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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. XIII.

Neptune encourageth the Greeks.

When Jove had to the ships the Trojans brought,
He left them fighting there, and turn’d his face
(Thinking th’ Immortals would no more have fought)
And look’d upon the fields and men of Thrace,
5And Mysians, and Hippomolgi (men

That live on milk the goodly mothers give
Of lusty steeds, and are more honest than
The rest of mortals, and do longer live.)
While Neptune from a hill in Samothrace
10Look’d down and saw the Greeks and Trojans fight.

For thence of Ida hill and all the space
’Bout Troy and th’ Argive fleet he had a sight.
And grieved was to see the Argives slain,
And mightily offended was with Jove,
15And from the hill in haste came down again

On foot; and ever as his feet did move,
Under the same the haughty mountains shook,
And the thick woods, and unto Ægæ came.
Thither to come four steps he only took.
20There stands a temple sacred to his name,

Of glistering gold and never to decay.
And there he puts his horses to his car;
Long manes of gold they had, and swift were they;
And then in gold himself array’d for war,
25And mounted on his car o’er sea he drives.

The whales on both sides from the bottom rise
Their king to see. The sea her bosom rives,
But not a drop up to the axtree flies.
Thus quickly to the Argives Neptune came.
30Half way ’twixt Tenedus and Imbrus is

In the deep sea a cave, and in the same
(Lest coming back his horses he should miss)
He sets them up and laid before them meat,
And tied them there with foot-locks at their feet,
35Strong locks of gold, that loose they could not get.

Then up he went unto the Argive fleet,
And there he found the Trojans like a flame
At Hector’s heels with mighty noise and cry,
Greedy and full of hope the Greeks to tame,
40And then in flames to make their ships to fry.

Then Neptune speaking to th’ Ajaxes two
In Chalchas’ shape, You two, said he, can save
The ships, if you but set yourselves thereto.
For of the foe no fear at all I have
45In other parts. Defended they will be

By other Greeks. The danger all is here
Where Hector like a flame you leading see,
That would be thought the son of Jupiter.
If you but think some God bids you resist,
50And stand your ground when Hector cometh on,

And cheer your fellows; though Jove him assist,
He quickly from your good ships will be gone.
This said, he on them both his sceptre laid,
And presently themselves they stronger find;
55Their thighs and legs and hands much lighter weigh’d.

And Neptune suddenly rose from the ground.
Just as a hawk from off a rock flies at
Some other fowl; so quickly Neptune rose.
The lesser Ajax first observed that,
60And to the greater did the same disclose.

Ajax, said he, this was some Deity
That in the shape of Chalchas bade us fight.
For ’twas not Chalchas I am sure. For I
As he went off had of his legs a sight,
65And of his feet and steps. For marks there are

To know a God by from a man. Withal
I find myself much more inclin’d to war.
Methinks my hands and feet for battle call.
And so do mine, said Telamonius,
70And fain I would with Hector have a bout.

While they together were discoursing thus,
Neptune behind them busy was about.
Confirming those that to the ships were gone
A little to refresh themselves. For they
75Had long and painful labour undergone,

And heavy at their hearts the danger lay
When Hector and his troops had pass’d the wall,
And of their safety were in great despair.
But Neptune coming soon confirm’d them all,
80And gave them hope their fortune to repair.

To Teucer first he came and Leitus,
To Deipyrus and to Meneleos,
Meriones and stout Antilochus,
And standing near address’d his speech to those.
85Fie, Argives, fie young men; what shame is this;

Upon your hands I chiefly did rely
To save our ships. If you be so remiss,
The day is come in which we all must die
By Hector’s hands. O strange! I never thought
90The Trojans durst to th’ ships have come so near,

That heretofore peep out o’ th’ town durst not,
But like to hinds that hide themselves for fear
Of leopards, wolves, and other beasts of prey.
For so at first they did. But you’ll not fight
95For anger that the king had sent away

Dishonoured the man of greatest might.
But what though Agamemnon have indeed
Dishonour’d Thetis’ son, must we therefore
Give over fight? Or rather with all speed
100Endeavour all we can to cure the sore?

But, howsoe’er, you that excuseless are,
And of the Argive army all the best,
And bodies have and hearts well made for war,
I needs must reprehend you. But the rest
105That weak or wretched are I cannot blame.

Fond men, this negligence may bring forth yet
Some greater ill. Then come away for shame.
For never were the Greeks so hard beset.
Hector has broken both the bars and gates,
110And now hard by our ships he fiercely fights,

And with great noise his Trojans animates.
Thus Neptune the dismayed Greeks excites.
At th’ Ajaxes the ranks stood firm and close.
Nor Mars nor Pallas could a fault have spied.
115They chosen were the Trojans to oppose

Whom Hector led. And standing side by side,
Shield shield, and target target, and man man
Sustain’d, and spear by spear assisted was.
So close they stood, and labour all they can
120Lest Hector to their hollow ships should pass.

And Hector with his troops went swiftly on.
As when a torrent swell’d with showers of rain
Breaks from the hill a round and heavy stone,
It makes the wood resound, till at the plain,
125Swift as it hither roll’d, it rolls no more;

So Hector marching made account to pass
Through th’ Argive fleet and tents to the sea-shore.
But at th’ Ajaxes battle stopp’d he was;
And forced back a little to recoil,
130Resisted by so many spears and swords,

And speaking to his Trojans stood awhile,
And Lycians, and Dardans in these words.
Ye Trojans, Lycians, Dardans, do not fly.
I know they cannot long maintain the fight,
135If we upon Jove’s promise may rely,

Who all the other Gods excels in might.
This said, Deiphobus went towards the foe,
Holding his buckler out before him high,
So that it cover’d him from head to toe.
140Meriones, that on him had his eye,

His spear threw at him, which no harm did do.
For though upon the buckler fell the stroke,
It carried not th’ intended mischief through,
But in the tough bull-hides the spear he broke.
145Then back unto the throng he went, and fum’d

Both for the loss of the good spear he brake,
And of the victory he had presum’d,
And went to the ships another spear to take.
The rest fought on, and mighty noise there was.
150There Teucer with his spear slew Imbrius

The son of Mentor, till the Greeks did pass
The sea to Troy he dwelt at Pedasus,
And to Medesicaste there was wed.
But when the Argives came to Troy, he then
155Dwelt in King Priam’s court, much honoured

Both by the king himself and by his men.
But now by Teucer’s spear was slain. And as
Upon a hill a goodly ashen tree,
Unto the ground, cut from the roots with brass,
160Brings down its boughs, so to the ground fell he.

To strip him of his arms then Teucer goes;
Which Hector seeing, at him threw his spear,
And misses him; yet not in vain he throws,
But kills another man that stood him near,
165Amphimacus, that newly to the fight

Was from the ships come back t’ assist the rest;
And scarcely of the skirmish had a sight,
When Hector’s spear he felt upon his breast.
Then to Amphimachus came Hector near,
170Meaning his helmet from his head to take.

Which Ajax seeing, at him threw his spear
That hit his shield, but passage could not make.
Yet with such strength the spear fell on his shield,
That backward he was driven from the dead;
175So that the Argives bore them off the field.

Amphimachus to th’ ships was carried
By Mnestheus and Stichius, that led
Th’ Athenian troops. But the Ajaxes two,
One at the feet, another at the head,
180Bore Imbrius from off the ground into

The throng of Greeks, like hungry lions two,
That carry in their jaws a goat which they
Had snatched from the dogs, and were to go
Through many shrubs to carry it away.
185Him they disarm’d, and to let Hector know it,

The lesser Ajax cutteth off his head,
And turning round with all his strength doth throw it,
And unto Hector’s feet ’twas carried.
Now Neptune for Amphimachus thus slain,
190Who from his loins descended, vexed sore,

Went to the Argive ships and tents again
To cheer the Greeks, and hurt the Trojans more,
And with Idomeneus met as he went,
That had a wounded friend brought from the fight,
195And straightway back again to go he meant

To them that fought, and help them all he might.
And Neptune like unto Andremon’s son,
Thoas, whose father all th’ Ætolians sway’d
Like Jove in Pleuron and in Calydon,
200Unto Idomeneus then spake and said,

O king Idomeneus, what is betide
Of th’ Argive threats that Ilium they would tame?
O Thoas, then Idomeneus replied,
I know not any man that we can blame.
205There’s none of us but understands the war,

Nor any that betray themselves with fear,
Nor that for sloth to fight unwilling are.
But Jove, it seems, will have us perish here.
But Thoas, you that always heretofore
210Have fought so well, and set on other men,

Still hold that purpose never giving o’er.
T’ Idomeneus then Neptune said again,
Idomeneus, may that man ne’er come back,
But in the fields lie for the dogs a prey,
215That at this time is negligent or slack.

But now put on your arms and come away,
And quickly. For although we are but two,
Yet since conjoined force of men not strong
Can do as much as one good man, let’s go.
220This said, up Neptune went into the throng.

Idomeneus then goes into his tent
And arm’d himself, and took in’s hand two spears,
And out again he came like light’ning sent
To men from Jove to fill their hearts with fears.
225And scarce came forth, he met Meriones

That to his tent was going for a spear,
And speaking to him said Idomeneus,
Meriones, my friend, what make you here?
What are you wounded that you leave the fight?
230Or bring you me some news? For I to hide

Myself from battle here take no delight.
Meriones then to him thus replied.
O king Idomeneus, unto your tent
I forc’d was from the battle to come down,
235And thence to take a spear of yours I meant,

Since on Deiphobus I broke my own.
A spear, then said Idomeneus, there are
Twenty, if you had need of them, that stand
Upright against the walls, which in this war
240I took from Trojans vanquish’d by my hand.

For when I fight I stand near to the foe.
And that’s the cause so many spears I have,
And can so many shields and helmets show,
And armours for the breast great store and brave.
245Then spake Meriones; And I, said he,

Have many spoils of Trojans at my tent,
But fetch’d from thence so soon they cannot be.
For close up to the foe I also went
Amongst the foremost boldly. Which although
250The Argives take no notice of, yet you

That how I still behav’d myself well know,
Can bear me witness what I say is true.
To him then thus Idomeneus replied,
Meriones, this need not have been said;
255I know your courage were it to be tried,

And men somewhere in ambush to be laid,
Where fear and courage are discerned best;
For there ’tis seen who valiant are, who not.
A coward’s heart still panteth in his breast;
260And nothing but on death he has his thought;

He cannot without trembling quiet sit,
But dances on his hams, and changes hue;
And cannot hold himself upon his feet;
And shakes his chaps. These things a coward show.
265But in a valiant man there’s none of this.

He quietly abides without afright,
When in the danger he engaged is;
And longs for nothing but to come to fight.
If you amongst them had been there, I know
270None of them such a fault in you had found.

Or if you had been hurt ’tis sure enow,
Nor in your back nor neck had been the wound,
But either in your belly or your breast.
But let’s no longer talk like children here,
275Lest we be blam’d. I think it therefore best

You now go to my tent and take a spear.
This said, Meriones fetch’d out a spear,
And with Idomeneus went to the fight,
As Mars, when in the field he will appear,
280And with him his beloved son Affright,

And to th’ Ephyrians and Phlegyans goes
From Thrace to give one side the victory;
So with Idomeneus unto the foes
Meriones went up courageously,
285And to him said, Idomeneus, where now

O’ th’ left or right side of the Trojan host,
Or in the midst shall we our force bestow
To help the Greeks? For now they need us most.
Idomeneus then to him said again,
290The middle of the battle to maintain

There ready stand enow, and able men,
Teucer good bowman and th’ Ajaxes twain.
Hector shall there of fighting have his fill,
As greedy as he is. Though strong he be,
295He’ll find it hard that way to have his will,

And come unto the ships with victory,
And burn them, if Jove not with his own hand
Throw in the brands. He must be more than man,
Whom Ajax is not able to withstand;
300Not mortal, such as live by Ceres can,

And may be killed with a spear or stone.
For Ajax with Achilles may compare
In standing fight, though able less to run.
In that, Achilles him excelleth far.
305But now unto the battle let us go,

And fall on at the left side of the field,
And try what we are able there to do,
And either honour win or honour yield.
This said, they went together to the fight,
310And on them presently the Trojans fell.

There was no place for victory to light,
So close they fought on both sides and so well.
And such a mighty cloud of dust they raise,
As, when great winds contend upon the plain,
315Is in dry weather raised from the ways;

While one to kill another takes great pain.
And horrid of the squadrons was the sight,
That bristled was all over with great spears.
Their armours, shields, and helmets, with their light
320Dazzled the eyes, and clamour fill’d the ears.

Hard-hearted had he been that with dry eyes
Had this affliction of the heroes seen,
That from the sons of Saturn did arise,
And but for their dissention had not been:
325For Jupiter for Hector was and Troy,

And meant to honour Thetis and her son;
But not th’ Achæan army to destroy.
But Neptune moved with compassion
To see the Argives by the Trojans slain,
330And angry with his brother, secretly

In likeness of a man rose from the main
T’ encourage them and give them victory.
Though they were brothers, yet Jove of the two
The elder and the wiser was, so that
335Neptune against Jove’s will durst nothing do

In favour of the Greeks distress’d, but what
He thought might be effected privily.
And thus the saw, from brother unto brother,
Of cruel war was drawn alternately,
340And many slain of one side and the other.

And now half gray came in Idomeneus
With lusty Cretans, and the Trojan frighted.
For presently he slew Othryoneus,
Othryoneus that was by fame invited
345To purchase honour in the war at Troy,

And promis’d, if Cassandra he might wed,
From Ilium to drive the Greeks away.
Which Priam to him granted if he sped.
And in this hope, strutting he went to fight.
350There with his spear Idomeneus him smote.

The spear upon his belly just did light,
And down he fell; his armour sav’d him not.
Idomeneus, insulting o’er him, spake:
Othryoneus, great praise you’ll win indeed,
355If you can do what you did undertake.

Come fight for us, and you shall no worse speed.
For if you for us win the town of Troy,
Atrides’ fairest daughter yours shall be.
Come with me to the Greeks, that there we may
360Upon the wedding articles agree.

And then to be reveng’d Asius meant,
And was on foot, although his horses there,
Breathing upon his back, behind him went.
And at Idomeneus had thrown his spear,
365But that to throw he time enough had not;

Because the other made the greater haste,
And with his spear had hit him in the throat,
And out again at’s neck the point had pass’d.
And there, as some great oak or poplar tree,
370Or pine cut down, that by a ship-wright must

Be saw’d in planks, falls down, so fell down he,
Grasping with both his hands the bloody dust.
The charioteer was so amaz’d thereat,
That he forgot to turn his car with fear,
375And quiet sat. Antilochus saw that,

And going nearer, at him threw his spear,
Which through his armour and his belly went,
And gasping, fell to th’ ground the charioteer.
Antilochus to the ships his horses sent,
380And by the Argives now possess’d they were.

And then Deiphobus himself advanc’d
And at Idomeneus he threw his spear,
Which, grazing only on his buckler, glanc’d
Unto the Argives that behind him were.
385For as he saw it come, he sunk and hid

His body all under his shield of brass.
Yet not from out his hand depart it did
In vain; for with it slain Hypsenor was.
Deiphobus then crowing said, So, so,
390Asius goes not unreveng’d to hell.

And though the place unpleasant be, I know
To have such company will please him well.
Antilochus then to the body came,
And kept the Trojans off from stripping it.
395Mecistes and Alastor bore the same

Upon their shoulders to the Argive fleet.
Idomeneus still like a fury went
To kill more Trojans, or himself be kill’d.
And for the Argives thought his life well spent.
400Aloathous then met him on the field,

Who was a suitor to Hippodamie,
Anchises’ eldest daughter, and the best
Beloved by her parents both was she,
And of her time exceeded all the rest
405In beauty, and in curious work, and wit,

And a fit consort for the best of Troy.
But Neptune now on purpose bound his feet,
And from his eyes, though bright, took sight away,
So that he could not fly, nor turn, nor fight,
410But fixed stood, like to a post or tree;

And by Idomeneus, with Neptune’s might,
Pierced through the armour and the breast was he,
And through the heart, as plainly did appear.
For as he bleeding on the ground did lie,
415The beating of his heart did shake the spear;

And Mars took from him all his chivalry.
Idomeneus then crowed mightily.
Deiphobus, said he, is’t not enough
That for your one man I have killed three?
420If not, come on, and take a better proof

Of what the seed of Jove in war can do.
For Jove got Minos, and Deucalion he.
He me, and I whole shiploads bring of woe
To Troy, unto thy father, and to thee.
425This said, Deiphobus considered

Whether to stay and meet him hand to hand,
Or see by whom he might be seconded.
And at the rear he saw Æneas stand.
For he not much good will did Priam bear,
430Who small respect unto his virtue paid.

To him Deiphobus approaching near,
Æneas, now, said he, you must us aid.
Your brother-law, Alcathous, is kill’d,
Who oftentimes has fed you with his hand,
435And naked will be left upon the field

B’ Idomeneus, unless you him withstand.
This said, t’ Idomeneus they came away,
And with him greedy were to enter fight.
And he as boldly did their coming stay;
440Though two to one, they did not him affright.

But as a boar in unfrequented place,
By dogs and men pursu’d, stands sullenly,
Knowing his strength, and looks them in the face,
Bristled his back, and flaming is his eye;
445So for Æneas staid Idomeneus,

And to his fellows call’d; Ascalaphus,
Meriones, Antilochus, and Aphareus,
Good men of war, and you, Deipyrus,
Come hither friends, said he. I coming see
450Æneas towards me with mighty rage,

A valiant man at arms you know is he,
And now is in the flower of his age.
Were I so young, and of the mind I am,
I’d honour win of him or he of me.
455This said, they quickly all about him came

Æneas to repel or kill. Then he
Call’d Paris to him, and Agenor, and
Deiphobus, the Argives to oppose,
And all of them of Trojans had command,
460And with their spears behind him marched close.

As when a shepherd leads with a green bough
His sheep from off the pasture to the brook,
Is joy’d to see them follow him; so now
Æneas in his troops great pleasure took.
465No sooner they were come unto the ground

Whereon Alcathous his body was,
But close they fought, and hideous was the sound
Of helmets, shields, and mighty arms of brass.
And there the two that far excell’d the rest,
470Æneas and Idomeneus, would fain

Have fix’d their spears in one another’s breast.
First threw Æneas, but he threw in vain,
For by Idomeneus declin’d it was,
And coming to the ground stuck trembling there.
475And then threw he and killed Œnomaus,

And pierced was his belly with a spear,
Who falling filled both his hands with dust.
Idomeneus pull’d out again his spear,
But to take off his arms he durst not trust
480Himself, so many lances flying were.

His limbs and feet not supple were and light
To throw or shun a spear. They now were past
Their best, yet good were in a standing fight,
But could not from the battle run so fast.
485And as he slowly walked off the field,

Deiphobus, that always bore him spite,
A spear threw at him, but him miss’d, and kill’d
Ascalaphus, son of the God of fight,
And on his hands into the dust fell he.
490But Mars yet knew not that his son was dead,

For in the golden clouds, by Jove’s decree,
With all the other Gods prohibited
To meddle in the battle, quiet sat.
About Ascalaphus the strife was all,
495And first Deiphobus his helmet gat,

But forc’d he was again to let it fall,
For in the arm he then receiv’d a wound,
Which by Meriones was to him sent,
Who quickly took the helmet from the ground,
500And with it back unto the Argives went.

Deiphobus was by Polites (who
His brother was) borne forth unto his car,
And bleeding in his car the town into.
But still upon the field went on the war,
505And Aphareus there wounded in the throat

Was by Æneas’ spear, wherewith his head
On one side hanging, shield and helmet brought
Down with him to the earth. There lay he dead.
And Thoon by Antilochus was slain,
510That to him turn’d his back and meant to fly;

For by the spear in two was cut the vein
Which all along the back to th’ neck doth lie,
And down he fell. Antilochus stepp’d in
To strip him; but the foes about him round
515Threw at him spears, but never touch’d his skin,

Although his shield received many a wound.
For he was well defended on each side
By Neptune, who unto him bore good will,
Because he ne’er would from the fight abide,
520And ’mongst the foes his spear was flying still.

But as his spear at one he aiming stood,
He by Asiades observed was,
Who to him came, as near as well he could,
And threw his spear, whereof one half did pass
525Clean through Antilochus his shield, and stuck

Therein; but th’ other half fell to the ground,
For Neptune him preserv’d from that ill luck.
So ’scap’d Antilochus without a wound.
And Adamas retir’d into the rout,
530Meriones sent after him a spear,

Which ent’ring at his hinder parts, came out
Beneath his navel, and above his gear,
Where wounds most fatal are. Then down he falls,
And like a cow that by the horns is tied
535By strength of swains, a little while he sprawls,

But with the plucking out the spear he died.
And then the son of Priam, Helenus,
With a broad sword in hand, all steel of Thrace,
Upon the helmet smote Deipyrus,
540Who there fell down and died upon the place.

The Greeks took up the helmet at their feet;
And griev’d thereat was Menelaus so,
That up he went with Helenus to meet,
Shaking his spear. The other draws his bow,
545And on the breast-plate hit was Menelaus;

But off the arrow flew, like chaff which fann’d
Is from the corn. But th’ other wounded was,
Just where he held the bow, quite through the hand,
And dragging hand and spear, himself withdrew
550Into the Trojan troops; where from the wound

The heavy spear his friend Agenor drew,
And in a woollen bandage wrapp’d it round,
Which in his hand a servant held hard by.
And then Pisandrus went to Menelaus,
555Betray’d thereto by cruel destiny,

For to have slain him in great hope he was,
And when they were to one another nigh,
First Menelaus threw his spear, but wide.
At him Pisandrus then his spear lets fly;
560But passage being at the shield denied,

Beneath the brazen point in twain it crack’d.
Then to him with his sword went Menelaus,
And he to Menelaus with an ax,
Which cover’d with his buckler ready was,
565And on his helmet crest then fell the stroke;

But he Pisandrus with his keen sword hit
Upon the forehead near the nose, which broke
The bone, and carried present death with it;
His eyes unto the ground fell in the blood.
570Atrides kick’d him as o’ th’ ground he lay,

Then stripp’d him of his arms, and o’er him stood,
Insulting and reproaching those of Troy.
Thus, thus, said he, proud Trojans, you’ll at last
Be taught to quit our ships, and have your fill
575Of bloody war, and pay for what is past.

You thought, ye dogs, too little was the ill,
Against the laws of hospitality
To steal away my goods, and wedded wife;
But further will (if in your pow’r it lie)
580Deprive the Argive princes all of life,

And burn their ships, although no injury
I ever did you. But I hope ye shall
Your greediness of fighting satisfy.
But father Jove, who, men say, art of all
585The Gods most wise, all this proceeds from you,

That to the Trojans, false and insolent,
More favour shew than to the just and true;
So that with peace they never are content.
Of everything there is satiety.
590Of sleep, of love, of dance, and pleasant song,

And all men else with war may cloyed be:
Only the Trojans still for fighting long.
This said, the armour to the ships he sent,
And ’mongst the foremost Greeks again he fought.
595And there Harpalion unto him went

(Who t’ Ilium was by his father brought,
But brought from thence again he never was)
And at him throws his spear, and hits his shield
Right in the midst; but through it could not pass,
600The stubborn brass unto it would not yield.

Missing his purpose, he the field forsook,
And fearing to be slain, look’d still about
Until an arrow keen him overtook,
Sent from Meriones, that pass’d throughout
605From buttock unto bladder. Then he sat

Expiring ’mongst the Trojans, his good friends,
And lay like to a worm benumbed, that
Upon the ground itself at length extends.
The Paphlagonians of him had a care,
610And, sorry for him, carried him to Troy.

His father weeping followed the car,
But how to be revenged saw no way.
And Paris then with anger was possest,
And ’mongst the Argives lets an arrow fly,
615For of Harpalion he had been the guest,

And well received in Paphlagonie.
Amongst the Argives one Euchenor was,
The son of Polydus, an aged prophet,
That knew full well how things would come to pass
620Before the town of Troy, and told him of it.

You must, said he, at home by sickness die,
Or going with the Greeks, at Troy be slain.
But for all that the young man valiantly
Went with the Greeks; but ne’er came home again,
625Though he behav’d himself with caution there,

In hope t’ avoid both danger and diseases.
But Paris shot him ’twixt the cheek and ear,
And on his eyes there death and darkness seizes.
Thus keenly fought they here; but Hector yet
630Knew not the Trojans that were fighting at

The left hand of the host were so beset,
For if he had perhaps been told of that,
He might have given the Greeks the victory;
Such courage Neptune gave unto them there.
635And sometimes by his strength immediately

In battle fighting they assisted were.
But Hector yet was where he first made way,
Breaking the Argive ranks, and wall, and gate,
Where of Protesilaus the good ships lay,
640And those of Ajax next unto them sate;

Where low the wall and sharpest was the fight.
Th’ Epeians, Pthians, and Ionians,
Bœotians, Locrians, all oppose their might
To Hector’s Trojans, Dardans, Lycians,
645And led were by good men. Th’ Athenians

By Menestheus, Bias, Phidas, Stichius.
Meges the leading had of th’ Epians,
And with him Amphion and Dracius.
Medon and Meneptolemus brought on
650The Pthians. Medon was Ajax’s brother,

And of Oileus the natural son,
Not gotten by his wife, but by another.
His wife was call’d Eriopis. And he
For killing of her brother forced fled,
655To save himself, to th’ town of Phylacie,

Where Meneptolemus was born and bred.
And so the Phthian leaders were these two,
And ’mongst the chief of the Bœotians, sought
To keep the Trojans from approaching to
660The Argive ships, to burn them as they thought.

But Ajax the swift, son of Œleus,
Not all this while departed from the side
Of Ajax, son of Telamonius,
But as two oxen which the ground divide
665Go tugging of the plough with one consent,

Till underneath their horns their foreheads sweat,
So labouring in the field together went
Yok’d, both the little Ajax and the great.
But Telamonius was followed
670With good companions, who, when there was cause,

His mighty buckler for him carried.
The other destitute of followers was,
For none but Locrians to the war he led,
Who have no use of bucklers when they fight,
675Nor spears, nor helmets, that defend the head;

But came to Troy with bows and arrows light,
And in a standing fight durst not abide.
But from behind the Argive ranks unseen,
They Hector and his Trojans terrified
680Incessantly with showers of arrows keen,

Whilst from the front with spears they plagued were.
The Trojans’ courage then was so allay’d,
That into Troy they all had run for fear,
But that Polydamas to Hector said,
685Hector, you are a man uncounselable.

Because in deeds of arms you so excel,
You think yourself in counsel too much able,
As if all virtues must in one man dwell.
The Gods to some have given well to fight,
690And others with the muses they have graced;

Others with dance the people to delight;
And in the mind of others wisdom placed,
The fruit whereof by many is enjoy’d:
It cities saves, as they that have it know,
695Which quickly would without it be destroy’d,

But what we are to do I’ll tell you now,
The war now lieth only on your hand;
For since we pass’d the wall, some quite give o’er,
And armed as they were do idle stand,
700And th’ enemy than ours that fight are more.

Therefore retire, and call the princes hither,
That it may be determin’d by them all,
Upon mature deliberation, whether
Upon the Argives at their ships to fall
705(If so it please the Gods) or otherwise,

Since Ajax there resolved is to stay,
How with most safety we may hence arise,
For they are in our debt for yesterday.
So said Polydamas, and Hector thought
710The counsel not amiss, and straight obey’d.

And armed from his chariot leapt out,
And standing on the ground unto him said,
Polydamas, stay you, and here detain
The Trojan chiefs, while to the fight I go,
715And give some orders there; I shall again

Be with you quickly, when I have done so.
He miss’d Deiphobus, and Helenus,
And valiant Adamas, Asiades,
And Asius, the son of Hyrtacus,
720And went about the field to look for these;

Of which some wounded were retir’d to Troy,
And some in battle by the Argives kill’d;
But found his brother Paris in his way,
Encouraging his men upon the field,
725And spake unto him, in ill language, thus:

Unlucky Paris, fine man, lover keen,
Where are Deiphobus, and Helenus,
And Adamas? Where are they to be seen?
And what is of Othryoneus become?
730And where is Asius? Now certainly

Down to the ground burnt will be Ilium,
And thou a miserable death wilt die.
So Hector said, and Paris thus replied:
Hector, there was for such words now no cause.
735Sometimes perhaps you may me justly chide.

I do not think a coward born I was,
For since unto the ships you brought the war,
We with the Greeks perpetually have fought.
But those you miss slain by the Argives are,
740Save that Deiphobus was carried out,

And Helenus, both wounded in the hand.
Now lead us on to what part you think fit;
We ready are to do what you command,
As far as strength of body will permit.
745This said, his brother reconciled was,

And both went to where cruelly they fought.
About Cebriones, Polydamas,
Orthæus, Polyphœtes, and about
Phalces and Palmes, and the children two,
750Ascanius, Moris, of Hippotion,

Who Ilium but the day before came to,
And now to th’ battle went by Jove set on.
As when a storm of wind falls on the plain,
The sea erects itself in ridges white,
755And foaming rolls in order on the main;

So to the Greeks, with helmets shining bright,
The Trojans one another followed
In order with their captains to the fight,
And Hector, like another Mars, at th’ head,
760With buckler round and strong, and armour bright.

His buckler he before him held far out,
That cover’d was his body with the same,
And peeping under it he look’d about,
And in that posture to the Argives came.
765And at the foremost ranks went here and there

To try if through them he could passage make;
But fast they stood, nor at it troubled were;
And Ajax seeing it, unto him spake,
Come nearer, man. Why think you to affright
770The Greeks? We are not so unus’d to war.

Nor are we driven hither by your might;
But by the hand of Jove afflicted are.
Hector, I know, to burn our ships you think;
But we have hands as good the ships to save,
775And Troy will first, I think, int’ ashes sink.

And shortly, I believe, you’ll wish to have
And pray to Jove and all the pow’rs on high
For horses that run faster than hawks fly,
That from the ships you may go speedily.
780This said, an eagle dexter presently

Flew over them. And they Jove’s prodigy
Received gladly with a mighty cry.
Then thus to Ajax Hector did reply.
Ajax, you love to prate and brag and lie.
785O that the son of Jove as sure were I,

And had been certainly conceived by
Juno, Jove’s wife, and as a Deity
Like Pallas and Apollo ne’er to die,
As I am sure great woe will fall this day
790Upon the Argives all and then be kill’d,

If for the coming of my spear thou stay,
And dogs and kites shall eat thee in the field.
This said, he led away. The Trojans shout,
So do the Argives, and resolv’d to try
795The power of their foes with courage stout.

The noise on both sides went up to the sky.

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

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LIB. XIII.