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

Thus burn’d the battle like devouring fire. Meantime, Antilochus with rapid steps Came to Achilles. Him he found before His lofty barks, occupied, as he stood, With boding fears of all that had befall’n.5 He groan’d, and to his noble self he said.

Ah! wo is me—why falls Achaia’s host, With such disorder foul, back on the fleet? I tremble lest the Gods my anxious thoughts Accomplish and my mother’s words, who erst10 Hath warn’d me, that the bravest and the best Of all my Myrmidons, while yet I live, Slain under Troy, must view the sun no more. Brave Menœtiades is, doubtless, slain. Unhappy friend! I bade thee oft, our barks15 Deliver’d once from hostile fires, not seek To cope in arms with Hector, but return.

Then clouds of sorrow fell on Peleus’ son,25 And, grasping with both hands the ashes, down He pour’d them on his head, his graceful brows Dishonoring, and thick the sooty shower Descending settled on his fragrant vest. Then, stretch’d in ashes, at the vast extent30 Of his whole length he lay, disordering wild With his own hands, and rending off his hair. The maidens, captived by himself in war And by Patroclus, shrieking from the tent Ran forth, and hemm’d the glorious Chief around.[2]35 All smote their bosoms, and all, fainting, fell. On the other side, Antilochus the hands Held of Achilles, mourning and deep groans Uttering from his noble heart, through fear Lest Peleus’ son should perish self-destroy’d.40 Loud groan’d the hero, whose loud groans within The gulfs of ocean, where she sat beside Her ancient sire, his Goddess-mother heard, And hearing shriek’d; around her at the voice Assembled all the Nereids of the deep45 Cymodoce, Thalia, Glauca came, Nisæa, Spio, Thoa, and with eyes Protuberant beauteous Halia; came with these Cymothöe, and Actæa, and the nymph Of marshes, Limnorea, nor delay’d50 Agave, nor Amphithöe the swift, Iæra, Doto, Melita, nor thence Was absent Proto or Dynamene, Callianira, Doris, Panope, Pherusa or Amphinome, or fair55 Dexamene, or Galatea praised For matchless form divine;

Nemertes pure Came also, with Apseudes crystal-bright, Callianassa, Mæra, Clymene, Janeira and Janassa, sister pair,60 And Orithya and with azure locks Luxuriant, Amathea; nor alone Came these, but every ocean-nymph beside, The silver cave was fill’d; each smote her breast, And Thetis, loud lamenting, thus began.65

Ye sister Nereids, hear! that ye may all From my own lips my boundless sorrow learn. Ah me forlorn! ah me, parent in vain Of an illustrious birth! who, having borne A noble son magnanimous, the chief70 Of heroes, saw him like a thriving plant Shoot vigorous under my maternal care, And sent him early in his gallant fleet Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy. But him from fight return’d I shall receive75 Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more; And while he lives, and on the sun his eyes Opens, he mourns, nor, going, can I aught Assist him; yet I go, that I may see My darling son, and from his lips be taught80 What grief hath now befallen him, who close Abiding in his tent shares not the war. So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs Attended weeping, and where’er they pass’d The breaking billows open’d wide a way.85 At fruitful Troy arrived, in order fair They climb’d the beach, where by his numerous barks Encompass’d, swift Achilles sighing lay. Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son, The Goddess-mother press’d between her palms90 His temples, and in accents wing’d inquired.

Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul? Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill’d the prayer Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer, That all Achaia’s host, wanting thy aid,95 Might be compell’d into the fleet, and foul Disgrace incur, there prison’d for thy sake.

To whom Achilles, groaning deep, replied. My mother! it is true; Olympian Jove That prayer fulfils; but thence, what joy to me,100 Patroclus slain? the friend of all my friends Whom most I loved, dear to me as my life— Him I have lost. Slain and despoil’d he lies By Hector of his glorious armor bright, The wonder of all eyes, a matchless gift105 Given by the Gods to Peleus on that day When thee they doom’d into a mortal’s arms. Oh that with these thy deathless ocean-nymphs Dwelling content, thou hadst my father left To espouse a mortal bride, so hadst thou ’scaped110 Pangs numberless which thou must now endure For thy son’s death, whom thou shalt never meet From Troy return’d, in Peleus’ mansion more! For life I covet not, nor longer wish To mix with human kind, unless my spear115 May find out Hector, and atonement take By slaying him, for my Patroclus slain.

Then answer, thus, indignant he return’d. Death, seize me now! since when my friend was slain, My doom was, not to succor him. He died From home remote, and wanting me to save him. Now, therefore, since I neither visit more125 My native land, nor, present here, have aught Avail’d Patroclus or my many friends Whom noble Hector hath in battle slain, But here I sit unprofitable grown, Earth’s burden, though of such heroic note,130 If not in council foremost (for I yield That prize to others) yet in feats of arms, Such as none other in Achaia’s host, May fierce contention from among the Gods Perish, and from among the human race,135 With wrath, which sets the wisest hearts on fire; Sweeter than dropping honey to the taste, But in the bosom of mankind, a smoke![3] Such was my wrath which Agamemnon roused, The king of men. But since the past is fled140 Irrevocable, howsoe’er distress’d, Renounce we now vain musings on the past, Content through sad necessity. I go In quest of noble Hector, who hath slain My loved Patroclus, and such death will take145 As Jove ordains me and the Powers of Heaven At their own season, send it when they may. For neither might the force of Hercules, Although high-favored of Saturnian Jove, From death escape, but Fate and the revenge150 Restless of Juno vanquish’d even Him. I also, if a destiny like his Await me, shall, like him, find rest in death; But glory calls me now; now will I make Some Trojan wife or Dardan with both hands155 Wipe her soft cheeks, and utter many a groan. Long time have I been absent from the field, And they shall know it.

Whom Thetis answer’d, Goddess of the Deep.160 Thou hast well said, my son! it is no blame To save from threaten’d death our suffering friends. But thy magnificent and dazzling arms Are now in Trojan hands; them Hector wears Exulting, but ordain’d not long to exult,165 So habited; his death is also nigh. But thou with yonder warring multitudes Mix not till thou behold me here again; For with the rising sun I will return To-morrow, and will bring thee glorious arms,170 By Vulcan forged himself, the King of fire.[4]

Plunge ye again into the briny Deep, And to the hoary Sovereign of the floods175 Report as ye have heard. I to the heights Olympian haste, that I may there obtain From Vulcan, glorious artist of the skies, Arms of excelling beauty for my son.

Meantime, with infinite uproar the Greeks From Hector’s hero-slaying arm had fled185 Home to their galleys station’d on the banks Of Hellespont. Nor yet Achaia’s sons Had borne the body of Patroclus clear From flight of darts away, but still again The multitude of warriors and of steeds190 Came on, by Priameian Hector led Rapid as fire. Thrice noble Hector seized His ancles from behind, ardent to drag Patroclus, calling to his host the while; But thrice, the two Ajaces, clothed with might,195 Shock’d and repulsed him reeling. He with force Fill’d indefatigable, through his ranks Issuing, by turns assail’d them, and by turns Stood clamoring, yet not a step retired; But as the hinds deter not from his prey200 A tawny lion by keen hunger urged, So would not both Ajaces, warriors bold, Intimidate and from the body drive Hector; and he had dragg’d him thence and won Immortal glory, but that Iris, sent205 Unseen by Jove and by the powers of heaven, From Juno, to Achilles brought command That he should show himself. Full near she drew, And in wing’d accents thus the Chief address’d.

Hero! most terrible of men, arise!210 protect Patroclus, for whose sake the war Stands at the fleet of Greece. Mutual prevails The slaughter, these the dead defending, those Resolute hence to drag him to the gates Of wind-swept Ilium. But beyond them all215 Illustrious Hector, obstinate is bent To win him, purposing to lop his head, And to exhibit it impaled on high. Thou then arise, nor longer on the ground Lie stretch’d inactive; let the thought with shame220 Touch thee, of thy Patroclus made the sport Of Trojan dogs, whose corse, if it return Dishonored home, brings with it thy reproach.

Her answer’d then Pelides, glorious Chief. How shall I seek the fight? they have my arms. My mother charged me also to abstain From battle, till she bring me armor new Which she hath promised me from Vulcan’s hand.235 Meantime, whose armor else might serve my need I know not, save perhaps alone the shield Of Telamonian Ajax, whom I deem Himself now busied in the stormy van, Slaying the Trojans in my friend’s defence.240

To whom the swift-wing’d messenger of heaven, Full well we know thine armor Hector’s prize Yet, issuing to the margin of the foss, Show thyself only. Panic-seized, perchance, The Trojans shall from fight desist, and yield245 To the o’ertoil’d though dauntless sons of Greece Short respite; it is all that war allows.

So saying, the storm-wing’d Iris disappear’d. Then rose at once Achilles dear to Jove, Athwart whose shoulders broad Minerva cast250 Her Ægis fringed terrific, and his brows Encircled with a golden cloud that shot Fires insupportable to sight abroad. As when some island, situate afar On the wide waves, invested all the day255 By cruel foes from their own city pour’d, Upsends a smoke to heaven, and torches shows On all her turrets at the close of eve Which flash against the clouds, kindled in hope Of aid from neighbor maritime allies,260 So from Achilles’ head light flash’d to heaven. Issuing through the wall, beside the foss He stood, but mix’d not with Achaia’s host, Obedient to his mother’s wise command. He stood and shouted; Pallas also raised265 A dreadful shout and tumult infinite Excited throughout all the host of Troy. Clear as the trumpet’s note when it proclaims A numerous host approaching to invest Some city close around, so clear the voice270 Rang of Æacides, and tumult-toss’d Was every soul that heard the brazen tone. With swift recoil the long-maned coursers thrust The chariots back, all boding wo at hand, And every charioteer astonish’d saw275 Fires that fail’d not, illumining the brows Of Peleus’ son, by Pallas kindled there. Thrice o’er the trench Achilles sent his voice Sonorous, and confusion at the sound Thrice seized the Trojans, and their famed allies.280 Twelve in that moment of their noblest died By their own spears and chariots, and with joy The Grecians from beneath a hill of darts Dragging Patroclus, placed him on his bier.

Around him throng’d his fellow-warriors bold,285 All weeping, after whom Achilles went Fast-weeping also at the doleful sight Of his true friend on his funereal bed Extended, gash’d with many a mortal wound, Whom he had sent into the fight with steeds290 And chariot, but received him thence no more.

And now majestic Juno sent the sun, Unwearied minister of light, although Reluctant, down into the Ocean stream.[5] So the sun sank, and the Achaians ceased295 From the all-wasting labors of the war. On the other side, the Trojans, from the fight Retiring, loosed their steeds, but ere they took Thought of refreshment, in full council met. It was a council at which no man sat,300 Or dared; all stood; such terror had on all Fallen, for that Achilles had appear’d, After long pause from battle’s arduous toil. First rose Polydamas the prudent son Of Panthus, above all the Trojans skill’d305 Both in futurity and in the past. He was the friend of Hector, and one night Gave birth to both. In council one excell’d And one still more in feats of high renown. Thus then, admonishing them, he began.310

My friends! weigh well the occasion. Back to Troy By my advice, nor wait the sacred morn Here, on the plain, from Ilium’s walls remote So long as yet the anger of this Chief ’Gainst noble Agamemnon burn’d, so long315 We found the Greeks less formidable foes, And I rejoiced, myself, spending the night Beside their oary barks, for that I hoped To seize them; but I now tremble at thought Of Peleus’ rapid son again in arms.320 A spirit proud as his will scorn to fight Here, on the plain, where Greeks and Trojans take Their common share of danger and of toil, And will at once strike at your citadel, Impatient till he make your wives his prey.325 Haste—let us home—else thus shall it befall; Night’s balmy influence in his tent detains Achilles now, but rushing arm’d abroad To-morrow, should he find us lingering here, None shall mistake him then; happy the man330 Who soonest, then, shall ’scape to sacred Troy! Then, dogs shall make and vultures on our flesh Plenteous repast. Oh spare mine ears the tale! But if, though troubled, ye can yet receive My counsel, thus assembled we will keep335 Strict guard to-night; meantime, her gates and towers With all their mass of solid timbers, smooth And cramp’d with bolts of steel, will keep the town. But early on the morrow we will stand All arm’d on Ilium’s towers. Then, if he choose,340 His galleys left, to compass Troy about, He shall be task’d enough; his lofty steeds Shall have their fill of coursing to and fro Beneath, and gladly shall to camp return.

To whom brave Hector louring, and in wrath. Polydamas, I like not thy advice Who bidd’st us in our city skulk, again350 Imprison’d there. Are ye not yet content? Wish ye for durance still in your own towers? Time was, when in all regions under heaven Men praised the wealth of Priam’s city stored With gold and brass; but all our houses now355 Stand emptied of their hidden treasures rare. Jove in his wrath hath scatter’d them; our wealth Is marketed, and Phrygia hath a part Purchased, and part Mæonia’s lovely land. But since the son of wily Saturn old360 Hath given me glory now, and to inclose The Grecians in their fleet hemm’d by the sea, Fool! taint not with such talk the public mind. For not a Trojan here will thy advice Follow, or shall; it hath not my consent.365 But thus I counsel. Let us, band by band, Throughout the host take supper, and let each, Guarded against nocturnal danger, watch. And if a Trojan here be rack’d in mind Lest his possessions perish, let him cast370 His golden heaps into the public maw,[6] Far better so consumed than by the Greeks. Then, with the morrow’s dawn, all fair array’d In battle, we will give them at their fleet Sharp onset, and if Peleus’ noble

son375 Have risen indeed to conflict for the ships, The worse for him. I shall not for his sake Avoid the deep-toned battle, but will firm Oppose his utmost. Either he shall gain Or I, great glory. Mars his favors deals380 Impartial, and the slayer oft is slain. So counsell’d Hector, whom with shouts of praise The Trojans answer’d:—fools, and by the power Of Pallas of all sober thought bereft! For all applauded Hector, who had given385 Advice pernicious, and Polydamas, Whose counsel was discreet and wholesome none. So then they took repast. But all night long The Grecians o’er Patroclus wept aloud, While, standing in the midst, Pelides led390 The lamentation, heaving many a groan, And on the bosom of his breathless friend Imposing, sad, his homicidal hands. As the grim lion, from whose gloomy lair Among thick trees the hunter hath his whelps395 Purloin’d, too late returning mourns his loss, Then, up and down, the length of many a vale Courses, exploring fierce the robber’s foot, Incensed as he, and with a sigh deep-drawn Thus to his Myrmidons Achilles spake.400

How vain, alas! my word spoken that day At random, when to soothe the hero’s fears Menœtius, then our guest, I promised him His noble son at Opoeis again, Living and laden with the spoils of Troy!405 But Jove performs not all the thoughts of man, For we were both destined to tinge the soil Of Ilium with our blood, nor I shall see, Myself, my father in his mansion more Or Thetis, but must find my burial here.410 Yet, my Patroclus! since the earth expects Me next, I will not thy funereal rites Finish, till I shall bring both head and arms Of that bold Chief who slew thee, to my tent. I also will smite off, before thy pile,415 The heads of twelve illustrious sons of Troy, Resentful of thy death. Meantime, among My lofty galleys thou shalt lie, with tears Mourn’d day and night by Trojan captives fair And Dardan compassing thy bier around,420 Whom we, at price of labor hard, ourselves With massy spears toiling in battle took From many an opulent city, now no more.

So saying, he bade his train surround with fire A tripod huge, that they might quickly cleanse425 Patroclus from all stain of clotted gore. They on the blazing hearth a tripod placed Capacious, fill’d with water its wide womb, And thrust dry wood beneath, till, fierce, the flames Embraced it round, and warm’d the flood within.430 Soon as the water in the singing brass Simmer’d, they bathed him, and with limpid oil Anointed; filling, next, his ruddy wounds With unguent mellow’d by nine circling years, They stretch’d him on his bed, then cover’d him435 From head to feet with linen texture light, And with a wide unsullied mantle, last.[7] All night the Myrmidons around the swift Achilles stood, deploring loud his friend, And Jove his spouse and sister thus bespake.440

To whom the awful Goddess ample-eyed.445 What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove, most severe? A man, though mortal merely, and to me Inferior in device, might have achieved That labor easily. Can I who boast Myself the chief of Goddesses, and such450 Not by birth only, but as thine espoused, Who art thyself sovereign of all the Gods, Can I with anger burn against the house Of Priam, and want means of just revenge?

Thus they in heaven their mutual conference455 Meantime, the silver-footed Thetis reach’d The starr’d abode eternal, brazen wall’d Of Vulcan, by the builder lame himself Uprear’d, a wonder even in eyes divine. She found him sweating, at his bellows huge460 Toiling industrious; tripods bright he form’d Twenty at once, his palace-wall to grace Ranged in harmonious order. Under each Two golden wheels he set, on which (a sight Marvellous!) into council they should roll465 Self-moved, and to his house, self-moved, return. Thus far the work was finish’d, but not yet Their ears of exquisite design affixt, For them he stood fashioning, and prepared The rivets. While he thus his matchless skill470 Employ’d laborious, to his palace-gate The silver-footed Thetis now advanced, Whom Charis, Vulcan’s well-attired spouse, Beholding from the palace portal, flew To seize the Goddess’ hand, and thus inquired.475

A Goddess then, whom with much cause I love And venerate is here, who when I fell Saved me, what time my shameless mother sought To cast me, because lame, out of all sight; Then had I been indeed forlorn, had not490 Eurynome the daughter of the Deep And Thetis in their laps received me fallen. Nine years with them residing, for their use I form’d nice trinkets, clasps, rings, pipes, and chains, While loud around our hollow cavern roar’d495 The surge of the vast deep, nor God nor man, Save Thetis and Eurynome, my life’s Preservers, knew where I was kept conceal’d. Since, therefore, she is come, I cannot less Than recompense to Thetis amber-hair’d500 With readiness the boon of life preserved. Haste, then, and hospitably spread the board For her regale, while with my best dispatch I lay my bellows and my tools aside.

He spake, and vast in bulk and hot with toil505 Rose limping from beside his anvil-stock Upborne, with pain on legs tortuous and weak. First, from the forge dislodged he thrust apart His bellows, and his tools collecting all Bestow’d them, careful, in a silver chest,510 Then all around with a wet sponge he wiped His visage, and his arms and brawny neck Purified, and his shaggy breast from smutch; Last, putting on his vest, he took in hand His sturdy staff, and shuffled through the door.515 Beside the King of fire two golden forms Majestic moved, that served him in the place Of handmaids; young they seem’d, and seem’d alive, Nor want they intellect, or speech, or force, Or prompt dexterity by the Gods inspired.520 These his supporters were, and at his side Attendant diligent, while he, with gait Uncouth, approaching Thetis where she sat On a bright throne, seized fast her hand and said,