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

King over all! now grant me to avenge My wrongs on Alexander; now subdue The aggressor under me; that men unborn May shudder at the thought of faith abused, And hospitality with rape repaid.420 He said, and brandishing his massy spear, Dismiss’d it. Through the burnish’d buckler broad Of Priam’s son the stormy weapon flew, Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest Ripp’d on his flank; but with a sideward bend425 He baffled it, and baulk’d the dreadful death.

Then Menelaüs drawing his bright blade, Swung it aloft, and on the hairy crest Smote him; but shiver’d into fragments small The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand.430 Vexation fill’d him; to the spacious heavens He look’d, and with a voice of wo exclaim’d—

So saying, he sprang on him, and his long crest Seized fast; then, turning, drew him by that hold Toward the Grecian host. The broider’d band That underbraced his helmet at the chin,440 Strain’d to his smooth neck with a ceaseless force, Chok’d him; and now had Menelaus won Deathless renown, dragging him off the field, But Venus, foam-sprung Goddess, feeling quick His peril imminent, snapp’d short the brace445 Though stubborn, by a slaughter’d[19] ox supplied, And the void helmet follow’d as he pull’d. That prize the Hero, whirling it aloft, Threw to his Greeks, who caught it and secured, Then with vindictive strides he rush’d again450 On Paris, spear in hand; but him involved In mist opaque Venus with ease divine Snatch’d thence, and in his chamber placed him, fill’d With scents odorous, spirit-soothing sweets. Nor stay’d the Goddess, but at once in quest455 Of Helen went; her on a lofty tower She found, where many a damsel stood of Troy, And twitch’d her fragrant robe. In form she seem’d An ancient matron, who, while Helen dwelt In Lacedæmon, her unsullied wool460 Dress’d for her, faithfullest of all her train. Like her disguised the Goddess thus began.

Ah whence, deceitful deity! thy wish Now to ensnare me? Wouldst thou lure me, say, To some fair city of Mæonian name Or Phrygian, more remote from Sparta still?475 Hast thou some human favorite also there? Is it because Atrides hath prevailed To vanquish Paris, and would bear me home Unworthy as I am, that thou attempt’st Again to cheat me? Go thyself—sit thou480 Beside him—for his sake renounce the skies; Watch him, weep for him; till at length his wife He deign to make thee, or perchance his slave. I go not (now to go were shame indeed) To dress his couch; nor will I be the jest485 Of all my sex in Ilium. Oh! my griefs Are infinite, and more than I can bear.

To whom, the foam-sprung Goddess, thus incensed. Ah wretch! provoke not me; lest in my wrath Abandoning thee, I not hate thee less490 Than now I fondly love thee, and beget Such detestation of thee in all hearts, Grecian and Trojan, that thou die abhorr’d.

The Goddess ceased. Jove’s daughter, Helen, fear’d, And, in her lucid veil close wrapt around,495 Silent retired, of all those Trojan dames Unseen, and Venus led, herself, the way. Soon then as Alexander’s fair abode They reach’d, her maidens quick their tasks resumed, And she to her own chamber lofty-roof’d500 Ascended, loveliest of her sex. A seat For Helen, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d, To Paris opposite, the Queen of smiles Herself disposed; but with averted eyes She sat before him, and him keen reproach’d.505

Thou hast escaped.—Ah would that thou hadst died By that heroic arm, mine husband’s erst! Thou once didst vaunt thee in address and strength Superior. Go then—challenge yet again The warlike Menelaüs forth in fight.510 But hold. The hero of the amber locks Provoke no more so rashly, lest the point Of his victorious spear soon stretch thee dead.

She ended, to whom Paris thus replied. Ah Helen, wound me not with taunt severe!515 Me, Menelaüs, by Minerva’s aid, Hath vanquish’d now, who may hereafter, him. We also have our Gods. But let us love. For never since the day when thee I bore From pleasant Lacedæmon o’er the waves520 To Cranäe’s fair isle, and first enjoy’d Thy beauty, loved I as I love thee now, Or felt such sweetness of intense desire.

But Menelaüs like a lion ranged The multitude, inquiring far and near For Paris lost. Yet neither Trojan him Nor friend of Troy could show, whom, else, through love None had conceal’d, for him as death itself530 All hated, but his going none had seen.

Amidst them all then spake the King of men. Trojans, and Dardans, and allies of Troy! The warlike Menelaüs hath prevailed, As is most plain. Now therefore bring ye forth535 Helen with all her treasures, also bring Such large amercement as is meet, a sum To be remember’d in all future times.