The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by...

[1]Now marshall’d all beneath their several chiefs, With deafening shouts, and with the clang of arms, The host of Troy advanced. Such clang is heard Along the skies, when from incessant showers Escaping, and from winter’s cold, the cranes5 Take wing, and over Ocean speed away;[2] Wo to the land of dwarfs! prepared they fly For slaughter of the small Pygmæan race. Not so the Greeks; they breathing valor came, But silent all, and all with faithful hearts10 On succor mutual to the last, resolved. As when the south wind wraps the mountain top In mist the shepherd’s dread, but to the thief Than night itself more welcome, and the eye Is bounded in its ken to a stone’s cast,15 Such from beneath their footsteps dun and dense Uprose the dust, for swift they cross the plain.

When, host to host opposed, full nigh they stood, Then Alexander[3] in the Trojan van Advanced was seen, all beauteous as a God;20 His leopard’s skin, his falchion and his bow Hung from his shoulder; bright with heads of brass He shook two spears, and challenged to the fight The bravest Argives there, defying all. Him, striding haughtily his host before25 When Menelaus saw, such joy he felt As hunger-pinch’d the lion feels, by chance Conducted to some carcase huge, wild goat, Or antler’d stag; huntsmen and baying hounds Disturb not him, he gorges in their sight.30 So Menelaus at the view rejoiced Of lovely Alexander, for he hoped His punishment at hand. At once, all armed, Down from his chariot to the ground he leap’d

When godlike Paris him in front beheld35 Conspicuous, his heart smote him, and his fate Avoiding, far within the lines he shrank.[4] As one, who in some woodland height descrying A serpent huge, with sudden start recoils, His limbs shake under him; with cautious step40 He slow retires; fear blanches cold his cheeks; So beauteous Alexander at the sight Of Atreus’ son dishearten’d sore, the ranks Of haughty Trojans enter’d deep again: Him Hector eyed, and thus rebuked severe.45

Curst Paris! Fair deceiver! Woman-mad! I would to all in heaven that thou hadst died Unborn, at least unmated! happier far Than here to have incurr’d this public shame! Well may the Grecians taunt, and laughing loud,50 Applaud the champion, slow indeed to fight And pusillanimous, but wondrous fair. Wast thou as timid, tell me, when with those Thy loved companions in that famed exploit, Thou didst consort with strangers, and convey55 From distant lands a warrior’s beauteous bride To be thy father’s and his people’s curse, Joy to our foes, but to thyself reproach? Behold her husband! Darest thou not to face The warlike prince? Now learn how brave a Chief60 Thou hast defrauded of his blooming spouse. Thy lyre, thy locks, thy person, specious gifts Of partial Venus, will avail thee nought, Once mixt by Menelaus with the dust. But we are base ourselves, or long ago,65 For all thy numerous mischiefs, thou hadst slept Secure beneath a coverlet[5] of stone.[6]

Then godlike Alexander thus replied. Oh Hector, true in temper as the axe Which in the shipwright’s hand the naval plank70 Divides resistless, doubling all his force, Such is thy dauntless spirit whose reproach Perforce I own, nor causeless nor unjust. Yet let the gracious gifts uncensured pass Of golden Venus; man may not reject75 The glorious bounty by the Gods bestow’d, Nor follows their beneficence our choice. But if thy pleasure be that I engage With Menelaus in decision fierce Of desperate combat bid the host of Troy80 And bid the Grecians sit; then face to face Commit us, in the vacant field between, To fight for Helen and for all her wealth. Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her And hers possess’d shall bear them safe away;85 While ye (peace sworn and firm accord) shall dwell At Troy, and these to Argos shall return And to Achaia praised for women fair.

He ceased, whom Hector heard with joy; he moved Into the middle space, and with his spear90 Advanced athwart push’d back the Trojan van, And all stood fast. Meantime at him the Greeks Discharged full volley, showering thick around From bow and sling;[7] when with a mighty voice Thus Agamemnon, leader of the host.95

Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye Greeks mail-arm’d,100 While I shall publish in your ears the words Of Alexander, author of our strife. Trojans, he bids, and Grecians on the field Their arms dispose; while he, the hosts between, With warlike Menelaus shall in fight105 Contend for Helen, and for all her wealth. Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her And hers possess’d, shall bear them safe away, And oaths of amity shall bind the rest.

Hear now me also, on whose aching heart These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between, For ye have suffer’d in my quarrel much,115 And much by Paris, author of the war. Die he who must, and peace be to the rest. But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white, The other black;[8] this to the Earth devote, That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply120 A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth, Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn’d. Young men are ever of unstable mind; But when an elder interferes, he views125 Future and past together, and insures The compact, to both parties, uninfringed.

So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end War’s long calamities. Alighted each,130 And drew his steeds into the lines. The field Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side, Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war Stood front to front, small interval between.

Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while, To Helen came. Laödice she seem’d, Loveliest of all the daughters of the house Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son, King Helicäon. Her she found within,145 An ample web magnificent she wove,[9] Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame. Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d.150

Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold! Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d. So lately on the cruel work of Mars Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield155 Each leans, his long spear planted at his side. Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold, With quivering lances shall contend for thee, And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.

So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul160 Sweetest desire infused to see again Her former Lord, her parents, and her home. At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil She started forth, and as she went let fall A tender tear; not unaccompanied165 She went, but by two maidens of her train Attended, Æthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair, And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps Convey’d them quickly to the Scæan gate. There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat,170 Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars, Antenor and Ucalegon the wise, All, elders of the people; warriors erst, But idle now through age, yet of a voice Still indefatigable as the fly’s[10]175 Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet. Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower, Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw, In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d.180

Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse, Long war for so much beauty.[11] Oh, how like In feature to the Goddesses above! Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away, Resistless as thou art and all divine,185 Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons.

So they among themselves; but Priam call’d Fair Helen to his side.[12] My daughter dear! Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends.190 I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused, Not thou, this lamentable war to Troy.[13] Name to me yon Achaian Chief for bulk Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed I may perceive than he; but with these eyes195 Saw never yet such dignity, and grace. Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems.

To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex, My other Sire! by me for ever held In reverence, and with filial fear beloved!200 Oh that some cruel death had been my choice, Rather than to abandon, as I did, All joys domestic, matrimonial bliss, Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear, A wanderer with thy son. Yet I alas!205 Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep. But I resolve thee. Thou behold’st the son Of Atreus, Agamemnon, mighty king, In arms heroic, gracious in the throne, And, (though it shame me now to call him such,)210 By nuptial ties a brother once to me.

Then him the ancient King-admiring, said. Oh blest Atrides, happy was thy birth, And thy lot glorious, whom this gallant host So numerous, of the sons of Greece obey!215 To vine-famed Phrygia, in my days of youth, I journey’d; many Phrygians there I saw, Brave horsemen, and expert; they were the powers Of Otreus and of Mygdon, godlike Chief, And on the banks of Sangar’s stream encamp’d.220 I march’d among them, chosen in that war Ally of Phrygia, and it was her day Of conflict with the man-defying race, The Amazons; yet multitudes like these Thy bright-eyed Greeks, I saw not even there.225

The venerable King observing next Ulysses, thus inquired. My child, declare Him also. Shorter by the head he seems Than Agamemnon, Atreus’ mighty son, But shoulder’d broader, and of ampler chest;230 He hath disposed his armor on the plain, But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced By numerous sheep encompass’d snowy-white.

Then answer thus, Antenor sage return’d. Princess thou hast described him: hither once240 The noble Ithacan, on thy behalf Ambassador with Menelaus, came: Beneath my roof, with hospitable fare Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then Occasion opportune, I closely mark’d245 The genius and the talents of the Chiefs, And this I noted well; that when they stood Amid the assembled counsellors of Troy, Then Menelaus his advantage show’d, Who by the shoulders overtopp’d his friend.250 But when both sat, Ulysses in his air Had more of state and dignity than he. In the delivery of a speech address’d To the full senate, Menelaus used Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged,255 And with much sweetness utter’d; for in loose And idle play of ostentatious terms He dealt not, thhugh he were the younger man. But when the wise Ulysses from his seat Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes260 So rivet on the earth, and with a hand That seem’d untutor’d in its use, so hold His sceptre, swaying it to neither side, That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure, Some chafed and angry idiot, passion-fixt.265 Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall His chosen words like flakes of feather’d snow, None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then, Found none to wonder at his noble form.270

Him answer’d Helen, loveliest of her sex.275 A bulwark of the Greeks. In him thou seest Gigantic Ajax. Opposite appear The Cretans, and among the Chiefs of Crete stands, like a God, Idomeneus. Him oft From Crete arrived, was Menelaüs wont280 To entertain; and others now I see, Achaians, whom I could recall to mind, And give to each his name; but two brave youths I yet discern not; for equestrian skill One famed, and one a boxer never foiled;285 My brothers; born of Leda; sons of Jove; Castor and Pollux. Either they abide In lovely Sparta still, or if they came, Decline the fight, by my disgrace abash’d And the reproaches which have fallen on me.[14]290

And now the heralds, through the streets of Troy Charged with the lambs, and with a goat-skin filled With heart-exhilarating wine prepared295 For that divine solemnity, return’d. Idæus in his hand a beaker bore Resplendent, with its fellow cups of gold, And thus he summon’d ancient Priam forth.

Son of Laömedon, arise. The Chiefs300 Call thee, the Chiefs of Ilium and of Greece. Descend into the plain. We strike a truce, And need thine oath to bind it. Paris fights With warlike Menelaüs for his spouse; Their spears decide the strife. The conqueror wins305 Helen and all her treasures. We, thenceforth, (Peace sworn and amity) shall dwell secure In Troy, while they to Argos shall return And to Achaia praised for women fair.

He spake, and Priam, shuddering, bade his train310 Prepare his steeds; they sedulous obey’d. First, Priam mounting, backward stretch’d the reins; Antenor, next, beside him sat, and through The Scæan gate they drove into the plain. Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy315 They left the chariot, and proceeded both Into the interval between the hosts. Then uprose Agamemnon, and uprose All-wise Ulysses. Next, the heralds came Conspicuous forward, expediting each320 The ceremonial; they the beaker fill’d With wine, and to the hands of all the kings Minister’d water. Agamemnon then Drawing his dagger which he ever bore Appendant to his heavy falchion’s sheath,325 Cut off the forelocks of the lambs,[15] of which The heralds gave to every Grecian Chief A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy. Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray’d.

Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth330 Thine arm omnipotent, o’erruling all, And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun, Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye Who under earth on human kind avenge Severe, the guilt of violated oaths,335 Hear ye, and ratify what now we swear! Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair’d, My brother Menelaüs, Helen’s wealth And Helen’s self are his, and all our host Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance340 That Paris fall by Menelaüs’ hand, Then Troy shall render back what she detains, With such amercement as is meet, a sum To be remember’d in all future times. Which penalty should Priam and his sons345 Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms I will contend for payment of the mulct My due, till, satisfied, I close the war.

He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs Stretch’d panting all, but soon they ceased to pant,350 For mortal was the stroke.[16] Then drawing forth Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups Hail’d the immortal Gods, and pray’d again, And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake.

Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm’d. Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return, Unable to sustain the sight, my son With warlike Menelaüs match’d in arms.365 Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom Of both, this day is preordain’d the last.

First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief, Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof Who of the combatants should foremost hurl His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque;375 Meantime the people raised their hands on high, And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed.

Jove, Father, who on Ida seated, seest And rulest all below, glorious in power! Of these two champions, to the drear abodes380 Of Ades him appoint who furnish’d first The cause of strife between them, and let peace Oath-bound, and amity unite the rest!

So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots, Majestic Chief, turning his face aside.385 Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each, And where his radiant arms lay on the field. Illustrious Alexander his bright arms Put on, fair Helen’s paramour. [17]He clasp’d390 His polish’d greaves with silver studs secured; His brother’s corselet to his breast he bound, Lycaon’s, apt to his own shape and size, And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss’d, His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad395 He took, and to his graceful head his casque Adjusted elegant, which, as he moved, Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized, Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear. Meantime the hero Menelaüs made400 Like preparation, and his arms put on.

When thus, from all the multitude apart, Both combatants had arm’d, with eyes that flash’d Defiance, to the middle space they strode, Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment405 Seized all beholders. On the measured ground Full near they stood, each brandishing on high His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth.

First, Alexander his long-shadow’d spear Sent forth, and on his smooth shield’s surface struck410 The son of Atreus, but the brazen guard Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point Reflex, his ineffectual weapon stay’d. Then Menelaüs to the fight advanced Impetuous, after prayer offer’d to Jove.[18]415