit, but he would not consent,
But said, Achilles bade me ask you who
It is whom you brought with you from the fight.
And this already I can answer to.
600Machaon ’tis that sits there in my sight.

What need then is there of my longer stay?
Return I will with all the speed I can,
For fear he should some blame upon me lay,
Though I deserve it not. You know the man.
605What makes Achilles, aged Nestor said,

Of th’ Argives wounded men to take such care?
He knows not how the army is dismay’d,
Nor yet how many of them wounded are.
Ulysses wounded is, and Diomed,
610And Agamemnon, and Eurypylus,

And this man whom I with me hither led.
Achilles pity has on none of us;
Although our safety now lie in his hands.
Intends he to sit still till Hector burn
615In spite of us our ships upon the sands,

And ev’ry one of us kill in his turn?
For now my strength decayed is with age.
O that I were as strong as I was then
When war ’twixt us and th’ Elians did rage,
620And we our cattle fetch’d from them again,

And slew Itymoneus that took our kine,
For I then went his cattle to distrain,
And take amends for those he took of mine.
There he defending them by me was slain,
625And all his people from him ran away.

And there we took of fifty herds of kine
And of as many herds of goats a prey,
As many flocks, as many herds of swine,
And horses three times fifty, females all,
630Of colour sandy mix’d with sparks of light;

And most of them had foals, and to the wall
Of Pyle I brought this booty all by night.
My father Neleus joyful was to see’t;
For yet he thought I was for war too young.
635Next morn the criers make the people meet,

(All those to whom the Elians had done wrong)
The lords amongst them then divide the prey.
Many there were that had been injured,
And with their shares contented sent away,
640Though Pylus were not well inhabited.

For Hercules not many years before
Had kill’d the best of them. And Neleus then
Had twelve good sons, whereof he left no more
Alive but me. This made th’ Epian men
645Despise our number small, and do us wrong.

And Neleus now unto himself did keep
The best herd of the kine, and from among
The flocks chose one that had three hundred sheep,
And justly, since so great a loss had none.
650For he four steeds unto the games had sent

Of value great, which all had prizes won.
But by Augias his commandement,
When for a tripod they prepar’d to run,
Together with the cars were there detain’d.
655Chari’teers related what was done.

And Neleus then the best o’ th’ prey retain’d;
And ev’ry man had of the rest his share.
This done unto the Gods we sacrifice.
Mean while the Elians for war prepare,
660And two days after altogether rise,

And forth o’ th’ town went they both foot and horse,
And with them Molion’s two sons, not yet
Arrived at the age of martial force,
And round about the town Colone sit.
665Colone is a frontier-town, between

Elis and Pyle, upon Alphæus’ side.
Passing the plain they were by Pallas seen;
And she aloud unto the Pylians cried,
To arms, you men of Pyle. Then in the night
670We put on arms, and to the field we hied;

And cheerfully went ev’ry one to fight.
My horses only were convey’d aside.
For Neleus thought I was in war unskill’d:
But I at home could not be made t’ abide,
675But with the rest on foot went to the field,

For on the Goddess Pallas I relied.
Near to Arene falls into the main
A little brook. All night by that we lay,
And in the morn betime we march’d again,
680And to Alphæus came in half a day.

And there to Jove his sacred rites we paid.
To Neptune and Alphæus each a bull;
An heifer to the heav’nly martial maid
We gave; and when the bands of foot were full,
685Then sup we in our ranks, and armed slept.

Th’ Epeians still the town besieging lay;
But seeing the war was now so near them crept,
They rose; then presently began the fray.
And there the first man that was slain I slew,
690Which Molius was, Augias’ son-in-law.

He wedded Acameda had, who knew
As many med’cines as the world e’er saw.
Him first I slew, and to his char’ot mounted.
Then fled th’ Epeians scatter’d here and there:
695For he the best amongst them was accounted.

And as they fled I follow’d with my spear,
And fifty char’ots took, and at each one
Two men I kill’d; for like a storm I went;
Nor had I left to Molius any son,
700If Neptune had not hinder’d my intent,

That took them up and sav’d them in a cloud.
Great honour won the Pyleans that day;
For on the plains we chac’d th’ Epeians proud,
Killing and gath’ring armour all the way
705Until we came unto Buprasium,

Alesium, and Rock-Olene; and there
Advis’d we were by Pallas to go home.
To Pylus then we went and welcome were.
And thanks were given to the Gods, but most
710To Jupiter the greatest God. And then

In general were thanked all the host,
And Nestor namely above other men.
Thus I behav’d myself amongst the Greeks,
Whereas Achilles sitting in his tent,

Patroclus is persuaded by Nestor to obtain of Achilles to be sent to the aid of the Greeks in Achilles’ armour.

715Neglecting us, his own contentment seeks;

Though if our fleet be lost he will repent.
But, O Patroclus, the advice was good
Menœtius your father gave you then
When I at Phthia was and by him stood,
720By Agamemnon sent to levy men.

To Peleus’ house Ulysses came and I,
And there we found Menœtius and you.
And you upon Achilles waited nigh,
And Peleus to the Gods fat cattle slew
725I’ th’ court o’ th’ grass, a gold cup in his hand,

And pour’d wine on the burning sacrifice,
And you then saw us in the gate-house stand,
Though busy you were then to burn the thighs.
Achilles to us came and led us in,
730And made us sup, and supper being done,

To tell our bus’ness then I did begin,
Which was to bring with us to Troy his son.
Both he and you desirous were to go;
And Peleus then unto Achilles said,
735Strive still to be the best, and let the foe

Be always of your spear the most afraid.
Then to you spake your father; Son, said he,
Achilles is a better man of war
Than you, and higher in nobility
740Of blood; but you in age before him are.

Give him good counsel therefore, and suggest
What’s for his good, although he see it not:
He will obey when for himself ’tis best;
Thus he advis’d you, though you have forgot.
745But do it now. For ’tis not yet too late.

Who knows but you may make him change his mind?
Or if he still continue obstinate,
Or in some oracle a scruple find,
Or Thetis told him somewhat has from Jove,
750Yet let him send his Myrmidons with you,

The Trojans from the navy to remove,
And give th’ Achæans time to breathe anew.
But let him give you his own arms. Then they
(When like unto Achilles you appear,
755Leading fresh forces) fly will into Troy,

And rid th’ Achæans of their present fear.
This said, Patroclus, grieved, went his way,
And tow’rds Achilles’ tent ran back apace,
Passing by where Ulysses’ vessels lay.
760There were the altars, there the market-place,

There were the courts of justice. There he met
Eurypylus, with the arrow in his wound,
And from his head and shoulders dropp’d the sweat,
And bled apace, but still his sense was sound.
765Then, pitying him, Patroclus spake, and said,

Ah! poor commanders of the Achæan host,
Must we be all so far from home destroy’d,
And lie for dogs’-meat on the Trojan coast?
But say, Eurypylus, is there no way
770To keep off Hector, but must perish all?

Nothing I know, said he, can Hector stay,
But in our flaming ships we all must fall.
For all the best of us here wounded lie,
And still the Trojan power grows more and more.
775But, O Patroclus, cut out of my thigh

This arrow-head; for it torments me sore,
And with warm water wash away the blood,
And salves apply, the same that Chiron knew,
(The best of Centaurs) to be very good,
780And taught Achilles, and Achilles you.

For of two surgeons in the army, one
As much need of a surgeon hath as I,
And Podalirius to the fight is gone.
Patroclus to him then made this reply.
785How can this now be done, Eurypylus,

Since to Achilles I must go with speed
With Nestor’s answer? Yet to leave you thus
In torture, were but an ungentle deed.
Then in his arms he bears him to his tent,
790And there, upon a many cow-hides spread,

Laid him, and with his knife to work he went,
And from his thigh cuts out the arrow-head.
And in his hands he bruis’d a bitter root,
And wash’d away the blood. When that was done.
795He cleans’d the wound, applied the med’cine to’t,

And straight the blood was stopp’d, the pain was gone.

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

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LIB. XI.