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

Eurypylus! although thy need be great, No longer may I now sit at thy side, Such contest hath arisen; thy servant’s voice Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth;495 Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods, I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain.

So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves,500 Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet; But as the line divides the plank aright, Stretch’d by some naval architect, whose hand Minerva hath accomplish’d in his art,505 So stretch’d on them the cord of battle lay. Others at other ships the conflict waged, But Hector to the ship advanced direct Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove; Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire510 The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse Hector, conducted thither by the Gods. Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm’d With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell,515 And from his loosen’d grasp down dropp’d the brand. But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice Call’d on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy.

So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast525 Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son Of Mastor, a Cytherian, who had left Cytheras, fugitive for blood, and dwelt With Ajax. Him standing at Ajax’ side, He pierced above his ear; down from the stern530 Supine he fell, and in the dust expired. Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake.

Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend; Mastorides is slain, whom we received An inmate from Cytheræ, and with love535 And reverence even filia,, entertain’d; B9 Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts Death-wing’d, and bow, by gift from Phœbus thine?

He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran With bow and well-stored quiver to his side,540 Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host. He struck Pisenor’s son Clytus, the friend And charioteer of brave Polydamas, Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please545 The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most He saw the battle, thither he had driven. But sudden mischief, valiant as he was, Found him, and such as none could waft aside, For right into his neck the arrow plunged,550 And down he fell; his startled coursers shook Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang. That sound alarm’d Polydamas; he turn’d, And flying to their heads, consign’d them o’er To Protiaön’s son, Astynoüs,555 Whom he enjoin’d to keep them in his view; Then, turning, mingled with the van again. But Teucer still another shaft produced Design’d for valiant Hector, whose exploits (Had that shaft reach’d him) at the ships of Greece560 Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove, Guardian of Hector’s life, slept not; he took From Telamonian Te5cer that renown, And while he stood straining the twisted nerve Against the Trojan, snapp’d it. Devious flew565 The steel-charged[11] arrow, and he dropp’d his bow. Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake.

To whom the towering son of Telamon. Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest, Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds,575 That thou may’st fight with spear and buckler arm’d, And animate the rest. Such be our deeds That, should they conquer us, our foes may find Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won.

So Ajax spake; then Teucer, in his tent580 The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield, Settled on his illustrious brows his casque With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved, Terrible from above, took forth a spear Tough-grain’d, acuminated sharp with brass,585 And stood, incontinent, at Ajax’ side. Hector perceived the change, and of the cause Conscious, with echoing voice call’d to his host.

Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men;590 Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed, Call into mind the fury of your might! For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know With ease the hand of interposing Jove,595 Both whom to glory he ordains, and whom He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us. Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall’d By arrow or by spear, dies—let him die;600 It shall not shame him that he died to serve His country,[12] but his children, wife and home, With all his heritage, shall be secure, Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy.

Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die, Or save at once your galley and yourselves. Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize Of warlike Hector, ye shall yet return610 On foot? Or hear ye not the Chief aloud Summoning all his host, and publishing His own heart’s wish to burn your fleet with fire? Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight He calls them; therefore wiser course for us615 Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands In contest obstinate, and force with force. Better at once to perish, or at once To rescue life, than to consume the time Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain620 Here at the ships, with an inferior foe.

He said, and by his words into all hearts Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers And son of Perimedes; Ajax slew,625 Meantime, a Chief of Trojan infantry, Laodamas, Antenor’s noble son While by Polydamas, a leader bold Of the Epeans, and Phylides’[13] friend, Cyllenian Otus died. Meges that sight630 Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang, But, starting wide, Polydamas escaped, Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced The breast of Cræsmus; on his sounding shield Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp’d his arms.635 Him so employ’d Dolops assail’d, brave son Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight, Offspring of King Laomedon; he stood Full near, and through his middle buckler struck The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick640 With plates of scaly brass his life secured. That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home From Ephyre, where the Selleïs winds, And it was given him for his life’s defence In furious battle by the King of men,645 Euphetes. Many a time had it preserved Unharm’d the sire, and now it saved the son. Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance The bushy crest of Dolops’ helmet drove Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright650 Entire it fell and mingled with the dust. While thus they strove, each hoping victory, Came martial Menelaus to the aid Of Meges; spear in hand apart he stood By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove655 And through his breast the spear, and far beyond. And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground.

At once both flew to strip his radiant arms, Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call’d Each to his aid, and Melanippus first,660 Illustrious Hicetaon’s son, reproved. Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived He in Percote fed his wandering beeves; But when the Danaï with all their fleet Came thither, then returning, he outshone665 The noblest Trojans, and at Priam’s side Dwelling, was honor’d by him as a son. Him Hector reprimanding, stern began.

Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks670 How busy there with Dolops and his arms? Come on. It is no time for distant war, But either our Achaian foes must bleed, Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain.675

So moved he them, themselves already bent To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore685 Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell’d the foe. Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach’d Antilochus, and thus his courage roused.

He ended and retired, but him his praise Effectual animated; from the van695 Starting, he cast a wistful eye around And hurl’d his glittering spear; back fell the ranks Of Troy appall’d; nor vain his weapon flew, But Melanippus pierced heroic son Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight,700 Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound Of all his batter’d armor down he fell. Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead,705 So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye Of noble Hector, who through all the war Ran to encounter him; his dread approach710 Antilochus, although expert in arms, Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds, Conscious of injury that he hath done, Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog, Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise,715 So fled the son of Nestor, after whom The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour’d Darts numberless; but at the front arrived Of his own phalanx, there he turn’d and stood. Then, eager as voracious lions, rush’d720 The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind Of Jove accomplishing who them

impell’d Continual, calling all their courage forth, While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host.725 For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,[14] That he might cast into the fleet of Greece Devouring flames, and that no part might fail Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone730 He watch’d to see, one galley in a blaze, Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight To Ilium’s host, but glory to the Greeks. Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved To that assault Hector, himself prepared735 And ardent for the task; nor less he raged Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front His keen eyes glisten’d, and his helmet mark’d740 The agitation wild with which he fought. For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven Assisted Hector, and, although alone With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach The heights of glory, for that now his life745 Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on,[15] his hour To die by Peleus’ mighty son approach’d. He then, wherever richest arms he saw And thickest throng, the

warrior-ranks essay’d To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved,750 In even square compact so firm they stood. As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep The stress endures of many a hollow wind, And the huge billows tumbling at his base, So stood the Danaï, nor fled nor fear’d.755 But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host Assail’d on every side, and on the van Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm,760 And every seaman trembles at the view Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes, Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks. But he, as leaps a famish’d lion fell On beeves that graze some marshy meadow’s breadth,765 A countless herd, tended by one unskill’d To cope with savage beasts in their defence, Beside the foremost kine or with the last He paces heedless, but the lion, borne Impetuous on the midmost, one devours770 And scatters all the rest,[16] so fled the Greeks, Terrified from above, before the arm Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove. All fled, but of them all alone he slew The Mycenæan Periphetes, son775 Of Copreus custom’d messenger of King Eurystheus

to the might of Hercules. From such a sire inglorious had arisen A son far worthier, with all virtue graced, Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell’d780 In wisdom of the Mycenæan name; Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more. For Periphetes, with a backward step Retiring, on his buckler’s border trod, Which swept his heels; so check’d, he fell supine,785 And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows. Him Hector quick noticing, to his side Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear, Slew him before the phalanx of his friends. But they, although their fellow-warrior’s fate790 They mourn’d, no succor interposed, or could, Themselves by noble Hector sore appall’d.

And now behind the ships (all that updrawn Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet) The Greeks retired; in rush’d a flood of foes;795 Then, through necessity, the ships in front Abandoning, amid the tents they stood Compact, not disarray’d, for shame and fear Fast held them, and vociferating each Aloud, call’d ceaseless on the rest to stand.800 But earnest more than all, guardian of all, Gerenian Nestor in their parents’ name Implored them, falling at the knees of each.

Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place Each in the estimation of the rest.805 Now call to memory your children, wives, Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live, And ye whose parents are not, all alike! By them as if here present, I entreat That ye stand fast—oh be not turn’d to flight!810

So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks; Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall’n from above On every eye; great light the plain illumed On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where The undiscriminating battle raged.815 Then might be seen Hector and Hector’s host Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships.

To stand aloof where other Grecians stood No longer now would satisfy the mind820 Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides Enormous marching, to and fro he swung With iron studs emboss’d a battle-pole Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long. As one expert to spring from horse to horse,825 From many steeds selecting four, toward Some noble city drives them from the plain Along the populous road; him many a youth And many a maiden eyes, while still secure From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly;830 So Ajax o’er the decks of numerous ships Stalk’d striding large, and sent his voice to heaven. Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself Hector, contented, now, the battle wage835 Lost in the multitude of Trojans more, But as the tawny eagle on full wing Assails the feather’d nations, geese or cranes Or swans lithe-neck’d grazing the river’s verge, So Hector at a galley sable-prow’d840 Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on With mighty hand, and his host after him. And now again the battle at the ships Grew furious; thou hadst deem’d them of a kind By toil untameable, so fierce they strove,845 And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged Hope vain, and the whole host’s destruction sure; But nought expected every Trojan less Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave Achaia’s heroes lifeless on the field.850 With such persuasions occupied, they fought.

Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark Well-built, sharp-keel’d, and of the swiftest sail, Which had to Troy Protesiläus brought, But bore him never thence. For that same ship855 Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow, But close conflicting and of one mind all With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords,860 And with long lances double-edged they fought. Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn, And pools of blood soak’d all the sable glebe.865 Hector that ship once grappled by the stern Left not, but griping fast her upper edge With both hands, to his Trojans call’d aloud.

Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven! Jove gives us now a day worth all the past;870 The ships are ours which, in the Gods’ despite Steer’d hither, such calamities to us Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame Who me withheld from battle at the fleet And check’d the people; but if then the hand875 Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr’d, Himself now urges and commands us on.

He ceased; they still more violent assail’d The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure, Whelm’d under weapons numberless, that storm880 No longer, but expecting death retired Down from the decks to an inferior stand, Where still he watch’d, and if a Trojan bore Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear, Roaring continual to the host of Greece.885

Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars! Be men, my friends! now summon all your might! Think we that we have thousands at our backs To succor us, or yet some stronger wall To guard our warriors from the battle’s force?890 Not so. No tower’d city is at hand, None that presents us with a safe retreat While others occupy our station here, But from the shores of Argos far remote Our camp is, where the Trojans arm’d complete895 Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in. Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels

He said, and furious with his spear again Press’d them, and whatsoever Trojan came, Obsequious to the will of Hector, arm’d900 With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear’s point Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm.